Ayurveda is the traditional holistic medicine and belief system from India which offers lifestyle guidance, including:
- herbs,
- nourishing diet,
- massage,
- yoga,
- breathwork and
- practices for health, wellness and beauty.
Ayurveda believes that true beauty is composed of 3 main aspects:
- a well nourished body,
- a balanced mind and
- a peaceful spirit.
Outer beauty is a reflection of inner health and wellbeing, and therefore, living and embodying a healthy lifestyle is key in Ayurveda. It is one of the 3 main pillars of Ayurvedic beauty:
- outer beauty,
- inner beauty and
- lasting beauty.
Outer beauty, or “roopam,” is characterized by a healthy appearance including a clear, glowing complexion and shiny, healthy hair. Inner beauty, or “gunam,” is what shines from within and includes a lovely personality and warm heart. And lasting beauty, or “vayastyag,” is looking and feeling younger than one’s age. Any woman, or person, can fit this description — no matter her age, figure or physical appearance — as long as she embodies good health, happiness and a balanced lifestyle.
If this intrigues you, there are many ways to incorporate Ayurveda into your lifestyle. In addition to bodywork and practices like yoga, breathwork and massage, the following are some key Ayurvedic herbs to help you really thrive, live timelessly and help your beauty shine from the inside out. This article will also explain what is Ayurvedic oil.
4 Ayurvedic Herbs from India for Health and Beauty
Amla – promoter of beauty and bliss
Also known as Amalaki or Indian gooseberry, Amla is a potent antioxidant that has a nourishing and regenerative effect on the tissues. Most known for its skin, hair and nail benefits, it also promotes healthy eyes, bones, and teeth.
Amla is a renowned rejuvenative and adaptogen famed for slowing age. It is a very rich source of vitamin C (20 times more than an orange) and contains the phytochemical quercetin. Amla supports a healthy stomach lining and good digestion, and enhances the body’s absorption of Iron and Calcium. It supports healthy bowel movements, promotes liver health and supports healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It also aids in the gentle flushing of toxins from the body.
This fruit is also believed to have the effect of helping raise the quality of consciousness and overall well being of the body, promoting bliss.
Ashwagandha – calming, strengthening and antiaging
Commonly known as Indian Ginseng or Indian winter cherry, Ashwagandha is a very revered herb in Ayurveda. It is known as a “Rasayana,” or a tonic that promotes a youthful state of physical and mental health and expands happiness.
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that helps your body become more resilient to stress over time. It helps to strengthen an exhausted nervous system, helping balance emotional instability, agitation or feeling stressed out. Ashwagandha has the dual action of energizing and restoring while also calming and is known as an anti-aging tonic that increases energy and vitality.
This herb is hormone balancing for both men and women, and promotes a healthy libido. It supports the proper function of the adrenals and is very useful in hypothyroid disorders to regulate thyroid activity. Ashwagandha helps calm the mind and promotes a feeling of wellbeing and restful sleep. It is a blood builder and it nourishes the tissues, especially muscles and bones, and promotes muscle strength. It is also an immunomodulator and anti-inflammatory.
Shatavari – a feminine tonic at any age
Known in Ayurveda as “woman of 100 husbands,” Shatavari is the herb to support beautiful, vibrant and healthy femininity throughout a woman’s life. It supports a healthy female reproductive system, including healthy libido, a healthy cycle, fertility and lactation. Later in life, it also supports menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, irritability and dryness.
Shatavari enhances metabolism while nourishing the muscles and blood, helping to build lean body mass. It supports the immune system and calms the nerves. It is said to increase the life essence, having a nourishing and grounding effect on the body.
Tulsi – relaxation and mental clarity
Tulsi, or Holy Basil, is one of the most sacred plants of India, known as the “the Queen of Herbs” and is often kept in courtyards and houses for its purifying and beneficial influence on its surroundings. It promotes healthy circulation and proper heart function and helps maintain normal body temperature.
This herb is known for helping to relieve stress and promoting mental clarity and awareness. It also supports the upper respiratory system and clear breathing while strengthening digestion, supporting blood sugar, cholesterol and healthy weight management.
An Additional Holistic Remedy
Ayurvedic Oil – nourishing and balancing for optimal health
In addition to herbs, Ayurvedic oils play a crucial role in promoting health, beauty, and balance. So, what is Ayurvedic oil? These oils are carefully crafted blends of herbs and carrier oils, each designed to target specific health concerns or support overall well-being.
Two excellent examples of Ayurvedic essential oils are Banyan Botanicals‘ Nasya Oil and Organic Neem Oil. Nasya Oil is a traditional blend used for nasal and sinus support, promoting clear breathing and a healthy respiratory system. It can be applied in the nostrils or used for facial massage to nourish and rejuvenate the skin.
Organic Neem Oil, on the other hand, is a versatile oil known for its skin-loving properties. It can be used topically to support healthy skin, nails, and hair, and is particularly beneficial for those with dry, irritated, or acne-prone skin. Neem oil is also known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it a valuable addition to your natural skincare routine.
Summary
Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to cultivating inner and outer beauty through the use of nourishing herbs like Amla, Ashwagandha, Shatavari, and Tulsi, as well as specially crafted Ayurvedic oils. Here, we have noted what is Ayurvedic oil — blends of herbs and carrier oils targeting specific health concerns and promoting overall balance. By incorporating these powerful herbs and oils into your daily routine, you can embrace the wisdom of Ayurveda and radiate true beauty from within.
Sources:
- Ayurvedic Beauty Begins Within, Maharishi Ayurveda MAPI: https://mapi.com/blogs/articles/ayurvedic-beauty-begins-within
- Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice, Sebastian Pole. 2006 Elsevier.
- Indian Gooseberry Benefits for the Liver, Heart, Gut & Brain by Rachael Link, MS, RD: https://draxe.com/nutrition/indian-gooseberry/
- Natural Beauty with Ayurveda, Ayurveda Pura London: https://www.ayurvedapura.com/gbp/news/post/natural-beauty-ayurveda
- Singh, Narendra et al. “An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda.” African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM vol. 8,5 Suppl (2011): 208-13. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.9
