Ayurvedic viewpoint - Skin Health
The skin is our interface with the outside world. It is the body’s largest organ involved in respiration, absorption and regulation of body temperature. Skin diseases reflect the changes that are occurring within each individual, revealing the person’s ability to assimilate environmental chemicals, stress, trauma and to metabolise foods. As a natural route out of the body the skin can also reflect the body’s own eliminative systems, the functioning of the hormonal-endocrine systems, the immune response as well as the genetic inheritance from one’s ancestors.
Typical symptoms of skin problems
Inflammation
Itching
Redness
Bleeding
Oozing
Infection
Pain
Hardened skin
Discoloured skin
Disturbed sleep
Anxiety
Ayurvedic viewpoint
The skin is a healthy by-product of the plasma and muscles. A healthy plasma creates the topmost layer of the skin, the epidermis, giving smooth and soft skin, with even colour and without blemishes or moles. A healthy muscle tissue gives tone and strength to the skin.
Pitta, the quality of fire and heat in the body, resides in the skin and gives it colour and lustre. Pitta and the blood are associated so any disturbance of pitta or the blood can lead to skin problems. If the blood is weak then it may lead to dry, rough, pale, cold and cracked skin. If the blood becomes excessive or hot, then it may lead to acute flushing, redness and early attacks of dermatitis, urticaria and acne. When the blood is corrupted over an extended period of time it can cause chronic discolourations of the skin including eczema, dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, urticaria, bleeding from the skin and gums, herpes and easy bruising.
Causes of skin diseases
All skin diseases involve aggravation of the fundamental balance of health (physical and mental):
Toxins accumulate due to low digestive fire. Incompatible foods cause low digestive fire and aggravation of the skin (e.g. fish and milk, fruit and milk or curds, stale foods).
Excess oily, fatty and heavy food cause low digestive fire and aggravation of heat and mucus.
Excess sour and salty foods increase liquids in the body causing obstruction to the channels of circulation and also aggravation of heat and mucus.
Excess meat, yoghurt, cheese, oil, salt, fish, pastries, sesame seeds, milk, sugar and acidic foods cause toxins.
Exposure to extreme heat after taking a heavy meal.
Exposure to extreme cold immediately after exposure to heat.
Day sleep increases mucus which can lead to allergies.
Exercise immediately after taking food disturbs digestion.
Regularly working in hot places, such as kitchens, and excessive exposure to the sun causes heat increase and aggravates the blood.
Physical exhaustion.
Worms.
Genetic tendency.
General treatment (chikitsa)
The most effective approach centres around a course of purification to clear the excess toxins:
Increase the digestive fire
Clear toxins
Improve liver function
Treatment
There are some very effective natural treatments for regulating skin quality. Here are some of the recommendations that Ayurveda makes:
Neem & Sarsaparilla Formula: Use for skin inflammations when they are red, sore, oozing and itchy; including eczema, psoriasis, acne and rosacea. Clears inflammatory heat and cleanses the blood.
Triphala Plus is based on the famous Triphala formula but with an extra boost to treat stubborn constipation, dry stools, toxin accumulations and bad breath. It acts as a bulk laxative, colon tonic and detoxifier. Use to remove constipation and then take Triphala for maintenance.
Organic Aloe Vera Juice: Being a gentle, cooling herb, it helps to clear inflammatory heat from the body, whilst supporting gentle detoxification of the liver. It contains a high level of Aloe vera polysaccharides which are specific healers for the skin. Aloe vera is one of the best Ayurvedic herbs for healing burns, scars, stretch marks and wounds.
Organic Hemp Seed Oil has a delicious nutty flavour. It is renowned for containing the perfect balance of Omega 3, 6 and 9; this ratio perfectly matches the requirements of your body. Take two tablespoons twice a day as a nourishing tonic oil. Hemp seed oil is a wonderful oil to protect and beautify the skin from inside and out due to its moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties. It can also be used as a massage oil for dry itchy skin.
Neem & Sesame Seed Oil: A strong anti-inflammatory massage treatment to reduce redness, itching and dry skin.
Cleanse Tea: A delicious blend of nettle, peppermint, fennel seed and aloe vera to purify the skin from the inside out.
Testimonial
“A friend recommended Neem & Sarsaparilla capsules to me to try and ease the symptoms of my eczema. Three years ago my sister committed suicide, since her death I have suffered from severe eczema which conventional medicines failed to help. I had been prescribed various steroid creams which were just not working. My skin was constantly itching, with unsightly red patches. I am so pleased to say that after just two weeks of taking your Neem & Sarsaparilla, my skin has greatly improved. I am no longer scratching and the patches of eczema are fading.”
Mrs T Franklin, Weston-super-Mare
If you are taking medication seek the advice of your doctor.