Herbal cosmetics and Beauty Therapy
Many of the ancient Indian Ayurvedic texts describe various therapies aimed at retaining youthful health and beauty. In fact the Panchakarma rejuvenation therapy and Rasayana therapies are simply treatments meant to combat the onset of ageing. These days people are also beset by various diseases caused by the stress and strain of modern life which in turn affect their looks. This text tries to set out some tried and tested home remedies for such beauty care problems.
In fact, more than as mere remedies, it would be better to consider many of these applications as part of a daily routine. Take for example the matter of skin care. Ageing leaves wrinkles on the skin. By adopting certain skin care measures set out in this text as part of your daily routine, the pace of ageing and the intensity of its impact on your skin can be reduced.
We have tried to group together the various remedies available for each particular beauty care problem. These remedies vary in the time span needed to take effect. Some may require continuous application over a long term to manifest change. You can grow at home the herbs needed for some others. You may consider these factors when deciding the therapy most suited to solve your beauty care problem.
However, before going onto therapies, certain general aspects need to be discussed.
This text is a compilation of natural methods of beauty care. These mostly consist of Ayurvedic beauty therapies and indigenous beauty care materials and their application which have evolved in Kerala over the centuries. These tried and tested beauty care methods cannot possibly have any adverse effect on users.
However, apart from compiling such beauty care methods this text was unable to individually monitor their application by anyone. The remedies and materials described in this text are meant only for the general information of readers. The application of materials described herein need not produce the same results in everyone. In rare cases they might cause allergic reactions. Besides, the quality of materials going into the manufacture of such beauty care remedies and the training and expertise involved in their manufacture are important factors which bear upon the results. Therefore neither the publishers nor the experts who compiled this text can be held responsible for the results of the therapies described herein. We suggest that those who want to try out these beauty treatments do so under the supervision of a trained physician or at their own risk.
Hair Care
Soft and silky is the concept about hair in beauty care or beauty tips. Hair care differs from according to one’s hair type and also by various processes that applied to hair. (more...)
The face
Increasing the facial beauty is the first thing that comes to mind when discussing beauty care. This is because a person’s face is the first thing that grabs attention. There are a number of face beautifying potions available in the market today. This text sets out the recipes for better facial beauty enhancing masks which you yourself can make at home. (more...)
Eye care
Ensuring the health and beauty of the eyes is as important as ensuring the radiance of the facial skin. You can use either a collyrium or Anjanam for eye care. The difference between the two is that while the collyrium is for daily use, Anjanam is any medicated Ayurvedic application to the eye. The collyrium is usually a specially prepared lamp black paste. (more...)
Teeth care
The teeth and gums too are important aspects of a person’s beauty. However most tooth pastes available today have many synthetic compounds harmful to teeth and gums. They may weaken the teeth or inflame the gums. To avoid this you can make your own tooth powder at home which will impart beauty and health to your teeth and gums. (more...)
Nasya
Nasya is medication through the nose. Daily Nasya can ward off premature graying, help to improve eyesight and lend a glow to the eyes as well as remove dark patches on facial skin to make it beautiful. The ideal time for Nasya is just after sunrise, on an empty stomach and before your daily bath. Anu Thaila and Kumkumadi Thaila are the two usual Nasya medications. Both are reknowned for their beauty enhancing properties. (more...)
Udwartana
This is a process in which a paste of herbal powders in water or other suitable liquids is applied on the body and is rubbed off gently just as it dries. Udwartana with various powders is effective in reducing excessive sweating and bad body odour, in imparting softness and radiance to the body skin as well as in reducing obesity. While masks enhance the beauty of the face, Udwartana does the same for the whole body. (more...)
Pregnancy
The skin and muscle tissues around the abdomen get stretched as pregnancy advances. These stretch marks appear as shiny white lines over the stomach. Often it is accompanied by acute itching. Scratching to relieve the itch increases the stretch marks. Once they occur, the stretch marks do not disappear. Therefore it is better to prevent their appearance which usually happens around the seventh month of pregnancy. Preventive measures have to start before this stage. There are many applications available which will prevent the occurrence of stretch marks. (more...)
The bath
A healthy person can bathe everyday. Strict tradition stipulates bathing preceded by oil massage on head and body. Sesame oil or coconut oil are ideal for this. In Kerala the preference is for coconut oil. Some people use both – coconut oil for the head and sesame oil for the body. An oil massage bath at least once a week is considered a must. (more...)
Post - natal bath
A delivery causes trauma for the body, albeit temporary. With proper post - natal care the body can soon be brought back to normal. Traditionally oil massage baths have had an important role in this. Dhanwantharam or Bala Thailas are used for post - natal massage bath. Lukewarm medicated bath water is ideal. The oil massage must be continued for at least half an hour before bathing. For such post - natal baths called Veth baths, water boiled with herbal leaves is used. (more...)
Nail & Feet
In the complete human body feet are the mist strained and worked out part, but also are the most neglected one. Proper care for feet and nails is must (more...)
Therapies
This text sets out over 100 treatments for various beauty related problems. Most of them are Ayurvedic therapies. Some ancient traditional treatments and panaceas have also been included. All of them are tried and tested remedies used in Kerala for centuries.
Certain precautions
1. Men should not use medicated compounds containing raw turmeric as it will lead to hair loss.
2. As far as possible use clay or bronze vessels for preparing the medicines.
3. Ensure that the vessels used to prepare the medicines are perfectly clean.
4. Since Kumkumadi Thaila, Anu Thaila and Elaneerkuzhambu need expertise in their manufacture, it is better to buy them off reputed pharmacies rather than try and make them at home.
5. The manufacture of complicated oils using numerous ingredients is better done at first under the supervision of someone experienced in their production.
6. It is beneficial to apply a little Rasnadi powder on the crown of the head after medicated oil baths.
7. When applying medicated pastes as face masks, take care to rinse them off before they get too dry.
