5 Ayurvedic Rituals for Lasting Beauty

Ayurveda, India’s traditional medical system, has been around for over 5,000 years. This science offers ancient remedies that are time tested and effective. From simple daily rituals like incorporating meditation into one’s life to complex complementary treatment plans for diseases like arthritis and cancer, Ayurveda covers it all.

Below are 5 Ayurvedic rituals for lasting beauty and health to incorporate into one’s daily life.

1. Go to Sleep & Awake at the Same Time Each Day & Night

Getting one’s beauty sleep isn’t just a silly thing people say in fairy tales. Did you know that while you are asleep, your body repairs itself from the previous day’s stress? Your body can recharge & repair while you are at rest.

It is said that a good night’s sleep varies between 6-8 hours per night. Your predominant constitutional dosha determines how much sleep is necessary to feel fully rested & rejuvenated. For instance, a Kapha Type would thrive on 6 or 7 hours of sleep while a Vata Type would do best with 8 hours of sleep per night & a Pitta Type would do well with 7-8 hours per night.

To go to bed then awake & arise at the same time each evening & morning is the best way to ensure a proper night’s sleep. According to Ayurveda, one should be in bed no later than 10pm & awake no later than 6am. This timing honors the cycle of the doshas & will guarantee the deepest, most productive “beauty sleep”.

Curious about your doshic type? Discover your dosha here

2. Say NO to Ice Water

Ice water is a staple for many. When you go to a restaurant, it is often automatically brought to the table. Yet, ice water shocks the digestive fire or agni. The digestive fire is necessary to burn & properly digest food. When you pour ice water over your digestive fire it becomes extinguished & is therefore harder for the digestive tract to do its job effectively. You can begin to experience digestive disturbance such as: gas, bloating, sluggish digestion & yes, even hyperacidity in the stomach if you habitually drink ice water.

Ayurveda recommends warm water, warm water with lemon or room temperature water to drink with & without meals. This may take some getting used to if you have always drunk ice water, but trust me, it is a fantastic change in the end. Your body will be able to effectively digest food & toxins will be flushed more readily from your system.

3. Protect your Sinuses

When one experience sinus issues, it wreaks havoc on daily life. An all-natural remedy is to use a Neti pot daily.

Neti is an Ayurvedic remedy for blocked nasal passages due to the result of pollution, dust, pollen, colds, sinus infections & other irritants. When you Neti, you keep up with nasal care maintenance which will help keep sinus issues at bay.

It is important to ALWAYS use a Nasya Oil after you Neti. This ensures that the nasal passageways stay lubricated & protected.

4. Replace Body Lotion with Body Oil

When I first began my studies in Ayurveda, I was a little saddened to find out that my beloved body lotion was not recommended for the most beautiful skin. After all, using body lotion was a practice handed down from my mother & I enjoyed the lotion ritual. However, when I switched my body lotion to a high quality, organic, dosha specific body oil- I never looked back. If I now use body lotion it feels artificial & does not let my skin breathe freely.

5. Wash Your Face & Remove Makeup Every Evening 

Even if you are exhausted, you got to do it! Cleansing the face before bed as well as applying beneficial face oils to the skin, will do wonders for skin health. When the skin is cleaned & nourished before bedtime, skin cells can then repair & regenerate as we sleep. It is a simple beauty secret that we can all live by.

As you can see, bringing Ayurveda into one’s life does not have to be complicated or expensive. This is the beauty of Ayurveda. All one needs to do is be mindful and cultivate a daily routine that includes self-love and self-care.

Words by Trudy Collings, co-owner of PAAVANI Ayurveda - a skin & body care company based in Nevada City, CA.

We're excited to share that we're now carrying PAAVANI Ayurveda's organic, earth-based skin care line!

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