Ayurveda and Beauty

The definition of beauty in Ayurveda is referred as “subhanga karanam”, which is nothing but transforming all features of mind and body to the most auspicious stage. Ayurveda believes that the beauty of secret lies in merging our inner self with our outer self, so that we can achieve a perfect and the timeless glow of balanced health. In the aspect of Ayurveda, beauty is not just skin-deep, cosmetic surgery, face-lifts, and so on. It is more than that, and it is not meaningful to search beauty in hair salons and health clubs. Instead, turn inwards and see the endless beauty within us.  

 In a period, when beauty is often equated with a fair complexion, a fashionably thin figure, or with the shape of the nose, Ayurveda differs from those cultures. Ayurveda, the ancient and traditional healing system of India, has a unique viewpoint on beauty.

As per Ayurveda, the pillars of beauty are Roopam, Gunam, and Vayastyag. Roopam refers to outer beauty, Gunam is inner beauty, and Vayastyag stands for lasting beauty. This proves that Ayurveda does not concentrate only on cosmetics to attain a true beauty. 

According to Ayurveda, outer beauty is a reflection of lifestyle, healthy eating habits, and good health. Each type of body structure, whether big, medium or thin, can be beautiful as long as good health exists. Ayurveda believes that you are what you eat, and you are what you digest. It is all about diet. A clear complexion begins with efficient nutrition, proper digestion, absorption of nutrients, and normal elimination.

Inner beauty draws its sustenance from the spiritual wealth within our self, that is, our spiritual qualities, mental abilities, inner reserves of strength, and emotional states. Loving and accepting all, which is positive in life, is what we call as truly beautiful in Ayurveda. True beauty comes from a peaceful, calm interior, and relaxed mind.

The Ayurvedic mind and body balance is accomplished by balancing the three energies of Vata, Pitta and Kapha; our body-fire or agni that helps to digest food; the seven body tissues or dhatus, which form the nutrient plasma, fat, bones, bone marrow, reproductive fluid, blood, and muscles; and the body's waste products, such as urine, excreta, and perspiration. The perfect balance of all these body systems, leads to good health and vitality, together with the maintenance of happiness and peace.

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Medicinal Herbs to Lead a Natural Life

Ayurvedic Herbs 

As per Ayurveda, herbs and diet are an essential part of building balanced mind and body. In the holistic and traditional Ayurveda, the Rishis or Yogis were the first to learn the plants and write their therapeutic qualities through direct observation and relationship with nature. And then, years of experience have proved the importance and value of using herbs as medicinal substances to balance the psychological, physical, and spiritual body. 

Herbology, the study or collecting of herbs, is now becoming overwhelming. About six hundred different kinds of herbs are recorded in Ayurvedic texts, with each sorted out by their unique actions and qualities they have within the body. There are some rules in Ayurveda that helps us to use herbs effectively to support health, time of administration, including dosage, and mediums or substances with which to take them.

It is important to choose herbs that are of high quality, even before we can begin taking an herb. They should be cultivated properly without the use of pesticides, harvested and acquired with respect and awareness. Plants are believed to have a prana or vital life force. This life force is easily transferable to humans when we consume them, and hence, the energy of the plant combines with ours. 

The main difference between Western herbal treatment and Ayurvedic use of herbs is that Ayurveda uses the whole plant. It identifies the plant as an energetic, in which every part works together as opposed to separating out an active chemical that can give a specific action in the body. Whole foods are more easily recognized and digested by the body when compare to the isolated nutrients in vitamins. This goes the same for whole plant. 

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