06.02.08
The Benefits of Ayurvedic Anti-Aging Regimens
Navin M. Geria
VP-R&D
SpaDermaceuticals
Ayurveda (pronounced: “Are-you-vay-da”) is an Indian holistic medical system. The term is derived from the Sanskrit words, “ayur” meaning life and “veda,” knowledge or science. Vedas are India’s ancient and spiritual scriptures. They view the body as part of the universe, sharing in its energy. Good health is achieved via the balance of these energies. This 5000-year-old life science still holds sway with consumers: from the average villager in India to Hollywood movie stars, many of whom turn to Ayurveda to nurture their spiritual side—and the stars and starlets are not alone. According to a recent study by the National Center for Health, almost 62% of Americans rely on complementary and alternative medicine, including prayer, for healing. People suffering from chronic diseases can be helped through natural herbal medicines and detox therapies. The Ayurvedic principles, with their emphasis on preserving and promoting healthy living, can be a part of one’s daily routines.
There is a fundamental understanding that there is a “cosmic intelligence” in each of us. Each is born with a unique combination of dosha (vata, pitta and kapha). The combination is known in Ayurveda as the psychosomatic constitution (prakruti). People are flocking to ayurvedic centers for their emotional well-being. With the work environment becoming increasingly competitive and stressful, Ayurvedic skin care therapies have gained in popularity. While most consumers have become increasingly knowledgeable and discerning in selecting Ayurvedic services, many others are confused by the variety of terms and treatments. This column will help clarify the principles of Ayurvedic anti-aging science.
Mind-Body Classifications
Ayurveda can help achieve optimal physical, mental and emotional health by living in harmony with nature. Known as doshas (pronounced “doe-shah”), it refers to the body’s natural intelligence, the subtle energy that directs all bodily and natural functions. In Ayurveda, there are three mind-body types: vata, pitta and kapha, which define a person’s constitution. Everyone has all three doshas in their body, but their ratio of one to the other varies, which explains why each one of us is unique. The blend of doshas determines how we look, act and feel inside. Understanding doshas could lead to customized skin and health treatment.
Life’s journey is divided into three segments: birth to 16 is the kapha age, 16 to 50 is the pitta age and 50 to 100 is the vata age. The three main psycho-physiological functional principles of the body determine one’s constitution and maintain the integrity of the human body. Doshas govern one’s response to changes. When disturbed, they can initiate the disease process.
Vata (“vah-tah”):
When this dosha is in balance, we feel centered, vital, and able to cope with anything. Vata types are dominated by the air element and tend to be thin, quick and energetic. When vata is out of balance, we feel distracted, restless and as if we’re running on empty. Vata energy increases when we are stressed and as we get older. Vata means wind, a sort of life energy that is distributed to the rest of the body. It is responsible for movement of every kind. If vata is disturbed, you will experience severe aging symptoms. It is the easiest dosha to become imbalanced, but it is also relatively easy to bring into balance. One who keeps vata in balance defeats the aging process of the body. It is associated with bodily movement and governs breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, pulsation of the heart and cytoplasm and cell membrane movement. Out of balance, vata produces fear and anxiety.Pitta (“pih-tah”):
Corresponds to the elements of fire and water. Pitta governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, metabolism and body temperature. Pitta types have qualities relating to heat or burning and might be considered hot-tempered and competitive. In balance, pitta promotes understanding and intelligence. Out of balance, pitta arouses anger, hatred and jealousy. When this dosha is in balance, we feel happy, fulfilled and in love with life. We glow with health and feel extremely exuberant. When it is out of balance, we feel frustrated, anger easily and sometimes the skin breaks out in rashes. This dosha increases with hot weather and atmospheric pollution. To keep this dosha in balance, drink plenty of water and eat lot of greens. Keeping Pitta in balance would promote a constant feeling of happiness.Kapha (“kah-fah”):
Kapha types are calm and stable. Their elements are earth and water. Kapha is the energy that forms the body’s structure—bones, muscles, tendons—and provides the “glue” that holds the cells together. It lubricates joints, moisturizes skin and maintains immunity. It gives the body power, endurance and stability. Kapha is expressed as love, calmness and forgiveness. When out of balance, it leads to attachment, greed and envy, and we feel lethargic, lazy, become obese and to some extent introvert. Regular exercise and healthy diet keep Kapha in balance.Body Treatments
Beauty and health are intimately connected. When we experience inner good health and disease-free skin, we are radiant. Alternatively, when we are in poor health, this radiance is diminished. Ayurveda recognizes that internal harmony and balance are extremely important in generating well-being. Here are some key Ayurvedic treatments:
Pulse Diagnosis:
By examining pulse-points, facial bones and fingernails, a personalized therapy plan is developed. Oils, spices and herbs are mixed and cooked in cauldrons, sometimes for weeks and months, to get the right effect. For these formulas to be effective, it is important to rigidly follow the text prescribed process. A Shirodhara treatment pours a fine stream of oil on the middle of the forehead, a region known as the "third eye" or ajana chakra. |
Nutritional Counseling:
Dietary advice is based on food’s flavor rather than its nutritional content. Emphasis is placed on balancing temperamental and physical needs by adjusting your diet. One may also be advised on proper breathing technique and exercise. The consumer is guided to be his own healer and find out what diet is most suitable for the digestive capacity in order to cleanse the body, steadily lose weight and reach or maintain optimum health. Most ailments originate from the imbalance of the digestive system. With proper nutrition, balance, wellness and beauty are possible. In Ayurveda, nutrition includes four pillars: food, breath, asanas (exercise techniques) and sleep/meditation.Abhyanga Massage:
Performed with infused oil blends, this massage improves circulation and drains toxins. Abhyanga revitalizes organs and slows decay due to aging. It opens all channels in the body, ensuring good circulation of energy and bringing vitality and vigor. There are different types of Abhyangas. In Basic Abhyanga, the body’s meridians (energy flow pathways) are invigorated with infused oil blends to make circulation more effective. Marma Abhyanga works on cellulite, weight and pain reduction, detoxification and body tone. Marmas are points on the body that awaken it to engage in its own balancing process. These energy points are connected to the inner pathways of healing. Of the 107 marma points on the body, 37 of them are on the face, head, neck and shoulders, which is one reason why facials are particularly beneficial to well-being. Marmas can be learned in sequences to help prevent common problems and promote sleep, stress reduction or skin rejuvenation. The entire body is massaged with medicated herbal oils. They are massaged over marma or energy points in a specialized way. Shirodhara Abhyanga is the most popular and unique therapy for de-stressing. It reduces restlessness and completely grounds you. Warm, infused oil is gently poured over the third eye chakra filling you with extraordinary bliss. In Shila Abhyanga, hot stones infused with Ayurvedic essential oils are placed on the back and legs. This treatment reportedly helps reduce cellulite.The Benefits of Exfoliation
Depending upon your constitution, mixtures of herbs: salts, flowers, greens and whole grains are rubbed on the entire body. The treatments reduce cellulite and exfoliate skin, leaving it healthy, soft, fresh, glowing and rejuvenated. Here’s a look at just a few of them.
Mud Therapy:
Various clays, fruits and vegetables are blended into a paste and massaged on the body. This treatment absorbs toxins from the body and helps reduce cellulite.Potli Swedhan:
A warm cloth dipped in a combination of rice, herbs, milk, saffron, whole grains, botanical extracts and flower waters is rubbed on the entire body. This treatment improves circulation, reduces cellulite, eliminates chronic stress and toxins, and relieves aches and pains.Kansa Vataki (“kahn-sah vahtah-kee”):
This Ayurvedic treatment uses a small metal bowl to massage the soles of the feet. It provides mental peace and energizes toes and provides relief from fatigue.Skin Care Applications
As baby boomers age, they have greater awareness of preventive health care, which helps explain the popularity of yoga, pilates, healthy cuisine cooking classes, etc. It is no surprise that today’s professional skin care and spa industry exceeds $1.2 billion.1
Ayurveda views each person as a unique, complex individual. Unlike modern western medicine, which focuses on the treatment of symptoms of an illness, Ayurveda concentrates on the source of ailment and treats it with natural herbs to promote each person’s inherent self-healing abilities. Ayurvedic doctors are trained to look at skin color, tone and aura for diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis is not made by skin type but by body type (dosha), then an individualized regimen is prescribed that includes the use of herbs, roots, flowers, minerals and essential oils. Prior to any treatment, skin is detoxified by using herbal oils, salves and decoction of different herbs and minerals. Skin is the body’s largest detoxification organ.
Skin Types
Ayurveda categorizes skin into seven major types: Vata, Pitta, Kapha, Vata-Pitta, Pitta-Kapha, Kapha-Vata and Vata-Pitta-Kapha. Vata skin is usually dry, flaky and itchy. Winter season worsens these symptoms. Pitta skin is moist and oily. It is easily sunburned and is prone to acne, freckles and moles. Kapha skin is primarily oily, smooth and delicate. It is prone to fluid accumulation, so puffy eyes and under eye circles are common. Vatta-Pitta skin is dry in winter and oily in summer. It cracks and easily develops inflammation. Pitta-Kapha skin texture is oily and during winter it gets dry and is prone to acne and skin cancer. Kapha-Vatta skin is usually clear and has good skin tone. Vata-Pitta-Kapha skin is fairly well-balanced and has even skin tone.
But whatever the skin type, with the proper routine, a consumer can achieve healthy, beautiful skin. The regimen consists of several steps. First, skin gets detoxed via Panchakarma, a five-step purification process that includes oil massage, sweat therapies, enemas, purgatives, emetics and changes to the diet. Detoxification achieves three objectives: health maintenance, disease treatment and preparation for rejuvenation. These five measures eliminate excess dosha or ama from the body and are used for internal purification. They are vomiting (ramana), purgation (virechna), medicated oil or decoction enema (basti), bloodletting (rakta moksha) and nasal administration of specific medication (nasya).
A daily, full body oil massage is ideal for keeping skin healthy and beautiful. For consumers with pitta imbalance, sunflower oil should be used. For consumers with vata imbalance, sesame oil should be used and for consumers with kapha imbalance, corn oil should be used. For skin and hair cleansing, neem or sandalwood soap is ideal for bathing, but they should be used sparingly to maintain skin softness and luster. Pitta skin tends to be oily and may require more soap. Hair should be washed with a shampoo containing Shikaki, an herb that leaves hair lustrous, clean and shiny. A gentle towel massage is performed after bathing to improve cutaneous circulation, remove dead skin and help skin look young. Three or four cups of herbal tea, containing ginger, cinnamon, licorice and chamomile, are consumed daily. Small amounts of turmeric must be included in the diet to achieve radiant beautiful skin. Daily exposure to early morning sun improves skin tone and circulation. Add carrot and beet juices to the diet to increase iron and improve skin tone. Deep breathing improves circulation and skin tone. Finally, meditation and yoga reduce stress and keep the body flexible and lean.
The surge of interest in this system of holistic health and medicine is a cause for concern because finding an Ayurvedic doctor with proper qualifications is challenging.
Some Concerns
Quackery is common, especially in the West, where Ayurvedic cosmetics are considered exotic and high-end. Yet in India, they are mass marketed and billed as an inexpensive alternative to allopathic treatment. Ayurveda provides not only curative solutions, but preventive treatments. To achieve the full benefits, one must meditate, eat a healthy organic diet and exercise daily.
The Ayurvedic lifestyle is being embraced around the world. Still, the lack of regulations for preparing Ayurvedic medicines is a serious area of concern. A study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2004, called “Heavy Metal Content of Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine Products,” found that one of five Ayurvedic herbal medicine products produced in South Asia, and available in Boston South Asian grocery stores, contained potentially harmful levels of lead, mercury and arsenic. According to the authors, users of Ayurvedic medicine may be at risk for heavy metal toxicity, and they suggest mandatory testing of these medicines for the presence of heavy metals. To make actives more effective requires an understanding of their mode of action.
References:
1. International SPA Association, Spa Industry Study (2004).