In modern times, the survival of every individual has become more competitive. In countries like India, population explosion is the basic cause for it. Due to competition, life has taken a tremendous pace. The daily routine of an individual, especially in urban areas, has become too hectic, leading to a lack of time for self-care and a decrease in overall well-being, including the desire for glowing skin.
Coping with a shortage of time, with multiple commitments, many times leads to irregularities in his daily routine. Fast foods and junk foods invite various digestive disorders like peptic ulcers, dyspepsia, piles, colitis, and so on, which can be mitigated by adopting Ayurveda skin care products and practices. Mental stress magnifies these problems further.
The time has come for a modern man to learn the basic principles of living. It seems to be fun to learn the fundamental rules. Though the man of the 2000 millennium is said to be advanced, has forgotten the alphabets of healthy living. It is the proper time to look back into the basic principles of Ayurveda, exploring treatments like Kumkumadi Thailam, which guide us on how to live a healthy life.
Ayurveda advocates a comprehensive regimen of life as the means to preserve normal health. This routine regimen is called ‘Svasthavritta’ which is described in terms of:
i) Dinacharya (Daily Regimen)
ii) Ratricharya (Night Regimen), which will be mentioned here together under daily regimen, and
iii) Ritucharya (Seasonal Regimen)
One day is a small fraction of our life. To achieve a healthy life, one has to live every day in a particular discipline. Food and Sleep are the two vital pillars, the very foundation of our life; as they represent digestion, rest, and creativity. Ayurveda recommends, a good routine including facial exercises and face yoga, which improves health, enhancing our ability to perform our duties, accumulate our possessions, and fulfill our desires.
ARISING
The healthiest way to start each day is to rise before sunrise at ‘Brahma muhurta‘- the time of Brahma or pure consciousness – the divine time. It is the time 2 to 3 hours before sunrise. If it is not possible, early to bed and early rising is the healthiest routine. If you are fresh and energetic at the time of arising, it is a sign of your perfect health. Early morning is the best time to request Nature to maintain and amplify your harmony with the surroundings. Following a restful period, Vata and Kapha transition. Detoxify your body and nourish your skin with Ayurvedic treatments like Kumkumadi Thailam and face yoga. Remove accumulated toxins and promote overall well-being.
ELIMINATION OF WASTES
Proper evacuation of the bladder and bowels keeps the body light and active throughout the day. Wastes must be eliminated before new fuel is added. Never skip evacuation of bowels or bladder, though you may be in a hurry. These are the natural urges that should not be suppressed.
WASHING
Washing the face, hands, feet, eyes, and nose purifies the body’s sense organs. Combine this cleansing with Ayurvedic treatments like Kumkumadi Thailam and face yoga to detoxify the body. Eliminate Kapha accumulations, including Kleda, sebaceous secretions, Majja Mala, and sweat (sweda), using cold water.
Teeth – Brush your teeth, lightly, to prevent damage to tooth enamel or gums. In today’s Colgate era, soft herbal twigs of Nimba, Khadira, Arka, Nyagrodha, or Madhuka, as natural aids are still in use in South India. One should select the twig to set right the dosha in his body. Usually, these twigs are bitter, astringent, or pungent, which eliminates especially Kapha dosha. Ayurvedic herbal powders, such as triphala, can be equally effective in promoting glowing skin.
Tongue – ‘White Coating’ of the tongue is a sign of ama and indigestion. Daily scrape your tongue, from the root to the tip, with the help of a tongue-scraper.
It freshens the mouth, removes the coating and bad smell, and gives it a light happy feel.
Earlier, tongue-scrapers were made up of silver or gold, Today, plastic, suffices the need.
Mouth – Ayurveda recommends a practice called ‘gandusha’ for maintaining the health of the whole mouth and jaw. ‘Gandusha’ literally means a ‘mouthful of liquid’. The gargle is known as ‘Kaval’. Gandusha with sesame oil (Tila taila) is recommended. Hold the mouthful of sesame oil for some time. This operation strengthens the teeth and jaw. face and improves the taste sensation and voice. Whether this oil should be allowed to sip down the throat or should be thrown out of the mouth has not been mentioned. Gandusha helps obtain longevity, additional physical strength, and brightness of hue.
Face – Washing the face and eyes with cold water or an Amalaki fruit decoction is a great start. Completing the skincare routine with Ayurvedic products like Kumkumadi Thailam can help address acne, pigmentation, and scars, resulting in glowing skin.
Nose – Blow the nose, clear off the secretions, and mop it properly. Add 2-3 drops of medicated oil-called “Anu Taila” into each nostril. Lie down with your head slightly tilted backward, facing the ceiling for about 5-10 minutes. This nasal administration is called ‘nasya’. It should be performed daily.
Benefits of ‘Anu Taila’ Nasya
Routine nasal administration of anu taila exempts getting diseases of the head in general. It helps in curing stiffness in the neck. sinusitis, facial palsy, headache, migraine, and tremors. Especially the head and all the body structures also add to their strength. It also prevents premature greying and falling of the head hair. Also, it im- improves the voice.
A healthy person should perform this procedure
i) In the morning in Sharada and Vasanta ritus.
ii) In the noon in cold season
iii) In the evening in the hot season
iv) Only on bright sunny days in the rainy season. Gargling with hot water, after this procedure is advocated.
MASSAGE
Massage is one of the most pleasurable morning rituals. The whole body massage with oil is called ‘abhyanga’ Massage of the body with oil imparts softness and freedom from the possibilities of diseases due to vitiation of Kapha and Vata, clears the skin, fastens the useful constituents of the body, gives additional strength to, helps in longevity, promotes sound sleep, prevents aging, increases body strength and resistance, improves the skin in all respects.
Massage your entire body daily with oil (usually sesame oil), including the head and feet. For added benefits, incorporate face yoga exercises with Kumkumadi Thailam to promote glowing skin, improve eyesight, strengthen hair, and enhance overall well-being.
Bathing
Before bathing, one should rub his body after exercise with dry powders, which is called ‘udvartana’. Usually, Triphala is used. In obesity, the massage with dry powders of vacha (sweet flag) or musta, is recommended to alleviate excessive subcutaneous fats. Udvartana with dry powders or ointments helps to remove the oils on the body. It also alleviates the vitiated doshas.
The person should have a bath thereafter. A morning bath is an essential part of a daily health routine. Ayurveda recommends hot water for bathing and mentions that heat is not good for the head, hair and eyes. In summer, a cool bath is refreshing and invigorating. The bath enhances digestive power, aphrodisiac powers, physical strength, enthusiasm and blood circulation. It removes sweat, sebum, dirt, itching, exhaustion, thirst, and burning sensation while promoting glowing skin and reducing wrinkles and dark spots. Consider using Kumkumadi Thailam for optimal results. Chanting mantras or devotional songs while bathing cleanses the subtler bodies. It is practiced in many parts of India, daily.Â
MEDITATION
After bathing and getting dressed, it is time for quiet contemplation. The form of such contemplation may be meditation, prayer worship of god or chanting, or just thinking of something beautiful – is a personal choice. The process increases your concentration, strengthens the psyche, reduces hypersensitivity, and stimulates the resolve to take charge of your life.
Although it may be difficult to follow all the suggestions, try incorporating Ayurveda treatments like Kumkumadi tailam for face and Bhringraj Thalami for hairs into your routine. This can enhance glowing skin with healthy hairs and improve your overall health, enabling you to achieve your goals and enjoy restful sleep.
