skin texture remedies ayurvedic facial oils

Ayurvedic Remedies For Improving Skin Texture + Diet For Healthy Skin

Sruthi Bhat, BAMS, MPH Beauty + Skincare, Herbal Remedies 2,315 Views

Are you looking for a quick and easy way to improve your skin texture and skin health? Ayurveda offers a slew of remedies for improving skin texture and skin health in general.

Here, we take a look at Ayurveda’s dietary guidelines and recommended herbs, fruits, and vegetables for improving skin texture.

Do you know, your skin is the largest organ of your body? Your skin has many functions. It protects you from the environmental pollutants, helps in thermoregulation, storage of water and fat cells.

The Anatomy Of Your Skin

The skin has three layers — epidermis, dermis, and fat. The epidermis is the outermost layer which consists of different cells like melanocytes. Melanocytes make melanin, which gives the skin its color.1

The next layer is called dermis, which consists of blood vessels, lymph vessels, hair follicles. This middle layer gives strength and flexibility to skin.

The last layer, the subcutaneous fat layer helps to conserve the body’s heat and protects the body from getting injured.

Because of our busy lifestyles, it often becomes challenging to take care of the skin, and this lead can lead to faster skin aging.

Read More: 7 Ayurvedic Tips For Perfect Skin

In the world of cosmetology, there are various formulations available that claim to nourish the skin. We all make use of creams, ointments, and supplements to maintain skin health.

Do external ointments and creams help you achieve your best skin possible? Yes, to an extent, but you should also think about your diet.

The Astangahridhya, an ancient ayurvedic medical text, mentions various foods in a chapter which is entirely dedicated to listing all the different foods that help us maintain healthy lifestyles.4

Ayurvedic Herbs For Healthy Skin

herbs for skin texture

The Ayurvedic scholar Charaka in Charak Samhita, mentions drugs (medicinal herbs) which are varnya, meaning drugs which give complexion to the skin. Here are some of the herbs mentioned in Charak Samhita,

  • Chandana (Santalum album L.) (Indian Sandalwood)
  • Tunga (Calophyllum inophyllum L.)
  • Padmaka (Prunus cerasoides D. Don) (Wild Himalayan Cherry)
  • Usheera (Vetiveria zizanioides L.)
  • Madhuka (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) (Licorice)
  • Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia L.)
  • Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus [L.] (Indian Sarsaparilla)
  • Payasya (Pueraria tuberosa [Willd.] DC) (Indian Kudzu)
  • Sita Lata (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers)(Bermuda Grass)2

The medicinal herbs mentioned above are available in various forms in the market, which can be used internally or externally to improve your skin tone.

Manjishta kashyam, usheera asava, chandana asava are some of the Ayurvedic medicinal herbs used for improving skin tone. Let’s discuss the natural foods which can help us to improve our skin tone.

Fruits For Improving Skin Texture

Draksa  –  Vitis Vinifera

grapes for skin texture

  • This fruit is sweet in taste.
  • It helps to calm aggravated Vata and Pitta dosha.4
  • It is an aphrodisiac.
  • Grapes contain vitamin-C and antioxidants. (Vitamin C is necessary for the formation of collagen, a fiber-like protein that helps retain skin elasticity and may help in reversing aging).4

Papaya- Carica Papaya

  • It is sweet in taste.
  • Helps to eliminate toxins from the body.
  • Rich in fiber, vitamin-C.
  • Antioxidants present in papaya may help to strengthen immunity and eliminate free radicals.

Dhadima– Pomegranate – Punica Granatum

pomegranate for skin texture

  • Pomegranates are sweet in taste.
  • Pacifies Vata, Pitta, and Kapha dosha.4
  • Contains antioxidants like proanthocyanidins and flavonoids which can help in delaying aging.3

Kharjura – Phoenix Dactylifera

khajur dates for skin

  • Dates/Khajur are sweet in taste.
  • Purifies the blood and pacifies Pitta.4
  • Dates contain Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) that can repair damage caused by free radicals.
  • Improves skin texture.

Amalaki/Indian Gooseberry

improve skin texture

  • It is very rich in vitamin C, phosphorus, iron, carotene, and vitamin B complex.
  • Amalaki is also a potent antioxidant and acts as an anti-aging agent.4

Vegetables For Improving Skin Texture

 Karavella – Bitter gourd – Momordica Charantia

bitter melon benefits bitter melon uses bitter melon side effects bitter melon skin texture

  • Bitter gourd/karela is pungent in taste.
  • Helps in reducing the occurrence of skin infections.
  • Acts as an anti-aging factor if it is included in the diet.4
  • It purifies the blood and prevents the occurrence of blood disorders.

Include vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, carrot, beetroots, pumpkin and leafy greens like broccoli, Kayle in your diet.

By doing so you are consuming the vegetables rich in Vitamin C, vitamin E, and antioxidants.

These foods will help in increasing the collagen production, elimination of free radicles from the body thereby help in decreasing your aging process.

Anti-Aging Herbs

Cinnamon

Cinnamon Ayurveda home remedies for skin texture

  • Having cinnamon will help in increasing collagen production, which allows your skin to get firmness and elasticity.
  • If you drink tea, you can try adding cinnamon powder to your tea.
  • If not, you can boil cinnamon sticks in water and drink the water after straining.

Ginger

ginger skin

  • Including ginger in your diet is very beneficial for your overall health.
  • Ginger contains gingerol, an anti-inflammatory compound which may help in preventing age spots.

Turmeric

turmeric for skin health

  • Turmeric is used in a wide variety of cosmetics.
  • There are many skin care formulations made out of turmeric. Turmeric will help in purifying the blood and can help the skin achieve radiance.
  • A pinch of turmeric can be added to lukewarm milk. Have this at night.
  • You can also sprinkle a little turmeric on your veggies and meat.

Cumin

cumin

  • Cumin has disinfectant properties that can help skin clear of toxins and infections.
  • You can boil water along with cumin seeds, and that decoction can be consumed orally.

Consult your Ayurvedic practitioner before trying the aforementioned dietary guidelines and Ayurvedic medicinal herbs for improving skin texture and skin health.

References

  1. National cancer institute. (n.d.). Anatomy of the Skin. Retrieved from https://training.seer.cancer.gov/melanoma/anatomy/
  2. Pallavi, G., Gupta, K. L., Shreevathsa, M., Chate, V. A., & Balakrishna, D. L. (2015). Clinical evaluation of Varnya Gana Lepa in Vyanga (melasma). Ayu, 36(2), 151–156. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.175543
  3. Tadimalla, R. T., Tadimalla, R. T., Tadimalla, R. T., & Tadimalla, R. T. (n.d.). 17 Incredible Benefits Of Pomegranates For Skin, Hair, And Health.
  4. Nishteswar, K. (2016, July 13). Ayurvedic Concept of Food and Nutrition. Retrieved from https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/ayurvedic-concept-of-food-and-nutrition-2155-9600-1000530.php?aid=76428

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About Sruthi Bhat, BAMS, MPH

sruthiyagneshbhat@gmail.com'
Sruthi Bhat is an Ayurvedic Physician from India. She received her BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) in 2014 from Amrita Ayurveda Medical College, Kollam and Master of Public Health from Nova southeastern university, Florida. She is listed as BAMS doctor with AAPNA (Association of Ayurveda Practitioners of North America). After completing her BAMS degree, she shadowed an Ayurvedic Physician, Dr. Beena, who is an expert in the field of Shalakya (ENT disorders) and herbal remedies. She also learned hands-on, panchakarma techniques to manage and reduce the risk of occurrence of chronic disease conditions. As a part of the Master of public health degree, She did her masters project, “Integrative preconception care “at Ayurvedashram holistic health center. In this project, she integrated both Ayurvedic principles and modern techniques to improve the health of the mother as well as to achieve a good pregnancy outcome. During her project, she was mentored by Pari Mudiginty, who is NJ licensed pharmacist certified in MTM (Medication Therapy Management), Ayurvedic Practitioner and Founder of Ayurvedashram. Currently, Sruthi is working as a Wellness consultant and program coordinator at Param Wellness Center. She is also a Social media volunteer with the American Red Cross and freelance healthcare marketing specialist who’s delivered a creative and engaging post across various social media platform. www.linkedin.com/in/sruthi-bhat-2b717a145

One comment

  1. findpoomaram@gmail.com'
    Sandhya
    June 18, 2019 at 5:47 pm

    Many congratulations ,God bless

    Reply

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