| Discovering Myself in My Dosha |
These recipes were created by: Dr. Pratima Raichur
Acne Vulgaris
Description: very oily skin; large
pores; blackheads; large, pussy pimples; deep scars
Imbalance of: pitta or kapha
Aggravated by: overconsumption of
sweets, fats, oils, red meat, seafood, coffee, alcohol, tobacco, emotional stress
and attachments (inability to let go), inactivity, feelings of possessiveness,
depression and purposelessness
Exfoliate skin with Tej herbal
powders.
Take steam baths using rosemary or
eucalyptus essential oils.
Take weekly detoxifying bath using
Epsom salts or ginger + rock salt.
Exercise vigorously for ½ hour,
three times a week to achieve sweating.
Apply Tej soothing lotion on
pimples and do a pimple mask once or twice a week. Mix ½ tsp. crushed cumin
seed + 1 tsp. coriander + few drops water and apply paste over pimples. Leave
on for 20-30 minutes, then rinse.
Do soothing weekly facial mask
using red sandalwood + neem + lodhra powders.
For stubborn, large cysts, apply
piece of warm onion 2-3 times a day to break it, but do not squeeze.
Supplements: Take daily 10,000
units beta carotene, 1,000 mg Vitamin C and 15-20 mg zinc. Increase dietary
fiber, including bran, fresh fruit and produce. Drink fresh carrot, beet or
apple juice. Drink detoxifying herbal teas of burdock, goldenseal, Echinacea,
neem or turmeric. Drink ½ glass warm water every hour. In the morning, take 2
Tbsp. of aloe vera gel.
Acne Rosacea
Description: red rash on nose and cheeks that may be sensitive or burning;
excessive oiliness on t-zone; broken capillaries and thickened skin on nose
Imbalance of: pitta
Aggravated by: anger, frustration, disappointment, anxiety, over-ambition, stress,
weather, sun, hot spices, sour fruits, fermented foods, tomatoes, seafood,
canned or preserved foods, soda, pastries, chocolate, pizza, French fries,
sweets, antibiotics and harsh chemicals
Do not use astringents,
toners or any harsh substances on the skin. Use only gentle, soothing
treatments.
Wash with milk + white
sandalwood, manjista and neem herbal powders.
Soak towel in cool herbal
tea of comfrey or nettle and apply wet compress to face.
Grind fresh cilantro +
mint. Add water to make a paste and apply to face as a mask. Lie down for 10-15
minutes, then rinse off. If condition is very dry, red, or burning, apply
soothing lotion of ghee + juices from crushed dried neem leaves, or use neem
herbal oil.
Supplements: Take daily
10,000 units beta carotene, 1,000 mg Vitamin C, 15-20 mg zinc, 400 units
Vitamin E and daily recommended dosage of B-complex. Drink a glass of water
every hour. In the morning, drink aloe vera juice.
Premature Wrinkles
Imbalance of: vata or pitta
Aggravated by: dryness, dehydration, stress, sun, wind, extreme
temperatures, excessive exercise, travel, alcohol, coffee, tobacco, sweets,
spicy foods, hot or cold water, sudden weight loss, water pills, horomone
medications, diabetes, lack of purpose, lack of loving relationships,
hereditary factors
Twice
weekly, do a facial mask using paste of 1 Tbsp. sandalwood powder + 1 drop
camphor oil + 3-4 drops lotus oil + 2 tsp. water. With ring finger, gently
massage a few drops of face oil made with sandalwood + rose oil directly under
eyes for protection then apply paste to the rest of the face. Cover eyes with
wet cotton pads dipped in rosewater and lie down for 10-15 minutes. Cleanse, nourish
and moisturize, as usual.
Make
decoction of 1 Tbsp. dry geranium in ½ cup water then apply to face using a
cotton ball. Do
natural face-lift and face exercises.
Supplements:
Take recommended daily dosage of Vitamin E and primrose oil capsules. Drink 6-8
glasses of water daily.