Winter Wellness with Ayurveda

Winter is a magical season –  a time when nature slows down, inviting us to rest and rejuvenate. It’s also a season that challenges our body, especially our skin and digestion, due to the cold and dry weather.

Ayurveda offers a treasure trove of remedies and practices to help us stay healthy, balanced and radiant during the colder months.

In this blog, we’ll explore practical Ayurvedic tips for winter wellness.

Ayurvedic Approach to Skin Health in Winter

During winter, Vata and Kapha are aggravated and cause dry skin. According to Ayurveda, all chronic dryness-related issues fall under Kushta (skin disorders).

Vata imbalance: Causes dryness.

Kapha imbalance: Leads to itching.

Rakta (blood) imbalance: Causes redness and irritation.

However, the primary imbalance is always Vata in all kinds of dryness issues and the only treatment for this is nourishment both from inside and outside.

Dry Skin vs Gut Health: The Connection

Dry skin isn’t just about harsh weather but also an internal imbalance. According to Ayurveda, poor gut health is a major culprit for dry skin. Here are some solutions:

Keep your bowels regular:

Vata resides in the large intestine. Irregular bowel movements can worsen Vata imbalance, leading to dryness. Constipation, often triggered by overthinking and stress, is a common culprit.

Calm your mind:

Since the gut and brain are closely linked, grounding practices like yoga and mindfulness can help.

Timing for fruits:

Eat fruits during the warmer hours of the day (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to aid digestion.

Good fats and spices:                                                                                                

 Incorporate good fats into your diet, like ghee, nuts, and seeds, to keep your skin and body lubricated. Also add warming spices like ginger and cinnamon to boost your digestive fire.

Are Hydrating Creams Helpful?

Do the so-called hydrating creams with hyaluronic acid and many other fancy ingredients that burn a hole in your pocket really hydrate? The answer is a big no!

Think about how your skin feels after swimming or showering – it’s often drier than before. Why? Because water is drying.

Water doesn’t moisturize; rather, it depletes natural oils from your skin. Water-based products, though marketed as hydrating, can actually dry your skin.

The opposite of dryness is oiliness, not wetness. So, the best way to keep your skin hydrated is by applying oil.

The best oil for combating dryness is organic black sesame oil. Now you might be arguing – Why not coconut oil? Many modern doctors advise using coconut oil on the body but trust me it will dry you out further.

Unlike coconut oil, which is naturally drying, black sesame oil deeply nourishes and balances Vata Dosha – the primary culprit for dryness.

But external oiling is just one part of the equation. Internal hydration is even more critical. While topical treatments might provide temporary relief, true hydration begins from within.

Learn more about Winter wellness with Ayurveda