Fall marks the beginning of Vata season. The air becomes drier, plants dry up and blow away, and everything turns a beautiful shade of brown. Winter continues to challenge our skin with dry indoor heat and little moisture in the air, especially where I live in the Rocky Mountains! My lovely wood burning stove helps keep my family warm and toasty, but my skin still needs some survival skills.
Here are 2 simple home remedies to keep your skin calm and glowing from the inside out.
1. Abhyangha- self oil massage. Take warm oil and massage into your whole body. You can even put a little in your mouth and enjoy the benefits of oil pulling while you are massaging your skin. Sweet almond oil is my favorite, though different people enjoy sesame and sunflower oils. My favorite way to perform abhyangha is to start with my feet and end with my scalp, if I feel inclined to do so. If you have long hair like me, sometimes it's easier to oil it once a week instead of daily.
Abhyangha has helped me feel grounded and peaceful, reduced the need for lotion, and even calmed my painfully dry skin which had previously had patches of a pilaris keratosis, the infamous "chicken skin" rash. I find shaving so much easier after oiling my legs!
Helpful hints:
Keep your oil in a plastic bottle and set in a warm cup of water to heat
Be careful to cover the floor with a towel and use caution not to slip entering your shower/bathtub
Put your shampoo onto your dry (oiled) hair before adding water to make washing the oil out easier
For best results, perform this lovely self-massage daily, either in the morning or evening
2. Lemon water- enjoy a rejuvenating cup of warm lemon water (warm or room temperature water is best) first thing in the morning. This lovely routine will nourish your skin, improve your digestion and make you smile. Using organic washed lemons, put one or two slices into a mug and mash a bit before adding hot water. I do not add sweetener, but honey would be delicious!
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