Simple and Effective Ayurvedic Remedies for Anti-Aging

A few wrinkles are to be expected as you age, but you can prevent their proliferation and progress in a variety of ways.

According to Ayurveda, wrinkles are predominantly a vata condition. They’re usually seen in the later part of life because that is when your body and mind are more affected by this particular dosha. However, premature wrinkles can be an indicator of a vata imbalance.

Wrinkles begin to appear when the skin loses moisture and subcutaneous fat. The treatment principle is to pacify vata by hydrating and bringing unctuousness back to the body.

Causes for wrinkles according to Ayurveda:

• Prolonged exposure to the sun
• Insufficient water intake
• Prolonged exposure to water
• Stress
• Excessive traveling
• Pollution
• Inadequate sleep

Asana

There aren’t any asanas that directly target wrinkles, but movements which stretch and contract the facial muscles can help. Lion pose is great for this because circulation is increased in the cheeks as the mouth is opened wide.

Yoga postures that are calming and soothing reduce vata, and consequently prevent early aging. These include Tree pose, Mountain pose, Child’s pose, Shoulderstand pose, Savasana, and longish holds in most other poses with a focus on deep, rhythmic breathing.

Pranayama

Pranayama does wonders for an imbalanced vata, as does meditation. Soothing pranayama exercises are great for wrinkles, especially square breathing, honeybee breathing, victorious breath, and alternate nostril breathing.

Lifestyle

Vata is calmed with the routine and rhythm that comes from regular mealtimes and bedtime. Too much activity and too much multitasking, on the other hand, send vata awry.

Activities to avoid:

• Smoking
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Prolonged swimming
• Intense and excessive exercise
• Irregular sleep patterns
• High stress

Externally speaking, chemicals should be nixed and substituted with natural products. Oil is great for the skin as well as certain non-pore clogging oils such as almond, rosehip, and tamanu. These oils should be gently massaged into slightly damp skin after showering to encourage vata to flow properly, increasing blood circulation to the face.

Diet

Vata is aggravated by the bitter, astringent, and pungent tastes; and foods that create too much air within the body. A good general rule is to favor one-pot meals such as soups and stews, where food is garnished with a little ghee or coconut oil. Warm foods and drinks should be chosen over cold and cooked food should be chosen over raw.

The most important foods to avoid are salad, cruciferous vegetables, raw foods, potatoes, peas, peanuts, fried food, ice cream, frozen food, and processed food. Each of these foods increase air in the body or are devoid of the prana, which the body needs.

While all of theses guidelines are supportive measures, it’s best to have premature aging assessed by an Ayurvedic practitioner for a customized treatment program.