Ayurvedic Remedies - Part 1
Dry Brushing
Can be done daily alone or followed by self-massage.
Dry brushing is a practice where we use a ‘dry brush’ on our bodies to exfoliate dead skin cells and stimulate both lymphatic drainage and circulation throughout the body. You can use a brush with or without a handle. Brushes with handles make it easier to reach your back. You can find these at health food stores like Whole Foods or order this one I got at Banyan.
How to Dry Brush:
Start at the extremities, brushing from feet to hips and hands to shoulders.
Use long, brisk strokes along the bones and circular motions on the joints.
On the torso (front and back), brush towards the heart.
Benefits:
Moves and drains lymph and releases toxins
Increases blood flow/circulation
Exfoliates skin and reduces the appearance of cellulite
Improves the immune system
Self Abhyanga (Warm Oil Massage)
Can be a standalone ritual or done after dry brushing. Shower after the massage.
How to Perform Self Abhyanga:
Warm up your oil in a pot of hot water.
Warm up your bathroom and lay out a towel on the floor.
Massage warm oil abundantly into the body, following the same directions as dry brushing. The intention is to absorb as much oil into the body through the skin.
Sit on your towel in meditation for about 10 minutes with the oil on.
Turn on the shower to steam it up, then step in and only use soap where necessary.
Rub in the oil some more under the running shower to emulsify it.
Pat dry with a towel.
Benefits:
Helps blood flow to nerve endings and calms the nervous system
Lubricates joints
Improves removal of toxins
Tones muscles and softens the skin
Improves sleep
Oil Pulling
Can be done upon rising in the morning.
How to Perform Oil Pulling:
Swish 1-2 tbsp of coconut oil in your mouth for 5-20 minutes.
Make sure not to swallow it.
When ready to spit it out, use a disposable container—do not expel this into your sink as it will clog your pipes.
Rinse your mouth with warm water.
Follow with teeth brushing.
Recommended Toothpastes:
Neem Ayurvedic
Weleda Salt Toothpaste
Dr. Bronner's (cinnamon or other flavor)
Ayurvedic Remedies - Part 2
Neti Pot
Where to Buy:
Whole Foods or online (Google it)
Sinus rinse packages available at drugstores, which include sachets of salt powder solution to dissolve in filtered water
Himalayan salt or online options like Neti Salt packages
How to Use:
Dissolve salt in warm, filtered water and fill the neti pot.
Tilt your head forward over the sink.
Bring the spout of the neti pot to your left nostril and slowly tilt your head to the right, allowing the liquid to flow through your nose and exit through the right nostril.
Repeat on the other side.
Tips:
Have a tissue handy to clear any mucus that may be released.
Follow up with a dab of sesame or coconut oil on your pinky finger and swirl it inside your nostrils to lubricate the membranes.
Nasya Treatment
Recommended Oil:
Nasya Oil (this is a favorite, but feel free to explore other options).
How to Use:
Steam your face over a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head, or use a facial steamer until your nasal cavities open.
Lay down and tilt your head back.
Slowly administer 1/2 dropper of nasya oil into your left nostril, turn your head to the left, and sniff to bring the oil into the sinus cavity.
Repeat on the right side.
Stay horizontal for a bit to allow the oil to enter. You might feel the oil going down your throat, which is fine.
Benefits:
Improves breathing capacity
Increases flow of prana energy (which enters the body through breath)
Protects from environmental toxins and irritants
Relieves allergies
Reduces stress
Enhances mental clarity
Improves memory and cognitive function
Clears vision
Tongue Scraping
How to Use:
Use a stainless steel scraper (the most hygienic material).
Scrape your tongue from the base (back of tongue) towards the front with medium pressure.
Repeat until the coating on the tongue is removed.
Clean the scraper under running water between scrapes.
Benefits:
Removes bad bacteria
Eliminates toxins released during the night
Awakens vital organs (the tongue is a map of the body, similar to reflexology)
Allows you to observe changes in your tongue, which is used as a diagnostic tool in Ayurveda
Triphala
Where to Buy:
Purchase the classic Ayurvedic formula.
Benefits:
Tones the muscular gut wall
Removes mucus and toxins from the gut wall
Supports intestinal skin and its villi
Improves digestion
Provides mild daily detoxification
Enhances peristalsis of the colon for elimination
Helps with weight management once digestion, assimilation, and absorption are balanced
While triphala provides digestion and elimination supporting function, it is not a laxative and is not habit forming.
Recipe
Liver Tonic Recipe
1 apple
1 celery stalk
1 beet root
1-1 1/2 cups filtered water
Either juice all or blend or cook the solid ingredients and blend. Do not exceed drinking more than 6-8 oz per day.
Benefits:
supports function of liver nad gallbladder
alkalizing
supports healthy intestinal lining and microbiome
anti : inflammatory/-viral/-oxidant/-bacterial
immune supportive
contains cholagogues that promote bile flow
Product Resources
Dry Brush:
$18 vegan dry brush
They also have amazing vegan organic body products and the brand’s DNA is all about self care. I worked out a 20% for our group on all products
use code : 20SELFCARE
https://sparitual.com/discount/20SELFCARE
Oil:
Any organic sesame oil will do. Get a larger size for refills if you wanna establish a regular self massage practice and get yourself a smaller container for weekly usage.
Look up the daily massage oil. Banyan also has beautiful other herbalized oils or dosha specific oils as well as plain sesame and coconut oils. You can always use your choice of essential oils to scent your personal massage oil, too.
Foot Cream:
$18
This is an excellent cream for moisturizing hands and feet. It is not marketed as a foot cream, however it is Alex’s favorite one. At night, wash and exfoliate feet, dry them and massage this into your feet. Put on socks and let your feet heal.