Rituals For Health

AYURVEDIC MEDICINE

In ayurvedic medicine healthy balance begins with daily rituals. If the skin is the road map to what is going on enterally with our bodies, the gut seems to be at the center of it all. We are diving into the little things we can do throughout the day to keep a healthy and calm stomach, leading to calm skin. Many issues such as acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, and dandruff start with food and the gut.

TINCTURES

Tinctures are a great way to supplement your health and aid in medical therapies. Most tinctures are made by distilling herbs or plants in alcohol so they are easily absorbed under the tongue or in water. Poppy and Someday is an amazing resource that is swoon worthy, with herbs grown in the owner’s backyard Cali garden. The Peaceful Easy is a blend of lemon balm that calms anxiety and aids in digestion, skullcap, a natural detoxifier, and chamomile, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. The blend is perfect to reduce stress and calm the belly (extra bonus - it’s gentle enough for those restless babies too). Stomach massage is another way to reduce the effects of stress, as the stomach holds on to toxins and is the epicenter for unexpressed emotions. There is much to be said for taking the time to move energy

in areas that carry so much stress. Massage one minute counter clockwise followed by one minute clockwise. Find a body oil you resonate with, from the texture to the smell - get as many senses activated as you can. Releasing tension in the gut relieves constipation and improves kidney and digestion function. I always love taking these moments, shifting from a long list of to-dos to keep my body healthy and functioning, and times to speak words of release and love on my mental and physical body. It might look a little different on a busy Thursday after work, but these little two minutes here and there say “Body, you are worth it; my care for you is a priority.” Your body responds with a huge thank you. A self-nurturing touch can undo a day’s worth of tension and stress.

BREATHWORK FOR THE BELLY

Through the nose, exhale and draw in your abdomen; then inhale and release your stomach.

Do not hold your breath. Repeat three times.

ORAL HEALTH

Tongue scraping is an ancient practice usually with a metal U shaped scraper, it cleanses the tongue of built up bacteria from the nights sleep, removes odor, aids in digestion and allows for better taste in food. The mouth is the first digestive exposure, assisting in breaking down food and contributing to the overall process of digestion. Gums are a key in keeping teeth in good health. Good teeth = good health bottom line. A good gum oil applied daily will keep bleeding and receding lines at bay. Gargle with saltwater or an ayurvedic mouthwash.

DAILY BALANCING ROUTINE

↘ UPON WAKING, DO TONGUE SCRAPE

↘ BRUSH TEETH

↘MASSAGE GUMS WITH GUM OIL

↘ GARGLE

↘ DO STOMACH MASSAGE

↘ SHOWER

↘ PERFORM SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

↘ BEGIN DAY

SKIN CARE

I am so relieved and excited that the stigma around men’s and women’s self care is shifting. The access to products without harmful ingredients is becoming more mainstream and packed with powerhouse active products, but what is super encouraging is that marketing and packaging is becoming more inclusive as well. No shame for all the pinkloving

ladies out there, but this gal loves some minimal plain packaging and so do the men in my life. While many of the needs are the same in skincare, most oily types don’t love a glossy finish on their faces. So this line-up is light, gel based options that hydrate, protect the skin from environmental damage and repair skin structure.

FACE SERUM THIS GREEN WATER-BASED SERUM IS JUST PERFECT FOR SUMMER AS A MOISTURIZER OR ALL YEAR FOR THE OILIER TYPES.

BODY OIL OK - YOU SEE THE WORD OIL IN THERE, BUT THE OIL IS A DRY OIL THAT IS NONCOLEOGENTIC (NOT PORE CLOGGING). IT SMELLS AMAZING AND SOAKS RIGHT IN. IT KEEPS INGROWN HAIRS AT BAY AND ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR A BODY LOTION. JUST APPLY RIGHT OUT OF THE SHOWER WHILE STILL A LITTLE DAMP.

BATH SOAK NO BETTER WAY TO RELAX AND RELEASE SOME TOXINS. LIGHT UP SOME PALO SANTOS, SET AN INTENTION FOR YOUR SELF CARE TIME, AND SOAK UP.

BALM BALMS ARE GREAT FOR SO MANY REASONS. IT CAN BE USED AS A PROTECTIVE BARRIER FROM WIND, A HAND AND CUTICLE MOISTURIZER, A LIP BALM, AND A TREATMENT FOR ANY CHAPPED AREAS ON THE BODY. I ALSO LOVE IT AS A NATURAL HIGHLIGHTER ON THE HIGH POINTS OF THE CHEEK BONES.

BY CHELSEY ANN