Invoke Your Natural Beauty - Part II

We continue on this journey of discovery. Will it lead us to beauty so rare, so precious that all eyes will be dazzled, such the glow that the Sun be shadowed? Perhaps not. This journey will take us to a place in which our outer being will radiate our inner calm, serenity and poise. Ayurveda and understanding it's core principles, will enable us to understand ourselves and accept ourselves better and understand (and forgive) our uniqueness. From this understanding will come a deep nurturance towards our unique self. As Melani Sachs puts it that such an approach one of understanding and kindness - to ourselves, is the seed of the only kind of beauty that has any lasting value: inner beauty.

In our previous issue we learnt about the Ayurvedic skin types and a basic home facial routine to support and enhance it. I will now discuss some Ayurvedic Marma points (pressure points) that you can massage during your facial routine.

Marma Chikitsa
Marma points are energy centers of the body. Marma means secret, hidden, and vital. Marma points are points of connection between the physical body and the subtle energetic body. Marma points can be used in self massage or massaging others in order to balance energies, restore normal function, energize or relax. Traditionally medicated oils were used to energize and massage these Marma points. We can also use Essential oils. Marma points are massaged with the thumb. Start with small, gentle clockwise circles, moving outwards and then back inwards, slowly increasing pressure, outward, inward, in ever increasing and decreasing circles. Perform about five circles going out and five circles coming back: do this three times. Marma points which are blocked or out of balance be more tender and painful than other Marma points.

The Shaunkh Marma point located above and in front of ear is usally massaged with lavender, Eucalyptus or peppermint and is responsible for clear hearing. The Utkshepau located above and behind the ear is for increasing awareness and brain activity. The oils used are basil, Camphor, and Rosemary. The Apa points at the temple play an important role in vision and Clary sage and lemon or basil are excellent.

The Ajna between the eyebrows is responsible for the 6th Chakra, inner vision and the pituitary. Lavender, jasmine, sandal wood and holy basil are best for this Marma. Day to day stresses, anxiety etc, vanish with massage to this point. The Adhipati which is located at the top of the head controls the pineal, self realization and balances the 7th Chakra. This point is best massaged with Frankincense or Myrrh. Nadi which is situated back top of head influences posterior pituitary and is massaged with Brahmi or Sandalwood.

Home Beauty Recipes
After massaging your face here are a couple of home masks that you can put together:

* For a fresh and spotless skin Beat one egg white, then add to it 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp carot juice, and 1 tsp crushed garlic.
* For acne sufferers mash the insides of 6 boiled plums and mix with a teaspoon of almond oil.
* For wrinkles soak geranium leaves in rose water and put them on your face. Also a film of good old egg white rinsed off after 10 to 20 minutes tightens up skin and flattens wrinkles.
* For spotty skin mix together I egg yolk, 1 tablespoon brewer's yeast and I tablespoon sunflower oil into a paste and apply. After 15 minutes rinse off with milk.
* Another great clarifying mask is 2 teaspoons ground almond, 1 teaspoon rose water and 1/2 teaspoon honey mixed into a paste and applied as a thin layer. Rinse off with cool rose water.
* One of the most effective recipes for all types of skin is blending together: 1/2 tsp peeled and sliced apple, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon ascorbic acid, 1 egg yolk, 1 table spoon vinegar and 3 tablespoons oil. This is a great home recipe as Vinegar restores the acid mantle of the skin, apple contains pectin and has a soothing effect and all other contents have a soothing effect.
* For dry skin, a honey and egg mask is very useful. Mix to a paste 1/2 tsp honey, one egg yolk, 1 tablespoon dry skimmed milk. Apply to face and after 20 minutes rinse off. The effect is instantaneous.
* For oily skin, mix 1/2 tsp honey with a dessertspoon lemon juice. Mix to a paste with Fuler's Earth (Multani Mitti), adding a little rose water if necessary.
* To smooth and soothe dry skin mash an avocado (rich in natural oils and fat) and add to it 1 tsp lemon juice and the white of an egg

So I wish my readers a lot of fun experimenting with oils, fruits and herbs in this journey towards beauty. Adorn your selves with nature, become one with nature, find your inner nature . . . so goes my blessings to all my readers.