summer skin cheat sheet
SUMMER or PITTA SEASON is ruled by fire and water, making steam. as the hottest season, its the most likely to have us feeling inflammed. the heat brings our physical and emotional impurities to the surface — our skin. here are some TIPS to help you keep skin calm and nourished despite the heat. SUPPLEMENTS, FOODS and simple, cheap BODY TREATMENTS will all be included.
NEEM POWDER for SKIN. just pop open a NEEM PILL and mix the POWDER with a little water for a super soothing, clearing poultice paste. its great for ATHLETES FOOT, BUG BITES, ECZEMA, or ANYTHING that is hot, itchy or irritated. let it dry on the skin for about 5 mins, then rinse off and apply a little NEEM OIL immediately after. PREGNANT WOMEN and women trying to CONCEIVE should avoid ingesting or applying neem in any form including neem powder, neem oil or even an oil blend containing neem.
NEEM OIL for SKIN. apply NEEM OIL for BURNS, FUNGAL INFECTIONS or as BUG REPELLENT. be aware, it has a strong smell but it can be mixed with lavender to mitigate. if you have 4oz of NEEM OIL, mix with 10 drops of lavender. please do NOT ever ingest neem in oil form! and remember, PREGNANT WOMEN and women trying to CONCEIVE should avoid ingesting or applying neem in any form including neem powder, neem oil or even an oil blend containing neem.
ABHYANGA for SKIN. self oil massage or ABHYANGA can address so many skin and mood issues. for an easy to this practice, read FUSS-FREE ABHYANGA. know that in general, VATA should use pure, non-cooking grade SESAME OIL from the cosmetic aisle, PITTA should use cooling COCONUT, and KAPHA does best with ALMOND or SUNFLOWER.
CHLOROPHYLL for SKIN. while my diet, herb protocol, etc is overwhelmingly ayurvedic, of course we recognize the usefulness of things that are not. LIQUID CHLOROPHYLL is great PITTA support since it is alkalinizing, cleanses the blood and liver, and helps stabilize blood sugar. also, B12 is great for inflammation and general skin growth and support. just ADD IT TO YOUR WATER, follow manufacturers dosing instructions.
CLEARING FOODS for SKIN. summer heat can exacerbate toxic blood conditions, showing up on our skin. ALFALFA, CILANTRO and TURMERIC are all specifically indicated for toxic skin conditions while LEMON is good for excess heat in the skin.
then, there are all the other alterative or BLOOD CLEANSING foods like ARTICHOKES, ASPARAGUS, BEAN SPROUTS, BEETS, BELL PEPPERS, BLUEBERRIES, BROCCOLI, CARROTS, CHERRIES, GREEN BEANS, KALE, KOHLRABI, LETTUCE, MUNG BEANS, OKRA, PARSLEY, PEAS, and POMEGRANATE.
NOURISHING FOODS for SKIN. as skin repairs from bug bites, sun and exposure to the elements, nourish it with BARELY, COCONUT, COCONUT OIL, FENUGREEK, GHEE, MILK, SESAME OIL & SEEDS, SOY OIL, SUNFLOWER OIL. and remember CASHEWS are great for chronic skin diseases.
GOLDEN LATTES for SKIN. TURMERIC* is so good for clearing skin! if you use COW'S MILK and some GHEE to your latte, you’ll be nourishing as you clear. of course, CASHEW MILK is great for chronic skin diseases so you could use that too. for the full scoop read GOLDEN LATTE which includes variations for each constitution and a healing recipe for each dosha too.
*please note that even in small doses, turmeric is not recommended if you are PREGNANT or NURSING, HAVE DIABETES or a BLEEDING DISORDER, GALLSTONES, BILE DUCT OBSTRUCTION or ULCERS.