MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL BEING
Evolved around: 600 B.C.
Uses: Medicinal Plants and Herbs
Best Time for an Ayurvedic Treatment : June to September
Meditation And Yoga 
Meditation
and physical exercises are meant to isolate the ego from the body and
mind. The exercises are designed to hone concentration, improve health and
help attain peace of mind through 8 stages of training:
1. Disciplined Behaviour (Yama).
2. Self-purification (Niyama).
3. Bodily postures such as the Lotus position
(Asana).
4. Control of breathing (Pranayarna).
5. Control of the senses (Pratyahara).
6. Fixing of the mind on a chosen object
(Dharana).
7. Meditation (Dhyana) and
8. Samadhi, a state of being where one experience
absolute tranquility and well being.
Beauty Care
Herbal face pack, herbal oil massage, intake of herbal tea etc. improves
complexion and beautifies the body.
Hair
Care:
'Thaali' is a traditional shampoo. It can be any herb, usually the soapy
paste of crushed 'Hibiscus Rosa' leaves or 'Cheevakkai' (Shikakai) powder,
made into a paste and rubbed into the hair during the bath.
Plain boiled rice soup rubbed into the scalp for ten minutes prior to the
bath is an excellent cure for dandruff. 'Moong' (green gram) is a good
hair and body scrub. 'Mylanchi' (henna or Egyptian privet) is widely used
as a hair dye.
Adding 'Amla' (dried and powdered Gooseberry, 'Phylanthus embilica') and
beating in an Egg Yolk makes the dye fast. Unlike chemical dyes, this is
quite harmless. A mixture of Coconut Milk and Lemon Juice can prevent hair
loss.
Yoghurt, eggs and Lemon Juice rubbed into the scalp is said to accelerate
hair growth, while Cucumber has excellent astringent properties.
Skin Care:
Pastes of Cucumber, Sandalwood, Papaya and Pineapple Fruit are used for
making face masks. Honey acts as a powerful moisturizer. Turmeric paste is
another popular skin care herb, applied both as a face pack as well as all
over the body, to improve the skin tone and prevent skin disorders.
A mixture of Lemon Juice and Honey is used in skin care. A paste of
'Raktha Chandanam' (red sandalwood) in Honey, applied once or twice a day
for about a fortnight, has a magical effect in erasing scars.
Body Slimming
Medicated herbal powder and medicated herbal oil massages, an Ayurvedic
diet of herbal juices etc. are part of the program.
Panchkarma Treatment
A five-fold treatment for mental and physical well being - tunes the
body, organs, mind, breath, nerves and purifies the blood.
