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Skin Reflects Total Health

And Shows States of Digestion and Stress in Mindbody

“Your skin is a reflection of how you treat yourself.”

Skin is a very complex organ, reflecting all seven dhatus and mindbody wellbeing, so skin imbalances like acne, dry skin and folliculitis are multidimensional and require individualized Ayurvedic treatments that focus on diet, lifestyle, herbs and dosha pacification to treat the root cause.

Skin relates to the nervous system, and vitiation of any seven dhatus creates ama vish and will circulate via rakta. In skin imbalances, all three doshas may be involved, but Pitta is the main, followed by Kapha. Subdoshas include nearly all: vyana, samana, prana, apana, bhrajaka (the main skin subdosha), ranjaka, sadhaka, shleshaka and kledaka. Essentially, anything relating to digestion, the mind or emotions, blood, skin, circulation or lubrication plays a role in skin. Skin therefore is a huge indicator of health and is significant in determining imbalances.

One skin imbalance is acne, which is a Pitta and Vata imbalance, sometimes with ama and obstruction of the inner wisdom. Pitta’s oil and heat may cause inflammation and bacteria growth, and Vata’s dryness can block pores with dead and/or dry skin (Morehead, 2021). Kapha’s role is its oil yet cool quality that reduces inflammation and bacteria. Its lingas include pores with pus, small red bumps or pain. Aushadha includes pacifying Pitta and rakta, as these are the most common, by reducing incompatible foods and avoiding Pitta factors. Herbal cleanses for the bowel, liver and urinary tract are great, such as Elim-tox-o. In general, it’s advised to favor juicy fruits, aloe vera, turmeric, ghee, a face mask or acne tea for the doshas, and/or Radiant Skin.

Dry skin (think Vata as dryness) is caused by aggravating diet, lifestyle and not enough oil, especially in winter. Symptoms include skin tightness, rough and itchy skin with cracks or flakes. Treatment therefore includes hydration with both oil and water, abhyanga with the dosha imbalance (could be Vata massage oil), more ghee, and Veda 2803 to nourish the nervous system and pacify Vata.

Folliculitis is Vata Pitta and is local irritation in which Pitta is trapped and inflames hair follicles from lack of hygiene or blocked sweda (Morehead, 2015). Symptoms can include clusters of red bumps or white pimples surrounding hair follicles, pus blisters, inflammation or pain. Treatment includes proper hygiene and clothes and pacifying Vata, Pitta and rakta with triphala and neem water, Veda Aroma, neem or Sesame oil, and Veda 2334.

Through individualized aushadha for acne, dry skin and folliculitis, Ayurveda understands how therapies work together synergistically to restore balance to not just the skin but the whole system, starting with the nervous system and including mind, spirit, emotions and digestion. As Maharishi said, “The Whole is great than the sum of the parts.”

References

Morehead, P. (2021). Integumentary System: Skin Disorders Part 1: Acne — Psoriasis. [PDF Handout]. Maharishi International University. Retrieved from MS in Maharishi AyurVeda and Integrative Medicine.

Morehead, P. (2015). Integumentary System: Skin Disorders Part 2: (Folliculitisi — Cancer). [PDF Handout]. Maharishi University of Management. Retrieved from MS in Maharishi AyurVeda and Integrative Medicine.