Follow This Dincharya for healthy skin during winters - Dr.Shivani Pandey

In Ayurveda, six major ritu’s (seasons) are mentioned. Winter season is categorised under two i.e., Hemant ritu (Early winters) and Shishir ritu (Late winters). The Hemant ritu is further divided as two months named as Margashirasha and Pausha according to Hindu calendar which falls under mid Nov – mid Jan while, the Shishir ritu is further divided as two months named as Magha and Phalgun according to Hindu calendar which falls under mid Jan- mid Mar (shown in the table).

The Hemant ritu is the natural time of Pitta Prasara i.e., vitiated Pitta dosha starts spilling/ overflowing. Thus, Pitta dosha leaves its actual site and starts spreading all over through the body channels where it may start mixing with other doshas. This phenomenon can be easily understood by the example of boiling milk which overflow and starts to spread everywhere possible which may get mixed with dust particles, etc present around it. This spilling movement can be in the upward, downward and lateral directions. The lateral movement of doshas could be the reason for various skin conditions. This can be prevented by taking care of Pitta during prior season as well as in this season.

The Hemant ritu is the natural time of Kapha Sanchaya i.e., vitiated Kapha dosha starts accumulating at its own site. This will accumulate Kapha and will start causing Kapha janya vikara later if not taken care of during this time period.

Thus, Dincharya should be taken care of during the winter season.

During Hemant ritu (Early winters) the dincharya should be like:

1. Try to wake up before sunrise, it is better to wake up between 4-6 am.
2. Take herbs like coriander seeds, tulsi leaves (better if black tulsi leaves are used), black pepper seeds pound it well. Take this mixture 1/4^th teaspoon in a stainless vessel. Add around two cups of water to it, boil and filter after it gets reduced to one cup. Drink this mixture in a lukewarm condition. You can add cinnamon and jeera whenever you feel heaviness in stomach.
3. Try to sit in Malasana^* (squatting pose) for a while before defecation. The person suffering from constipation should always practice this asana before defecation. (*this should not be practiced by the person whoever feels pain in this posture especially suffering from knee joint pains). It’s very important to have a regular habit of defecation as it helps the system to get cleaned and get rid of toxins. This allows the body sytem to heal and cure small ailments of the body including skin conditions.
4. Brushing your teeth as well as scrapping tongue has its own significance as it clears the mala (waste/toxins) present on teeth and tongue due to the food debris, bacterial or growth.
5. Try to do oil pulling using cold pressed coconut oil (in melted condition) and cold pressed sesame oil. This will not only help to remove the bacteria and various toxins from the oral cavity but, it will also strengthen your teeth, Upper Respiratory Tract, etc. Regular practising this will also help in toning up your facial muscles which will prevent fine lines, wrinkles and early signs of ageing.
6. Try to practice different facial yoga poses after applying coconut oil or any good quality facial serums whichever suits your skin.
7. Try to incorporate some yoga poses regularly in your daily routine like Padmasana, Paschimottanasana, Ustrasana, Dhanurasana, Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Halasana, Uttanasana, Bhujangasana, Shavasana, etc. On a regular practice these yogasanas are helpful in improving the blood circulation, alleviates stress and helps your skin to look healthy. Practicing yogasanas during this season is very helpful as it generates body heat which doesn’t allows Kapha to accumulate.
8. Use bath powders once a week on your whole body by mixing it with raw milk or milk cream or curd. If milk/cream causes acne problem, then you can use gulabjal or aloevera gel to mix it. Use warm water to take bath as it soothes your muscles and prevents joint pain or stiffness common during this season. The warm water will also help in opening your pore and cleanses any foreign substance present in it.
9. You should totally avoid face icing during this season as it can cause sinusitis, cold, cough, running nose, etc.
10. Right after taking bath apply plenty of body oils/ thick body butter on your whole body as it acts as an emollient and thus prevents cracking of skin. In case, you get pimples using butters or oil then, you can use gel based lotions as they are light and have lesser amount of oil in them.
11. Do sunbath in this season for 15-20 mins as it will prevent accumulation of Kapha dosha.
12. Try to drink plenty amount of water (lukewarm) you require in a day. There should not be exact amount of water you require every time. For instance, a Kapha prakriti (Body constitution) person will not require much amount of water in winter season than a Pitta prakriti person. Likewise, a Pitta prakriti person will experience more thirst during summer season when compared to a Kapha prakriti person as the body heat of Pitta prakriti person makes him thirstier.
13. Try to incorporate seasonal fruits during winters at daytime. Avoid taking fruits (banana/ guava) at evening or night time as it may accumulate Kapha dosha which may cause sore throat.
14. You can start taking heavier meals as the person’s own agni/digestive fire is more during this season. This digestive fire is able to digest heavy foods like non-vegetarian food, jaggery, stuffed foods, black gram, sugarcane juice, milk products, fats, oils, new rice, etc. But, still you should avoid any junk foods as what we eat is responsible in making our dhatu (body tissues) and can be responsible for various disorders.
15. Try to take food before 7 pm and do brisk walking for 5-10 mins.
16. After 3 hours of taking dinner you can apply Nabhi Sutra sensational skin care – belly button oil.
17. Use satin cloth to cover your pillow or you can use good satin pillow cover which will not absorb moisture and natural skin oil like cotton pillow cover. You should change your pillow cover after every 2-3 days as the dust and oil particles can cause repeated skin bouts.

During Shishir ritu (Late winters) the dincharya should be like Hemant ritu. But, it should be followed more strictly as this season gets colder and dry than previous one due to the cloudy weather, rain and wind. The cloudy weather hides the Sun which makes it colder than Hemant ritu.

References  

1. https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-beauty/what-is-face-yoga-plus-exercises-to-try-at-home/
2. https://vanitynoapologies.com/10-best-yoga-asanas-for-healthy-glowing-skin/i
3. Dave D., Sankhua P.L., A LITERARY REVIEW ARTICLE ON NABHI, Contemporary Research in India, 2020; 10(2); 24-28.