India's Spice Tradition ~ The Seasons & Your Skin

Many Westerners have been introduced to Ayurveda, a 5,000 year-old healthcare tradition. Ayurveda includes spice enhanced treatments for message, body oils, purifying wraps, masks, and scrubs. The over 2,000 herbs and spices are recognized for its unique therapeutic properties and corresponds to one of the five elements (ether, air, fire, water, or earth), and one of the six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, or astringent). Each spice and herb also has heating or cooling effects on the body and skin that helps to bring it back to a natural equilibrium. Different Ayurvedic combinations of spices are specifically suites to each of the three doshas…

So, you may be asking, what are doshas? The universe is composed of five elements that create three essential energies (or doshas) when combined: Vata (air & ether); Pitta (fire & water); Kapha (earth & water). It is said you are born with a unique combination of these three types. I identifying which one predominantly governs you will enable you to detect imbalances in your skin and body, so you can make changes before they lead to illness or disrupt your wellbeing.

This guide, courtesy of Susannah Marriotwill help you identify which description most closely resembles you... Thanks Spice Spa!

	Vata	Pitta	Kapha
Body Shape	Slight	Medium Build	Heavy Build
Face Shape	Angular	Heart Shape	Round
Skin Type	Thin, Dry	Reddish	Oily, Thick
Perspiration	Light	Profuse	Moderate
Appetite	Variable	Dominant	Steady
Speech	Rapid	Penetrating	Monotonous
Movement	Quick	Dynamic	Slow
Energy	Nervous	Motivated	Enduring
Enthusiasm	Volatile	Passionate	Grounded
Mindset	Changeable	Sharp	Relaxed
Mode of Action	Erratic	Confident	Methodical
Key Emotional Trait	Excitability	Fieriness	Tenderness
Sleep Pattern	Light	Sound	Deep
Stress Response	Flight	Fight	Freeze

As doshas of the seasons flow into one another, your skin’s needs change. Adapt your beauty care regime to echo this natural seasonal movement!

Sping: As winter turns into spring, the energy of pitta predominates. This is a good time to detox after stagnation of winter. Use sandalwood face masks as you relax in a bath. Choose products with detoxifying fennel and black pepper.

Summer: Counter balance the fire element of this hot and dry pitta season with coconut or sunflower oil body rubs or massages, each morning before a cool shower. You can do this yourself, or if you are lucky to have someone willing to message you have them! Rub your scalp and the soles of your feet with coconut oil before going to bed. To promote sleep, put 2-3 drops of sandalwood essential oil on your pillow. Choose cooling products with sandalwood, coriander, and lemon grass.

Fall: Vita gains the ascendancy with cold, windy, and drying influences. Fight the appearance of wrinkles and flakes with sesame oil body messages before warm morning showers. Choose products with moisturizing and emollient avocado and almond.

Winter: In midwinter and early spring, kapha rules with cold, damp heaviness that makes skin sluggish and dull looking. Use warming oil treatments and take hot showers, saunas, and steam baths. Choose products with warming nutmeg, ginger, and black pepper.