Each individual has a unique odor depending on one’s age, diet, gender and overall health. There are three Doshas or bio elements that carry the qualities of the Panch Mahabhutas or the Five Great Elements- Vata(space and air), Pitta(fire and water) and Kapha (water and earth). Each person’s physical and mental constitution is influenced by these Doshas. When the Doshas are out of balance due to unhealthy lifestyle, dietary patterns, wrong foods or other substance addictions that go against the constitution of the body, the imbalance is likely to reflect through body odor. Resolving the odor issue is just one part of the solution. But wouldn’t it be great to know of ways and tips to NATURALLY smell gooood all day, without having to use aluminum and paraben laden cancer causing deodorants?
There are many causes for why we do not smell as pleasant as we would like to, all the time-
a) Improper circulation of blood
b) Not enough oxygenation for the body cells
c) Accumulation of toxins in the body
d) Closed skin pores
e) Emotional stress
f) Digestive issues
Here we share a few tips inspired by the knowledge of Ayurveda, one of the world’s most ancient healing systems, to smell like a Goddess-ALL DAY!
1. Oils
You can use essential oils or even better a blend of the right kind of essential oils for bathing and moisturizing needs. These essential oils need to be carefully picked for their properties to give off pleasant and long lasting fragrance. For example, Shankara’s Harmonizing Oil, made exclusively from Asian herbal oils using sesame oil, grapeseed oil, essential oils of jojoba, squalane (Olive-derived), hazelnut, aloe vera, borage oil, castor oil, evening primrose oil, valerian extract, extracts of dandelion, black cohosh, wild yam, lavender (which inhibits the growth of odor causing bacteria), shatavari, raspberry leaf among other nourishing essences, this body oil is uplifting, dosha balancing, emotionally calming, warm and nurturing for the skin. It also contains coconut oil that is rich in lauric acid, which eliminates bacteria from the sweat prone regions of the body.
2. Natural deodorants
The jury is out on how potentially harmful commonly available deodorants are for our bodies in the long run. For example, most of them contain aluminum and paraben that mimic a female hormone estrogen acting on the breast tissues. So people with family history of breast cancer are generally advised against using fragrances that have these chemicals. Also people with kidney problem should ideally avoid deodorants with aluminum.
Here is a health conscious replacement-completely natural deodorants designed to naturally neutralize body odors, like Shankara’s natural deodorants-Aura Essential Oil Deodorant – Geranium & Ylang Ylang and Lavender & Vetiver. These deodorants can be applied directly to the skin without any worries. They are free from chemicals, aluminum, and alcohol. They are made using pure essential oil made from a blend of essential oils of lavender, Ylang Ylang, Tea Tree, Geranium EO (leaf) and Thyme that work with your body’s natural chemistry to neutralize unwanted body odors safely and effectively. Where to find them? Here!
3. Aromatherapy
This good fella never goes out of fashion. Who would not like a unique collection of Ayurveda inspired breathtaking aromatherapy oils to balance mind and emotions throughout one’s daily activity? For example, Shankara’s Aromatherapy collection balances all the three doshas and brings together the following formulations of essential oils:
Grounding and Centering : Essential oils from Cardamom, Sandalwood EO, and Vetiver
Cooling and Soothing: Essential oils from Sandalwood, Lavender, Geranium
Stimulating and Invigorating: EO from Lemon, Bergamot, Cypress and Grapefruit.
4. More oxygenation in the body
Powerful breathing exercises or Pranayamas, Ujjayi Breathing and practices like Sudarshan Kriya help increase the supply of oxygen to each cell in the body, achieving multiple objectives of increased oxygenation and increased serotonin secretion which results in a clear and happy state of mind, better sleep cycle and feeling of inner joy, and of course, less odor.
Pranayamas, for example, are a set of breathing practices which increase the flow of Prana, a subtle life force energy in our system in a big way. Pranayamas like Bhastrika (bellow’s breath) and Kapalbhati(skull shining) breathing techniques are instant energy boosters for the body. These may be learned under the guidance of a professional Sri Sri Yoga instructor.
5. Detoxification
Panchakarma or holistic detoxes are recommended to balance the Doshas in the body and remove the toxins from the deepest body tissues. They also substantially help in reducing the stagnation of body fluids, better circulation of blood and open up the skin pores in the affected areas. Panchakarma is a set of cleansing processes prescribed by Ayurvedic doctors, based on the Dosha constitution of an individual. These treatments, using natural oils and lepas or masks, are tailor-made targeting the specific imbalances and Aama or toxins in the body.
One of the quieter and heavenly places for finest Panchakarma treatments that few people know about is the Art of Living Retreat Center , nestled at the top of Blue Ridge mountains in Boone, North Carolina. The center has all the ingredients-spa retreats, Panchakarma retreats, Yoga and Ayurveda retreat among other wellness retreats-that go into making a relaxed and rejuvenating vacation with some quality soul-time.
6. Say no to caffeine and meat
Avoid coffee, alcohol and non-vegetarian food. With a rigorous lifestyle, we generally fail to give sufficient time for the food, especially non-vegetarian food, to digest, which takes over 70 hours to digest. This can cause digestive problems, a reason for the body odor to manifest among those who consume meat on a daily basis.
7. Balancing the pH level
Our diet generally happens to be more acidic. It is important to balance the blood PH and make our system more alkaline which has turned acidic due to excessive consumption of certain type of foods.
8. Get rid of stress
Stress and anxiety cannot bode well for resolving body odor. Here’s why. Our body has two types of sweat glands- eccrine and apocrine. The eccrine gland produces the kind of sweat that runs all over the body, and releases the body heat after an exhausting work out or run. Apocrine gland produces sweat in regions like armpit, groin and chest and they secret sweat when activated due to psychological stress. This is the sweat that smells and has a sulfurous odor. This is the reason why you sweat and there’s body odor when you are anxious during an interview, a public speaking assignment or an important game or exam.
Are You Fighting Stress Well Enough?
Stress is the silent killer.. In the context of managing high blood pressure and anxiety, it has become nearly indispensable to learn stress management. Stress causes release of glucagon, a hormone responsible for higher blood glucose levels too. So neither is stress responsible for causing body odor but it is also making your hypoglycemic index jump.
It is a powerful rhythmic breathing that employs specific rhythms of breath to eliminate stress, support the various organs and systems within the body, transform overpowering emotions, and restore peace of mind, thus supporting the whole mind-body system.
b) Releasing stress toxins through use of herbal essential oils
Experts recommend the use of essential oils made from select herbs that has Pitta pacifying qualities, for regular use as a moisturizer, bath oil or for body massages. For example, Shankara’s Soothing Body Oil is one such offering. It is a soothing blend of essential oils that are known for their relaxing and de-stressing qualities. Made from essential oils of almond, grapeseed, sunflower, borage, evening primerose, lavender, sandalwood and chamomile, this nutrient rich body oil also helps address worries of the mind, over critical thinking, irritability and anger! An oil for hypertension is also an oil for a perfectly calm and relaxed mind!
9. Detoxifying the digestive tract
A) Milk and Castor oil
Boil half a cup milk and add a teaspoon of castor oil to it. Have it before going to bed. This cleanses your digestive organs and purges the toxins collected over the season.
B) Neem and Turmeric with warm water
Make a paste out of neem leaves and turmeric. Have it with some warm water in the morning. This will keep digestive disorders at bay.
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