When your natural glow is gone, it\u2019s a cue that your digestive and detoxification process is stunted. This means that dryness of any kind on the surface – hair, skin or nails – indicates an imbalance that goes much deeper. Although we tend to notice dryness on the surface more easily because we can see and feel it, the dryness inside is equally concerning. We need moisture to thrive. It supports digestion of foods, lubrication of bones and joints, and suppleness of our muscles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While you might have originally started reading this article to heal the dry patches on your body, you\u2019ll get much more out of this read for your entire mind and body!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Ayurveda is a comprehensive science which details all matter in the universe. Whether it\u2019s on earth or someplace out in space, this matter is made up of the same fundamental elements:<\/p>\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n When dryness occurs, we all understand that there\u2019s a lack of \u201cwater\u201d – that\u2019s pretty common sense. On the flip side, dryness generally implies there is an excess of ether and air.<\/p>\n Season <\/b>– Dryness tends to show up the most in late fall and early winter in the Northern Hemisphere – this is the dry season. The dry season eventually gives way to a wet season known as late winter or spring, and the seasonal imbalance will likely resolve on its own during this transitional period.<\/span><\/p>\n Climate<\/b> – If you live in a dryer climate, such as the Southwest or desert regions, this chronic predominance of air and ether in the atmosphere will impact your mind and body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ayurvedic or personal mind-body constitution<\/b> – For some people, their personal constitution tends towards dryness, and this is because they naturally have more ether and air in their elemental makeup. Everyone has a unique balance of elements in their system, known as <\/span>Prakriti<\/span><\/i>. <\/span>Prakriti<\/span><\/i> is determined at birth and never changes, so if you\u2019re born with a predominance of ether and air, you\u2019re likely to struggle with the issue year-round.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Imbalances<\/b> – Regardless of the season, climate or your mind-body constitution, dryness can pop up due to an imbalance brought on by lifestyle, stress and diet. For example, habitual use of astringents or caffeine, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies,\u00a0 exercise in extreme conditions which induce sweating could contribute to loss of hydration. An imbalance may indicate that the elemental balance is more complicated, in which case an Ayurvedic Practitioner is required. A consultation will evaluate your <\/span>Prakriti<\/span><\/i> (constitution) and <\/span>Vikriti<\/span><\/i>, or imbalances. This assessment is based on the Tridosha concept in Ayurveda, which accounts for the complex relationships of the elements.<\/span><\/p>\n Natural remedies in Ayurveda are based upon elemental logic. Since everything in the universe is made up of the same elements, any imbalance – whether in a human, another animal, or an entire ecosystem – can be addressed with this same logic.<\/p>\n <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n The balance of elements can be adjusted in these two ways by a variety of lifestyle and dietary changes you can do yourself, and many of the ingredients needed are right at home and in your pantry. While external creams, lotions and oils can help, to truly get to the root of the issue, addressing all of the lifestyle factors is key.<\/p>\n While you might be thinking still on the surface level of hydrating skin, hair or nails, your diet while hydrate everything and will help you feel amazing! A hydrating diet includes:<\/p>\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Enjoy room temperature and warm water<\/strong> – sip water throughout the day and try to keep it at room temperature, or warmer. Cold or iced water will increase air and ether, while warm and hot water stokes your internal fire. Avoid water while eating, unless it\u2019s hot, and focus on hydrating in-between meals.<\/p>\n Caffeinated beverages, coffee and tea can contribute to fluid loss, as they contain caffeine<\/strong> – a diuretic – as well as astringent properties. Minimizing your consumption and switching to energizing brews with less astringent properties can help to maintain hydration. Just keep in mind that coffee replacements and herbal teas are neutral – they don\u2019t dehydrate or hydrate, so ensure you hydrate with enough additional water and moist foods.<\/p>\n Heat up nondairy milks if they\u2019re raw<\/strong> – if you opt for non dairy, plant-based milks, keep in mind that they may be raw, which means they fall on the list of cold items that can increase air and ether elements. Heating up your raw milks will solve the issue.<\/p>\n There are a variety of products for skin health, and choosing the right one can be confusing.<\/p>\n Choose organic, clean products<\/b> – Your skin is an organ, and you ingest everything that goes on it. In addition to scanning for the organic label, read the ingredients. Select your products carefully and be mindful to avoid products containing chemicals or unnecessary additives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As a general rule of thumb, Ayurveda recommends oils over lotions<\/b>, as they best mimic the natural skin barrier produced by the body. Oil can be intimidating at first, though selecting the right oil and applying it correctly will ensure you get the right amount. Oil has the added benefit of penetrating deep into the body\u2019s tissues, which aids in the lubrication of joints and muscles. Coconut oil and sesame are traditionally used in Ayurvedic practice: coconut for individuals with warmer constitutions, and sesame for those who run cooler. Mustard, jojoba and almond are also warming oils, and olive oil is more cooling.<\/span><\/p>\n Oil can be contraindicated if you tend to struggle with excess oil on the skin, stagnation and congestion in the body, or are suffering from certain imbalances. Ayurvedic oils including herbal formulations are designed for specific conditions, so do check with your practitioner for support in selecting a personalized oil as part of your overall disease prevention and management<\/span><\/p>\n To apply oil, a quick all-over-body-massage 15 minutes prior to bathing in the morning is a beautiful ritual for awakening the senses, and the subsequent shower will help to remove any excess. The practice of daily self-massage is called <\/span>Abhyanga<\/span><\/i> or <\/span>Snehana<\/span><\/i> – <\/span>Sneha<\/span><\/i> means both olive and love in Sanskrit. Snehana improves circulation, skin tone, soothes the senses and can help you rejuvenate – talk about daily self love!<\/span><\/p>\n Use lotions as needed<\/b> – Oils and thick butters like shea can sometimes be too much for certain skin types or conditions. If they feel too heavy – and these may apply to certain parts of your body vs others – you may need to try a thinner lotion. Organic lotions are also easier to transport without the risk of mess and can help to soothe any spot dryness.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re new to the concept that your mind can contribute to feeling \u201cdry\u201d it might sound strange at first. But consider this: whatever is going on in your body is also occurring in your thoughts and emotions, and \u201cdryness\u201d is a sign of air and ether elements.<\/p>\nDeeper signs of dryness may show up as:<\/b><\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nWhat it is: dryness is an elemental imbalance<\/h3>\n
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What causes dryness<\/h4>\n
Using the elements to combat dryness<\/h3>\n
According to Ayurveda, an elemental imbalance can be resolved in two ways:<\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nFactor 1: dietary tips for hydration<\/h4>\n
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![\"Cup](\"https:\/\/www.keralaayurveda.us\/courses\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/12\/ayurvedictipsdryskinhairnails-water.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFactor 2: what to drink and what not to drink for minimizing dryness<\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nFactor 3: add moisture on the outside – lotions and oils<\/h4>\n
![\"Buddha](\"https:\/\/www.keralaayurveda.us\/courses\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/12\/ayurvedictipsdryskinhairnails-buddhacandle.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFactor 4: Soothe the Mind<\/h4>\n