Men and women across all times have been searching for the secrets of anti-aging techniques and longevity, most of which remain shrouded in mystery even today. Only a very few of themhave been discovered to be used vigorously.All techniques have one ingredient in common: vital antioxidants proven to regenerate cell growth and defy the aging process significantly.
Historically, even from mythical times, Indians are known to bevery beauty-conscious, particularly their outer skin including theface and, of course, hair on the scalp. They are not so crazy about fingers, toes and nails although some super-conscious women do take pride in displaying their terminal parts. Ever since, history has been formally recorded in whatever way mention of products that keep people beautiful have found space. Great beauticians have across ages have been held in very high esteem including the hairdresser and the barber. Amazing beautycare products have been concocted after thorough research and experimentation.
In the days of yore, Indians had simple remedies. For ordinary skin problems like acne they had fantastic skinmasks to deletethe irritating skin problem for good within a week or so. But they did insist on quality food from nature as the mandatorysupplement. ‘Dehydration’was not only kind of taboo and condemnable, but also it attracted punishment for the sick.Living bodies are essentially water. So, the water level cannot fall below the standard mark.
Beauty-crazy creatures need to bathe in water that is never below the body temperature.Sandalwood and turmeric powder facemasks put for more than thirty minutes followed by a soft, non-invasivewiping and arosewater splash at the end does wonder to the enhancement of skin glow. This simple treatment can also be applied totorsos of women, men and kids for relief from heat rashes.Further, a number of plants and herbs including ‘amla’ or the Indian gooseberry make magic beauty products and healing potions. These ingredients do balance the skin and scalp at the cellular level and prevent dehydration and aging of old skin cells. And skin rejuvenation treatments would not be complete without a real good hand massage that invigorates skin cells to keep the body surface glowing naturally.
Besides, whatever grows around one’s own geographic region is the food-medicine for one. Apples in Chennai are only a ‘show thing’ the same way as mangoes in Switzerland. For fun all, these are fine, but for regular consumption ‘no’. Equally critical is the season. Off-season fruits and vegetables are to be avoided. Nature, like the most caring mother, knows when to feed what.
Ancient Indian beliefs and philosophy are so scientific and logical as cannot be challenged by the best modern-dayhealth or beauty experts.
Most importantly, Indian health gurus have laid maximum emphasis on ensuring a harmonious lifestyle that blends appropriate hydration, body massages and yoga routines and seven hours of deep sleep to enhance health, strength and youthfulness.Once this is achieved, outer beauty emerges without asking or extra effort. ‘Mind is boss, body the eternal slave’ which is the cardinal principle of good health. Stress is the biggest enemy of modern man living in the age of internet and social media. Insatiable desire for material goods and grabbing anyinformation flying causes unmanageable stress. Social media therefore is a bane, not a boon except for a select few who use that discreetly. Stress triggers and accelerates the aging process even in kids. Ancient Indian gurus knew too well thatthe mental health determined the outward appearance. So, wise men of ancient India identified countless products, mostly herbs,soil, mud and a few natural non-metallic stuffs from hills and mountains that were used tocreatea variety of products and treatments for lasting goodhealth. Most significantly, they never forgot to prescribe sweating out go keep body organs fit and fine especially the heart and the blood vessels. They knew that ‘beta endorphin’, the most desired happiness hormone, was released by the thalamus only when the whole body moved briskly or undertook physical exercisetosweat profusely.
This ancient Indian culture also prescribed herbal bathing in solutions of floral, herbal, and milk products to lubricate the skin andunclog pores. Steam treatments in combination of sesame oil and herbs eliminated harmful toxins from the skin that would never be wiped off easily otherwise. They have lately named it to mean aromatherapy of some kind.
Antioxidants have been routinely used by ancient Indians to improve internal cells and effect reduction of free radicals that degenerate cells that keep life intact.Free radicals are a type of unstable molecule that is made during normal cell metabolism which occurs through chemical changes that take place in a cell. These radicals can build up in cells and cause damage to other molecules such as DNA, lipids and proteinsincreasing the risk of cancer and other diseases.Free radicals are derived either from normal essential metabolic processes in the human body or from external sources such as exposure to X-rays, ozone, cigarette smoking, air pollutants, and industrial chemicals.Utilisation of molecular oxygen by aerobic organisms inevitably results in the formation of a number of oxygen-containing reactive species that are collectively known as reactive oxygen species. But all green, organically-grown fruits, vegetables, grains and oilseeds do generate and infuse antioxidants into the complex metabolic process which is essentially converting simple food matter into living cells.
Overcooked or heavily-fried in oils at crackling temperatures turns food toxic and, at times, poisonous. Antioxidants not only beautify bodies, but also crush cancer cells to dusty waste material that get excreted or consumed as protein. Examples of antioxidants include Vitamins C and E, selenium and carotenoids such as beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin.
The modern-day consumers have already become wary of empty promises and outlandish claims made by the headless greedy cosmetic industry. Hardly arethe products on sale are tested or regulated by any statutory authority including the strict US agency, the Food and Drug Administration.
Life today is so hectic as to crush anyone with the strongest physique unless one is mentally calm, balanced and satisfied. It is very important to know one can get sick simply by being dissatisfied with life for whatever the reason the same way as bearing a grudge or planning revenge. All these emotions deteriorate the secretion of serotonin, the soul-satisfying hormone controlled by the thalamus resulting in uncontrollable stress that destroys everything to do with good mental health.
Body becomes beautiful when the mind is free!
