Natural forces

Natural forces that  balance the whole universe also exists inside the living beings.
They are mentioned in the traditional systems of the of all ancient cultures.
The forces that balance the world are are of two types which are opposite in directions and nature.
In the indian system this is very well illustrated, these forces exists in many forms but all does the same work i.e. maintining equilibrium in nature and body..
they are mentioned as life forces like -

• agni <-------->soma
• surya<------->chandra
• prana <------>apana
• sheet<-------->ushna
• aartava<------>shukra
• pitta<--------->kapha
• rajah<-------->tamah etc.

Ancient Chinese system also informs about the life energy "Qi" that is flowing all over.
The two opposite forces 'yin' and 'yang'act in equilibrium normally.
These tendencies can create and destroy everything in this universe.

• Yang is inward movement that creates contraction.
• Yin is outward movement that creates expansion.

Other opposite forces that work in nature are-

• Electromagnetic forces from south and north poles of earth, body, objects.
• male and female forces etc.

These life forces whatever they are called does only the same work i.e. balancing.
Our human body is also a part of nature, so all these are present here too.
When they are in equilibrium we are happy and healthy, but as the balance gets disturbed unhappiness and illness comes through.
So one must realize the presence of these forces, how they work and try not to disturb the equilibrium between them..............this is most important to lead a healthy and happy life!

Macrobiotics

It is a wholistis health system.It is an art of living a long and happy life in accordance to the principles of nature.
basic principles are -

• health is a natural condition
• illness and unhappiness are unnatural conditions
• health and sickness can always be explained in terms of natural laws
  they result from our own actions and thoughts
  
• food is the main factor that determines sickness
  
• natural and seasonal foods should be consumed.
  

Aromatherapy in ayurveda

When aromatherapy is blended with ayurveda the results are magical!!
Recently I've been studying extensively on aromatherapy and being a scholar of ayurveda I found that the two relate each other so closely, and the actions of one could be explained by the concepts of the other.
In aromatherapy essential oils are used and applied variously and they penetrate through the epithelium of the skin, nasal passages, bronchioles, and gastrointestinal tract to produce the desired effect.
In ayurveda the 'arka' kalpana is very similar to these oils. These oils are usually extracted from the plant sources in which the  virya(active principles) is present in the volatile part.

SKIN REVIEW IN AYURVEDA

Skin is called ‘Twak’ which covers the whole body. The embryogenesis, anatomy and physiology of skin is finely defined in ayurvedic texts.Charak samhita has mentioned that ‘Twacha’ is the ‘updhatu’ of mamsa dhatu. According to Charak, when rakta dhatu gets digested its suksha prasadansha forms the mamsa dhatu along with sira and kandara as updhatus. This mamsa dhatu in the presence of mamsagni gets digested. Six types of twacha are fomed from its sukshma prasadansha and vasa (mamsagat sneh) is fomed as updhatu.
        In sushrut samhita it is described that bhootatma along with sukra and shonita when obtains maturation, then seven layers of skin are formed similarly as santanika is formed in milk layer by layer increasing in thickness.
        Skin is described under matraj bhav among the six bhavas in the production of foetus. The complexion, skin and nails appear during the sixth month of antenatal life. Bhel samhita says that ‘twacha’ is the location for ‘Oja’ and ‘Tej’ in the body.
Twach is said to be composed of all five elements which are Aakash, vayu, agni, Jal and pritvi as all the other substances of the universe.

Still vayu is the most predominant element in skin
Out of tridosh pitta is mainly considered as the inhabitant of Twach. ‘Bhrajak pitta’ is the type of pitta involved herein

ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION OF TWACHA IN AYURVED


Twacha protects the body from varies physical and chemical stimuli present in the environment. It does so, by being a barrier between the body and the environment. It covers the whole body.

In ayurvedic text it is considered as an important ‘updhatu’. It is the updhatu of mamsa dhatu along with vasa. Updhatu is something which ‘bears’ (Dharan) the sharir. Twacha is also the adhisthan of sparshanendriya among the five indriyas.

Structually the skin is made up to six layers according to Acharya Charak and ashtang sangrah. But sushruta samhita and ashtang hridays counts seven layers of skin originating like santanika from milk, so there are certain controversies in Ayurvedic texts regarding the number of skin layers.
Charak samhita says that the sharir has six twacha, First one is 'prathama' or ‘udakdhara’ which is the outer most layer of skin, second is ‘Dwitiya’ or ‘Asrigdhara’ layer.

Third is the layer affected by diseases like sidma and kilas the fourth layer suffers from dadru and kushta. The fifth layer is the place for alaji and vidradhi. When the sixth layer is damaged it causes unconsciousness and darkness before eyes and is the place for black red colored, deeply embedded and difficult to treat arunshi.
These skins cover the whole shadang sharer.
Acharya sushruta says that there are seven layers of skin in sushrut sharir chapter four.

Description of skin layers according to sushrut samhita

S.No. Layer Thickness Disease

1. Avabhasini 1/18th of vreehi -Sidhma, padma kantak

2. Lohita 1/16th of vreehi -Tilkalak, nyachchh vrang.

3. Shweta 1/12th of vreehi -Charmadala, Ajgallika, mashak

4. Tamra 1/8th of vreehi -various types of kilas and kushtha

5. Vedini 1/5th of vreehi -Kushtha and visarpa

6. Rohini 1 of vreehi -Granthi, apachi, arbud, slipada, galgand

7. Mamsadhara 2 vreehi -Bhagandar, Visapa arsa

Ashtang samgrah says there are six layers of skin but has mentioned that other acharyas says that there are seven layers. Ashtang hriday has mentioned seven layers of skin.

Correlation of various types of skin with modern system-

1. Epidermis Avabhasini (udakdhara sharangstar)- Stratum corneum

                     Lohita (Swacchstar)-Stratum lucidum

                    Shweta (Kanmaya star)- Stratum granulosum

                   Tamra (Ranjak star) Stratum malpighii

2. Dermis- Vedini -Papillary layer

                  Rohini -Reticular layer

3. Hypodermis- Mamsadhara

KARMA

In Ayurvedic texts the main function of skin is ‘dharan’ as it is an updhatu. It covers the whole body and thus bears the body within it. Other karmas are -

 It protects the structures within the body

 It contains bhrajak pitta which maintains normal colour of skin it also imparts many assimilatory functions for lepa etc. its vitiation causes abnormal complexion. It depicts the chhaya and prabha of the body.

 Avabhasini layer is responsible for varna and chhaya of the body.

 It is the sparshanendriya adhishthan so is responsible for the tactile sensation in the body. This is due to the predominance of vayu mahabhut.

 The various wastes of the body are eliminated through the skin via the lomakupa present in addition sweda is an important vehicle for excretion which is eliminated through the skin. Atisweda or asweda causes many problems.

 It seems as a seat of attachment for mamsavah srotas and snayu.

Physiological concept of skin in Ayurveda

Crucial elements related to skin physiology in Ayurveda are –

Dosh siddhanta

This is a unique concept in Ayurveda.

 Vata prakriti – Thin, fine pored, darker complexion with whitish or greenish blue, cool to touch, especially in extremities and dry or rough and flaky in patches and climate sensitive.

 Vata vikriti – Lack of tone or luster, rough patches, chapping and cracking, dry rashes,corns and callouses, dry eczema.

 Pitta prakriti – Fair peachy, coppery or freckled complexion, soft lustrous and warm, chemically, sensitive, moist.

 Pitta vikriti – Rashes, inflammations, itching, premature wrinkling, yellow pustular acne, blackheads, whiteheads, general excessive oiliness, discoloration of natural pigment.

 Kapha prakriti – Thick moist pale, soft and cool to touch, generally tones well and light.

 Kapha vikriti – Dull sluggish, congested skin, enlarged pores, blackheads or large while pustules or cyst formation. Thick oily secretion.

VARNA/COMPLEXION

 As per ayurveda, varna is the color of the skin or any other entity.
The color of skin could be Sahaj(by birth) or Jatottar(acquired).
Avabhasini is the layer of the skin that displays the Varna(complexion) and Prabha(Lustre)  of the body.
Types- There are four types of varna : Gaur, Krishna, Krishnashyam & Gaurshyam.
These develop during foetal life. We may say that the wide spectrum of skin colors result due to admixture or association of various mahabhutas(basic elements) with Agni(fire) mahabhuta.
Gaur                 - Tej + Jal
Krishna             - Tej + Prithvi
Krishnashyam   - Tej + Prithvi + Akash
Gaurshyam       - Tej + Jal + Akash
According to Vagbhatta, the color and texture of semen of father conjures the color of the offspring.
Conceptual prediction of the skin color of the offspring is as follows-
white like ghee-gaur
like oil- krishna
like honey-shyam
Mothers diet during gestational period also affects the varna of child. If a pregnant woman eats more Kashaya rasa( pungent), she is likely to bear a shyam varna baby. Excessive intake of madhur rasa(sweet) and diet which is rich in ghee results in gaur varna of offspring.It is indicated that even the color of food and other articles used by the woman affects the skin color of the foetus. In addition to the above, other factors like the type of shukra, kul, jati, vansha(genetic background), desh(area) etc are also mentioned which may cause some impact on the determination of the skin color.