Concept of Beauty and Ayurveda Medicine

Abstract

Beauty is the desire of every individual to give pleasure to the sense. Beauty is not always related to women rather men are more beauty consciousness as the evolution shows male animals are more beautiful. Some are beauty by birth and some are want to become beautiful [1]. The concept of using herbs for beautification is well defined in Ayurveda. The cosmetic preparations are used for worship and for sensual enjoyment in India since vedic period. The external application of kajala, tilaka, aguru, chandana, haridra etc to God and Goddess are seen in many rituals of India [2]. Cosmetology is the science of alternation of appearance and modification of beauty. Any substance or preparation intended to be placed in contact with the various external parts of human body (epidermis, hair, nails, lips, and external genitals) or with the teeth and mucous membrane of oral cavity with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, changing their appearance and/or correcting body odors and /or protecting them or keeping them in good conditions

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Review Article Open Access
Clinical & Experimental
Dermatology Research
Hazra and Panda, J Clin Exp Dermatol Res 2013, 4:3
http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2155-9554.1000178
Volume 4 • Issue 3 • 1000178
J Clin Exp Dermatol Res
ISSN:2155-9554 JCEDR, an open access journal
*Corresponding author: Ashok Kumar Panda, Research Ofcer (S2), National
Research Institute of Ayurvedic Drug Development, CN-4, Sector –V, Bidhan
Nagar, Kolkota, India, Email: drashokpanda69@gmail.com
Received March 16, 2013; Accepted July 18, 2013; Published July 24, 2013
Citation: Hazra J, Panda AK (2013) Concept of Beauty and Ayurveda Medicine. J
Clin Exp Dermatol Res 4: 178. doi:10.4172/2155-9554.1000178
Copyright: © 2013 Hazra J, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under
the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted
use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and
source are credited.
Concept of Beauty and Ayurveda Medicine
Jayram Hazra1 and Ashok Kumar Panda2*
1Director, Dept of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & FW, Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Science, National Research Institute of Ayurvedic Drug Development, India
2Research Ofcer (S2), Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Science, National Research Institute of Ayurvedic Drug Development, India
Keywords: Ayurvedic cosmetics; Beauty; Herbo-cosmo-caeutical;
Panchakarma
Introduction
Beauty is the desire of every individual to give pleasure to the sense.
Beauty is not always related to women rather men are more beauty
consciousness as the evolution shows male animals are more beautiful.
Some are beauty by birth and some are want to become beautiful
[1]. e concept of using herbs for beautication is well dened in
Ayurveda. e cosmetic preparations are used for worship and for
sensual enjoyment in India since vedic period. e external application
of kajala, tilaka, aguru, chandana, haridra etc to God and Goddess
are seen in many rituals of India [2]. Cosmetology is the science of
alternation of appearance and modication of beauty. Any substance
or preparation intended to be placed in contact with the various
external parts of human body (epidermis, hair, nails, lips, and external
genitals) or with the teeth and mucous membrane of oral cavity with a
view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, changing their appearance
and/or correcting body odors and /or protecting them or keeping them
in good conditions [3].
According to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act (India) 1940 cosmetics
may be dened as, any substance intended to be rubbed, poured,
sprinkled, or otherwise applied to human being for cleansing,
beautifying, promoting attractiveness. According to Ayurveda
happiness, gloom, sadness and relaxation are the aspects that are
reected by the face and by the body and can’t be disguised with
cosmetics. In other words, Ayurveda emphasizes on external and
internal beauty. It is believed in Ayurveda that one can enhance
internal beauty by understanding and following the basic principle
of Ayurveda. ere’s a secret beauty or the third level of beauty in
Ayurveda and is also known as the state of ‘self-realization’. It is said
that a self realized person is eternally beautiful and does not need to use
any external cosmetics or designer clothes. However, in Ayurveda the
therapies, treatment and tips are concern with physical beauty which is
considered to be the path to secret of beauty. Health promotion, beauty
management and healing in Ayurveda rely on freeing the body of ama
(toxins), restoring cellular nutrition, facilitating complete elimination
and re-establishing the balance of the doshas. Diet and lifestyle are two
things that help achieve good health and beauty. As Ayurveda relates
to every aspect of the mind, body and the soul, it considers beauty as
an intimate part of the human personality. To serve the purpose of
fast natural beauty a faster and deeper cleansing and re-balancing is
accomplished by using Ayurveda’s traditional rejuvenation therapy.
e rejuvenation therapy in Ayurveda teaches ways to become
naturally beautiful, which is not just limited to the physical body but
extends to subtle qualities and vitality of a person. Hence, rejuvenation
therapy is regarded as an integral part of ongoing self-care that helps
beauty be with you throughout life and a fresh start in the process of
making health-supporting lifestyle changes.
Consumer trends suggest a gradual shi from chemical-based
products to ayurvedic beauty products. Growing concern over side
eects of chemical-based products is the main reason behind this
trend. e Ayurvedic natural cosmetics business of India is growing at
the rate of 15-20% per year- much higher than India’s overall cosmetics
business that has a growth rate of 7-8% [4].
Abstract
Beauty consciousness and the knowledge of application of herbs, minerals and animals products are as old
phenomena as the human existence. Beauty of person gives perceptual experience of pleasure or satisfaction. Ayurveda
never isolate the involvement of metal and spiritual well being from the concept of beauty. Ayurveda determined beauty
by prakriti (Body constitution), sara (structural predominance), sanhanan (compactness of body), twak (skin completion),
Praman (Measurement) and dirghayu lakshyana (symptom of long life). Beauty is not only a source of jay but gives
condence and proud in some extent. Ayurveda cosmetology started from mother wombs, dinacharya, ratricharya, ritu
charya with the practice of medicinal herbs and minerals. Ayurveda physician believe that toxic materials inside our body
make a person ugly and disease and Sodhana (Purication) is the best therapeutic intervention to eliminate body toxins.
Charak samhita classied cosmetics drugs as Varnya, Kustagna, Kandugna, bayasthapak, udardaprasamana, etc and
many alepam (poultice) are described in Susruta Samhita and astanga hrudaya. Some medicinal plants like- Haridra,
Manjistha, Sariba, Chandana, Amalaki, Gritkumari , Babul, Lavanga,Sikakai, Aritha, Brinaraj etc has been prescribed
for beautication of skin, hair, teeth, nails etc. Diet has a special role to improve and maintain beauty of an individual.
Panchakarma procedures are employed for beatication of skin –the marker of overall condition of individual as per
Ayurveda. Snehana and Swedan are believed to be inhibiting trans-epidermal water loss, restoring the lipid barrier and
restore the amino-lipid of the skin. There are signicant evidences already generated for Ayurveda skin care in vitiligo,
psoriasis, and eczema and acne vulgaris. Consumer trends suggest a gradual shift from chemical-based products to
Ayurvedic beauty products. India could emerge as a major contributor to the global cosmetic industry. This will possible,
as one of the strengths of India is Ayurvedic tradition.

Citation: Hazra J, Panda AK (2013) Concept of Beauty and Ayurveda Medicine. J Clin Exp Dermatol Res 4: 178. doi:10.4172/2155-9554.1000178
Page 2 of 4
Volume 4 • Issue 3 • 1000178
J Clin Exp Dermatol Res
ISSN:2155-9554 JCEDR, an open access journal
Concept of Beauty in Ayurveda
Ayurveda determined beauty by prakriti (Body constitution), sara
(structural predominance), sanhanan (compactness of body), twak
(skin completion), Praman (Measurement) and dirghayu lakshyana
( symptom of long life). Beauty is not only a source of jay but gives
condence and proud in some extent. Ayurveda cosmetology started
from mother wombs, dinacharya, ratricharya, ritu charya with the
practice of medicinal herbs and minerals. Charaka narrated that beauty
of female is enhanced by nding a suitable man, similarly a man can
enhanced his appearance by getting with similar mind, psyche and
liking with excellent quality partner. Beautiful woman is always
praised in our ancient text as virtue, wealth; auence and creation
depend on women. ere was a provision for appointing a beautiful
woman (kalinee) in the Rasasala (pharmacy) for rasabandha and the
characteristic of Kalinee is well described in Rasaratna samuchachaya
and Anandakanda. If the kalinee is not available then the specic
way to convert ordinary woman to kalinee is also possible by the
administration of one karsa (3 gm) of puried sulphur along with ghee
for twenty one days [5].
According to Ayurveda Human body functions through various
channel systems called “Srotamsi”, containing both microscopic and
macroscopic structures such as the respiratory system, lymphatic/
circulatory system, reproductive system and nervous systems, among
others. ese channels function as innumerable psycho-biological
processes such as enzyme production, neuro-transmitter secretion,
hormonal intelligence, respiratory capacity and digestive assimilation/
elimination, immune power etc and responsible for wellness and
beauty. ese act rhythmically and in concert with one another to
perform complex decision-making regarding the supply of nutrients,
ltration of toxins, excretion of wastes and much more. If these
waste materials are insuciently metabolized, toxins or incompletely
processed foods and experiences can become deposited in weak areas
of the body. If unaddressed, these can become a disease. Weak zones
occur in the body due genetic factors or more commonly, lifestyle
factors, such as unhealthy food choices, stress or environmental
inuences. ese toxins or unprocessed metabolic deposits can cloud
the normal psycho-biological cellular intelligence and loss body lustre
and beauty. Panchakarma therapy is both preventative for healthy
people to maintain and improve excellent cellular function, and
curative for those experiencing disease.
e Ama (toxic materials inside our body) make a person ugly
and disease and Sodhana/panchakarma (Purication) is the best
therapeutic intervention to eliminate body toxins. It is a highly complex
and sophisticated science of purication of the body/mind.
Water is a major component for keeping skin in good condition.
Water originates in the deeper epidermal layers and moves upward to
hydrate cells in the stratum corneum in the skin, eventually being lost
to evaporation. Snehana and Swedana bring moisture to our skin. It
gives our skin greater elasticity and rejuvenates skin tissues. As cells
in our face make their way to the surface over their lifecycle, they die
and become saturated with keratin, or skin debris. Keratin is important
because it protects your skin from the elements but the shedding of
that outer layer can unclog pores. Snehana and Swedan are believed
to be inhibit trans-epidermal water loss, restoring the lipid barrier
and restore the amino-lipid of the skin. Ayurveda always advocated
vegetarian diet in appropriate quantity and advice for plenty of water
intakes for restore the beauty and youthfulness.
Ayurveda medicine as Cosmetics
Charak samhita classied cosmetics drugs as Varnya, Kustagna,
Kandugna, bayasthapak, udardaprasamana, etc. Many alepam
(poultice) Pradeha, upnaha anjana oil are described in Susruta Samhita
and astanga hrudaya in the context of twak roga. e very common
medicine are- Kungkumadi lepam, Dasnga lepam,Chandanadi
lepam, Dasana samskar churna , Kukummadi taila, Nilibringaraj taila,
Himasagar taila, etc are very well established medicine in Ayurveda.
Sesame Oil is used as a base in many oil in Ayurveda. It contains Lignan
compounds called Sesamin and Sesamolin, which are biologically
active. ese compounds enhance oxidative stability of the oil. ey
have potential to be used as anti oxidant compounds as well as having
a moisturising eect. Buttermilk and goat’s milk powders traditionally
used in Indian face mask preparations have soothing and emollient
properties. ey also contain vitamin A, B6, B12 and E. ey would
make benecial alternatives to chemical bases and emollients. Shikakai
is a traditional herb used in hair shampoos. e material is extracted
from the Shikakai pods and Shikakai nuts of the Acacia Concinna shrub.
e pods are rich in Saponins and make a mild detergenent, which
has a neutral pH. Aritha powder, extracted from Soapnuts (Sapindus
Pericarp) also contains Saponins, which acts as a foaming agent. It was
used as soap in Ayurvedic tradition. e oils also maintain integrity of
cosmetic products and could be used as a base instead of petroleum and
plastic derivatives. ere are signicant evidences already generated for
Ayurveda skin care in vitiligo, psoriasis, eczema and acne vulgaris [6].
e Ayurvedic cosmetics may group under [6,7]
1. Cosmetics for enhancing the appearance of facial skin
2. Cosmetics for hair growth and care
3. Cosmetics for skin care, especially in teenager (acne, pimples
and sustaining)
4. Shampoos, soaps, powders and perfumery, etc.
5. Miscellaneous products
List of medicinal plants listed in Ayurveda for proven cosmo-
ceutical (Table 1).
Discussion and Conclusion
e market for ayurvedic beauty products is growing fast. Many
companies have entered the segment with branded products in
categories such as skin care, hair care, soaps and essential oils.Concern
about harmful chemicals in beauty products has increased consumer
interest in natural cosmetics. More and more products now include
herbal and botanical ingredients. e botanical actives market in
Europe and North America is worth US$ 840 million. Consumption
for these products is growing at 8% [8]. Today, India is captivating
the mainstream cosmetics industry in a big way. It starts from high-
end brands creating makeup shades based on the country’s bright
colors to skin- and hair-care lines capitalizing on Ayurveda, an ancient
medicinal system using herbs and other natural ingredients [8].
Indian herbs and Ayurveda products are being sourced and
tested for use in the cosmetics industry and practiced beauty parlours
[9]. However, there is a long way to go before herbs can make it as
ingredients in viable botanical products. ese herbs are currently
used in their crude form, either dried into powders or pulverised
with pestle and mortar. e end product contains a large amount
of inactive unnecessary compounds [10]. e products are oen
biologically ineective because there aren’t enough active components
in the formulae. e concentration and action of bioactive compounds
extracted from herbs have to be increased [11,12]. ese formulae have
to be tested in scientic trials with an evidence based approach. India

Citation: Hazra J, Panda AK (2013) Concept of Beauty and Ayurveda Medicine. J Clin Exp Dermatol Res 4: 178. doi:10.4172/2155-9554.1000178
Page 3 of 4
Volume 4 • Issue 3 • 1000178
J Clin Exp Dermatol Res
ISSN:2155-9554 JCEDR, an open access journal
A. Medicinal Plants used as Moisturizers, Skin Tonics & Anti-Aging
1.Aloe vera - Moisturizer, Sunscreen & Emollient
2.Calendula ofcinalis - Wound healing
3.Cichorium intybus - Skin blemishes
4.Curcuma longa - Antiseptic,Antibacterial, Improves complexion
5.Daucus carota -Natural toner and skin rejuvenator
6.Glycyrrhiza glabra - Skin whitening
7.Ocimum sanctum - Anti-aging, Antibacterial & Antiseptic
8.Rosa damascena - Toning & Cooling
9.Rosmarinus ofcinalis - Skin rejuvenator & Cleansing
10.Rubia cordifolia - Wound healing & Anti-aging
11.Triticum sativum - Antioxidant, Skin nourisher, anti-wrinkle
B. Sun Screen
Aloe vera Moisturizer, Suticum sativum Antioxidant
C. Sun Tan
Cyperus rotundus - Sun tanning
Moringa oliefera - Sun tanning
D. Astringent
Mesua ferrea - Strong Astringent
Pistacia Integerrim - Astringent, Rubefacient, Anti-bacterial
Terminalia chebul - Astringent, Anti-bacterial, Antifungal & Antiseptic
E. Ayurvedic Ingredients for Dental Care Product Uses
Azadirachta indica Toothache, Anti-bacterial, Dental carries
Acacia Arabica Swelling, Bleeding gums & Syphilitic infections
Barleria prionitis Toothache, Bleeding gums & strengthens teeth
Mimosops Elengi Astringent, keep gums healthy
Pimpinella anisum Antiseptic, Aromatic avor
Salvadora persica Potent Antimicrobial
Syzygium aromaticum Local anesthetic, relieves toothache
Symplocos Racemosus Strengthen gums and teeth
F. Dermatological Applications
Allium sativum Antifungal, Antiseptic, Tonic
Alpinia galanga Antibacterial
Azadirachta indica Potent Antibacterial
Celastrus paniculata Wounds healing, Eczema
Nigella sativa Antibacterial, Leucoderma
Pongamia glabra Herpes, Scabies, Leucoderma
Psoralea corylifolia Leucoderma, Leprosy,Psoriasis & Inammation
G. Ingredients for Hair Care Product Uses
Acacia concinna Natural Detergent & Anti-dandruff
Aloe Vera Cleanser & Revitalizer
Azadirachta indica Reduces hair loss, Anti-dandruff
Bacopa monnieri Hair tonic, Promotes hair growth
Cedrus deodara Anti-dandruff
Centella asiatica Darkening of hair
Eclipta alba Reduces premature graying of hair, Alopecia
Emblica ofcinalis Toner, Anti-dandruff, Protects & reduces hair loss
Hibiscus rosa sinensis Natural Hair dye, Prevent hair fall, Anti-dandruff
Hedychium spicatum Promotes hair growth
Lawsonia alba Natural Hair dye, Anti-dandruff, Conditioner
Rosmarinus ofcinalis Nourishes, Softens & restores the hair shafts
Sapindus trifoliatus Natural detergent & Cleanser
Triticum sativum Provides nourishment, lubrication & luster
Terminalia belerica Prevents graying of hair
Sesamum indicum Promotes hair growth, Blackens the hair
Table 1: List of medicinal plants listed in Ayurveda for proven cosmoceutical.

Citation: Hazra J, Panda AK (2013) Concept of Beauty and Ayurveda Medicine. J Clin Exp Dermatol Res 4: 178. doi:10.4172/2155-9554.1000178
Page 4 of 4
Volume 4 • Issue 3 • 1000178
J Clin Exp Dermatol Res
ISSN:2155-9554 JCEDR, an open access journal
could emerge as a major contributor to the global cosmetic industry.
is is one of the strengths of India with its Ayurvedic tradition.
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Citation: Hazra J, Panda AK (2013) Concept of Beauty and Ayurveda Medicine.
J Clin Exp Dermatol Res 4: 178. doi:10.4172/2155-9554.1000178
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