Skin & hair concerns

Inflamed eruptions on the face, chest and back — described in Ayurveda as Yuvana-pidaka, "the pimples of youth", driven by aggravated Kapha-Pitta and meda (fat tissue) at the threshold of adolescence. Resolved with cooling face washes, Lodhradi lepa, and internal Manjishtha-Khadira.

Brown or dark patches that surface on the cheeks, forehead and around the eyes — driven in Ayurveda by aggravated Pitta and Vata travelling upward, surfacing on the skin as Vyanga (व्यङ्ग). Resolved gradually with cooling, blood-clarifying lepas and tailas, never with bleaching.

The fine lines, loss of skin firmness, and slow brightness decline that accompany ageing — described in Ayurveda as Vali (wrinkles) and Palita (greying). Slowed with Rasayana therapy (the rejuvenation tradition), daily abhyanga, Kumkumadi-class facial oils, and consistent sleep + diet.

Persistent flaking, itching, and crusting of the scalp — described in classical Ayurveda as Darunaka, a Kshudra-roga of the scalp driven by Vata-Kapha imbalance. Treated with Neem-based washes, Karanja oil, and pre-bath scalp massage with medicated tailas.

Progressive hair shedding and thinning — described in Ayurveda as Khalitya, the gradual failure of the *romakupa* (hair follicle) caused by aggravated Pitta combined with Vata. Resolved with classical hair tailas — Bhringaraja, Nilibhringadi, Neelibringaraja — applied to the scalp and roots.

Greying of hair before middle age — described in Ayurveda as Palitya, caused by Pitta vitiation drying the *bhrajaka pitta* in the follicle. Treated with Nilibhringadi Taila, Mahanila Ghrita, and internal Bhringaraja-Amalaki rasayana.

The traditional Kerala 42-day postpartum care programme — known as Soothika-paricharya — combining daily abhyanga, nourishing diet, breast-care, stretch-mark applications, and uterine recovery. The most rigorously developed branch of classical Ayurveda for new mothers.

The fine red-to-pearl lines that appear on the belly, thighs, breasts and hips during pregnancy or rapid weight change — described in Ayurveda as Kikkisa. Treated with daily Snehana (medicated oil massage) during pregnancy, and with Nalpamaradi or Eladi-keram afterward.

The darkening of the skin from sun exposure — described in Ayurveda as the heating effect of *atapa* (sunlight) on the *bhrajaka pitta* (the skin's pigment-bearing fire). Treated with cooling lepas (Nalpamaradi, Chandanadi, Multani-Lodhra), avoidance of midday sun, and consistent SPF protection.

Skin that feels rough, tight, flaky and sometimes itchy — described in Ayurveda as *rukshata*, the dryness pattern caused by aggravated Vata. Treated with daily Abhyanga (warm oil massage), nourishing tailas, and dietary increase of *snigdha* (oily) and *guru* (heavy) foods.