In India, it is believed that taking a bath cleanses not only the physical body but also the mental body. If at least once a week you make time for the ayurvedic bath ritual, it will help you better resist daily stress, improve your mood, reduce anxiety, and improve your overall health. In this article, we will share with you different kinds of ayurvedic bath specially selected for balancing each of the three doshas.
The Importance Of The Bathing
In some parts of India, cleansing the body is considered a sacred ritual. Before taking a bath, oil massage is performed. While taking a bath prayers are performed, so that the process itself serves not only hygienic purposes but also spiritual development.
A bath or shower should be taken at least once a day. The skin is the most important organ of excretion, so it needs regular cleansing to maintain health and freshness.
This is especially true in hot weather when you should wash more often. A cold bath or a short contrast shower will refresh your energy, sharpen your mind, and improve your appetite, which usually decreases in the heat.
In cold and wet weather, wash frequently, but avoid a long stay in a hot bath, as this can lead to loss of minerals and weakening of the body.
By the way, when washing your hair, you should only use cool water, as hot water overexcites the nervous system and weakens the hair roots.
The Three Doshas
Long ago before the advancement of modern medicine, insightful men from India came up with Ayurveda, traditional therapies, and other practices to uplift wellness. To achieve wellness, the principle of Ayurveda works to equate the three elemental doshas (also known as mind-body types) of Pitta, Vata, and Kapha within the body. These doshas are derived from the five elements – water, earth, fire, ether, and air, but each is predominantly composed of two elements.
Vata = Air + Ether
Pitta = Fire + Water
Kapha = Water + Earth
The three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are present in all humans. However, each person has a predominant type.
If you don’t know your dosha, take our Dosha Quiz to find out!
Ayurvedic Bath For Vata Dosha
People of this dosha type have a lean or delicate body build with fine hair and dry skin. Generally, Vata is very vibrant and energetic. They also have very inventive and creative minds. However, their mood can be quite unpredictable at times. They have poor sleeping patterns and poor eating habits. They also can’t tolerate cold.
Ingredients:
- Milk
- Rice starch
- Rose water
For Vata dosha ayurvedic bath it is recommended to use milk (opt for plant-based milk) and rice. We recommend the following plant-based milk options:
- Almond milk is infused with flavonoids that are powerful antioxidants. They help in protecting your skin cells from oxidizing and dying off by fighting free radicals that cause this. This helps in doing away the wrinkles and fine lines on your skin.
- Cashew milk is high in copper which may boost your body’s natural production of collagen and keep your skin looking healthy and young.
- Soy milk is high in Vitamin E. It helps renew dead skin cells and moisturizes the skin. Soybeans contain antioxidants that promote skin glow.
For this bath, we are also going to use rice starch since it perfectly softens the skin and reduces tension.
Preparation:
In a deep container, mix one cup of milk with one cup of rice starch. Pour in two tablespoons of rose water for flavoring and softness. Mix and dissolve the resulting mass in bathwater.
Recommendations:
Cold Vata dosha has a tendency to take long hot baths. Vata-type people feel comfortable and relaxed in the warmth. To maintain this feeling of warmth throughout the body, after taking a bath, you should immediately go to bed or take a contrast shower at the end. This will allow you to expand the pores and increase peripheral blood circulation, maintain good circulation in legs, and give the skin a healthy glow.
Ayurvedic Bath For Pitta Dosha
The Pitta types are very fiery and they can’t tolerate heat. These ones have a relatively medium build with fair muscle development. They have bursts of energy to take on challenges. Their sleep patterns are moderate. Although they don’t struggle to fall asleep, they can’t stay asleep for long durations.
Ingredients:
- marigold flowers;
- rose or Jasmine petals;
- mint;
- lemon juice or white wine vinegar.
The herbal and floral bath is ideal for sensitive Pitta dosha skin.
Preparation:
Fill the tub. Add half a cup of marigold flowers, rose petals, or Jasmine, and a handful of cooling herbs, such as mint or coriander. You can add a few tablespoons of lemon juice or white wine vinegar. This will regulate sebum production and relieve inflammation.
Recommendations:
Pitta dosha people may feel weak, and even dizzy, from excessive heat, including hot baths, saunas, and hot water pools. Therefore, it is not recommended to take hot baths if you are a Pitta dosha type. Opt for a cool bath which will help you reduce the natural heat of your body.
Ayurvedic Bath For Kapha Dosha
Thick bones and solid stature can identify Kapha Dosha. They are usually calm, collected, and slow to anger, and therefore, not easily provoked. They are loving and caring, and this makes them good acquaintances. They fall and stay asleep without struggling.
Ingredients:
- mustard powder;
- fenugreek.
For the Kapha dosha Ayurvedic bath we are going to use mustard and fenugreek. This combination of herbs is great for warming up, relieving muscle pain, and is traditionally used in India during the winter and rainy seasons.
Preparation:
Mix 3 tablespoons of mustard and one tablespoon of crushed fenugreek. Scatter the resulting mixture on the bottom of the bath, and then fill it.
Recommendations:
Kapha dosha people like to relax in a warm bath. If you belong to this type, make sure you are using warm water for your baths. It is also recommended to perform a dry brushing massage to stimulate blood circulation and disperse stagnant lymph.
The Bottom Line
The main purpose of Ayurvedic baths is to balance your predominant dosha. However, you can also use Ayurvedic baths for your non-dominant doshas when you notice that one of them needs to be balanced.
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