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The warmth, moisture, and fragrance of an herbal
steam melt away muscular tensions, clears the mind, and lifts the
spirit. Steams are one of the oldest traditional ways of deeply
cleansing the skin. The moisture softens the dry outer edges of the
skin, making them easier to remove, leaving behind a soothed, fresher
complexion. The heat boosts facial circulation and activates the pores
and glands which brings dirt and body toxins to the surface.
Steams are helpful for a number of complexion
conditions. They are chiefly useful for acned or congested skin for
just the reasons given. As well as being a straightforward and helpful
cleansing process, Ayurveda, the age old herbal science teaches that
applying oil followed by heat helps to balance the Vata dosha. Thus as
it is an increase in Vata that brings about all signs of aging,
plummeting Vata through oleation and steam to the face keeps Vata in
check , hence endorsing youthful qualities. Wrinkles start to fall away
as the face starts to feel fresher, brighter, and actually warm.
Frequency of steaming is determined by the condition
of your skin. If you have dry or mature skin, steam only once every 2
weeks. Though steaming is moist, over doing it will actually make the
skin drier. Once a week is good for normal or oily skin types.
Herbal Steam Preparation
To make an herbal steam, heat at least two pints of
spring water to the boil. Add two handfuls of one of the herbal
combinations listed below to the water, turn off the heat, cover and
allow to steep for abut two minutes.
Bring the pot to a place where you will be able to
contentedly lean over it and relax. Eliminate the pot lid and add a few
drops of essential oil. Have the face about 12 to 18 inches above the
liquid’s surface, then cover the head and pot with a towel to create a
mini steam tent. 5 minutes is sufficient; ten minutes is maximum. Some
people may find that having their hair covered by a cool terry cloth
turban, while over the steam, is more relaxing.
Herbal Steam Ingredients
Every steam needs 4 types of ingredients:
- Those that increase circulation,
- Those that bring out impurities, those that sooth and heal, and
- Some for the therapeutic quality of their aroma.
To achieve this, there are some herbs that are
standard to all of the formulas given below. Bay leaf draws circulation
towards the skin’s surface. Licorice pulls out impurities. The other
herbs mentioned have soothing, healing qualities for the skin.
Essential oils improve the aroma as well as activate brain centers and
please the mind and relax the body. Use 10 drops per 2 pints of water.
For NORMAL skin, use a combination of licorice,
rose, sandalwood, thyme, ashwagandha, bay leaf, chamomile, clover,
comfrey, fennel, lavender, lady’s mantle, marshmallow, and rose plus an
essential oil of lavender , geranium, bergamot, or sandalwood.
For DRY skin, try a combination of bay leaf,
licorice, chamomile, comfrey, dashmula, dandelion, rose, sandalwood.
Marshmallow, and orange peel, this combination can be used about once a
month. However, for dry skin a warm compress is gentler. Try an herbal
tea decoction made from comfrey, elder, lavender, lime flower, rose,
rosemary, sandalwood, and yarrow or 3 to 4 drops of essential oil of
rose, sandalwood, chamomile, or neroli per 2 pints of boiled spring
water.
- For OILY skin, try a combination of bay
leaf, licorice, comfrey , fennel, lavender, lemon balm, lemon
grass, lemon peel, lemon verbena, rose, rosemary, and sandalwood
(or witch hazel bark) with the essential oil combination of
juniper, lemon , and cypress.
- For MATURE skin, try bay leaf, licorice,
anise, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, fennel, ginger, mint, nettle,
orange peel, and pine with the essential oil of rosemary or sage.
- For BLEMISHED skin, use a combination of bay
leaf, licorice, blackcurrant leaf, burdock root, dandelion root,
lemon grass, manjishta, and yarrow with essential oil of blue
chamomile, myrrh, rose, lemon, bergamot, lavender, cedar, or
juniper.
More on the Use of Compresses
Compreses are an outstanding alternative to a steam.
Warm or cool compresses offer many of the benefits of steam without the
risk of drying out the skin. Their gentle actions swell the outer dry
layers of skin and then stimulate the skin action just like a steam.
The skin becomes soft, smooth, and more receptive to further treatment.
Compresses are best for very dry, sensitive skin or when the skin is
flushed and prone to thread veins. Use two pints of liquid (For
ingredients refer to dry skin section for herbal steam), or whatever is
sufficient to totally immerse a wash cloth. Wring out the cloth and
apply it to the face. Moreover cut holes for eyes, nose, and mouth or
use 2 cloths, one to cover the eyes, nose, and cheek, the other for the
chin and jaw.
Read More on............
- Ayurvedic Skin Care
- Facial Treatment
- Initial Cleansing
- Herbal Cleansing Powders
- Oil-Based Cleanser
- Facial Massage
- Massage Oils
- Herbal Steams
- Scrubs
- Masks
- Face Packs
- Toners
- Moisturizers
- Mists
- About Make-up
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