Individuals living in Macau are mostly familiar with Traditional Chinese Medicine and local herbs that are used regularly for trivial ailments, but very few know about the ancient Indian wisdom of Ayurveda. Developed 3,000 years ago in India, Ayurvedic medicine is one of the oldest holistic healing systems. It is based on the idea that every human being is unique and therefore we all have different body types. Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the three main categories, or “doshas,” of body types. For a beginner who knows nothing about Ayurveda, Vasudha Rai’s latest book Glow would give the perfect introduction to the subject matter, especially in the realm of health and beauty.
There is no doubt that Vasudha Rai is one of the more well-known beauty writers in India. A curious personality, she never ceases to learn and gain knowledge through interviewing experts in the field of beauty and wellness. Her book Glow mainly contains information about Ayurvedic herbs categorized in four sections - vitality, clarity, radiance and peace. As these herbs can be used both topically and internally to beautify the skin and for healthy endeavors, one can also see that there is a clear link between mind, body and appearance. As Masaba Gupta writes in the foreword, “Vasudha stresses on the holistic idea of beauty that goes beyond physicality.”
What is the role of the mind when it comes to the realm of beauty and health? The writer deliberately shares a quote from Mira Kulkarni, Founder of beauty brand Forest Essential which gives us a glimpse into understanding beauty in a spiritual manner. She says, “Radiance for me is an outward manifestation of bliss. It comes from living in harmony with nature of living, eating and sleeping well. It’s a state of complete balance and contentment. Most people think that being beautiful makes you happy, when actually it’s the other way round - being happy makes you radiant.”
If happiness is the key to beauty, that means in order to be beautiful, we first have to work our mind. In our modern world where life is fast-paced, most individuals do not get to relax even on a daily basis, but as human beings we must realize that peace of mind is not only vital to beauty, but also health. Rai dedicated a section of her book to peace, where she indicates that meditation is an important tool to help to tame our emotions and habits of overthinking.
In addition to breathing exercises or “an activity that engrosses us to an extend that we don’t think of anything else,” spirituality also helps us to achieve “an ethereal and otherworldly glow.” Materialistically, precious herbs like saffron and sandalwood have calming effects on the body, and the book gives details on how these elements can be used for their benefits.
Other than the pursuit of happiness and peace, radiance is a big theme throughout the book entitled Glow. As someone who is unapologetic to indulgence in self-care, Rai argues that “it’s a sign of love and self-respect,” and that “we should be a little selfish and direct some kindness inwards so that we can give freely.”
Antioxidant plays a great role in determining how much the skin would glow, and eating food that contains a rich amount of vitamins would surely do the job. Food such as moringa, rose, and several types of Indian berries are highly recommended by Rai, along with marigold and bitter apricot, which is popular in remote areas in the north of the Indian subcontinent, like Kashmir and Ladakh.
Moving on to the clarity section, it is all about detoxification and the need to curb inflammation. We are what we eat, and bad eating habits can cause our skin to react in an undesirable manner. “Cosmetics and treatments offer only topical relief,” she writes. Long-lasting transformation is possible only with food. Eating well takes care of not just physical but also our emotional health. Think of it like a daily medicine that heals us without side-effects. Once we eat with the intention of wellness and not just gratification, our skin will undergo a metamorphosis.
Powerful herbs like turmeric and neem, as well as gentle elements such as aloe vera and moong are in this section. Cleansing of the digestive tract, skin brightening, and clarity of thoughts are all discussed. Rai also enters a quote from the Founder of vegan cosmetic brand, Kavita Khosa. “Think of your mind as a lake - if it’s calm and clear, the reflection will be clean. If, however, the water is muddy and disturbed, even the reflection will be such. Clarity goes beyond just the quality of your complexion. It first begins with your thoughts and then reflects in your choices - clean food, clean living, and eventually, clear skin.”
Last but not least, vitality is a section that is all about “the basics that make us robust.” Having energy and strength makes us feel that we are alive and well. In the book, vitality is placed as the first pillar because Rai believes that it is the foundation for beauty. “If our immunity is weak and we’re always tired, how will we ever look good? The concept of delicate beauty is relevant only in fairy tales. Real beauties are spirited, determined and empowered,” she writes.
Simple food such as ghee, honey and rice are in the vitality section as sugar, carbs and fat are not always bad for the body. They are consumed for good reasons as Rai points out that “it’s essential to enjoy everything in moderation.”
For those who are new to Indian culture and want to follow a holistic approach to health and beauty, Glow is an excellent book that educates us about the tradition, philosophy and many interesting aspects of Indian thoughts and lifestyle. These ideas offers great advice on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life in pursuit of beauty and health, best to be appreciated with an open heart and mind.