Mukha Lepam
Ayurveda is the holistic practice of medicine that aims for overall health. Skin care too, has been looked upon with prime focus in Ayurveda. Enhanced natural glow of the skin has been considered as one of the signs of health in Ayurveda. Among the various therapies practiced under Ayurveda, mukha lepam is a unique practice that is exclusively related to facial skin care.
What is Mukha lepam?
In Sanskrit as well as languages derived from Sanskrit Mukha is understood for face and lepa is understood simply for paste or application of paste. So in a literal sense mukha lepam is the act of applying paste on face. Therapeutically, mukha lepam is practiced by applying face pack prepared from rejuvenating herbs, medicated oils and decoction. It’s a process of Ayurvedic beauty care technique.
How is Mukha lepam given?
Before initiating the therapy, the condition and skin type of the recipient is determined. Based on this the medicinal herbs are chosen for the preparation of lepa or face-pack. The recipient is prepared for therapy by fomenting his or her face with steam properly. Then the freshly prepared lepa is applied on the face.
The normal duration of therapy is around 30-45 minutes. But, as soon as the lepa dampens, it is washed. A gentle facial massage is provided with medicated oil after washing the lepa. For better results you may be counselled with healthy dietary plans and prescribed with medicated decoction by an Ayurveda practitioner.
Benefits of Mukha lepam
Mukha lepam is one of the most effective therapy in the treatment of sunburn. Other than this problems of acne, pigmentation and discoloration of facial skin is also pacified by the use of mukha lepam. Natural active compounds present in the lepa helps to block the degeneration of skin cells and thus prevents from ageing.
Maintenance of healthy skin cells assures the life and elasticity of skin which delays the occurrence of wrinkles. The natural face-pack is also full of nourishing compounds that help to enhance the tone and integrity of the skin.
- Rejuvenates skin cells
- Prevents ageing of the skin
- Increases elasticity of the skin
- Avoids wrinkles
- Provides better skin tone
- Prevents from pigmentation
- Reduces occurrence of acnes
- Detoxifies the skin
- Enhance the natural glow of skin
List of medicinal herbs
Classical text of Ayurveda has described various types of medicinal plants useful in skin care. Some of them which can be utilized for the preparation of mukha lepam is listed below:
- Chandana (Santalum album)
- Yashthimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia)
- Durva (Cynodon dactylon)
- Kumkum (Crocos sativus)
- Neem (Azadirachta indica)
Significance of dietary plan and herbal decoction
According to Ayurveda, the problems in your gut is expressed out on your face. Any ailments or deposition of toxins in your gastro-intestinal tract manifests their signs on the face. So to prevent any kind of manifestation denaturing facial skin due to ailments in the gastro-intestinal tract Ayurveda physician can suggest healthy foo habit and herbal decoctions accordingly.
Another principle of Ayurveda states that skin problems are in relation to vitiated blood and consequently pitta. Any measures applied for skin care is in some way involved to pacify the aggravated pitta and normalize vitiated blood. So there remains fair chance of being prescribed with herbal decoction acting as blood purifier as well.
Conclusion
Mukha lepam though seems simple in practice is an efficient skin care treatment method provided by Ayurveda. This therapy covers a wide range of application in the domain of facial skin treatment, due to its rejuvenation, detoxification and nourishment benefits.
Due to inherent holistic nature of Ayurveda, it focuses on the wholesome approach for care and treatment of skin too through dietary plans and herbal decoctions. Thus mukha lepam can be regarded as the most natural method of skin care and treatment.