I just finished reading Enchanting Beauty: Ancient Secrets to Inner, Outer & Lasting Beauty written by my former teacher, Dr. Manisha Kshirasagar, BAMS. I’ve been looking forward to reading this book after speaking with Dr. Manisha over a year ago. At that time, she shared, that the inspiration for the book came from the shift she saw in beauty standards, when she moved her Ayurveda practice to the United States from India. The conversations with her female patients, here in the States, shed light on their definition of beauty compared to her own. After teaching and practicing Ayurveda for over twenty years, she decided to write a book that shared her personal experiences as a woman, mother, doctor, teacher and wife combined with her expertise in skincare, and women’s and children’s health, to talk about beauty holistically.
There are few books on beauty in which the conversation explores the internal, external and lasting beauty that are rooted in Ayurveda. With a focus on love, self-care and prevention, Enchanting Beauty brings to light how the vedic sciences define beauty in an easily digestible, yet insightful manner. Through various topics from the feminine energy, evolution of the female body, various roles of women, each of the body parts, connection between the mind and the body, the affects of the inner landscapes on the outer and vice versa, Dr. Manisha applies the philosophical, spiritual, scientific, and the practical wisdom of Ayurveda.
From the importance of humility, to the skin as a digestive organ, to homemade skincare recipes, this book is a nice first step for women who want to holistically embrace, understand, and love the feminine force within them. I also enjoyed reading about Dr. Manisha’s personal experiences growing up in India and her journey to the States. Her stories brought a graspable aspect to the cultural, philosophy and wisdom she shares in the book. It’s always interesting to read about to the cultural themes that vibrate throughout S. Asia—a vast, diverse region where no matter the religion or socio-economic class there is similarity that breaks down each wall that divides. Shanti.
The book is available on Amazon.
A Face Treatment from the Outer Beauty Section
A simple, edible, all-natural, and inexpensive face treatment that works for all skin types. #treatyourself
What you need: Greek yogurt
How & where to use it: Mix about 1-2 teaspoons of the yogurt in a small bowl and apply it all over the face—excluding the eyes. Relax and refrain from licking your face for 10 minutes. Rinse off.
Why: Lactic acid! It breaks down dead skin cells and the natural probiotics work their magic on the skin. Reducing the appearance of blemishes. Leaving you with hydrated soft skin.
Add-ons: you can also add turmeric aka Golden Mud, but this may leave a slight yellow tinge (especially if you have fair skin) that will disappear after a few rinses.
