Every time our government extends the lockdown, basic house supplies become even more scarce. Luckily, there is no shortage of food yet, but shampoos, soaps, toothpaste are mostly sold out. Even if they are available, you can’t be choosy about the brand and size. You will just have to make do with whatever stock is left. If at all you still can’t manage to buy these products, that’s okay, it’s one way of bringing us back to our roots…using Ayurveda. It is a science, around 5000 years old and means “The Science of Life” in Sanskrit. Whether it’s beauty products or medicine, Ayurdeva does not encourage the use of chemicals. All the ingredients must be unprocessed and natural.
Also Read: Ayurvedic Face Packs
5 Ayurvedic Products You Can Make At Home
Whenever you run out of basic supplies, remember that you can always rely on Ayurveda.
1. Toothpaste
Not all kinds of toothpaste are good for your teeth and body. Stay away from toothpaste that contains ingredients like triclosan, calcium chloride and fluoride and they can harmful to the body when ingested. To make a natural toothpaste at home, here’s how to do it!
Step 1: In a bowl, add 1 tbsp of refined camphor.
Step 2: Add 1 tbsp of sugar and a teaspoon of alum (fitkari in Hindi)
Step 3: Add 2 tbsp of sunflower oil and two drops of cloves (you can also crush the clove and add its powder to the mix)
Step 4: Mix all the ingredients well till it becomes a thick paste
Step 5: Spread on a toothbrush and get brushing!
2. Shampoo
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If your shampoo creates lots of lather, it’s not good for your hair. It’s the sulphates present in shampoo that creates foamy bubbles. While it does give one the illusion that it’s cleansing your hair and scalp, what’s it’s actually doing is stripping hair of its natural oils. If your current shampoo is doing this to your hair, it’s time to make the big switch.
Step 1: In a boiler, add 1 tbsp of powdered shikakai
Step 2: 2 tbsp of amla powder and 1 tbsp of neem powder
Step 3: Pour 3-4 drops of essential oil
Step 4: Add 3 cups of water and turn on the heat to medium
Step 5: Allow the mix to boil for 8-10 minutes
Step 6: Turn off the heat, strain the mix and pour into a mesh strainer
Step 7: Pour your brand new shampoo in a bottle and store in a cool place
Pro Tip: Apply this shampoo first to dry hair, leave it on your locks for 20 minutes and then wash it off with water.
3. Soap
It’s true that commercial soaps smell fantastic, but are they good for your skin? Not really. In fact, they make your skin rough and dry. You need something that’s more nourishing and moisturising for your skin and that this an Ayurveda soap!
Step 1: In a bowl, add 1 cup of aloe gel.
Step 2: If you have leftover shea butter soap or any natural soap (glycerin is your last option), melt it in a boiler.
Step 3: Add 1 tbsp of almond oil and some essential oil.
Step 4: Pour the mix into a mould (cupcake mould or even a steel or plastic bowl will do) and allow it to cool down overnight.
Step 5: Pop the soaps up from the mould and store in a glass jar.
4. Body Oil
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Stress is in the air and one way to calm yourself down is to give yourself a lovely oil massage. If you do not have any body oil at home, you can make this ayurvedic body oil from scratch.
Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a pan along with 1 tbsp of sesame cooking oil.
Step 2: Add a handful of cloves, crushed ginger, shredded orange peel and basil leaves.
Step 3: Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
Step 4: Stir and cook on a low fire for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Pour into a bowl and allow it to cool for a day
Step 6: Use a coffee filter to strain the oil and pour it into a bottle.
5. Hair Pack
Shortest Horror Story Ever: If you stress too much your hair will either fall or will turn grey before its time. If you can’t find a hair pack in stores, make one at home! Here’s the Ayurvedic recipe for a hair pack.
Step 1: In a bowl, add 2 tbsp of amla powder and 1 tbsp of shikakai powder.
Step 2: Add the juice of 1 lemon to the mix.
Step 3: Add 2 big spoons of unflavoured yoghurt and mix all the ingredients together.
Step 4: Apply the pack to your hair and leave it on for 45 minutes.
Step 5: Wash it off with lukewarm water.
Which of these will you try making at home? All of them, we hope!
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