Potions for Radiant Skin

Did you ever combine the most outlandish ingredients together when you were a kid? Whatever spices you could get your hands on, leaves, strings, shells, obviously poisonous berries, flowers, sand. You name it. Most things not edible as the distinction between edible and not still vague, yet there was this magical realization that separate ingredients can amalgamate. 

One of my favorite past times was with my best friend, blending whatever felt appropriate into a “potion”. Witnessing a friend’s daughter do the same recently made me think about the blending of ingredients and how we formulate herbal medicine. There is something that just feels right when mixing herbs. Years later, as an adult and an herbalist (go figure), I still find excitement and magic in blending ingredients into potions. 

Some herbal constituents are oil soluble and offer the nourishment needed to pacify vata and cool pitta. Extracting the lipid soluble properties of the plant can make the healing properties more bioavailable. Blending with milk as a base help pacify pitta and nourishes the nervous system. You can use cow’s milk or alternative milk for making a tasty treat.

Traditional preparation of a milk decoction is called ksirapaka kalpana. 1 part herb, 8 parts cow milk, and 32 parts water are simmered. Once the water evaporates, the left-over medicine is a considered a rasayana, or rejuvenate for our bodies. You can use a milk substitute such as oat or nut milks for ksirapaka kalpana.

Your radiant, beautiful skin will thank you! 

By Beverlly Foster

Beverly Foster is a certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and 500 hour Ayurvedic Yoga Instructor. She received her certification from The Ayurvedic Institute in 2016 under the clinical guidance of Dr. Vasant Lad and worked directly with him as one of his herbalists. She is also a board-certified National Ayurvedic Medical Association Professional Member. She currently lives in Southern Oregon where she offers Ayurvedic consultations, including zoom and phone consultations, and traditional Ayurvedic treatments. For more information, questions, or to schedule a consultation, you can contact her via shineayurveda@gmail.com or visit her website at www.shineayurveda.com