Sense Care
Āyurveda considers the 5 senses (hearing, touch, sight, taste, smell) the gateways to awareness. Cleaning and caring for the sense organs (ears, skin, eyes, mouth, nose) in the morning and other times allows us to better receive information, stimulation, and communication from the outside world. It helps us to perceive and interpret all sensory stimulation more effectively. Each of the five senses and sense organs are associated with one of the five elements (ether, air, fire, water, earth) respectively.
Care For The Skin
Care of the skin can be as simple as wearing pants while hiking in an area with prickly plants, or putting on a hat for protection from the sun. Āyurveda strongly suggests the practice of Abhyaṅga, or self-massage, as part of our daily routine. A regular practice of massaging oil into the skin not only puts a protective barrier on the skin, it calms the entire nervous system and helps circulate lymph. Another common practice that is beneficial for some people is massaging the skin with raw silk gloves or some other gentle exfoliating tool.
Care For The Nose
The daily practice of Nasya (oleation of the nasal passage) protects and coats the mucus membranes of the nasal and sinus passages. The oil acts as a filter to protect against toxic inhalants and allergens. The practice supports optimal respiratory function, immunity, and relief of congestion and tension in the head and face. It also improves vision and promote clarity of mind.
Care for the Ears
Karna Purna (oleation of the ears) is soothing to the ear canal itself as well as the entire nervous system. The practice can be done with a few drops of oil on a regular basis or with larger amounts of oil when indicated for more acute conditions. This practice helps remove wax, prevent hearing loss, soothe ringing of the ears, vertigo, migraines, depression, anxiety, and neurological disorders. It can help induce sound sleep and calm the body-mind-spirit.
Ether
Ākāṣa
El Éter
Air
Vāyu
El Aire
Fire
Agni
El Fuego
Water
Āpas
El Agua
Earth
Pṛthvī
La Tierra