One of the most anticipated holidays in the country, Holi is around the corner and is celebrated with much fervour. However, trends have changed as the millennial population in India are now gradually changing the norm and bringing their individual sense of fashion to the colorful festival. Many have even gone a step further by transforming not just their attire, but their makeup and accessories as well to go with their overall look for Holi.

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Whilst crucial is to keep your skin glowing and away from allergies during Holi: The day after holi: pink, green and blue faces, rashes everywhere, body aches, cold, cough and pains occurs – thanks to catching a chill in the wet clothes or an allergic reaction to the using chemical laced colours and other number of particulates that float in during holi air. To keep away harsh chemicals dampening your spirits, all you must do is to perform simple yogic techniques and raid your kitchen, kitchen garden or your granny’s spice rack to celebrate Holi naturally & organically. The best part, at the end of all the merriment your skin will glow.

Yogic Techniques

  1. JAL NETI: (Nasal cleansing) Take 500ml bearably warm water in a neti pot, add ½ tsp black/rock salt and a pinch of turmeric. Stand evenly and bending slightly forward tilt the head at 45degrees angle towards left. Insert the nozzle of the pot into the right nostril. While breathing normally from the mouth, tilt the pot so that the water runs into the right nostril and flows out from the left. Repeat on the other side. Breathe normally afterwards. Saline water is the best cleansing medium, which absorbs and scrapes away infectious pathogens accumulated in the nasal passage. Turmeric is disinfectant, antiseptic and scouring agent.1
  2. COW’S GHEE: Warm pure cow’s ghee to a bearable temperature. Lie down flat on your back and let the head hang down, bending the neck backwards. Using a dropper or a spoon pour about 5 drops of ghee in each nostril turn by turn, in such a way so as it does not flow down towards the throat but flows backwards, towards the head. Keep lying in the same position for 5 minutes afterwards. Cow’s ghee lubricates the nasal passage and strengthens the mucous membranes to fight against infections.
  3. FOOT MASSAGE: Heat mildly some mustard oil and massage the soles of the feet before retiring. Loose cotton socks can be worn later. Mustard oil is hot and massaging generates heat in the body to fight any symptoms of cold and infection.

 

(As advised by Arti Gaur, Ayurveda Expert, Dhyan Foundation)