Q. Hi D! I am getting married! Hurrah to me, but why am I getting so anxious? I so want to look and feel my best on the big day, which is like 2 months away. I would love to get a sneak peek into ageless beauty secrets of our Indian ancestors – how did our foremothers prepare for this big day? All the henna, haldi, dahi, chandan which are a part of wedding rituals – do they have any real impact on bridal beauty? O please share all and more…even stuff that didn’t make it into rituals and just became obscure in modern times. I want to know it all.
– Sanaya Singh, Bride-to-be.
Hi Sanaya! Congratulations. Marriage is indeed a life altering event in an individual’s life, so you have every right to be both happy and anxious! I am sure your wedding planner is mobilizing resources right now, ensuring every little detail is taken care of in making each event jaw-dropping scenic and tasteful. And you my dear bride-to-be, must get started on ensuring you look breathtakingly beautiful, exuding an aura of peace and confidence, as you sashay in your majestic lehengas and sarees on each function, culminating in the bridal couture on the big day! Beauty is after all, more than the perfect make-up and costume. It has a lot to do with our unique aura.
And yes, our wise old ancestors have indeed left us a legacy here – rituals which help uncover not only our external dermal beauty, but which help ground our emotions and calm the nervous system, filling our spirit with love and peace which ultimately heightens our feminine appeal. Let me guide you through this.
The skin, especially acne prone skin, reacts to certain food such as high refined sugar (as in chocolates, mithais, pastries, etc.), chilies and deep fried oily food. Refined flour based food tend to clog the skin over time, giving it an unfresh appearance. So, say no to these food starting now. Every skin regimen takes about 40 days to show results, so you still have time. Alcohol and sleep deprivation can add years to the skin, so girl, stay in and sleep early each night. Your only drink at bedtime should be warm milk!
Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. The ancients advised brides-to-be to have a veggie-based diet, since they are high in prana (life force), easier to digest and have a calming effect on the body. They are the yin (Chinese description of the feminine shakti in creation) food, and so add to the feminine aura! Modern research confirms phytonutrients and antioxidant vitamins in the colorful veggies and fruits, which means they actually delay our aging process!
– Milk and yogurt should also make it into your daily regimen, if you are not allergic to dairy. Kesar, badam and turmeric in milk can do wonders for the skin, while also nourshing your reproductive system. Rubbing a paste of dahi, chandan, rice powder and haldi on your face and body daily will do wonders for your skin. You could also add honey to this occasionally to improve skin texture.
– Coconut juices, pomegranate, papayas, ripe mangoes and bananas – all these are great fruits to binge on. They directly nourish the female hormone system as well (modern research backs this up by informing that coconut has nutrients which are a precursor to estrogen formation. So there!). Coconuts are a part of most rituals. It is an auspicious fruit indeed.
– Herbs like shatavari (asparagus racemosus), haldi (turmeric), tulsi (basil), saunf (fennel), elaichi (cardamom), lavang (cloves) should be a part of your diet. Most of these are antimicrobial, killing bacteria in the mouth and GI tract. Chandan (sandalwood) powder or oil should be a part of daily skin regimen. They are referred to as satvic herbs in Ayurveda, because of their ability to cleanse the body and body channels. Note how most of these herbs make it to every puja thali – a constant reminder of their healing potency! Not to forget the haldi and chandan ceremony to ensure the bride’s body glows before the wedding. Haldi has been used as a traditional skin herb used for healing and cleansing. It’s high vitamin E (antioxidant skin healing nutrient) concentration discovered today justifies its use.
– Enjoy warm water soaks with sea salt and aromas often. A regular body massage with coconut oil or ghee, and a scrub ritual would help cleanse the body, tone up the skin and relax the mind. And remember to drink plenty of water (warm or at room temperature) during the day.
– Henna has been medicinally used in Ayurveda to dispel toxic heat from the blood and calm the nervous system. The mehndi ceremony ensures the bride-to-be benefits from the healing goodness of henna, which will make her cool and calm, and also outstanding and desirable with the elaborate patterns on her limbs.
– Music and chanting are an integral part of the Indian wedding culture. And I suggest you make them a part of your daily regimen starting now. Listen to, sing along and dance to music, chant mantras and hymns daily. These measures are scientifically proven to calm the nervous system while imparting joy to the soul. They energize your energy systems and chakras, which would add to that holistic glow at the end of the day!
These measures not only apply to the bride-to-be, but also the groom-to-be! He is in a similar boat. The diet, herbs and lifestyle measures should be implemented by him as well!
Did You Know – Almonds are a great source of zinc, while kesar (saffron) has aphrodisiac properties. Zinc is a vital nutrient for the immune system, as well as for semen formation. Every time a man ejaculates, he loses about 5-7mg of zinc! This finding totally validates the ageless milk, badaam and kesar recipe! A glassful of such zinc enhanced milk was traditionally consumed as a ritual by the groom on his wedding night!
On the other hand, alcohol is detrimental to sexual performance and stamina. So boys, before thinking of getting boozed out on your bachelor’s night, think again. You have a “big” day ahead, and you’d rather vitalize your system with something holistically healthy. How about badaam milk for starters!