Under-eye dark circles can be due to many reasons. One may have them as a result of improper diet, unhealthy lifestyle or even heredity or due to a prolonged illness and its medication. However, dark circles are something everyone wants to get rid of as they definitely do not add to the beauty of a person. Therefore, the ETV Bharat Sukhibhava team spoke to Dr. S Yasmin, MD Ayurveda, Assistant Professor at SASAS Ayurveda Medical College, Andhra Pradesh, to suggest some tips on how to deal with dark circles.
While some of these can be practised at home, others like nasya karma, netra tarpana, etc. are to be practised under the supervision of an ayurvedic expert only.
Nidana Parivarjana (Avoiding the causative factors)
The first and foremost thing to concentrate on is to identify the causative factor. If the dark circles are due to dietary or lifestyle factors, one may need to alter them. Switch to a healthier life, like eating nutritious food, sleeping on time, limiting screen time, keeping yourself hydrated, quitting smoking, etc. Exposure to the sun can also be a reason, therefore, wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen when you step out. Avoid prolonged sun exposure.
- Cucumber
Cut two slices of cucumber and place them on your eyes for 10-15 mins. The cooling properties of cucumber help lighten the dark circles and reduce the puffiness around the eyes. Cucumber has high water content and its consumption keeps your body hydrated. It contains collagen-boosting silica, skin-strengthening sulphur along with vitamins A, C, E, and K, which increase the elasticity of blood vessels and helps alleviate dark circles. - Prelepa (External application)
Application of creams, ointments and herbal paste can be helpful in alleviating dark circles. Here are some of the ayurvedic pastes that can be applied.
- Take a spoonful of haritaki powder, ½ spoon of freshly squeezed aloe vera gel, 2 drops of almond oil and slowly massage it around your eyes in a circular motion. Allow it to dry for 15 minutes and wash off with cool water.
- Besides this, you can also apply chandan paste, liquorice and water paste, as well as manjistha and honey paste.
Also Read: COVID-19 New Wave, Ayurveda Prescribes Symptom Based Solutions.
- Abhyanga (Oil massage)
Poor blood circulation can cause dark circles around the eyes. Therefore, a gentle massage with coconut oil, gingelly oil, almond oil, castor oil, kumkumadi tailam, sathadoutha ghritam or raw milk around the eyes can help in improving circulation. Honey can also help lighten your dark circles. Apply a little amount of honey on the affected area for 15 mins and rinse it. You can also leave it overnight and rinse it in the morning. - Nasya Karma (administration of medicated oil through the nose)
Usually, for conditions that affect the neck region, nasya treatment is adopted. It helps in letting out the toxins through the nasal/oral route. Instillation of Anu taila or Kumkumadi oil, 2 drops in each nostril after slightly heating it in warm water. - Netra Tarpana
Netra refers to eyes and tarpana means rehydration/nourishment. It is one of the most effective therapies to reduce dark circles in Ayurveda. In this, urad dal, barley flour and ghee are mixed and kneaded into a dough and is placed around the eyes. ghee/oil is then poured through the dough, onto the eyes and is left to stay for a while. After some time, the dough is removed and the ghee is wiped off. It is recommended in Panchakarma hospitals.
