BEAUTY
G
inger, Ginger, Ginger.” The first thing my
mother insists on when she
hears that I have a cold or
flu is a pot of ginger tea.
Ginger is excellent as a
cold remedy as it is both
warming and antibacterial. Drinking ginger tea
helps disinfect the throat
and boosts your immunity. I also religiously
take ginger baths. Using
organic ginger powder
in the bath is a great
way to warm the body
and support weak immune systems.
As the weather gets
colder, ginger root becomes more and more
my go-to remedy for
both health and beauty. Due to its wonderful
warming property, ginger
encourages blood circulation, combats mucus
accumulation, and aids
digestion. It can be used
in its fresh form, as a powder, or infused in oil to balance both Vata (air) and
Kapha (earth and water)
and revive our weatherworn bodies.
The stimulating action
of ginger is excellent for
mobilizing fat cells and
areas of water-retention
to reduce and prevent
the appearance of cellulite. When soaking in a
hot ginger bath, you can
feel this hearty herb doing its work by the intense
tingling sensation you will
feel.
In lower concentrations,
ginger can also be used
on the facial skin in creams
and oils for brightness. This
is because the increase in
blood flow eliminates dullness and brings radiance
to the complexion. This
also makes ginger an excellent ingredient for antiaging as one reason for
signs of aging is a slowing
down of our circulation,
cell turnover, and metabolism.
Internally, ginger aids
weak digestion and eliminates gas, bloating, and
many types of internal
congestions such as blood
clotting, high cholesterol,
and mucus. Our skin
is very influenced by
our elimination. When
our digestive system is
out of balance, it can
translate into breakouts, dehydrated skin,
and inflammation –
making ginger a wonderful support inside
and out.
So, if you are feeling
like you need to shake up
your body, enliven your
complexion, and settle
your stomach, try using
a little ginger! This root of
hot flavor can re-stimulate
your tissues, helping you
get back into balance…
making you, too, feel like
hot stuff.
Kristen Ma is the co-owner of Pure + Simple Inc., a group of Holistic Spas with
its own line of Natural Skincare and Mineral Make-up. She is an Ayurvedic
Practitioner who has studied in Canada, the United States and India. She
is also a Certified Esthetician with eight years of practical experience,
having worked in Canada as well as Australia. Most recently, Kristen has
authored “Beauty: Pure + Simple” which was published by Mc Arthur
and Company. Kristen has written on the subject of Holistic Beauty for
Vitality Magazine, Blink and Jasmine. She is also a regular contributor to B
Magazine, Tonic and Sweat Equity Magazine.
For more information on Kristen, please visit www.holisticvanity.ca.