Ayurvedic method of body scrub (उद्वर्तनम्)

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Udwartana literally means “rubbing or kneading”. Conventional rubbing of body with medicated powders is called as udwartana. This is in some way similar to the body scrub therapy. Udwartana is believed to be therapeutic as well as health promoting therapy in Ayurveda. It is included under the daily regime or Dinacharya described in Ayurveda and known to promote the health of skin.

Definition

Udwartanam is essentially defined as the therapeutic procedure of rubbing or kneading the body.

उद्वर्तनं गात्रमर्दनम्| (Dalhana, Sush. Samh. 24.51)

This kneading or rubbing of body is not done bear handed but with the help of herbal powders or a paste of herbs.

Udwartanam in Daily routine

Udwartanam therapy is described in various Ayurveda treatises under the section of dinacharya i.e. daily regimen. It is placed after the Abhyangam (theraputic oil massage) and vyayama and before snanam (Bath). It is to be practiced as a daily skincare regimen.

Role of Udwartanam

Udwartanam is not only beneficial for skin but also to reduce excess fatty tissue and balance kapha and vata doshas. Acharya Sushruta has narrated the effect of udwartana and its types in depth.

उद्वर्तनं वातहरं कफमेदोविलापनम् ||५१|| स्थिरीकरणमङ्गानां त्वक्प्रसादकरं परम् |५२| (sush. chik.24. 51-52) Meaning: Udwartanam removes excessive kapha dosha, vata dosha and meda dhatu (by liquifying those). It helps in stabilizing the body parts and enhance the skin tone & texture.

Types

Udwartana is classified in two types based on the ingredients used in it. It mainly relies on the inclusion of unctuous substance like oil or milk in the herbal powder mixture used as scrub. The 2 types are

1. Udgharshana and
2. Utsadana

Udgharshana

Rubbing the body with medicated churnas (herbal powder) without mixing it with any unctuous liquid like oil, milk or even water is udgharshana. Udgharshana cures and prevents various vata dosha related disorders, reduces itching and few skin related disorders. Powders of brick and sop nut were used traditionally to perform this type of udwartanam.

Utsadana

Utsadana is rubbing or massaging body with medicated churnas (powders) with oil or ghee or any liquid in the form of paste. It brings about lustre, radiance.

Procedure

Depending upon the type of udwartanam, either dry herbal powders (one or more in mixture) or herbs mixed with unctuous liquids like oil or milk are rubbed on the body parts in a specific manner. This method is similar to scrubbing done in cosmetology and beauty treatments done in todays time. However, udwartanam is therapeutic body scrub which differs from normal scrubs in multiple aspects. The pre and post udwartana precautions in udwartanam are not essential in body scrubs. The time to perform this is also different.

The right time for Udwartanam

Udwartana being a part of dinacharya (daily regimen) is to be done daily, after oil massage and exercise but before snana (bath). It can be considered as the daily morning body-care regime.

Prerequisites

Before udwartana bowel and bladder must be empty or cleared. Udwartana works best after abhyanga and vyayama is done. The increased blood flow and circulation in the periphery due to massage and exercise must be helpful for proper absorption of herbs used during udwartana.

Post Udwartanam

After the procedure a minimum of 15 min rest is essential for the churna (powder) to get absorbed.

After rest, warm water bath is recommended.

Advantages of Udwartana

There are various health benefits of udwartana therapy which are valuable in the health and wellness segments. These are listed below,

1. Udwartana helps in cleansing the skin pores, improving the circulation and promoting nourishment of skin.
2. It helps in increasing the agni of twak (absorption capacity and glow)
3. Body rubbing with oily herbal pastes enhance the lusture of the skin by giving it flowless, clean, younger looking complexion.
4. Udwartana of dry nature is specifically helpful in the treatment of various skin disorders which lead to development of itching, hives, redness etc.
5. It removes excess of oiliness, dirt, sweat and faul smell from the skin.
6. Udwartana is being successfully used by Ayurveda vaidyas in the weight loss therapies.
7. Traditionally, in Bharatiya festival of diwali, powder with aromatic fragrances are used as one of the rituals of abhyanaga snanam. This fragrant herbal powder is popularly know as Ubtana. Udwartana described in Ayurved ais the basic concept behinf this ritual.

Exfoliation and udwartanam

The key attribute of a youthful, healthy-looking complexion is radiance. Radiance is determined by light reflectance from the surface of smooth skin. With age, radiance diminishes as the epidermal cell turnover rate slows down. This results in the buildup of dead keratinocytes in the stratum corneum and follicular ostia, creating the appearance of rough, dry skin, enlarged pores, and poor light reflection.

Exfoliation, through chemical or physical means, is the process of removing excess corneocyte buildup, which in turn stimulates cell turnover, resulting in a more polished, smoother, translucent surface. Over the past 2 decades, exfoliation has gained in popularity because of its almost immediate demonstrable benefits and the ease and variety of available products.

Udgharshan and physical exfoliation

Physical exfoliation is available for consumers in a wide range of products as an alternative to or in combination with chemical exfoliation; these products include topical cleansing scrubs containing a variety of abrasive solid particulates, mechanical facial brushes, sonicating devices, and mildly abrasive cosmetic tools such as microexfoliating rollers. Physical exfoliation induces an immediate desquamation, which in some cases can produce a temporary disruption of the skin barrier, resulting in increased transepidermal water loss.

There is a general consensus that ex-foliating the outermost layers of the stratum corneum (the stratum disjunctum) results in improved skin texture, and a reduction in fine lines and hyperpigmentation.

DOs AND DON’Ts IN HERBAL EXFOLIATION

Before using any exfoliating products, they should be tested on the skin to see if the type of exfoliation suits the individual skin type. Rubbing any exfoliating products on the face should be avoided. It loosens the facial skin and can cause wrinkles. Dabbing is a safer way to apply and rinse exfoliating products. Hot water should not be used directly on the face. It can harm the skin and dries it out too quickly. Lukewarm or cool water is recommended for rinsing the face. The skin should be exfoliated in the evening. Exfoliation of skin gives better results during summer than winter. Exfoliating the area around the eyes should be avoided since the skin is very thin and sensitive in this area. After exfoliation a good moisturizer containing nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants should be used to supply the required supplements to the skin lost in exfoliation.