It is a traditional holistic health and beauty philosophy which harnesses the natural benefits of herbs and spices.
How does it work?
The main aim of ayurveda is to encourage people to take control of their wellbeing, both physical and spiritual, by understanding the body's imbalances and rectifying these with diet and self-help therapies. Now you can try it yourself because the Body Shop has launched its own ayurvedic beauty and health range.
The ayurvedic philosophy works on a belief that the individual characteristics of our mind, body and spirit fall into three different groups called 'doshas'. Depending on your temperament and physical health, you may either be a Pitta (Fire), Vata (Air) Kapha (Earth).
PITTAS
Typical Pittas: Madonna, Cindy Crawford and Jennifer Aniston.
Traits: You are dynamic and passionate and you do not like to be ignored. At your best, you are intelligent, perceptive and highly efficient. You are a natural leader.
At worst, you tend to be overcritical of others and you are often too intense and competitive.
Remedies: You need to de-stress and concentrate on not getting overwrought. Try the Body Shop's Pitta herbal supplement to calm you down (£15 for 50 tablets) and their Pitta pillow spray, which is made from a variety of calming herb essences, to lull you to sleep before you start worrying about work (£9 for 150ml).
Because of your highly competitive nature, you are likely to suffer from painful PMT because you push yourself too hard, so try The Ayurvedic Company's Feminac capsules for problem periods.
Feminac is a multi-herb dietary supplement made from a herbal recipe that has been used to treat menstrual problems for thousands of years (£6.95 for 60 capsules).
To tame your temper, try The Ayurvedic Company's Shatavari Tonic, which soothes nerves and increases strength and the immune system.
Shatavari is also commonly used by both breast-feeding mothers to increase lactation and by menopausal women to relieve symptoms such as excessive sweating, hot flushes and irritability (£6.95 for 60 capsules).
Also for de-stressing, try Bharti Vyas's Holistic Refresh Oil. It will encourage relaxation and will also help increase energy levels (£12.99 for 100ml).
Bharti also makes Ayurvedic Soap, which helps to even out skin tone and reduce skin irritation to help you calm down (£3.99 a bar).
Finally, ease away your worries with the Ayurvedic Company's refreshing Pitta Tea. It should be taken when you feel anxious or if you have irritable skin or rashes and flushes (£2.95 for 50ml).
KAPHAS
Typical Kaphas: Kate Winslet, Christina Ricci and Oprah Winfrey.
Traits: You are solid, dependable and very loyal. You are brilliant to have around in a crisis. At best, you are open, friendly and a great listener. At worst, you are lethargic and like to be entertained, which can make you hard work as a friend or partner.
Remedies: You need to concentrate on energising and motivating yourself. You are naturally prone to lethargy. Try the Body Shop's Kapha Cleansing Body Scrub to stimulate your lymphatic system (£15 for 350ml).
In the mornings, the Body Shop's Kapha Renewal Brew Herbal Tea will cleanse your system and wake you up (£7 for 350g).
Skin tone and is excellent for treating dry skin (£12.99 for 100ml).
Her Keen Oil will aid the dispersion of unwanted localised fatty deposits (£12.99 for 100ml).
Kaphas are prone to allergies and asthma so, for summer, try Bharti's Aller H and Antifect supplements to protect the body against pollen and enhance detoxification (£6.99 for 100 tablets).
Ayurveda Company's Basil Toner and Basil Cream are brilliant for getting rid of water retention and thoroughly cleansing the skin. Basil is the ancient ayurvedic remedy for pimples, which you may get because of your often erratic diet.
The mask stimulates the skin's circulation during application and removal and encourages cell renewal to prevent scarring, while the toner cleanses it. (Toner, £9.95 for 100ml; cream, £6.95 for 50g).
Also try their Anti-Obesity Tea, which is a fragrant drink formulated to help balance and regulate fat in the body for the Kapha's sluggish metabolism (£2.95 for 100g).
VATAS
Typical Vatas: Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow and Julia Roberts.
Traits: You live life at a hectic pace, with quickly changing moods and many ups and downs in your emotions.
You are at your best when you are using your imagination. You are highly motivated and you get things done.
At your worst, you are easily stressed, scatty and quickly exhausted, which can take its toll on your nerves and on your digestion.
Remedies: You need to do as much as possible to slow yourself down and rationalise your thoughts. You are likely to suffer from spots because of your dramatic mood swings.
Try the Ayurvedic Company's Vata face mask. Water is added to this powder to make an effective exfoliator. The paste removes dead skin, cleanses and stimulates circulation, leaving the face with a radiant glow (£3.95 for 50g).
Also try their Bath Powder, which is a mask that acts as both a body cleanser and exfoliator. The paste is applied to the body to draw out toxins and impurities. It is then washed off in a circular motion to exfoliate and encourage circulation (£3.95 for 50g).
The Body Shop's Vata Nourishing Body Balm (£10 for 200ml) and Vata Massage Gel (£9 for 100ml) will help you calm down.
Have as many massages as possible to stop you getting too hyperactive. Practice rubbing the balm rhythmically into your body to relax and comfort yourself. Bharti recommends Santhwana Oil, which encourages relaxing and sound sleep (£12.99 for 100ml) for manic Vatas.
Her Promotor Hair Oil helps to reduce dandruff and inflammation to the hair follicle - classic Vata complaints because they generally have too much adrenaline and so overproduce the male hormones that cause dandruff (£12.99 for 100ml).
Bharti's Rheumaxin tablets will help to reduce inflammation of the joints by helping to clear toxin buildup. This is a common Vata complaint because they drink too much coffee and alcohol (£6.99 for 100 tablets).
The Ayurvedic Company's Vata Tea is calming and relaxing. Drink it if you feel restless and your sleep is interrupted. Or try taking it when travelling or if the weather is dry and cold (£2.95 for 50ml). ( dailymail.co.uk )
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