Nails are considered to be the waste product of the bones, according to Ayurveda. If the nails break easily and are dry, rough and crooked, this signifies the abundance of vata dosha. If pitta dosha is dominant in the body, then nails are tender, soft and pink colored. Nails become strong, thick and soft and extremely shiny when kapha dosha is predominant.
According to Ayurveda, the transverse lines on the nails, indicate the presence of malnutrition or long standing illnesses. The presence of longitudinal lines shows the disturbed absorption of food in the digestive system. Some of the Ayurvedic methods for nail care are discussed in this article.
Nail Care in Ayurveda
Some of the effective measures in Ayurveda to check nail brittleness and its shine are as follows:
- Horsetail nail strengthener — It is a wonderful natural method to strengthen brittle or splitting nails. Pour 2 ½ cups of water over 6 tablespoons of dried horsetail stems. Using a stainless steel pan, allow to infuse for about 4 hours. Place on heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Simmer gently, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to steep for another 30 minutes before straining off the horsetail stems. Every two days, soak fingernails in warm sunflower oil for 15 minutes. Store the infusion in a tightly closed container. This methods helps in strengthening the nail.
- Preventing Nail Splitting – You should eat plenty of cucumbers or drink cucumber juice to help correct the problem.
- Honey for Cuticle Softening – To soften cuticles and strengthen the nails, mix together 3 tablespoons of almond oil, 3 tablespoons raw linseed oil and 3 tablespoons of honey. Massage into nails and cuticles.
The above are some of the effective Ayurvedic methods to take care of nails.
