Holistic Body Care Inspired by Ayurveda: A Simple Daily Routine

In short: Holistic body care inspired by Ayurveda means a steady daily routine rather than quick fixes: a mild shower gel, a natural deodorant, a regular oil massage (abhyanga), foot care and a daily body lotion. Our vegan range covers each step, from Shower Gel and Natural Deodorant to Massage Oil, Foot Cream and Body Lotion.

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of wellbeing, sees daily habits, environment and routine as one connected whole. In body care that translates into simple, regular rituals.

What is the Ayurvedic view of body care?

Ayurvedic tradition describes three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, and links each to qualities such as dryness, warmth or heaviness. Many people use these ideas to choose scents and textures they enjoy: warm oils in winter, lighter, cooling textures in summer.

What should you use in the shower?

A mild shower gel. Ours is made with coconut oil, vetivert, ylang ylang and lavender for an earthy, floral scent. Shop the Shower Gel.

What is in a natural deodorant?

Our Natural Deodorant is based on potash alum, a naturally occurring mineral used traditionally for underarm freshness, with aloe vera and a scent of ylang ylang, vanilla, petitgrain and rosemary.

How do you care for your feet?

Massage our Foot Cream with peppermint and neem into the feet at the end of the day. Peppermint gives a cool, fresh feel, and neem is a traditional Ayurvedic ingredient.

What is abhyanga?

Abhyanga is the Ayurvedic practice of self massage with warm oil, traditionally done before a bath. Our Everfresh Massage Oil blends sunflower, sesame, coconut, almond and jojoba oils with petitgrain, orange and patchouli. See our guide to aromatherapy massage.

How do you finish the routine?

Apply our Body Lotion with aloe vera and shea butter after a shower. Neroli, petitgrain and lavender give it a fresh scent.

Who makes Holy Lama body care?

Our creams, gels and oils are hand filled and hand labelled at our own factory in Kerala, India, by a family business that dates back to 1946. More than 80% of our workforce is women, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, and our body care is vegan, except Holy Balm and Lip Balm, which contain beeswax.