Aloe & Vetiver: Your Best Summertime Friends! PLUS: Ayurvedic Bodywork Training with Maharani – your SV Ayurveda Newsletter Aug 14, 2025 – #30, Vol 14

Staying Cool & Composed

with

 Vetiver & Aloe

What did we ever do before air conditioning devices were introduced into our modern lives?!! How did we cool ourselves off? 

Did you know that in traditional Indian village settings there were sophisticated ayurveda-informed practices that are still in used even nowadays? Remote Indian villages are nowadays equipped with modern amenities including internet connection, but many still do use traditional methods for shielding themselves against seasonal intemperance. Such as? Vetiver grass is a favorite plant for combating scorching temperatures. Mats are woven out of vetiver grass and hung on windows and entrances to filter summer heat. Did you know that freshly woven Vetiver grass mats not only infuse a delightful cooling aroma to the entire house, but the scented molecules actually carry cooling properties. Ayurveda teaches us that, property-wise, vetiver is: sheetala – cooling); snigdha – unctuous or anti-drying; and sugandha – pleasantly aromatic. Vetiver nurtures the first layer of the skin called “udakadhara,” as in the layer that holds water. But the properties of Vetiver penetrate deeper to the “raktadhara” or blood layer. In summer, the increased agni in the environment increases the heat in the blood. That’s why we may experience more heat in the body and brain. Vetiver aromatically cools off the blood and with regular use can even cool the muscle and fat tissues that are deeper tissue layers in the body.

Vaidya Mishra added another powerful plant to this formula: Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera is a prized plant in many ancient cultures of the world. It is used in so many ways, internally AND externally, for soothing skin ailments, dryness, topical burns. Aloe Vera is water soluble, so it is ideal when applied topically, for refreshing and cooling to the first layer of the skin “udakadhara.” It also helps enhance the skin’s luster and complexion. But  Aloe is also prized for its ability to cool off raktadhara, the blood tissue layer of the skin. When applied transdermally, Aloe quickly travels and reaches the liver and spleen, and detoxifies and pacifies the liver through the cooling properties it carries.

Vaidya Mishra combined active forms of Aloe and Vetiver in this lotion to refresh, calm and pacify the “dehagni” or cellular agni, and pacify bhrajaka – the cellular intelligence that governs the skin, and sadhak pitta – the intelligence that governs the emotional heart. 

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and it plays a crucial role in relaying energy and chemical transformations when exposed to sunlight. But, overexposure to sunlight can also have unwanted effects. That’s one reason this lotion will become your best “don’t-leave-the-house-without-it” friend during the hot summer days… and nights. Apply during the day to cool off and at night to regain balance after a hot day! With a light refreshing fragrance it will help soothe your body, mind and heart! 

Apply liberally on all your body parts, and you can even apply on your face, and enjoy the beautiful hot summer days! 

So what’s in your Vetiver & Aloe Lotion, and Why? And How does each ingredient help? 

 Aloe Vera: Calms and soothes the skin by its deep cooling effect on rasa (plasma) and rakta (blood); 

 Vetiver: is sheetala or cooling; Snigdha or unctuous; and Sugandha or aromatic; 

 Jojoba: Is a highly prized neutral, cooling, and light, skin lubricating natural oil; 

 Saffron: is the best “varnya: herb: it enhances skin complexion; it helps tone and preserve skin pigmentation;

 Flame of Forest: enhances the intelligence of the skin and helps shield against sunlight. It is also a “varnya” herb or: complexion enhancer;

 Devil’s Apple: supports and increases the cellular intelligence of skin;

 Punarnava: Mobilizes and evacuates toxins from the “udakdhara” or water-holding layer of the skin. 

 Manjishta: maintains skin intelligence & pacifies “bhrajaka pitta” – the governing factor of the skin that can be easily aggravated by overexposure to the sun;

 Turmeric: fights against inflammation of the skin resulting from overexposure to sunlight;

 Gotu Kola: supports collagen synthesis;

 Brahmi: maintains the intelligence of the skin layers;

 Nutmeg: supports and maintains normal skin pigmentation;

 Mucuna: supports dopamine production to maintain coordination between mind and skin – prana and vyana. 

 Green Tea Leaves: a great anti-oxidant for the skin, it prevents the formation of free-radicals (amavisha) from overexposure to sunlight;

 Ashwagandha: supports the tactile nerves of the skin;

 Lemon: helps keep a check on excess pigmentation caused by overexposure to sunlight; 

 Indian Sarsaparilla: acidic toxins, amavisha, released through sweat, irritate and can damage the skin. Indian Sarsaparilla purifies the sweat as well as the sweat glands; 

 Ashoka: maintains bliss by pacifying inflammation in the skin;

 Shirish bark: supports slow but steady skin detoxification;

Sensitive Plant: nourishes and repairs the tactile nerves from damage due to overexposure to sunlight; 

 Neem: supports the immunity of skin through detox; 

 Rosemary: clears and opens the physical channels – shrotas – of the skin without heating them up. 

The above herbs and plants are added to a pranic synergistic base made with: Organic fractionated Coconut oil with organic Vegetable Glycerin, and White grapefruit.

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• Training begins September 13th, 2025

• 12 weekly live-online classes (Saturdays, 9–11 AM PST)

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• Small, supportive cohort and intimate learning environment

The Maharani Academy is an approved educational provider with AABC, CAAM, and a NAMA PACE provider. This training offers pathways to certification as:

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Free Student Orientation Sessions

 August 9th & 23rd at 7:00 PM PST

 RSVP or ask questions: info@maharani.us