Hi! I’m Vee, the performance marketing program manager here at Vitacost.com, and I’ve recently rediscovered an almost-forgotten family tradition that I want to share with you – Ayurveda.
My reintroduction to this ancient practice started not long ago, when I signed up for my very first 5K. I had never run a day in my life, but I was committed to training as hard as I could.
After a few runs in the unpleasantly balmy South Florida weather, I noticed something strange. My arms and legs were covered with unsightly red patches – heat rash! Not ready to give up on my goal just yet, I decided to turn to a natural remedy I remembered from my childhood: neem leaf.
Wait – what’s neem?
If you’re wondering what in the world “neem leaf” is, let me give you a quick crash course:
Plucked from a fast-growing tree native to India, neem leaves have been used for centuries in Indian Ayurvedic practice. The potentially antiseptic qualities of neem leaf make it popular ingredient in skincare essentials, soaps, lotions, toothpastes and other personal care products.
Making neem powder & paste
I picked up some non-GMO dried neem leaves and carefully ground it with my mortar and pestle to make a pure neem leaf powder. I also set some aside and mixed it with a bit of water to form a neem paste. I filled the bath with warm water and sprinkled a handful of neem leaf powder to help calm my irritated skin. After the bath, I applied the soothing neem ointment paste, let it dry, and then wiped it clean with a damp cloth. Easy!
Oh, and in case you’re wondering – I totally rocked that 5K! And I brought my handy, heat-rash-busting neem paste along, just in case.
Check out the entire line of Ayurvedic essentials at Vitacost.com – offering balance for mind, body and soul.