Native to India and Southeast Asia, the Checkered Orchid (Vanda tessellata) is an epiphytic orchid with abundant aerial roots and beautifully checkered, sweet-smelling orchid flowers. While orchid enthusiasts and tropical gardeners might be in love with its enchanting flowers, it is also a key medicinal plant in Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine — Unani […]
Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) is a perennial bunchgrass originally native to India with many beneficial properties for Ayurvedic health and body care. Vetiver derives its name from the ancient South Indian Tamil language, where it means “dug-up root”. Also known as Khus Grass (and uśīra in Sanskrit), it is the fragrant roots of Vetiver (growing up […]
Integral Education is the philosophy of education based on the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, emphasizing the integral development of a child in all their parts and faculties, physical, vital, emotional & mental. Each child is seen as an evolving soul, or psychic being, which has come to Earth for a particular purpose […]
Did you know that Licorice is not only a favorite flavor for candies and sweets, but also a traditional Ayurvedic medicine? Indian Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), known in Sanskrit as yaṣṭi-madhu, or “sweet-stick”, is an ancient rejuvenative herb with amazing medicinal properties for health, well-being and long life. A small herb native to regions of […]
Tuvaraka Taila is an Ayurvedic oil which comes from the cold-pressed seeds of the Tuvaraka, or Chalmogra, tree (Hydnocarpus wightianus), a small evergreen tree native to southern India. Tuvaraka is also known in Sanskrit as kuṣṭha-vairi which means, “The Enemy of all Skin Diseases”, as it has been known and used since ancient times for […]
Integral Education is the philosophy of education based on the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, emphasizing the integral development of a child in all their parts and faculties, physical, vital, emotional & mental. Each child is seen as an evolving soul, or psychic being, which has come to Earth for a particular purpose […]
Autumn officially started this year (in the Northern Hemisphere) on September 22, heralding the return of shorter days and cooler weather. As the daylight wanes and the weather gets brisk — and the skies become bluer and the leaves change color! — let’s review a few Ayurvedic seasonal self-care tips (ṛtucaryā) to keep us healthy […]
This month we have chosen to highlight the humble Country Mallow, otherwise known as Sida cordifolia, or as balā in Sanskrit, as our Ayurvedic herb of the month. Balā means strength in Sanskrit, and it is so named as it is a powerful anti-aging tonic, or rasāyana, herb which promotes strength and rejuvenation of the […]
This month we have chosen to highlight Reetha, or the Indian Soapberry (Sapindus mukorossi), a traditional Ayurvedic cleanser for both skin and hair. Reetha is a small tree native to Northern & Western India, China and Nepal. While different parts of the tree have different medicinal properties and uses, it is the fruits/berries which make […]
The īśa upaniṣad is a short Vedantic text appended to the śukla, or white, yajur veda. It is thought to be at least 3,000 years old (!) and was composed by the ancient sage Yajnavalkya. Containing profound yogic wisdom within its pithy 18 verses, the Isha Upanishad has been a perennial source of wisdom and […]
The Hibiscus plant (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is famous the world over, especially in subtropical and tropical climates, for its large and beautiful flowers. Though its Latin name refers to it as the “Rose of China”, many botanists speculate that the plant’s origin is actually in India, from where it was first spread to China and to […]
A zero-waste Ayurvedic Conditioner Bar with Neem! We are happy to announce the arrival of Auromère’s newest product — the Conditioner Bar — an eco-friendly, plastic-free, zero-waste alternative for hair conditioning, which serves as a perfect complement to the Ayurvedic Shampoo Bar. Ayurvedic Formula: A tri-doshic Ayurvedic formula featuring five powerful herbal ingredients (Neem, Amla, […]
Happy Yoga Day! Today is the 8th International Day of Yoga, since its adoption by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. International Yoga Day is celebrated around the world every year on June 21st, the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, which is the day of greatest light in the year. It is on […]
On June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, summer will officially be here! Let’s review some Ayurvedic seasonal tips (ṛtucaryā) for self-care to keep us in balance in the hot summer season. The Summer Season The summer season is known in Sanskrit as grīṣma, and the summer health and hygiene routine is called in Ayurveda, grīṣma […]
Winter Cherry (known scientifically as Withania somnifera and as aśvagandhā in Sanskrit) is an amazing tonic and adaptogenic herb with a long and distinguished history in Ayurvedic medicine. Winter Cherry has a multitude of therapeutic benefits and uses and is classified in Ayurveda as a rasāyana herb, a class of anti-aging herbs which promote longevity […]
In the science of Ayurvedic body care there are two key principles which always have to be taken into account when determining your ideal health & hygiene routine (dinacarya) as well as the best body care products to use for you: your prakṛti (innate body type and constitution) and your vikṛti (present state and condition). […]
Self-Massage in the Ayurvedic Tradition Ayurvedic self-massage (abhyaṅga) is an integral and important part of the traditional Ayurvedic self-care routine (dinacarya). According to the ancient Ayurvedic text aṣṭāṅga hṛdayam (The Essence of the Eight Limbs of Ayurveda, in its chapter devoted to the daily self-care routine), self-massage with oil should be practiced every day and […]
Turmeric — known scientifically as Curcuma longa and as haridrā (हरिद्रा) in Sanskrit — is an ancient and widely used cooking spice and Ayurvedic herb which has a multitude of beneficial herbal properties and medicinal uses. The rhizomes of the plant are either used fresh or dried. When dried, it is typically then ground into […]
A mantra (मन्त्र) is a sacred sound, word or verse which vibrates with spiritual light, or jyotis (ज्योतिस्), and power, or śakti (शक्ति). While the most common mantra in the spiritual tradition of Yoga is the sacred syllable oṃ (ॐ), some mantras are inspired verses from the scriptures, like the gāyatrī mantra (गायत्री मन्त्र) which […]
What is Skin Exfoliation? Did you know that your skin is in a constant state of natural renewal and rejuvenation? New skin cells are continuously replacing old, worn-out ones and a complete turnover and rejuvenation of your skin cells happens approximately every 30 days (this process of rejuvenation takes longer as we age—and babies’ skin […]
“The jujube fruit is sweet and sticky, relieves constipation, and overcomes vāta and pitta. When ripe and dried, it destroys kapha and vāta without, however, increasing pitta.” badaraṃ madhuraṃ snigdhaṃ bhedanaṃ vātapittajit । tacchuṣkaṃ kaphavātaghnaṃ pittena ca virudhyate ॥141॥ From the Caraka Saṃhitā Ayurvedic Properties of the Jujube Tree The Common Jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) is […]
In the path of integral Yoga and self-perfection, no aspects of life are unimportant and without meaning. As we progress on the path, we learn to pay conscious attention to all areas of our daily life — work, diet, leisure, human relationships — with the intention of integrating them to our yogic aspiration and effecting […]
While we all know the amazing health benefits of the Pomegranate fruit (known as svādu-amla in Sanskrit), and its delectable sweet-tart taste, did you know that the peel of the Pomegranate fruit has amazing health benefits as well? Pomegranate peel is a very powerful astringent herb (kaṣāya auṣadham) which has been used in Ayurveda for […]
Soul: Its Nature, Mission & Evolution The human being and its psychology is a very complex matter. We are not only a physical being with a physical body composed of muscle and bone, brain and heart, but also and even more importantly, a mind, an emotional being and a vital (life-force) being as well. And […]
We are happy to introduce to everyone the newest addition to Auromère’s line of unique Ayurvedic body care products: the Auromère Exfoliating Body Bar! Care deeply for your skin with this new Exfoliating Body Bar, formulated with Apricot kernels, Cinnamon powder, Neem and other synergistic Ayurvedic herbs for exfoliation and optimal skin care. Particularly great […]
Apricot kernels are the seeds of the Apricot tree (Prunus armeniaca), native to Central Asia, and are very similar in taste, texture and appearance to Almonds. Though tasty (imparting its flavor to the famous Italian liqueur, Amaretto, among other things), Apricot kernels are edible only in small quantities, as eating large quantities can lead to […]
Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is a shrub native to South Asia and most popularly known as a natural cosmetic dye, either used to dye the hair (especially grey or fading hair) a beautiful reddish, copper color, or to paint the skin with intricate designs in traditional Indian/ South Asian body art (known as mehndi). But being […]
Auromère Ayurvedic Toothpaste is our most popular product, coming in a variety of different flavors and formulations to suit everyone’s individual taste and needs: Fresh Mint, Fresh Mint (Zero-waste jar), Classic (Licorice), Mint-free and Foam-free Cardamom-Fennel. Now we are happy to introduce the newest variety of Auromère toothpaste, Cinnamon, with a delicious, spicy cinnamon flavor. […]
Cinnamon is an Ayurvedic herb and common aromatic cooking spice, being the dried bark of the Cinnamon Tree (Cinnamomum verum), native to India and Sri Lanka. Also called tvac in Sanskrit (meaning “skin” or “bark”), Cinnamon has many beneficial healing properties in Ayurvedic medicine, for both external and internal use. These mostly derive from the […]
Yoga is a very broad term in Indian spirituality and while it is most often associated these days with haṭha yoga, the system of physical postures and breathing exercises and concentration techniques that many of us will have encountered in a modern yoga studio, there are in fact many different disciplines of yoga which each […]
Castor oil is an important Ayurvedic ingredient with many beneficial properties, and is made from the pressed seeds or “beans” of the Ricinus communis plant native to India, East Africa and the Mediterranean Basin. Today the Castor oil plant is widespread throughout the world and prized for its many ornamental, commercial, and natural healing properties. […]
Autumn officially starts this year (in the Northern Hemisphere) on September 22, the day of the Autumn Equinox. On the Autumn Equinox the Sun crosses south of the Celestial Equator, heralding the return of shorter days and cooler weather. As the daylight wanes and the weather gets brisk (and the skies become bluer and the […]
Auromère works closely with suppliers throughout India to provide authentic, natural Ayurvedic products of the highest quality, engaging local specialists, practitioners and cottage industries who provide employment in local village communities throughout the country. In this post we’ll be featuring Vishwa Foundation, the manufacturer of Auromère’s Ayurvedic Shampoo, Conditioner, Lotion, & Massage Oil. Vishwa Foundation […]
Regular exercise is vital for everyone, improving mood, longevity, and overall health, but your personal exercise routine must be uniquely yours. It should suit your body type, your goals, your preferences, your schedule, and your access to gym equipment (or lack thereof). Additionally, the workout isn’t the only important part: doing the right things after […]
Ayurvedic Concept of Immunity The concept of immunity in Ayurveda is described by Ayurvedic texts and physicians under the term, vyādhi-kṣamatva, or the ability of the body to bear or endure any injury or adverse external factor. In Ayurveda, diseases (roga) are classified into two categories: those which arise due to internal factors within one’s […]
Amla, or āmalakī in Sanskrit, is one of the most prominent tonic herbs and adaptogens in the Ayurvedic tradition and is both food and medicine. In Ayurvedic terminology, it is classified as a rasāyana herb, a class of herbs which promotes longevity and rejuvenation and Amla is the primary ingredient of the ancient rasāyana formula, […]
As most people know, taking care of your mind and body health is critical to leading a happy, healthy life. If your mental or physical health isn’t up to par, it can influence how you live on a daily basis. Ayurveda is commonly overlooked when considering ways to improve quality of life, but it shouldn’t […]
As we are now starting the summer season in the Northern Hemisphere (summer officially started on June 21st, the summer solstice and also International Yoga Day), here are a few Ayurvedic seasonal tips (ṛtucaryā) for self-care in the hot summer months. The Summer Season The summer season is known in Sanskrit as grīṣma, and the […]
Today marks the 7th International Day of Yoga since its inception on June 21st, 2015, upon adoption by the United Nations General Assembly. International Yoga Day is celebrated around the world every year on June 21st, the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, which is the day of greatest light in the year. It is […]
Ghee, otherwise known as clarified butter (or ghṛta in Sanskrit), is the essence of butter after all the milk solids, water and impurities have been clarified and removed through a process of slow heating (maṇḍa agni). Having a sweet, nutty taste, ghee is considered one of the purest and healthiest oils in Ayurveda for consumption […]
Ayurveda is an ancient system of natural holistic medicine from India, passed on to modern times and surviving through two main lines of transmission: the unbroken teacher-student (guru-śiṣya or guruparampara) relationship, and the traditional reference texts of Ayurveda, including the suśruta-saṃhitā, caraka-saṃhitā, aṣṭāṃga saṃgraha, aṣṭāṃga hṛdaya and others. Both of these methods of transmission (oral […]
The humble coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) has a miraculous abundance of uses for mankind, from its fibrous coir used in the making of ropes, mats and mattresses, to its shell and husk used in various handicrafts and for fuel and charcoal, to its leaves which can be woven for handicraft or roof thatch, to its […]
Within Ayurveda, there are three distinctive energies that we are said to have within ourselves: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These energies are known as doshas, and it is believed that we each hold these energies, or life forces, but not necessarily in equal proportions. Much like chakras, our doshas can become skewed and imbalanced, heavily […]
Happy Earth Day! On the occasion of this Earth Day 2021, we repeat an ancient verse from the Hymn to the Earth in the Atharva Veda: May She who is not overcome by the crowds of the sons of men,Who bears many mountains and slopes and plains,And trees and herbs and medicinal plants of various […]
Plastic pollution is one of the great environmental challenges of our era, since plastic has an extremely long lifespan in the natural environment and thus accumulates year after year in our lands, waterways and oceans. It has an adverse effect on wildlife, from obstruction and degradation of their habitat, to presenting hazards of entanglement and […]
Babul (Acacia arabica aka Vachellia nilotica) is a small thorny tree with yellow flowers, native to Africa, the Middle East and India and having a wide variety of medicinal uses from almost all parts of the tree (including its leaves, bark, twigs and seed-pods). It is also an important source of gum arabic, harvested from […]
The pursuit of a genuinely spiritual life is often fraught with difficulty, obstacles and periods of doubt and darkness. Thankfully, there exists the possibility of a “Sunlit Path”, whereon the spiritual seeker can make swift strides to the goal and keep his faith and serenity intact through the inevitable challenges and delays that life confronts […]
Shikakai (Acacia concinna) is a climbing shrub or small tree native to central and southern India. It is sometimes called the “soap-pod tree”, as the seed pods, leaves and bark of the tree contain high levels of saponins which are completely natural cleansers that can produce an effective lather for cleaning the skin and hair […]
What is Hatha Yoga? Hatha Yoga is a traditional Indian system of self-development and self-perfection which includes regular practice of physical postures, called āsana, as well as techniques of breath control (prāṇāyāma) and meditation (dhyāna). Hatha Yoga is commonly just referred to as “yoga”, though properly speaking it is only one of many yogic systems […]
What is Fuller’s Earth? Fuller’s Earth (also known as multani mitti, or mud of Multan, in India), are clay minerals with amazing physical properties which allow them to completely absorb oil, grease and other wastes and impurities from whatever it comes in contact with. While named in India after the city of Multan (now part […]
Living a vegan lifestyle can be challenging, yet it’s also extremely rewarding. When you think of being vegan, your mind likely goes immediately to your diet and the things your body consumes. However, in order to be truly vegan, the same principles should be put into practice at home, too. Whether you’re looking for new […]
What is Integral Yoga? What makes it different from other schools and systems of yoga and philosophy? How does one practice it and integrate it into one’s daily life? This book, containing a selection of letters written by Sri Aurobindo to his students, sets out to answer these questions in Sri Aurobindo’s own words. As […]
As conscientiousness and care for the Earth and the natural environment grows in the face of the many environmental challenges and dangers which confront our planet today (including global climate change and environmental pollution), there is likewise a growing global movement towards sustainable living and the reduction of human waste. The modern lifestyle of developed […]
Cloves, a popular cooking spice and important Ayurvedic herb, are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, originally native to Indonesia. It is called lavaṃga in Sanskrit. The very distinctive flavor and aroma of clove buds comes mainly from the compound eugenol, which constitutes up to 90% of the essential oil of clove. […]
According to Ayurvedic wisdom, health is a result of a harmonious balance of energies within the body and mind, as well as with the external energies of the environment and its natural cycles, both diurnal (day/night) and annual (seasonal). Just as important as having a daily health and hygiene practice, or dinacaryā, in tune with […]
Barleria prionitis, also known as “Porcupine Flower”, is an important Ayurvedic herb for dental care, while also having other medicinal properties as well. Its name in Sanskrit is vajradanti or वज्रदन्ती (vajra meaning “diamond” and danti meaning “toothed” or “tusked”), which points both to its herbal use in Ayurvedic dental care as well its very […]
Auromère’s award-winning Ayurvedic herbal toothpaste in its most popular flavor, Fresh Mint, is now available in eco-friendly, zero-waste glass jars, with metal cap and wooden serving spoon for environmentally-conscious consumers looking for an eco-friendly alternative to traditional toothpaste tubes. This packaging contains no plastic and is 100% recyclable! Containing the same concentrated formula which lasts […]
The Three Doshas According to Ayurvedic wisdom, the body is composed of three constitutional humors or energetic qualities, called in Sanskrit doshas (tridoṣa), and these three doshas are known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha (vāta, pitta, kapha). Vata: The Vata dosha is generally characterized as light, thin, dry, quick, high-strung, fragile, wiry, flighty, brittle, and […]
In Ayurveda, one’s daily health and hygiene regimen is referred to as dinacaryā (दिनचर्या), or ‘daily practice’ in Sanskrit. This is a regular daily discipline to keep your mind and body in optimum health and wellness. Each one’s daily health and hygiene regimen will be different depending one one’s age, gender, state of health, body […]
All across India, Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), also known as Holy Basil, is a ubiquitous aromatic herb, both growing abundantly outdoors and widely cultivated at home for herbal and devotional purposes. It is often found as a potted plant in the home courtyard or terrace and the leaves are used in herbal teas or are used […]
Auromere works closely with suppliers throughout India to provide authentic, natural Ayurvedic products of the highest quality, engaging local specialists, practitioners and cottage industries who provide employment in local village communities throughout the country. In this post we’ll be featuring KVM Research Laboratories, the manufacturer of Auromere’s Herbomineral Mud Bath, Neem Balm, Face Wash, & […]
Becoming One: The Psychology of Integral Yoga, compiled by Paulette Hadnagy, is a comprehensive compilation of the Mother’s conversations and writings on various psychological themes, which ultimately gives a broad view and introduction to what may be termed, the Psychology of Integral Yoga, the system of Yoga put forward by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. […]
Medical experts say that one of the most effective deterrents to the spread of the coronavirus is frequent hand washing with soap and/or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Although effective at preventing the spread of the coronavirus, frequent hand washing is not necessarily the best thing for your hands, which may become dry, sore, irritated, itchy or […]
A process for producing potent serums All the prominent Ayurvedic texts like Sushruta Samhita, Charaka Samhita and Sharngadhara Samhita written by the ancient sages speak about the technique of medicinal infusion of the rejuvenating properties of various herbs into liquid media to produce potent serums. This process of medicinal infusion the sages called ‘sneha kalpana’. […]
With a quarter of millennials identifying as either vegan or vegetarian, it’s no surprise that the beauty industry is having to change direction and ditch animal testing and animal ingredients. Switching to vegan beauty products is easier than ever with so many options available, but it can still feel overwhelming at first when terms like ‘vegan’ and […]
The Indian Sandalwood tree (Santalum album, aka candana in Sanskrit) is native to Southern India and prized the world over for the soothing and pleasant perfume of its heartwood. Due to the great demand for the oil of the Sandalwood tree, Sandalwood is the second most expensive wood in the world. Sandalwood is not only […]
Sesame oil has a very ancient history of use in India, going back at least 5000 years. Sesame (Sesamum indicum, also known as tila in Sanskrit) is considered to be humanity’s oldest oil-bearing crop, and it is believed to have been first domesticated and cultivated in the Indus Valley civilization in ancient India. Sesame was […]
According to Ayurveda, all things in the visible universe – including the human body – are made up of five elements (called the pañcabhūta). While there are many different types of therapy in Ayurveda, one class of therapy is naturopathic therapy involving the five elements. Mud therapy (mṛttikā cikitsā) is one of these five-element therapies […]
There are several excellent reasons for using a Shampoo Bar. This article lists some of the key benefits, as well as some drawbacks to keep in mind!
Getting into shape is a tough mountain to trek, but there are different paths you can take to get to your destination. Fitness, diets, and various types of workouts go hand in hand when it comes to becoming a healthier, more wholesome individual.
What is Shiroabhyanga? Shiroabhyanga is the Sanskrit word for Ayurvedic head massage, meaning literally the application of oil (abhyanga) to the head (shiras). As the head is the seat of many important marma points which control the flow of prana (vital energy) throughout the body, Ayurvedic head massage is a very effective therapeutic tool to […]
Did you know that periodontal (gum) disease is the most common clinical health condition in adult dogs, according to the AKC Canine Health Foundation? According to veterinarians, cleaning your dog’s teeth is just as important as cleaning your own, preventing the buildup of plaque and tartar and associated bacterias which ultimately lead to gingivitis and […]
The One Book is a profound collection of over 1,000 quotations, poems, and statements from 500 authors around the world and throughout recorded history, expressing all the many and diverse facets of Oneness.
Much like its famous sibling Neem, Peelu is a traditional Ayurvedic herb for oral care, commonly used in ancient times and still up to this day in the form of a chewing stick in place of a modern toothbrush.
Did you ever gaze at a flower and breathe its fragrance and feel your heart and soul touched in a unique way?
The incredible benefits of Neem have been known since ancient times in Ayurveda, where it is described as sarva roga nivarini (सर्वरोगनिवारिणी) –“The protector from all diseases.” Nature’s toothbrush Every morning, people all over rural India entrust their oral health to the humble Neem tree, taking young twigs from nearby trees to brush their teeth […]
Did you know that reference to tongue scraping is found in the ancient Ayurvedic text the Charaka Samhita, one of the foundational texts of Ayurveda written approximately 2000 years ago?
A collection of timely and very insightful wisdom on protecting one’s health against viruses and epidemics.
