Wind & Skin: An Earth Medicine Guide to Vata Season
From the traditions of Ayurveda, carried into the hills and hollers of Appalachia
Fall has arrived in the mountains of Appalachia and the winds are here. According to Ayurveda, wind dries out the body. There are practices you can do to fight the dry skin & chapped lips!
Why Wind Dries the Skin
In Ayurveda, Vata dosha—the energy of air and space—rules the fall and winter winds. Its qualities are dry, cold, light, and moving. When the wind blows across the land, it carries those same qualities into our bodies. The result? Chapped lips, cracked hands, restless sleep, and a feeling of being “scattered.”
Products by Townsend Draft Goods
Chapped Lips: We offer a variety of natural lip balms! CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Cracked Hands: Try Whipped Beef Tallow for your hands. It's also excellent for your face! CLICK HERE TO SHOP TALLOW
Four Practices to Bring down the Winds (Pacify Vata)
Learn from the cast iron skillet!
- Abhyanga (Warm Oil Massage)
Rub warm sesame or almond oil into your skin before bathing. Think of it as weatherproofing your body the way you’d oil a saddle or season a cast-iron pan.
Bring out the Ginger!
- Sip Warming Herbal Teas
Keep a thermos of ginger, cinnamon, or licorice root tea nearby. These herbs bring warmth and moisture back into the body, balancing the cold, dry winds.
Eat Vegetable Soup!
- Eat Grounding, Moist Foods
Favor soups, stews, and root vegetables cooked with ghee or olive oil. Sweet potatoes, carrots, and oats are especially nourishing.
Warm Your Feet
- Evening Foot Oiling
Before bed, rub warm oil into your feet and slip on socks. This simple ritual locks in moisture, calms the mind, and helps you rest deeply.
Ayurveda reminds us: like increases like, and opposites bring balance. When the wind blows dry and cold, we answer with warmth, oil, and steadiness. These small, daily acts of care root us in the season and keep our skin—and our spirits—resilient.
Shop Townsend Draft Goods
We offer a large selection of natural products to help with balancing your body. Shop 24/7 online and in Mill Gap Wednesday - Saturday 11-5 PM!
- AYURVEDA PRODUCTS: Click here to shop Ayurveda products
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