Acharya Susrutha has explained the 7 layers of the skin. Our aura, complexion and quality of the Rasa Dhatu are reflected in the outermost layer of the skin known as Avabhasini. In simple words, this layer indicates the inner health of the body. Whereas the innermost layer of the skin, Mamsadhara, maintains skin’s stability and firmness, thus giving a young and supple look to the skin when in balance. Ayurvedic anti-aging herbs nourish this layer and help slow down the ageing process. Below are the different categories of anti aging herbs explained in Ayurveda.
| S.No. | Category of Herbs | Health Effects |
| 1 | Vayasthapana (Age-defying) | Nourishes and optimizes physiological functions of the skin |
| 2 | Varnya (Complexion promoter) | Gives a healthy and youthful radiance by improving skin texture and luminosity |
| 3 | Sandhaniya (Tissue building) | Repairs tissues and protects them from normal wear and tear |
| 4 | Vranaropana (Deep healing) | Heals and regenerates the skin |
| 5 | Tvachya (Skin nourishing) | Supports moisture balance and nourishment of skin |
| 6 | Shothahara (Anti-inflammatory) | Protects skin against inflammatory substances, allergens, chemicals and stress |
| 7 | Agni Vardhana (Digestive & Metabolic promoters) | Digestion and metabolism slow down as we age leading to toxin formation that clogs the channels affecting nutrition to the skin, causing dullness and lack of glow |
| 8 | Rasayana (Rejuvenation) | Enhances skin health and slows down the aging process |
The properties of herbs of each category are explained below.
Vayasthapana herbs
Predominant elements: Earth and water
Predominant taste: Sweet and astringent
Potency: Hot or cold
Qualities: Restorative, Nourishing, Aphrodisiac, Intellect-promoting, Tissue-stabilising, Antioxidant, Adaptogenic, Immunomodulatory effect
Herbs in this category: Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Abhaya (Terminalia chebula), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Sthira (Desmodium gangeticum), Jivanti (Leptadenia reticulata), Shankapushpi (Clitoria ternatea), Mukta (Pearl)
Indications: Geriatric care, menopausal problems, general physical and mental health enhancement
Varnya herbs
Predominant elements: Earth and water
Predominant taste: Sweet, bitter and astringent
Potency: Cold
Qualities: Purifies blood, detoxifies and tones the skin, soothes irritated skin, enhances skin metabolism
Herbs in this category: Shweta Chandana (Santalum album), Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia),
Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Nagkeshar (Mesua ferrea), Ushira (Vetiveria zizanioides), Padmaka (Prunus cerasoides), Payasya (Ipomoea digitata), Shweta Durva (Cynodon dactylon), Shyama Durva (Cynodon dactylon)
Indications: Dry and dehydrated skin, dull and uneven tone of the skin, hyperpigmentation, skin inflammation such as acne and rashes, and premature ageing.
Sandhaniya herbs
Predominant elements: Earth and water
Predominant taste: Predominantly astringent and mildly sweet
Potency: Cold
Qualities: Tissue building, rejuvenation, wound healing, energy providing, free radical scavenging, bone repair, and circulation promoting.
Herbs in this category: Manjishta (Rubia cordifolia), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Priyangu (Callicara macrophylla), Katphala (Myrica nagi), Dhataki (Woodfordia fructosia), Mocharasa (Salmania malabarica), Ambasthaki (Cissampelos pareira), Madhuparni (Tinospora cordifolia), Prishnaparni (Uraria picta)
Indications: Degenerative bone and joint problems, circulatory and neurological problems.
Vranaropana herbs
Predominant elements: Earth and water
Predominant taste: Astringent, bitter and sweet
Potency: Cold
Qualities: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic, soothing, astringent and tissue regenerating
Herbs in this category: Haridra (Curcuma longa), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Ghritakumari (Aloe barbadensis), Durva (Cynodon dactylon), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Manjishta (Rubia cordifolia), Nyagrodha (Ficus benghalensis), Udumbara (Ficus racemosa), Ashwatha (Ficus religiosa), Plaksha (Ficus lacor), Parisha (Thespesia populnea), Aragwadha (Cassia fistula), Shigru (Moringa olifera), Bhunimba (Andrographis paniculata)
Indications: Wounds, infections, burning sensation, inflammation, swelling, redness, excess discharge or bleeding
Shothahara herbs
Predominant elements: Fire and air
Predominant taste: Pungent, bitter and astringent
Potency: Hot
Qualities: Anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, carminative, nervine tonic, diuretic
Herbs in this category: Patala (Stereospermum suaveolens), Agnimantha (Clerodendrum phlomidis), Shyonaka (Oroxylum indicum), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Kashmarya (Gmelina arborea), Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum), Brihati (Solanum indicum), Shalaparni (Desmodium gangeticum), Prishnaparni (Uraria picta), Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris)
Indications: Swelling, inflammation, Neuromuscular problems
Tvachya herbs
Predominant elements: Water, earth, fire and air
Predominant taste: Sweet, bitter and astringent tastes
Potency: Cold
Qualities: Skin detoxifying and rejuvenating, blood purifying, antimicrobial, hydrating, softening
Herbs in this category: Manjishta (Rubia cordifolia), Anantamoola (Hemidesmus indicus), Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Chirayta (Swertia chirata), Bhringraj (Eclipta alba), Kumkuma (Crocus sativus)
Indications: Hyperpigmentation, chronic skin diseases and skin allergy, infection or inflammation.
Agni Vardhana herbs
Predominant elements: Fire and air
Predominant taste: Pungent and bitter
Potency: Hot
Qualities: Appetizer and digestive
Herbs in this category: Sunthi (Zingiber officinale), Jeerak (Cuminum cyminum), Maricha (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum), Agnimantha (Clerodendrum phlomidis), Krishna Lavana (Black salt)
Indications: Indigestion, colic, bloating, loss of appetite, malabsorption and constipation
Rasayana herbs
Predominant elements: Predominant earth and water
Predominant taste: Predominant sweet
Potency: Hot / Cold
Qualities: Adaptogenic, Antiaging, rejuvenating, nootropic, immunomodulatory and antioxidant
Herbs in this category: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)
Indications: General wellness (physical and mental), immune promotion, cognitive enhancement and to promote longevity and vitality.
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