Ayurvastra, the wellness clothing is a branch of the traditional Indian system of medicine known as Ayurveda. It is the art and science of using textile materials for the prevention and treatment of diseases. The word ayurvastra is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and vastra (cloth).

Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine that aims to provide a balance between the mind, body, and spirit. It is based on the principle that good health is determined by the harmony between these three elements.

Ayurvastra has been practiced in India for centuries. The first recorded mention of ayurvastra is in the Charaka Samhita, one of the oldest texts on ayurveda. In this text, ayurvastra is described as a branch of ayurveda that deals with the use of textile materials for the prevention and treatment of diseases.

The History of Ayurvastra

Ayurvastra has its roots in the ancient Indian traditions of Jyotish (astrology) and Ayurveda (medicine). The first documented use of ayurvastra was recorded in the CharakaSamhita, an ancient Indian medical text written around 500 BCE. This text described the use of colored and textured fabrics as a means of healing.

The tradition of ayurvastra was further developed by the sages of India during the Vedic age. They believed that the fabric of a person’s clothing was intimately connected to their health and wellbeing. Thus, they designed and created fabrics to balance the body’s energies.

Later, during the Mughal period, ayurvastra was further developed by combining Indian ayurvedic practices with Persian and Central Asian textile traditions. This increased the range of fabrics and colors used in ayurvastra treatments.

The fabrics used in ayurvastra treatments are usually made from 100% natural fibers, and all the materials used are carefully chosen for their healing properties.

The Three Doshas

Ayurvastra treatments work with the three fundamental energies or doshas – vata, pitta, and kapha. These doshas are found in all life forms, and their balance or imbalance in the body can determine one’s physical and psychological health. Ayurvastra treatments work to restore balance by using specific colors and fabrics.

Vata is the energy associated with movement, circulation and communication. Fabrics used in ayurvastra treatments to balance vata are usually warm and soft and are often shades of red and purple.

Pitta is the energy associated with digestion, metabolism, and transformation. Fabrics used to balance pitta are often light, cool and smooth and are often shades of yellow, green, and blue.

Kapha is the energy associated with nourishment, stability, and protection. Fabrics used to balance kapha are often coarse, rough and warm and are often shades of black, brown, and grey.

The Healing Qualities of Ayurvedic Textiles

Ayurvedic clothing or textiles have healing properties due to their unique blend of colors and fabrics. Apart from balancing the three doshas, they also have cooling, energizing, stimulating, purifying, and calming properties. The colors and fabrics used in Ayurvedic cotton clothing promote harmony, protection, and skin renewal.

The colors used directly correspond to the chakras, this allows the clothing hit both the physical and subtle body while they are deeply connected and interdependent. For example, fabrics with blue colors help to soothe the mind, improve communication, and balance the throat chakra. Fabrics with green colors promote harmony, balance the heart chakra, and increase the air element.

Ayurvedic textiles promote holistic healing, relief from stress and anxiety, and revitalize both the body and the mind. By wearing clothing made from these unique fabrics, you can bring balance and harmony into your life and give your body the chance to bring balance.

How to Use Ayurvastra in Your Daily Life

 Ayurvastra can be used daily to promote a healthful balance and encourage peacefulness in our lives. Here are few ways to use Ayurvastra in our daily life:

• Wear Ayurvastra clothing to enhance your energy during the day. Choose brightly colored fabrics and earth tones to harmonize with your body and bring energy, peace, and calm.

• Sleep with Ayurvastra. Wrap up in a warm and cozy Ayurvastra duvet to relax and drift off into a peaceful sleep. The colors of the fabric will bring balance and peace to the mind and body.

• Use Ayurvastra fabrics for meditation. During meditation, set aside some time to use the vibrant Ayurvastra fabrics to focus on the natural energies and vibrations of the textures.

• Use Ayurvedic herbal dyed mats for your yoga practice. This helps to enhance the practice and grounding effects. Use the colors to connect with the energies of the body, calming the mind and body as one.

The healing benefits of Ayurvastra can be seen in its use for both preventive and curative medicines. The use of mantras and herbs help to bring positive energy and healthy vibes into one’s life. Ayurvastra has been used to treat a variety of conditions, ranging from physical ailments to psychological problems.