Absolute Beauty: Radiant Skin and Inner Harmony Through the Ancient Secrets of Ayurveda

by Pratima Raichur and Mariam Cohn

Book Overview

We all know absolute beauty when we see it--skin that glows with health and an outer bearing that projects inner tranquillity. Yet, despite our every effort and expense, few of us know how to achieve it. In Absolute Beauty, Pratima Raichur, a chemist and internationally recognized expert on Ayurvedic skin care, explains how the external skin tissue is the physical reflection of everything that happens within the body: the way we eat and breathe,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060929103
• ISBN13: 9780060929107
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 7.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding

This weekend at the urging of my sister, who has been using this book for several months and has FABULOUS skin (even though she's stopped using commercial products and going for facials) I followed Pratima's advice for 2 nights. First I should say i use expensive cleansers and have expensive facials. And I could not believe how my skin looked when i went to bed, just from following her advice. It looked like it did in my early 20's on the 2nd night - no joke (I'm 36)! The lines on my forehead had become barely noticeable, even to me, and my makeup went on very smoothly. Just want to say for the reviewers who complain that her commercial products have additives and chemicals - many of those chemicals might have been extracted from the foods you're using at home. Second, if she didn't add preservatives, they wouldn't last more than a few days and would have to be kept in the refrigerator, not on the shelf. It's unfortunate that if you want convenience you have to put up with the additives. If you have the time, and this book, you don't have to.

Absolutely amazing book & philosophy

I highly recommend this book! It's like an encyclopedia for the skin, health and lifestyle. Pratima goes where no one else has before and provides us with valuable ancient knowledge. She is more knowledgeable on the skin than any dermatologist I've been to. This book is much more than just a "how to make your own product" book. It's learning about your constitution, what to eat according to your 'dosha', what products and herbs are more beneficial for you, nutritional therapy, what exercise and lifestyle you should lead, foods for your skin type, how to remove stress, how to do your own facial and body exercise, how to reduce toxins in your body, daily & seasonal routines, what makeup is appropriate, aromatherapy, making your own scents & mood oils, breathing therapy & more. I had severe acne & eczema and after trying dr.'s for many years with no success, I had the fortunate experience of seeing Pratima at her spa clinic in NY and within a month my entire skin began to clear and my overall health & energy improved as well. Pratima herself is an example of what she teaches, she looks amazing & radiant! and all her products are completely natural (not sure what one of the reviewers in this website was talking about when she says that Pratima is a hypocrite & her products were full of chemicals - she must've been confusing them with another line, because it is so not true). I hope more people benefit from this book & Dr. Pratima.

Excellent and Comprehensive

I really like Ms. Raichur's detailed and thorough approach to Ayurvedic philosophy. I've been very pleased with the results of the homemade products. I have been using the sensitive skin recipes, and have been getting a lot of compliments on my glowing skin. Plus, I used the concoctions while I was pregnant with very good results. I highly recommend this book. I also like being liberated from buying expensive skin care products and their wasteful packaging.I should also note that while she does mention her own line, everything in the book can be made very easily at home. I probably will try purchasing the liposomes that the Bindi line offers, though...I was puzzled that one reviewer noted that she couldn't find amber colored eyedropper bottles, and the basic ingredients for the potions--many are straight from the food store (like orange peel, bananas, milk powder, almond powder--or you just buy almonds and grind them up in a coffee grinder) or the health food store (essential oils, bottles). Some of the ingredients are from Indian grocery stores (like chickpea or lentil flours). You can always order stuff off the web if you don't live near a good health food or Indian grocery store. I should note that I did not care for the body cleanser (milk powder & chick pea flour) because it clogged up my tub drain...otherwise everything else has worked beautifully.

Comprehensive and Caring

Raichur and Cohn could have written a much shorter, less interesting book by simply listing skin conditions and their Ayurvedic treatments, but they were more responsible than that. They have instead provided a thorough overview of Ayurvedic principles and the reasons (scientific and spiritual) behind them. I have read many books on Ayurveda in the past several months, trying to understand its fairly complex tenants. This book stands out to me as the most straightforward, comprehensive guide I've read yet. She includes very helpful hints, particularly for beginning an Ayurvedic lifestyle, such as discovering and addressing your primary dosha only for awhile, as that is most often the first to go out of balance. Of course, the skin remedies are there and are effective, but more importantly, she encourages practical and achievable self-care. I certainly appreciate this book being out there. I felt nurtured and informed by it.

Absolutely Essential

I love this book. I now understand why skin is like it is. And I can see how food alters it, store bought creams don't help it, and my mind has a huge part in it. I now make my own lotions and "potions" and I'm in possesion of my skin again. My face has cleared, and when there is a break out I see what the problem stems from, and this book helped me to get where I am, which is amazingly happier and more understanding of myself.I'm not a victim of my skin anymore, It is my friend who reminds me of whats going on inside and what I can do to restore the balance in my life. I thank you Absolute Beauty as I thank myself for finding it.