Ayurveda and Adornments: How Jewellery Heals? - Part 2

 

• Mangalsutra (Auspicious thread / chain)

Mangalsutra is a chain long enough to reach the woman’s heart which is put around the bride’s neck by the groom at an auspicious time on the wedding day and is worn by the bride throughout her life. 

Marma Stimulated: Hridaya

Benefits: Generally, it is made of gold and worn inside the dress so that it touches the body and the constant friction it creates help regulate blood pressure level and balance emotions. As it is worn near heart, it attracts the surrounding cosmic waves and makes it beneficial to the heart health. 

 

•       Haar (Necklace) 

A piece of jewelry worn around the neck especially on occasions like weddings, cultural celebrations and festive. It is the centerpiece of an outfit. Different necklaces such as Chandra Haar, Rani Haar, Navratan Haar and Laxmi Haar are the traditional necklaces handcrafted in gold / silver and are sometimes studded with precious / semi-precious stones. 

Marmas of the neck: Nila, Manya, Sira Matrika

Benefits: Women are more prone to thyroid problems which can negatively impact their menstrual health. Wearing a Haar necklace helps improve thyroid heath thereby regulating menstruation and improving reproductive health. Unlike the modern choker necklaces which can compress the neck, make the muscles sore and affect circulation, the traditional Haar necklace stimulate the Marmas of the neck, improve circulation in the carotid artery thus increasing blood flow to the brain and head, thereby regulating blood pressure and heart rate. It also helps relieve headache and reduce stress in neck, jaw and shoulders. 

•       Bajuband (Armlet)

It is a snug fitting jewelry worn on both the upper arms, around the biceps. 

Note: It is also worn by farmers and soldiers on a daily basis to keep their biceps strong. 

 

Marma Stimulated: Bahvi 

Benefits: It improves blood circulation to the arms and strengthens the upper arm by creating right amount of resistance. It helps tighten and tone the biceps muscles thereby preventing flabbiness of the upper arms. 

 

•     Choodiyan (Bangles)

Bangles are worn by many women on a daily basis. They are accessories that decorate the hand. Some prefer bracelets over bangles but bracelets do not produce the same health benefits as that of bangles. Bangles made of gold, silver or glass is recommended. Glass bangles absorb positivity around us. It is recommended to wear glass bangles during the 7^th month of pregnancy as the fetus starts recognizing different sounds and sound of bangles help stimulate brain cell development of baby. Sound of bangles also give sense of security to newborns.

Marma stimulated: Manibanda

Benefits: As women generally tend to have low bone density and are susceptible to arthritis, bangles act as wrist weight and strengthen the wrist. Friction caused by bangles on the wrist increases blood circulation in hands thereby regulating blood pressure. They also help prevent inflammation in the arms by dilating the blood vessels. Bangles also act as first line of shield in case of injury to the wrist and absorbs jerks and impacts. Electrical energy passing through outer skin is returned back to the body because the bangles are round and have no end to pass the energy outside.

•        Hathphool and Aarsi

It is a jewelry worn on the hands, an ornate hand connector on the back of the hands. This jewelry is like a combination of ring and bangles. It is an intricately crafted hand chain where the bracelet is attached to a ring via a chain.  

Marma Stimulated: All Marmas of the Hand – Kshipra, Kurcha, Talahridaya, Kurchashira & Manibanda

Benefits: It stimulates all the Marmas of the hand thereby strengthening the hand and wrists. It gives the benefits similar to wearing a bangle and ring. 

•        Mehndi

A natural dye from henna leaves that is primarily used to create temporary art on the hands. Originally women used to beautify their hands using Mehndi designs often during weddings and festivals, however in present day it is used anytime ranging from birthdays to holidays. It beautifies the hands and nails by leaving a red / orange color that fades away approximately in 10 to 12 days. 

 

Marma Stimulated: All Marmas of the Hand – Kshipra, Kurcha, Talahridaya, Kurchashira & Manibanda

Benefits: It has antiseptic and cooling properties. In olden days women did most of the household chores like cooking, cleaning the house, washing utensils & clothes, etc. The minor cuts and burns that happen during cooking and the harmful action of the detergents used for washing / cleaning hurts their hands. Hence regular use of Mehndi has a cooling and healing effect, thereby helping heal wounds and prevent itching, roughness of hands, skin allergies and other skin infections such as dry eczema of hands, fungal infections of nails, etc. It also helps reduce body heat and cool down the body during menstrual period.

•         Kamarbandh (Waist / Belly Chain)

Women wore these mainly at spiritual ceremonies or festival times. Although traditionally worn with sarees to enhance beauty in ancient times, women wear it stylishly with Lehngas and Jeans or customized with other outfits in modern day as a fashion symbol. We can say that waist chains are replaced by waistbands now a days. 

Marma Stimulated: Nabhi, Katikataruna, Basti 

Benefits: The benefits of wearing waist chain were not limited to beauty enhancement; it also helps prevent accumulation of belly fat especially after delivery. It strengthens the low back region and prevents backache. Central obesity can be visibly seen now-a-days because many women do not use Kamarband now a days. 

•        Payal (Anklets)

Anklets are like bracelet worn in feet. Gold / silver anklets are generally worn and silver is considered superior. Apart from enhancing feet’s look, anklets are also of heavy significance. Anklets were important aspect of women’s ornamentation in ancient times as women were not allowed to go outside and were expected to maintain distance from male members of the family. Sound of anklets indicates women is coming which makes other members aware. 

 

Marma Stimulated: Gulpha 

Benefits: Anklets provide support to ankle joint. Since women stand for long hours for carrying out household chores, it can put strain and pressure on ankle. Anklets help reduce tension in ankles and prevent swelling / inflammation and pain in ankles caused due to long stationary standing. Silver anklets help stop leakage of energy into the environment through the feet. Ankle swelling can be noticed in many women in present day owing to the non-usage of anklets. 

•        Bicchiya (Toe rings)

Toe rings are usually worn on the second toe preferably in silver. They are not worn only as bridal jewelry but used for daily wear.

Marma Stimulated: Kshipra 

Benefits: When we walk, the toe rings create friction below the second toe, the nerves of which are connected to the uterus. Hence wearing toe rings will improve circulation to the reproductive organs and strengthen them. 

Although adornments are seen as style quotient now a days, they are glorified in India and symbolize one’s identity, religion, social and cultural norms. Worn daily, touching your skin and impacting your health, they make us aware of the subtle energies around us, stimulate energy channels and promote physical, mental and emotional health. Wearing specific jewellery helps stimulate the Marma points (vital energy points) in women by pressing on specific spots to regulate various body functions and keep their body and mind strong during daily chores, monthly cycles and childbirth. 

• Head jewellery keeps their mind calm and focused, regulates body temperature and stimulates hormone enters. 

• Neck jewellery controls emotional well-being and helps regulate heartbeat and blood pressure. 

• Arm jewellery recharges the body energy by increasing blood circulation in the arms.

• Waist jewellery helps regulate menstruation and fat storage around the hips. It also supports uterus and lower back muscles. 

• Lower body jewellery retains the body energy, improves blood circulation in the legs and regulates menstrual and reproductive health as well.