Ayurvedic tips for healthy nails

It's important to have strong, healthy fingernails. The condition of the nails reflects the quality of tissue production in the body, as Ayurveda regards the nails as a “waste product” of the bones. Improper diet can cause nail disorders such as flaky and split nail ends, vertical grooves and discolouration of the nail bed.

Ayurveda recommends increased consumption of the following foods to promote healthy nails:

• Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach leaves
• Dairy products
• Nuts
• Sesame seeds
• Sunflower seeds

Cream for beautiful nails

To soften the skin of your hands and nourish your nails, rub in some nail cream made of almond oil and honey and leave it on overnight.

You can also make a nail cream with avocado. Take a teaspoon each of avocado pulp, egg yolk and honey. Add a pinch of salt. Mix everything until you get a smooth cream. Massage a small amount of this cream into the cuticles and the surrounding skin. Wash off after half an hour.

It is best to use these creams before going to bed because the hands are not exposed to water or soap all night long.

More tips

Here are a few more Ayurvedic nail tips for healthy, strong and, above all, beautiful nails:

• Massage nails and cuticles with olive oil in slow and gentle strokes to keep them shiny and strong. Alternatively use mustard oil.
• To fade stains on nails, try soaking them for a few minutes in a mixture of 1 tablespoon lemon juice and a cup of water.
• Moistening the cuticle area will prevent cracking and peeling. Always wear gloves when cleaning, gardening and washing up.
• Apply sunscreen to your hands and cuticles during the day to prevent sun damage to your nails.
• Any protruding nail parts should always be neatly clipped and under no circumstances be pulled off.
• If you need to use a nail polish remover, consider buying one that contains moisturizing oils like aloe vera and lavender. These oils neutralize the drying effects caused by acetone.