The Ayurvedic practice of self-massage—or Abhyanga—is self-care made simple. Read on to learn about the essential oils and aromatherapy techniques that can relieve your aches, clear your brain fog, and make your skin glow.

Self-massage—or Abhyanga—is a simple self-care practice you can access from the comfort of your own home. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the benefits of these essential oils on your next night in.

You're probably aware that we go through different sleep cycles and phases each night - each of which vary in how much rest and rejuvenation they afford your brain and body. Sleep problems are on the rise, with insomnia and the inability to fall asleep at night being the most common. As a result, valuable night time rest in which deep sleep is attained - and...

Meditation isn't a one-size fits all pursuit. In our quest to meditate more successfully, we have found an answer to more effective meditation - meditating according to your dosha.

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that involves swishing 1-2 teaspoons of oil in your mouth. People have reported having whiter teeth and healthier pink gums, even clearer skin, after incorporating an oil pulling regimen.

Kitchari is a protein-rich Indian dish that combines rice and lentils, or sometimes mung beans. Beloved by Ayurvedics, it is not only a great staple for a cleanse, it's a highly restorative, calming meal when you're a little under the weather, or perhaps just recovering from a night of excess!

Detoxes are so central to Ayurvedic medicine that they're the first step in any treatment you might undertake - be it for acne or depression! Here are some incredible daily detox tips that take 2 minutes or less to exercise but can have a huge impact on your beauty, wellness and general health overall.

Research has shown that Abhyanga self-massage increases your flexibility and range of motion, decreases aches & pains, improves mood and decreases stress. Importantly, self-massage is a great way to check in with your body.

If there ever were a season to want to feel great in your skin while staying strong against all the temptations, it's summer. We get it. And fortunately so does Ayurveda. This 5000-year system of medicine has created the perfect summer eating plan—full of ancient wisdom to keep you feeling and looking healthy.

Ayurveda offers structured guidance and many useful tips for prepping your body for summer - from the inside out! Whether it’s making sure you’re eating the right foods, or preventing the dreaded belly bloat, Ayurveda has the tools you need to feel confident in your body this summer.

UMA Wellness Experts catalog key Ayurvedic tips on what to eat, how to eat and when to eat - to break down foods effectively for minimal bloating!

While depression is typically attributed to a Kapha imbalance, Pitta and Vata based depression can occur, too. Kapha depression is often characterized by a lack of energy, while Pitta manifests as agitation, and Vata as anxiety.

Yes, Yoga works just at well at facial toning and detox as it does for the rest of your body! These exercises rooted in ancient Yogic wisdom can have a major impact on the elasticity and the tone of your face—giving it that healthy, youthful look.

Within Ayurveda, energy is a function of the Kapha principle and feelings of lethargy can be attributed to an imbalance in the body’s Kapha.

Ayurveda can be a transformative - and beautifully simple - tool for helping you achieve your health and beauty goals. We discuss our top tips for optimal weight management, supple skin, superior sleep - and more!

Headaches come in a variety of flavors. Understanding what type of headache you may be experience can give you clues into how to change lifestyle habits to mitigate them.

Though not the sexiest thing to talk about, gut health is the very foundation of skin health and well being according to Ayurveda (and personal experience). Ayurvedic DIY remedies can provide vital relief from the toughest stomach woes like bloating, gas and heartburn. 

Are essential oils safe to use during pregnancy (or while nursing)? Pregnancy puts – as it rightly should – many of our diet and lifestyle choices under a strict lens of safety – and understanding what you put ON you is just as important as what you put IN you. With that in mind, we have pulled together this guide on the use of...

Tea has been used for thousands of years among dozens of societies as effective treatments for beauty, wellness, and health concerns. Follow along as we highlight a few of our favorite ingredients that you can enjoy the health benefits from a cup of tea or in one of our products. 

Ayurveda, which takes a comprehensive view of an individual's physical and emotional conditions, attributes anxiety to aggravated Prana-Vata, a subsidiary of Vata dosha which is associated with worry, anxiety & depression.

Eating for your dosha type is not only a great way to keep the body in shape, but an important part of ensuring that your Ayurvedic treatments and lifestyles are getting you the most optimal impact.

Triphala is a polyherbal blend that has long been revered for its nourishing, cleansing, and balancing properties.

It’s not just a coincidence that your favorite yoga instructor always seems to be wearing an otherworldly glow..

A few extra minutes each morning can rev up your mind and body – for all around wellness, and skin that is radiant from the inside out!

According to Ayurveda, nail reading can offer important clues about our health. The color, texture and shape can help you identify your dosha, point to possible deficiencies and signal when to detox!

This Ayurvedic, wholly natural, detox will help you remove impurities from the body, reset your digestive system, balance your blood sugar, and revitalize your energy levels, all of which will also have a profound impact on your mental and emotional well-being.

There’s a reason Ayurveda is so often touted as the ultimate solution for common ailments. Incorporating ancient Ayurvedic practices into your routine can help with anything, from getting a better night’s sleep to achieving thicker brows. 

The top Ayurvedic and natural remedies to help manage allergy symptoms.

It's a star adaptogen that seems to be finding space in everyone's cabinet, tea, or morning supplement regimen. But why? What makes this herb such a powerhouse—and why are so many people reaching for it in many forms? 

Ten areas your face may be breaking out or experiencing an issue, and what they say about your health. From repression of emotions in the liver to join degeneration, learn about the key signs of internal issues and how to address them.

From embracing yoga for immunity to satisfying home projects, here's what we've been reading and embracing this week.

We've rounded up some of our best practices and favorite tips for staying productive, healthy, and as efficient as possible as many of navigate more time at home. 

This delicate and balanced soup from Divya Alter is perfect for right now, a time when our body, soul, and spirit need some extra care. 

How we react to things is a deeply personal matter. Whether it's a global affair or an intimate event, the impacts of every situation vary person to person. As Ayurveda explicitly believes, we are all unique beings with our own exclusive constitutions. 

From straightforward ways to stay calm and healthy to a wine escape in India, here's what ground our reading covered this week.

Each of these nourish our bodies and provide immunity-enhancing, invigorating herbs and spices.

Salt is one of the most profoundly unique and essential things in our lives. It amplifies flavors, supports muscle function, and acts as an essential component to our vital hydration. It is also so much more layered, as it can help to boost circulation and provide an exfoliant that softens our skin. 

It's beyond frustrating: You've finished your meal to quickly find that you have an uncomfortable, tight, distended sensation in your belly. Bloating happens for various reasons—and to many of us.

Our bodies—which medical experts say are made up of about 60 percent water—rely on water to maintain all of its bodily functions. But the element that too often gets lost is the importance of how we drink our water. 

From a warming Kapha season dish to a case for making small changes, our reading, listening, and making covered wide ground this week. 

It may be a rather unexpected ingredient to be slathering on the skin, but not according to Ayurvedic standards. Ghee, which is made from clarified butter, has long been touted as a beauty star. 

It may seem bizarre, but oil pulling is, in fact, a proven wellness practice that has immense benefits.

At UMA, we're constantly reading, researching, discussing, and—to be frank—obsessing over what's new and noteworthy in the wellness, spiritual, and psychological ecosystem. You'll find what's intriguing us here, corralled in one place. 

A healthy, flowing lymphatic system is essential for optimal health. Otherwise stagnation can cause ama—excessive toxins—to build up, which can lead to infection, disease, low energy, sickness, and a host of other potential issues. 

Valentine's Day is charged with anticipation. Did you get the perfect gift? Will you receive the perfect gift? Did you make the reservation? It's can be a loaded day—which is why we say it's time to give ourselves a little break. This is a time to truly be grateful for our health, companionship, and wellbeing. In the light of Ayurveda, we're reframing this sort-of-holiday...

Self-care, for us, has always included the spiritual, the physical, the metaphysical, and the emotional. As Ayurveda points out, we are all wildly unique beings, facets of the greater universe around us. 

This simple exercise—which takes only a few minutes or less—can help to increase energy, expand lung capacity, reduce stress, and aid in resilience.

Discriminatory actions hinder women and children from finding and sustaining equal positioning with men—and this impacts the world at large. "Gender equality," writes UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, "remains the greatest human rights challenge of our time."

According to Ayurveda, the latter part of winter is the season of Kapha. The cloudy, colder days can often leave us feeling stagnant, weighed down, or even uninspired. In order to remain in balance and optimal health, it is essential to adapt to the present season by making complementary lifestyle and dietary shifts. 

Jihwa prakshalana, tongue scraping, is a prominent part of an Ayurvedic self-care routine. An easy ritual that takes only a minute or so, tongue scraping can have a profound impact on your digestion and overall wellbeing.   

The last days of December is a beautiful time when we naturally tend to work a little less and take more time to just simply be. It is replenishing to lean into this mellow time during Vata season and up our Dinacharya, the Sanskrit term for daily self-care that helps with the our alignment with nature.

Each of these six books offers resourceful counsel on Ayurveda. The approaches are generous, the recipes simple, and the wisdom deeply inspiring and inclusive. 

Vitamin C sees us through it all—sun, wind, exhaustion, illness, depletion—to keep us looking dewy and healthy, and feeling our best. Which is why it's long been hailed as the key to fighting off pesky colds, enhancing immune function, and for keeping the skin bright and glowy. 

"Just because you’re plant-based Ayurvedic, doesn’t mean the pizza party has to stop," says Sahara Rose. "In fact, it just got upgraded with a root veggie crust, plant-based pesto, almond feta, roasted chickpeas, and assorted veggies."

One of the most profound abilities humans possess is gratitude. This feeling of appreciation and thankfulness unlocks our potential for greatness.

Within Ayurveda, energy is a function of the Kapha principle. Lack of energy, lethargy, and listlessness can be attributed to an imbalance in the body’s Kapha. These simple, attainable Ayurvedic remedies and practices significantly help to beat fatigue and increase energy.

Traditionally, Ayurveda requires daily commitment to see change. But this commitment does not have to be a challenge. You can start small with the simple practices.

One of the most challenging pursuits of modern life is finding a moment of repose. Nearly everything around us—cell phones, email, streaming services, advertisements—takes hold of our attention with a ferocious grip. It's a harsh reality that leaves us depleted and anxious—and robs us of important time to reflect and relax, two things that Ayurveda holds paramount for the health of the mind, body,...

With its tiny bell-like white blooms and intoxicatingly rich, sweet, floral scent, Jasmine evokes a sense of dazzlement, romance, and euphoria. And its essential oil is a powerhouse ingredient packed with skin and wellness benefits

Research shows that one simple mindset change—approaching Saturday and Sunday like a mini vacation—results in a happier and more satisfied existence come Monday.

This tridoshic dish of broccoli rabe and saffron almonds helps with optimal digestion and to enhance the overall complexion. 

Ayurveda's approach to anti-aging is known as rasayana chikitsa, a holistic rejuvenation of mind and body to retain youthfulness and vitality.

Late fall to early winter is known as Vata season in Ayurveda. This time of year shares many qualities that distinguish Vata: cold, dry, rough, mobile.

Dreaded sunburns are like reminders of how vulnerable and exposed our skin is. The scarlet color, the discomfort, and the blisters are all cries for hydrating, anti-inflammatory, healing care—which is what these five totally natural remedies offer, along with the needed instant relief.

Yoga is a powerful tool for radiant skin. While being an incredible form of exercise that boosts physical, mental, and spiritual health, the ancient practice can also help increase circulation and reduce inflammation, which both support the skin's health.

Aromatherapy—the therapeutic use of essential oils inhaled or absorbed through the skin—is extensively practiced throughout the world today. 

A round bright green fruit with glossy skin, Amla—also known as Indian Gooseberry—is an incredibly effective and nutrient-dense botanical that's been used in Ayurveda for centuries. 

Some experts say water consumed via certain vegetables and plants—also referred to as gel or structured water—offers our bodies more efficient hydration.

Insomnia can be caused by increased vatta or pitta, according to Ayurvedic texts.  Simple remedies can help get the body back in balance and, in turn, help you get needed, restful, quality sleep. 

UMA's Pure Calm is the distillation of powerfully soothing botanicals and ancient Ayurvedic wisdom – as well as distant memories of an era when life moved at a slower, more tranquil, pace. Our Pure Calm has been one of our best selling Wellness Oils and a crowd favorite at the UMA Offices, and we wanted to share with you our top 7 ways to use...

As we battle some of the (hopefully!) last few days of winter - let this be the season you take control of your skin through the monitoring of the food you consume. Eating the right foods this season (and all year long!) can help you combat signs of dullness, aging, and dryness the all-natural way. Ranging from produce, to nuts and drinks, everything you consume...

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, many of us are looking for ways to show our love to others (in the form of roses and chocolate, perhaps). But let’s not forget one very important person who deserves your love: you. Think about it: when was the last time you actively thought something positive about yourself? Do you truly know how to love yourself?...

Going bare isn’t just about going makeup free. It’s about confronting the barriers created for us by society and defeating obstacles that exist within our own minds. It starts with recognizing that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all standard for us to live by and brushing off anyone or anything that tries to convince us otherwise. As soon as we understand this, the battle becomes silencing our...

The UMA All-Natural Challenge is just a few days away! We hope you're ready to join us on our journey towards a healthier, all-natural lifestyle. This week, we're leaving processed food and chemical-packed beauty products behind and taking simple, actionable steps towards a better future.  A little worried about what you're going to eat when processed food is off the table? It may seem...

Pure, real ingredients are part of our DNA and we want to share how you can harness their powers to be your happiest, healthiest self! The alarming truth is that the majority of store-bought, commercially-produced beauty products are full of harmful chemicals and toxins, such as parabens, preservatives, and phthalates. When applied to the skin, these toxins seep in and accumulate in the organs,...

New Year’s Day is right around the corner, along with the influx of “How-To Get Fit” and “Have Your Best Year Yet” articles to help you get a head start on your resolutions. But are you really ready for the new year, new you? Here are a few actionable steps you can take to ensure a kick-ass start to 2017. 1. Take time for...

Christmas is all about gift giving, but it doesn’t have to come at a high cost – especially on our environment. We've all been guilty of getting caught up in the chaos of the holidays, but with effort and imagination, we can reduce our environmental impact this time of year. After all, conscious consumption is always in. Here are five tips to ensure you have your most...

Ayurvedic Cleanse Kit - Deluxe - Banyan Botanicals, $108 Pure Bliss Wellness Oil - Uma Oils, $85 The Mindbody Cleanse: A 14-Day Detox and Rejuvenation Program from Ancient Ayurveda - Amazon, $23 UMA Bestsellers Discovery Box - Uma Oils, $160 Adult Turquoise Traditional Magic Carpet Yoga Mat - Magic Carpet Yoga Mats, $98 

Anti Aging and Brightening Face Oil Duo - Uma Oils - $285 Artemis Choker - BaubleBar, $48 Deeply Clarifying Face Mask - Uma Oils, $70 Terez Performance Capri - Goop, $75 Absolute Anti Aging Eye Oil - Uma Oils, $105

On the Rocks Drink Chiller Set with 2 Glasses - Bambeco, $42 Total Rejuvenation Night Face Oil - Uma Oils, $150 Tile Mate 1-Pack - The Tile App, $25 Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values - Amazon, $8  Pure Energy and Pure Rest Duo - Uma Oils, $140

Ecru Woven Necklace - Twenty Two West, $48 Intensely Nourishing Hair Oil - Uma Oils, $70 Heather Palmer Small Ink Splash Dish - Decovo, $52 Absolute Anti Aging Body Oil - Uma Oils, $90 UMA Bestsellers Discovery Box - Uma Oils, $160

Pure Bliss Wellness Oil - Uma Oils, $49 NOURISH Print - Mystic Mamma, $88 SG Hamsa iPhone Case Gold - Spiritual Gangster, $28 Stress Less Mala - Blooming Lotus Jewelry, $108 Pure Energy and Pure Calm Duo - Uma Oils, $120

Day and Night Face Oil Duo - Uma Oils, $250 Embossed Suede Journal - Anthropologie, $32 Rose Gold Dewdrop Bracelet - Catbird, $264 Body Back Buddy - Best Massage, $35 Absolute Anti Aging Discovery Kit - Uma Oils, $140

Slip Silk Sleepmask - Sephora, $45 Deep Nourish Extreme Dryness Treatment - Uma Oils, $55 Seeker Painted Notebook - Moglea, $22 Wellness Oil Trial Kit - Uma Oils, $45 ME05 Earphones - Master & Dynamic, $200 Deeply Clarifying Discovery Kit - Uma Oils, $120  

  From our team to your family, we're wishing you all the best this November! A core part of UMA's company culture is to promote practical mindfulness because we believe looking inward is just as powerful as physical remedies. Today we're opening up the conversation about our deepest values as a team, and wearing our hearts on our sleeves in celebration of Thanksgiving. Shrankhla As...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… and somehow, one of the most stressful. With family commitments, financial pressure, and a flurry of unhealthy eats, the holidays can bring about more stress than any other time of year. But who said it had to be that way? One of the best ways to tackle the holidays is with mindfulness. Being mindful means being...

There is no doubt that this year has flown by. It seems like we were celebrating the beginning of summer yesterday and the months have just blurred together ever since. With the holidays and cold weather right around the corner, we thought this would be the perfect time to slow down, unwind and reset with your own wellness routine! Creating a daily checklist of...

These views are mine, and mine alone and should not be interpreted as UMA’s position on political or any other matters. I was raised in a wonderful tradition where matters of religion or politics were considered deeply private. Writing this goes against much of my upbringing (and perhaps better judgment), but I find that my passion on one isolated issue about this week’s election...

Meet Shrankhla Holecek of Uma Oils -via Vanity Fair With love from India–family, love, and oils. "Meet Shrankhla Holecek, founder of Uma Oils—your one-stop shop for the most luxurious face, body, and aromatherapy oils. She launched only six months ago, but the line has quickly taken flight, much like its addictive aromas. Holecek may be only 34 years old, but she was, in many...

It’s Halloween season, that festive time of year when it’s ok to stash copious amounts of candy and spend the following days – nay, weeks – consuming them. Whether you’re trick or treating with your kids or attending a costume party, chances are you’ll end up indulging in a treat or two. Although we love the sweet stuff as much as the next girl,...

Watch the beautiful Ranjana Khan take you through a series of high-impact Yoga poses - for the face! 

The conflict is real. There's beer and barbecues. But also beaches and bare bodies. Plus, keeping your paws off your kid's/ kid brother's ice cream cone when it's 90 degrees out is just so gosh darn hard. We get it. And so does Ayurveda. Fortunately this 5000-year system of medicine had already done the thinking around the perfect summer diet so we didn't have to (especially helpful...

Need to pick up a good read for the rest of Summer? Start here with these recommendations that have recently inspired us in our day to day musings.  For The Romantic Where Rainbows End: Looking for a more modern tale? We recommend this 2004 novel, a epistolary love story between Alex and Rosie told through letters, emails, text messages, and newspaper articles. A book that...

A truly transformative cleanse goes beyond our physical needs. Ayurveda believes that fatigue or feelings of heaviness can actually manifest into a plethora of physical ailments: constipation, indigestion, gas, diarrhea, bad breath, body stiffness, even mental confusion! With our mental state so closely linked to physical changes, a cleanse that rejuvenates all-around must go beyond the body, and help balance and cleanse from the...

This week our founder, Shrankhla, is traveling through Europe on a well-deserved vacation. As the ultimate travel pro on our team (she spent 5 years working as a management consultant, after all), we took this opportunity to ask her for her battle-tested tips and tricks when preparing for a long trip. From her must-have beauty products to how she beats jet lag, here's your guide to acing summer travel and...

  In our eyes, moms are some of the best people on the planet. Our team wouldn't be where we are today without the unwavering support, and inspiration, that our moms provided. Which is why we're big believers in really pampering our moms on Mother's Day. We asked a few members of the UMA team to share how they'll be treating their moms on...

This week, our founder, Shrankhla, is in New York! In honor of her visit (and of the many years one of our staffers spent living there) we're sharing a few of our favorite, must-visit spots in the city that never sleeps. Jaqueline Kennedy Reservoir in Central Park This time of year is amazing in Central Park. The flowers are blooming and the weather is...

[caption id="attachment_5477" align="aligncenter" width="600"] source: Pat Saltmarch, Flickr[/caption] One of the most potent, and precious, essential oils that we use is sandalwood. It’s a rare ingredient that is difficult to find now, even though it has had a long history of use in cultures around the world. This week, we’re taking you on a virtual trip to India so you can discover the history...

The Uma team calls Beverly Hills home, so we’re no strangers to the neighborhood’s reputation for excess and over-the-top, well, everything. To keep you away from the unrewarding tourist traps, we put together a list of our favorite places to eat, drink, sleep and more. We know Beverly Hills can seem overwhelmingly priced, but we promise these spots are worth spending extra on. Stay:...

If you’ve been finding that your morning routine has primarily consisted of a hurried shower and applying mascara while waiting at a red light, this post is for you. Here are a few tips on how to simplify your beauty routine and still kill it (beauty wise and work wise!): Cut Down on the Number of Products: Rushing through an eight step routine can...

  We already know that exercising every day is an important part of your daily routine. However, when the scenery at the gym starts to get old, hiking provides a wonderful alternative. Hiking is a low impact, low cost option to get in touch with nature, work up a healthy sweat and may be catch up with an old friend (or your thoughts!). As easy as putting one foot...

Summer is for playtime and not worrying about underarm sweat and B.O. - or worse, about the chemicals you are exposing yourself to when using that drugstore deodorant! Luckily, we’ve compiled some natural alternatives to avoid these harmful substances while not compromising on your favorite outdoor activities.  First, a quick rundown on the source of body odor. Our bodies have two types of sweat glands:...

We’ve all been there – in the midst of a mid-day low energy slump, and tempted to grab another cup of coffee, or a sugary snack, in the hopes they will alleviate fatigue. Unfortunately, relying on caffeine and sugar for energy can come along with side effects, and the inevitable crash. To combat low energy, fatigue and the health issues that come along with...

As we always say, beauty comes from within – when it comes to your attitude, and your diet! Topical treatments can only be so effective when paired with an unhealthy lifestyle, so making the right choices when it comes to food and drink is paramount for overall wellness – not to mention luminous skin! We’re huge fans of simple, wholesome breakfasts that provide a...

This article originally appeared on beauty and wellness guru Nitika Chopra's blog, in honor of National Stress Awareness Day.  Over the last year I have been incorporating essential oils into my health and beauty routines (yes, I have more than one!)  more and more.  I find that a little bit of lavender goes a long way with helping me sleep. Rose oil mixed with sandalwood...

Modern life is packed to capacity with busy days and busy nights – leaving us precious little time to relax and de-stress. If you find your days getting more stressful, and your mood suffering as a result, it may be time to recalibrate with these easy ways to combat irritability. Meditation Over the past few years, meditation and mindfulness classes have been popping up all...