Hacuna matata, you said? "It means no worries, for the rest of your days." This prickly plant, grown in asian jungle regions, has understood Simba's mantra very well. Mucuna Pruriens, or Velvet Bean, is praised for it's micro dose of L-DOPA and its ability to refine your senses, calm the nerves and improve the sex organs.
Ayurveda's name for Mucuna is Kapi Kachu. Vedic anatomy tells us that the just mentioned two tissues (nervous system + reproductive organs) are of major responsibility when it comes to a healthy epidermis. - Scroll all the way down for a Full Moon Skin Ritual to soothe Kapha and/or Vata -
Here's how it works. Mucuna Pruriens is one of the only naturally occuring sources of L-DOPA, a substance that triggers your brain to produce Dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is activated when we're about to "earn" a reward. A substance that makes you feel good, and is especially important if you want to memorise the new things you learn. It also stimulates the pituitary gland to support muscle growth, increases stamina and repairs the Nerves.
Secondarily (or primarily if you like), Mucuna has something in common with medicinal plants like ayahuasca, peytote and tobacco. You'd have to take a portion as big as oats, and still it won't be the same effect as its more potent sisters. However, the amount found in Mucuna is just perfect to enhance your meditation practice and reset your internal clock. Why? It's got trace amounts of dimethyltryptamine (DMT). DMT is secreted by the Pineal Gland, is light-sensitive, and plays an essential role in the maintenance of your sleep/wake cycles. In the Ayurvedic tradition, the hour of the Pineal gland is 5am and 5pm: the hour of meditation. The release of DMT is connected to enhanced clarity, sanity and stability. You'll notice this after you've spent a few days in nature too: 5am and 5pm have both got this vibe of natural tranquility. Animals are slowly waking up, or just cooling down. The Sun begins to move towards set or rise. The Moon may show its face already.
I want in! But how do I consume the herbal "Mucuna Matata" mantra?
Regular intake of Mucuna Pruriens soothes the Nervous System, elevates your mood and improves brain function. It's soothing for both Vata and Kapha, but may aggravate Pitta. You can find Mucuna in a capsule, or powdered. If you go for the powdered form, dillute 1 to 2 grams in warm (not cooked) almond milk or Chai Latte. Consume it daily on an empty(ing) stomach, 1 hour before your ideal bed time.
Full Moon Skin Decongester
Feeling that Full Moon tide? Full Moon works on the water element, and may leave us feeling (in)tense, overwhelmed and worried over our attachments. This can be anything: money, loved ones, other peoples opinion...
As disturbing as this may feel, it's actually good to be presented to these things. They need to be expressed, in order to find a way out.
Our skin, in that sense, has something in common with the full Moon. It's your biggest, visible, organ. The biggest subtle organ is your Mind. And they're both connected to the Nervous System. Your skin is where many nerves end as well as receive through the sense touch. Whenever something is accumulating inside of you; may it be indigested food, accumulation of gas, unreleased frustration, deep seated fear or just idea's that can't find a way out, your skin is going to be the organ that shows symptoms.
This Ubtan will get your skin through the week of Full Moon
Regardless of if you're retaining water (plumped eyes) or feel scaly, this Ubtan recipe will remove your skins indigestion and nourish your cells with some ayahuasca like insights. Your cellular intelligence will take it from there :)
Base Recipe:
Kaolin Clay (4 parts)
Aloe Vera Powder (4 parts)
1 part ground Rose Petals
2 gram Triphala (1/4 tsp up to 1/2 tsp)
1-2 gram Mucuna Powder (1/4 tsp up to 1/2 tsp)
2 drops Sandalwood or Eucalyptus
First, mix the dry ingredients.
+add the essential oil
+add 2 parts of the liquid that soothes your dosha
Examples dry skin: aloe vera juice, warmed shea butter
Examples congested skin: rosa mosquita oil, rose quartz infused spring water, spring water.Your Ritual
Set an intention to release something that stops you from living your happiest life.
Burn some Palo Santo or Sage and choose your fave meditative track or Reiki tunes playlist. Wash your hands with fresh water dap your face with a cloth, soaked in hot water with a drop of bergamot or eucalyptus. Send awareness to the top of your nose with every, full, inhalation.
Wash your hands with warm water and rub your hand palms nice and vigorous, until they feel activated.
Apply the Ubtan to your face, and begin to make circles to the right. Starting at the dimple of your chin, moving your way up from the left, and then from the right. Mild strokes are good for dry skin; more pressure is needed for congested skin.
Connect your strokes with full in- and exhales. Repeating the mantra Mucuna Matata (or something that means these words to you) with every inhale. Feel your skin, fully take in the smell of your herbs and oils, without any judgement.
Wet your face with warm water (or crystal infused water) and use the cloth you opened your ceremony with to "circle-wipe" the Ubtan off your face.
Close your ceremony with some Moon Bathing. Soak in her lustre in. Go deeper into that space between 2 breaths, 2 thoughts. The bliss of simple nothingness.