How Holi Enhances Your Health || Dos and Don'ts for Holi
Holi, the festival of colors is celebrated across India on full moon day in the month of Phalgun, which is the month of March. The season marks end of winter and advent of summer.
Holi gives way to an emotional and mental catharsis where people let go all the negativity and immerse in a natural state of happiness.
The tradition of burning Holika kills the bacteria in the atmosphere and cleanses the body.
Because of change in weather from cold to hot people get a feeling of laziness. The celebration of Holi and food associated with it counters this laziness. Foods traditionally associated with Holi like - Kanji, Thandai, Gujiya, Chaat, Dahi bhalla, Til Laddo are all natural sources of iron, calcium, omega 3 fatty acids and probiotics. The traditional food associated with Holi improve gut health and enhance immunity and strength.
The natural colors of Holi also have their own impact on the body and mind. Biologists believe that rubbing natural colors on the body as per our ancient tradition is a way of treating the body by color therapy.
Here are some natural sources of colors that can be used for playing Holi
| Color |
Natural Sources |
| Green | Mehendi and dried leaves of Gulmohur tree, leaves of spring crops and herbs, Spinach leaves, rhododendron leaves |
| Yellow | Turmeric (Haldi) powder, Bael fruit, amaltas, species of chrysanthemums, and species of marigold, dandelions, sunflowers, marigolds, daffodils and dahlias, gram flour |
| Red | Rose or the bark of crab apple trees, Red Sandal wood Powder, peels of Red Pomegranate, flowers of Tesu tree (Palash), dried hibiscus flowers, madder tree, radish and pomegranate |
| Saffron | flowers of Tesu tree (Palash), Mixing lime with turmeric powder creates an alternate source of orange powder |
| Blue | Indigo, Jamun, species of grapes, blue hibiscus and jacaranda flowers |
| Purple | Beetroot |
| Brown | Dried Tea leaves, red maple trees, Katha |
| Black | Some species of grapes, fruit of Gooseberry (Amla) |
If natural colours are not possible, then ensure a better quality of colours. Buy colours from a reputed shop or vendor.
To make Holi an enjoyable experience it's always advised to follow some basic tips. We share here some easy to follow tips for Holi
- Before playing Holi, apply a thick layer of moisturizer, petroleum jelly or coconut oil on your face and other exposed parts of the body to prevent colors from coming into direct contact with your skin.
- Oil your hair and scalp. Add a few drops of lemon juice to prevent dandruff and infection triggered by the chemical colors
- Wear dark colored full sleeves cotton clothes. Synthetic cloth would be sticky and denims would be heavy once you have a bucket full of colors/water splashed on you, therefore avoid these fabrics
- Don’t wear lenses. Mostly people are interested in applying surprise colors on your face and you may get your eyes hurt by the lenses. Instead you may use a sunglass to protect your eyes from a misfire of color-filled darts or water jets
- Apply a lip balm for your lips
- Drink water before you start playing Holi. This will prevent dehydration
- Avoid running on jumping on wet floors, so that you don't slip and injure yourself. Bones are specially vulnerable on this day.
- Avoid over indulgence in bhang, drinks or food, so that you don't repent later.
- Do not drive if you are high on alcohol or bhang
Tips After playing Holi
- Do not scrub the color off with soap. Soaps contain esters that erode the skin layers and often cause rashes. Use a cream-based cleanser or you can even use oil for removing the colors, and then go for a bath
- Apply a lot of moisturizing cream to keep the skin hydrated. If the colors are still left on your skin you can apply besan with milk/milk cream on your body for removing colors
- Don’t use excessive hot water, it will stick the color on your body. Use normal water instead
- Stay away from direct sun bathe till color is removed
- Minor itching in eye or redness may be normal but if it continues for more than few hours immediately contact with a doctor
Stay safe and enjoy Holi
credits : ncsm.gov.in