ruksha or rooksha - dry quality (guna); creates dehydration and causes choking, constriction, spasm, pain, and dryness of the [[skin]] as well as isolation, separation, fear, nervousness and loneliness. Dry increased vata, decreased pitta, decreases kapha.
Ruksana (roughening) is that which produces roughness, coarseness and nonsliminess. 200 B.C Classic Sanskrit Text Charaka Samhita - from the author of Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana Summary Section Ca. Su. 22#9-17
Associated Rasas: kashaya, katu, tikta (in descending order); katu vipaka (Charaka Samhita - Ca. Su. 26.53-56) 26#53
DRY – avoid or reduce raw foods, dry climates, alcohol, eat oily foods – cook with oil, add ghee to breads not toasted, add oil to salads, etc; daily oil massage makes the skin softer and helps strengthen yet soften it – sesame is antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antineoplastic (colon cancer and melanoma); oil in other orifices is also a good idea for similar reasons; most soaps / detergents are drying / harsh to skin – use soaps (not detergents) such as Castile soap; essential fatty acids are important for the maintenance of the cell membrane’s liquidity, flexibility.
Michael Dick, Ayurvedic Practitioner Handouts, 2001: p. 1
Michael Dick, Ayurvedic Guna Handbook, 2003: Rev. 4/7/2004: p. 20