Raw Sugar and Rock Salt {Ingredients}

I have been always raving about sugar and salt scrubs but I have heard so many complaints about sugar being too harsh on skin. So, I wanted to share the sugar and salt which I use for my scrubs.

Fab India Raw Sugar

Raw Sugar is called Khandsari in Hindi. It is a less refined sugar, next to jaggery which is completely unrefined. It melts easily on skin and is not at all harsh and exfoliates really well. You can use it in place of sugar as well. Its less sweet, as well!!

Price: Rs 150 for 100 gms (approx.)

Skin Type: Dry to Matured

Patanjali Sendha Namak

Rock Salt is amazing for skin. I found only Patanjali selling rock salt in Hyderabad so I used it. In fact, rock salt is a little clumpy and not free flowing but this one is as fine as normal sugar so I do have doubts on the quality. If you know of anything better, do feel free to use it.

Price: Rs 10 for 1kg

Skin Type: Combination to Oily 

So, do check out this amazing DIY using the above ingredients which makes your skin glow like anything!! And, do let me know your experience :)

11 Health Benefits of Ashwagandha {Guest Post}

Withania somnifera, or more commonly known as Ashwagandha is a type of shrub that is rather famous in the field of Ayurvedic Medicine. More commonly found in the dry regions of India, it is known to grow during late rainy seasons and has plenty of use, not only in the field of medicine but also in culinary arts. Its berries are known to be good substitutes for rennet which is an essential ingredient in making cheese. Health wise, there are plenty of benefits one could get from the plant, and here are some.

[Source: Google Images]

Immune System

The plant contains properties that help enhance the cells in the body which help eliminate bacteria and other harmful elements, thus boosting the immune system. It also provides smooth transition of the oxygenated blood in the body, strengthening it for you to be able to fight against fatigue and weakness often associated with anemia.

Anti Inflammatory

The ashwagandha contains anti inflammatory properties. In fact, there are plenty of studies which tell that using the plant helps reduce inflammation caused by osteoarthritis, pain, and other disability.

Anti Oxidant

The bio chemical compounds found in Ashwagandha possess anti-oxidant properties. It is proven by a series of laboratory tests and experiments, and at the same time protect the body from oxidative damage.

Anti Ageing Capacity

The Indian shrub is also known to be good anti-ageing agents. It helps moisturize and keep the cells as healthy as possible, replenishing your body with good cells and reduce cell degeneration.

Diabetes

It also helps reduce the rate of diabetes risk, as it helps dilute blood sugar in the body to keep them under normal level. It is also thought to increase sedative effects, and could potentially induce abortion, so it is best thought to seek a medical professional’s advice before use.

Depression

Ashwagandha has anti-depressant capacities due to the presence of bio molecules that help influence brain chemistry. This will promote a more cheerful attitude in you and help lessen the fatigue you are apparently feeling.

Athletic Performance

The shrub is also known for boosting testosterone levels in the body. It is one of the reasons why most athletes prefer taking this herb, as it also promotes strengthening of the muscles and coordination of the body.

Dementia

A recent research explains that toxic substances released in the brain called beta-amyloid laques potentially induce neurodegenerative conditions. It is found that the ayurvedic medicine Ashwagandha has the property to help prevent such plaques from forming, and may potentially become a good medicine against Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and other similar ailments.

Anxiety

This Indian shrub is also known to help reduce anxiety induced by stress. It is because the plant is known to help influence the neurotransmitters in the brain which affects your mood. This helps promote a calming effect in you.

Cancer

It was found through various researches that Ashwagandha is known to help slow down the process of some cancer cells, making it a potentially effective treatment for eliminating the deadly disease once and for all.

Aphrodisiac

In the ancient times, Ashwagandha is being prescribed in India by Ayurvedic practitioners as an aphrodisiac. It was said that they help improve a person on matters related to sexual activities and infertility issues. Up to present, some still use this plant as a supplement for improving sexual activities and to increase pregnancy rate amongst couples.

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About the Author: Rajkumar Jonnala Blogger and Content Writer with very much experience in the field of dental implants industry.

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Jojoba Oil {Ingredient}

[Source: Google Images]

Well, I was checking out Aroma Magic products and came across Jojoba oil so thought I would do a post on it. Now, do you remember my post on what hydrates our skin? Jojoba oil has a relation to that post so do go through the previous post if you want to understand the references.

Jojoba Oil (pronounced as 'ho-ho-ba' oil not 'jo-jo-ba')

It is not actually an oil but a liquid wax and its structure is the most similar to that of the sebum. Thus, it is believed to get absorbed very quickly. Jojoba oil is a stable oil and has a very long shelf life unlike other vegetable oils which get oxidized within a span of 6 months - 1 year without preservatives.

Jojoba oil has fatty acids but it doesn't have triglycerides which are an important part of the skin lipid structure. Thus, jojoba oil doesn't get metabolized (broken down) in the human body when ingested. Since it is rich in fatty acids, it is useful for the skin. The oil keeps the skin soft and supple. And, since it gets absorbed quickly, it is very popular in the cosmetic industry. It creates a skin barrier, keeps the skin moisturized for long periods and is supposed to have a spf of 4.

In fact, jojoba oil is not only useful for skin but also hair. It is supposed to provide moisturization to the hair just like it does to the skin. It helps increase the shine in the hair and also is great for people suffering from psoriasis and eczema. It helps in preventing early aging of the skin and delays wrinkles and fine lines. And, it is also great for people suffering from sensitivity of skin.

How to determine purity of Jojoba Oil?

Jojoba oil is bright to light golden (depending on the jojoba seed plantation and harvest) in color if it is in the pure form but if it is highly processed or diluted, it loses the characteristic golden color and becomes colorless. 

Did you ever use Jojoba Oil? Pin It

Emu Oil {Ingredient}

[Source: Google Images]

Have you heard of Emu Oil? Well, it is pretty much famous for its amazing anti-aging benefits for the skin. I cam across it while reading the ingredients of one of the MVO products and I thought of doing a post on it. Emu oil is used in many of the MVO products - one of them being the Everyday Sheer Coverage I reviewed sometime back.

What is Emu Oil?

It is the oil made from the fat of Emu, a bird which is native of Australia. 

Benefits of Emu Oil

It has many benefits (you will read that sentence everywhere but I don't think I have come across such long a list ever though whether it is true or not is debatable). So, I'll just list a few and give you the source for further reading. 

Emu oil is extremely high in essential fatty acids Omega 3, 6, 7 that are anti-inflammatory and repair the lipid barrier. Results: smoother, softer, more radiant skin; scars and stretch marks fade; relief from eczema, dermatitis, dry skin [Source: MVOrganics]

It is anti-inflammatory and heals the wounds and burns.  It helps with acne, sunburns, age spots, aging issues, dandruff, eczema and many other things. [Source: Emu Oil Benefits] (please go to source for complete list)

How is it extracted? 

This is the part which is why I wrote this post. I don't know if it has entered your mind if Emu is killed to extract Emu Oil? I wanted to know the answer for this question and the answer is, unfortunately, Yes. But, there is a catch if you don't want it to weight down on your conscience. Emu is killed for its meat, specifically. Because, the meat of emu is lean and has many health benefits. So, when the Emu is killed, the meat is cooked and the fat of the Emu is used to extract the oil so yup its not vegan or organic or even vegetarian, for that matter.

One main thing about Emu Oil is also that it is seldom available in its 100% pure form coz its a very valuable oil. So, if you think of buying this oil, go for the reliable and best brands instead of any which fancies your eye coz the lower grade of oils can lead to skin irritations and other problems.

Salicylic Acid {Ingredient}

Yesterday, I talked about Salicylic Acid and its uses for people suffering from Acne and other skin disorders. But, I also mentioned its biggest disadvantage - hyper pigmentation. I am not sure if you have noticed but salicylic acid is always used int he concentration of 1-2% in the products available in the medical stores. The reason is that it acts best on the skin in those concentrations and any excess of usage of the acid causes many skin problems like sensitivity, irritation, peeling of the skin and likes of it. So, getting tempted to use it every day is really not a good idea unless a product has been recommended by a dermatologist.

Now, you might have read about the aspirin mask recipes and would have been tempted to try it. Many of you might have tried it too. But, these masks are concentrated and hence, harm the skin instead of helping. So, kindly refrain from that. Since 1-2% is the best concentration so we shall make the homemade Salicylic Acid solution for home remedies. Now, Salicylic Acid is not available commercially so we will make do with Acetyl Salicylic Acid which is a milder form of Salicylic Acid. As Aspirin was not available, I am using Disprin Tablets and they both are actually same,though, Disprin also has Calcium Carbonate and Citric Acid to enable to it to dissolve in water.

Ingredients

• 3-6 Disprin Tablets (3 is for 1% and 6 is for 2% concentration)


• 100ml Water (go for mineral water or distilled water)

Method 

Mix the tablets in the water and store the solution. Use the solution to make face masks or mix your cleanser with the bit of a solution and wash your face with it. Mixing your makeup remover with the solution and then applying on the face for a few minutes would be most beneficial in cleaning the skin.Or, the simplest way to use the solution is to apply the solution on your face with cotton and keep it on for 5-10 minutes and then wash off the face with cleanser or face wash. 

People suffering from acne and breakouts should do it daily till they see some difference. And, oily skin people should use it twice or thrice a week. Rest with normal to dry skin and sensitive skin can use the solution not more than once a week for proper exfoliation. 

Caution (Very Very Important)

Ok, so this is something everyone needs to pay attention to. When I say anything not to be done on the blog, please take it very very seriously coz its very easy to get carried away and trust me, I am saying this from my personal experience. For example, I have used concentrated disprin mask twice on my face (as if once wasn't enough) and trust me, my complexion became dark instantly!!! So dark that the person who said I had become fair a day before had commented about my complexion the very next day and this has happened both the times I used the mask. And, even my parents complained about it. So, it causes hyper pigmentation very easily and it takes some days to get back to your original complexion so please, please do not overdo these treatments. They are supposed to be done only under strict control. And, please take my cautions about anything very seriously in my past or future posts also coz maximum of the times, I speak from personal experiences or otherwise from proper research.

How I have calculated the ratio?

10mg/1ml = 1%

thus, 350mg/x(ml) = 1%

thus, 10mg /1ml= 350mg/x

thus, x = 350/10 = 35ml

thus, 1 Disprin tablet is 1% of 35ml water so calculating in the same proportion, 3 disprin tablets would make up 1% of 100ml water (approx. coz 35*3 = 105ml).

Thus, if you want to make the concentration 2%, use 6 Disprin tablets.

I hope the calculation is clear :)

Beta Hydroxy Acid {Ingredient}

You might have already been aware of Alpha Hydroxy Acid so I decided to do a small post on Beta Hydroxy Acid first. In any case, I will be doing a post on Alpha Hydroxy Acids too for the benefit of people who are unaware of them. Now, a little overview of both these acids - these are two acid compounds which have become really famous in the skin care ranges in the recent decade. Both of them are used in all skin care products from cleansers to moisturizers but the main usage comes in the various peels which are performed by estheticians. These acids are helpful in exfoliation and keeping the skin healthy in a nutshell.  

So, now starting with Beta Hydroxy Acid, the only one form of this acid is used for cosmetic purposes which is called Salicylic Acid. Yes, I am pretty sure you have heard of it and many you must be even using the products which contain this acid. Now, Salicylic Acid is also very commonly known as Aspirin. You might have read quite a few DIY recipes using Aspirin. The main usage of Salicylic Acid is for people who suffer from Acne but it also useful for other skin disorders like warts, corns, calluses, etc. The acid has quite a lot of uses - it weakens the bonds of the dead skin cells, cleans the clogged pores, kills the bacteria in the pores and also reduces the size of the pores and helps in the growth of new cells. Sounds awesome, right??? But, there is a very big disadvantage of Salicylic Acid - it causes hyper pigmentation and makes your skin photo-sensitive (sensitive to sunlight). 

PS: In the next post, I shall be discussing how to overcome the problem of hyper pigmentation due to the acid.

Dried Rose Petals {Ingredient}

We all know the beauty uses of rose. I had even published a post on how to make Rose Milk at home which was a failed experiment but the result was great. Shall post the one which I was trying actually when I succeed. So, I just wanted to share this little thing. 

My mother has a very old habit of collecting the withered roses from the plant and dry them so I have a huge amount of dried rose petals. You could also try that out next time your garden is full of roses. My mom collects only red and maroon roses, btw, and sometimes pink. Well, you might be aware that only red roses are used for extracting rose oil or preparing its essential oil or even while making fragrances. So, collecting and storing dried rose petals are really beneficial coz you can use them in any DIY's and since these are dehydrated, you can also make oils and your own fragrances with rose infusions. Roses are among the very few flowers you can store otherwise most of them just rot if you try to dry them :( And, I love pressing roses in between the books. That seems romantic though it might be cruel for the flowers but the flowers look best in the garden and no where else.So, next time you see a withered rose, you might think of using it for your beauty routines.

SLS / SLES in Lush {Ingredient}

If you are a brand conscious and ingredient conscious consumer, you would have noticed that the solid shampoos of Lush have SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) as one of their ingredients. I was a little disappointed with this revelation as I had put hopes on Lush for being a SLS-savior on the shampoo front for me. Then, later on, in one of the sites I had read a comment by the reader. She said that she was told by the Lush sales girl that the SLS used in Lush products is natural. Now, I was boggled by that statement and did some research on that.

SLS and SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulphate) are chemical products and not vegan or organic ingredients. Though both SLS and SLES are derived from coconut or palm oils, they have to be reacted with sulphuric acid and ethylene oxide respectively. So, comparatively SLES is a gentler ingredient of the two but when ever SLES is used, you would generally find another ingredient in the list called 'Cocamidopropyl Betaine' which is used to make the SLES even more milder so as to reduce irritation due to the ingredient. (source) 

I have checked two or three products which list SLES as their ingredients and have found Betaine to be another of their ingredients. And, regarding the usage of SLS / SLES in Lush, I had sent a mail to the US office regarding my concern and this is their response:

Thank you for writing to us.  We use sodium lauryl sulfate in our solid shampoos, and we do not consider this ingredient to be a natural one. Although it does originate from coconut materials, it does undergo some changes which deem it a synthetic material by our view.

We do list our full ingredients on our website, in our stores, and in our catalogue, and we aim to be as transparent as possible so that our customers can select products they feel comfortable with. Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns and I’d be glad to help!

So, next time you go to a Lush store and find these ingredients, please note that there is nothing natural about SLS / SLES and not all products in Lush are vegan coz they have parabens and other chemicals too. And this is not a bad thing at all.

Using Turmeric for skin care {Ingredient}

Kasturi Turmeric is the kind used for body application. It is a special kind which is not used in cooking. It is longer, about a finger length, and considerably thinner than the normal turmeric sticks which are short and stout. It does not leave any color on the face or clothes so safe to use.

Home Remedies:

• A pinch of Kasturi Turmeric mixed with milk can be used as a cleanser. Milk has lactic acid which does the cleansing job and turmeric acts as an antiseptic. It also gives an instant glow to the complexion.
• To get rid of facial hair, you can apply powdered Kasturi Turmeric every day on your face for about 10-15 minutes. The results would be visible in a month. Preferably, mix the turmeric with chickpea flour or any other scrub which you find is good for your skin. This way you can be sure it would not leave any color on your face.
  
• Kasturi Turmeric can also be used as an ingredient in various face packs and face masks preperation. A pinch would do the job.
• Kasturi Turmeric can be included in body scrubs. If used regularly, it removes body hair over a period of time. Gives great results when you use it on babies.

Lemon juice: drink a glass daily {Ingredient}

Today, I would be talking about the benefits of lemon juice for our body. We are all advised to drink a glass of water with lemon juice and honey mixed in it in the morning to lose weight. Right? Does it really work? Well, it did never work for me. But, I have found other benefits of doing the same. Or, probably a little different. Because, I am pretty lazy so I squeeze a half lemon into a glass of warm water and drink it. I do not bother to mix honey in it as I do not like to take much of sugar and am too lazy. And, guess what. It has done wonders for my skin and body.

Drinking lemon water in the morning has cleansed my body inside out. Lemon helps in the detoxification process of the body. And, it has helped to bring a glow in my complexion internally. Lemon has Vitamin C which is also responsible for building up collagen in our skin. Collagen is necessary to keep the skin firm and young. So, lemon is necessary to stay young. Forget Botox and surgeries. Stick to lemon and you will never really need any of them. Moreover, it is necessary to keep our digestive system in the right order and our metabolism high.

There are many other benefits of lemon juice apart from the above-stated.

• Applying lemon juice to the skin helps in lightening the blemishes and any scars or dark spots. But, do not apply lemon juice alone. Mix it with honey or any face mask and then apply.
• Lemon is good for bleaching the facial hair. Mix honey and lemon juice and apply it over the face and you would find in a month, the facial hair is no more. It actually does not go away but simply gets bleached and is not any more visible to the naked eye unless looked from very close.
• Lemon juice when applied to hair helps in curing dandruff.
• Lemon juice can be used as a last rinse to bring shine in the hair.
• If you want to lighten your hair color, apply lemon juice on your hair and go and sit in sun. The heat will help lemon bleach your hair. If you do it pretty frequently, you might even end up with blond hair color.
• Mix it in face masks. It helps bring a glow on your face by cleaning your skin right down to the pores.
• Lemon peels can be infused in hair oil to get its benefit stated above in point no. 3 and 4.
• You can grind the dried lemon peels and use it as a body scrub. They leave a refreshing scent on your body.
• Pour lemon juice into the bath water to experience a refreshing bath.

Caution: Use lemon juice externally on the body only at night. It makes your skin photosensitive (sensitive to light). Exposure to sun would be extremely harmful so use sunscreen diligently after using lemon on your skin. 

And, if you know any more uses of lemon juice, please feel free to share them. I shall be glad to know more about it.

Make it a habit to read the skin care and hair care product ingredients to choose your products {Beauty Products}

Everyone loves to try all the new products in the block, especially, if it has been promoted with great packaging and awesome advertisements. But, many of these products are not suitable for our skin and many of the ingredients used in products are responsible for damage to our skin. So, it is always a good habit to read the product labels on the back to make sure what are the ingredients used and whether the product is good enough to be shelled money for.

Quantity of ingredients in the product: The quantity of the labels used in the product decreases in order of its listing. The list is divided on the quantity used. The first 33% of the ingredients make up the maximum of the product, the next 33% are significant in quantity and the last 33% are minimal in quantity. Thus, you can read the labels and judge for yourself which product is good enough and find out if any of the product would be allergic to you.

There are more than 5000 chemicals which are allowed to be used for skin care and hair care beauty products. Most of them are deemed harmful for the body. So, always make it a habit to choose your products after reading the ingredients.

Following is a list of ingredients you should avoid:

• Sodium Lauryl (or Laureth) Sulfate (SLS / SLES): extremely harsh on the skin, causes skin immune to disrupt and age quickly. Animals exposed to SLS or SLES experience eye damage, labored breathing, diarrhea, depression and sever skin irritation. 
  
• Parabens (Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, Ethyl): used as preservatives, allergic to the skin, hormone disruptors, found in breast cancer tumors and contribute to male sterility.
  
• Petrolatum / Petroleum Jelly / Mineral Oil: clogs up the pores and is non-biodegradable.
  
• Propylene Gycol, Butylene Glycol, Poly Ethylene Glycol(PEG) or any Alcohols (except Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetostearyl Glycol): dries up and irritates the skin, high levels of Dioxins present, extremely toxic, may cause abnormalities in brain, liver and kidney. 
• Diethanolamine (DEA) / Monoethanolamine (MEA) / Triethanolamine (TEA): may be toxin for other organisms and its residues may react with other ingredients in products to form nitrosamines, which are potential carcinogens (substance that causes cancer), enters through skin and gets accumulated in the body.
• Benzophenone-2 / Avobenzone / Oxybenzone / Ethoxycinnamate / PABA: used in chemical sun screen formulations, they enter the blood stream through the skin and interfere with hormone regulation, are free radical generators and may damage DNA and lead to cancer.
• Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) or any Phthalates: toxic to respiratory and immune systems, damage liver/kidneys, induce birth defects, reduce sperm count.
• Benzoyl Peroxide: may promote cancer and irritant to eye, skin and respiratory system.
• Tricolsan: is a pesticide and has grave risks for both human health and environment.
• Dioxin: does not appear on the ingredient list. Contained in antibacterial ingredients like triclosan, emulsifiers, PEGs and cleansers like Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Causes cancer, reduced immunity, nervous system disorders, miscarriages and birth deformity. Highly toxic to the body.
• DMDM Hydantoin & Urea (Imidazolidinyl): preservatives which release formaldehyde which may cause joint pain, cancer, skin reactions, allergies. 
• FD&C Color & Pigments: colors which are derived from heavy metal salts and deposit toxins in the body, cancerous to animals.

Following Fragrances should be avoided as they have grave health effects:

• Acetic acid / Benzyl ester
• Benzyl Alcohol
• Diethyl Phthalate
  
• Musk ketone / Musk Xylene
• 6-Octen-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl
  
• Toluene
• 4-Vinylphenol 
• 2,6-Xylenol
• Acetone
• Benzaldehyde
  
• Benzyl Acetate
• Camphor
• Ethanol
• Ethyl Acetate
• Limolene
• Linalool:
• Methylene Chloride
• a-Pinene
• g-Terpinene
• a-Terpineol

All the above ingredients cause irritation to skin, eyes, throat, mucous membranes, respiratory system; cause severe damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, bladders; are highly toxic for the body; may cause harm to the fetus; get deposited in the blood stream and brain; causes disorder in the nervous system, may cause cancer and harmful for the environment.

Now, that you have read about the possible problems with the ingredients present in all our skin care and hair care products, hope you would choose your products more wisely.

Visit here for more such articles.

Soap nuts - Environment Friendly Detergent {Ingredient}

Soap nut is a fruit available in India. The fruit is crushed to make soap. It has a component called Saponins which is a natural surfactant. It is used in washing and cleaning purposes. You can use soap nuts to wash, practically, everything.  

• Soap nuts are good for hair washing. They make your hair silky and smooth.
  
• You can put 4-5 soap nuts in a wash cloth and put it in the washing machine instead of a detergent. They would be enough for a 4-5 loads of clothes. 
• They can be used for washing your utensils, jewelery, toilets, tiles and floors. 
• You can clean your windows and furniture.
• You can spray them on your plants. It would keep the pests and insects away eliminating the need of any insecticide or pesticide.
  

Boil 5-10 soap nuts for an hour or two till they turn gray in color. Strain the liquid and store it. The liquid will stay for a week. You can pour the liquid in the washing machine with water. The left over soap nuts can be put in a muslin bag and used for laundry purposes. They would come into use for some 2-3 loads.The clothes come out really bright and clean and free of all the chemical deposits left behind by the commercial detergents.

Using soap nuts, instead of detergents and chemical formulations, would help the environment also. And, save your money too.

Eyes too need cleaning {Health}

There is one ancient method used to clean the eyes which I would like to share. Put 1 drop of pure honey in each of the eyes. Caution: Eyes will sting badly for around 10-15 minutes. But, the procedure will clean your eyes and give the eyes a fresh look. This tip was told to me by one of my friend who does it occasionally. But, the after-effects were amazing. Eyes become really clean and bright.

But, before trying it, make sure you are using pure good grade honey. Do not use the commercial ones. They contain additives which might irritate the eyes. I would suggest using a good grade Manuka Honey. It is the best quality of honey available and has many skin and health related benefits.

Natural Sunscreen for Hair {DIY}

If you are like me who does not believe in dumping all kinds of products on your skin and hair and believe in being natural, you can rub 4-5 drops of sesame oil (known as Gingelly oil in India) on your palms and finger comb your hair. Pay more attention on the ends. Sesame oil, not only blocks sun rays, but also keeps your hair smooth and shiny. You can also mix sesame oil with some coconut oil and lavender (or rosemary) essential oils. It will ensure healthy growth of hair.

Millk for Shiny hair {DIY}

Immerse your hair completely in a wash stand full of milk and leave it on for 30 minutes. Wash off. Your hair would become shiny instantly. You can use a cup of milk as a last rinse also.

Honey: Elexir for Hair and Skin {Ingredient}

Honey is a natural humectant. It traps moisture and keeps your skin supple. It is anti-bacterial and prevents the skin breakouts. Many of the skin care and hair care products swear by the goodness of honey. The home remedies have their stock full of goodness of honey.

• put on a thick layer of honey on your face for 30 minutes and wash off.
• to remove scars, blemishes, even out complexion or any other marks on skin, apply honey on it.
• use it as an ingredients of various face masks.
• use it to clean your eyes
• use it as a hair conditioner (wash off or leave-in)
• use it as a last rinse for shine
• pour a table spoon of honey in bath water for a silky smooth skin
  

Tomato for Shiny Hair {DIY}

[Source:tomatoesweb.com]

Well, Tomato is the answer for shiny and smooth hair. It also repairs the damage done to your hair by sun and dust.

If you do not want to utilize a tomato for your hair, you can squeeze out the tomato juice and use it for cooking purposes. And, instead of discarding the pulp, rub the pulp onto your scalp and hair gently. Or, You can directly use the tomato juice on to your hair also. Leave it on for 15-30 minutes. Shampoo as usual. Your hair would be smooth and shiny and bouncy. Regular application improves hair texture and repairs the damage caused by sun and dust. It restores the vitality and health of your hair.

Aloevera: A Miracle Plant {Ingredient}

Egyptians called Aloevera a 'miracle plant'. It has been an integral part of the history from Greeks to Indians and has been used for various purposes by many people. Aloevera has anti-bacterial properties, is a natural humectant, has regeneration and anti-aging properties which makes it lucrative for cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry.

If Aloevera juice is taken on a daily basis, it can cure stomach disorders, improve skin condition, stimulate hair growth, strengthens the immune system of the body and slows down the aging process. Aloevera juice is also helpful for diabetics. Following home remedies are concocted using Aloevera:

• can be used as a leave-in hair conditioner
• can be used as a night time moisturizer 
• while making homemade soaps, aloevera can be mixed with the soap base before pouring into the molds
• can be used as a ingredient while concocting homemade moisturizers for skin
  
• can be used as one of the ingredient for face masks, hair masks or body scrubs
• can be used to heal sunburn or any cuts and scars
• can heal acne

Turmeric: One of the Nature's most powerful healers {Ingredient}

Turmeric is an Indian spice which grows in the forests of South-East Asia. It belongs to the family of ginger and is used in the powdered form. It is one of the main ingredients of the Indian, Persian, Thai and Malay dishes. It is also used to impart a rich yellow color to the dishes.

Turmeric has many medicinal properties. It helps prevent cancer and cures skin disorders. It has many benefits for health:

• performs complete body detoxification
• has abundant anti-oxidants
• ease joint pains and inflammation associated with arthritis
• prevents premature aging
• prevents cancer
• protects liver health
• protects against heart attacks and strokes
• improves digestion power
• may prevent cataract and bacterial infections
• protects against severe cold

Apart from the above mentioned health benefits, it also has benefits for the skin:

• fights aging
• prevents skin disorders
• improves the skin complexion
• gets rid of facial or body hair

Home Remedies for Health care:

• A pinch of edible turmeric taken with milk every day provides the health benefits of turmeric. Alternatively, a turmeric stick can be boiled in milk and taken every night.
• Turmeric is also used as an antiseptic over cuts and wounds.
• If you have severe swelling due to sprain or any internal injury, you can mix turmeric with any  bearably hot vegetable oil (preferably mustard oil) and apply over the swelled area and tie the area securely with a bandage. The swelling would come down in a day or two.
• If you have cold, you can put a pinch of turmeric in hot boiling water and inhale steam for at least 10 minutes.
  

Read about the home remedies to use turmeric for skin care here.