Beauty and Personal Grooming: 2007-11-25

Home remedies for sleeplessness

The day dawns beautifully for those who have had a night of good sleep. But the same day drags on for those who have spent a disturbing, sleepless night. Sleep is a biological necessity even as eating and drinking are. Sufficient sleep renders a person normally sociable, lively and high-spirited. It’s a nature’s way of rejuvenating the person for the next day. Realize all this, and make sleep a physiological habit.

The consequences of long time sleep deprivation can be very grave. Lack of sleep takes its toll on the skin and hair. It causes acne-breakouts and makes one look aged and haggard beyond years. Experts opine that during sleep as our metabolic rate falls, blood goes to those areas which need the most repairing. This also steps up the production of collagen and keratin, which aid the regeneration of skin cells and help resist premature ageing. So for a younger looking and a problem free skin you need to have a good quality of sleep every night.

Here are some tips which will ensure you a sound sleep. Along with these tips, some of these home-remedies will also help.

* We all heard that drinking milk before going to bed ensures sound sleep. But if we mix a tsp of Tulsi (Basil) juice in this milk then this remedy is still more effective.

* Drink coriander (dhaniya) (cilantro) juice mixed with a little sugar. Also include more of coriander and parsley in your diet. Eat raw cabbage salads.

* Drinking amla (gooseberry) juice or papaya juice before going to bed will also help.

* Soak poppy seeds (khas khas) in water and keep it overnight. Grind it to extract the thick milk. Similarly extract milk from a grated coconut. Mix equal quantities of both the milks and have it before going to bed. But those who are trying to lose weight should avoid this as this liquid is very high in calories.

* Mix 2 tsp of honey with 2 tsp of lemon or lime juice and have it before going to bed.

* Stuff half a teaspoon of cumin (jeera) powder in banana slices and have it every evening.

* Roast an onion and extract its juice and have it before going to bed.

* Before going to bed, massage cool herbal oils such as Brahmi(Asiatic pennywort) oil and hibiscus oil on you scalp. They induce sound sleep. However avoid their usage in winters.

* Also try massaging the soles of your feet with castor oil.

* Alternatively you can try massaging the soles of your feet with cucumber peels also.

* A soak in a tub of warm water before you hit the pillow also helps you to sleep well. Read Water Therapy for insomnia.

* Avoid coffee late in the evening.

* Avoid long naps during the day.

* You might also consider Shirodhara, a part of Ayurvedic cleansing procedure called Panchakarma from a suitable Ayurvedic spa. This is especially helpful in cases of chronic insomnia.

Chilblains:a skin affliction that occurs in winter

Another affliction which can affect some people in winter is chilblains. According to Wikipedia, chilblains are painful, red, itchy swellings on the skin which are caused when the skin is exposed to extreme cold, dampness and humidity. They usually affect toes, fingers, face, nose, and earlobes. Chilblains shouldn’t be confused with frost-bite states the article at Mayoclinic. It mentions that in some cases this even results in blisters and open sores. It goes on to add that chilblains usually clear up within seven to 14 days and suggests that affected persons should avoid or limit their exposure to cold and extremities of temperature change.

Treatments suggested:

* Keep your hands and feet warm. Wear gloves and socks when venturing outdoors.

* Another suggestion is to warm-up with exercise before going out, so that there is proper blood circulation to the affected parts such as feet.

* Soak your feet (if they are affected) in warm, not very hot water for a few minutes. Wipe your feet and gently massage with olive oil.

* You can even try an Epsom salt foot bath.

* As some people get chilblains if they try to warm up their cold skin too quickly by sitting near the fireplace or by using hot water bags, it is better if to warm-up gradually.

* Apply soothing calamine lotions to relieve your itching. Consult a dermatologist if your condition worsens or if it occurs as a side-effect of some drugs.

Hair care in winter

Winter air wreaks havoc on the tresses, it dries them considerably. If your hair type is naturally dry, then the drying effects are much more profound. If you find your hair becoming extra dry during winter then cut down on frequent washing. Restrict it to once a week and avoid harsh shampoos. Oily hair types can rejoice a bit as they get some respite from that usual greasy, lank look, as the drying effects of the cold winter air makes their mane look less oily. But nonetheless, it is imperative that everyone should exercise some restraint and care and not allow the vagaries of the harsh winter air to take their toll on the mane.

Treating hair with an oil massage once or twice a week is something which one should never forget.Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap towel around your head. Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap three or four times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. (Read Oil massage for the hair.) Pure or virgin coconut oil is the best massage oil for this season. The effects of herbal oils such as brahmi(Asiatic pennywort) oil, aloe oil or hibiscus oil are too cooling on the scalp during winters. These oils are more suitable for summer. So they are best avoided in this season, especially if one has sinus problems or asthma. Homemade hair packs and conditioners containing such cooling herbs like henna or brahmi are also to be avoided.

Some tips to protect your hair

* Do not let your hair hang loose and wild around your shoulders. Instead, cover your head with a suitable silk scarf (woolen scarves are not good for the hair) while going out to shield it from the harsh climate.

* Do not dry your hair using blow dryers as this can be very damaging. Also do not subject your hair to harsh treatments like perming, crimping, coloring or streaking just to look good. This strips your hair of natural oils and robs the moisture from them. The effects are even more devastating in winters. If you want to use homemade Henna hair dye in winter, then your own discretion; either use it only once in 45 days or avoid its usage totally during that period if you find that it aggravates your sinus problems.

Nourishing creams for winter

Normally all types of skins are prone to dryness during winters. Patches of red, scaling skin look ugly on the cheeks and lips. So, one should start tending to it as soon as winter sets in. Read Skin care in winter. A rich nourishing and emollient night cream on the face, arms and other vulnerable parts of the body will help to prevent and heal dry skin in winter. Here are some recipes to make such nourishing creams at home.

Rich lanolin nourishing cream

Ingredients:
Lanolin – 1 cup (10 tbsp)
Witch hazel – 2 tbsp
Almond oil – 2 tbsp

Method:
You have to melt lanolin using the double boiling method. Blend witch-hazel and almond oil and beat it so that they mix well. Combine this with lanolin. Store this in an airtight container.

Olive oil nourishing cream

Ingredients:
Olive oil – 3 tbsp
Coconut oil – 2 tbsp
Beeswax – ½ tbsp
Borax – ½ tsp
Water – 3 tbsp

Method:
Heat the oils slightly. Boil water until it is quite warm but not too hot. Add borax to it and and stir so that it dissolves completely. Slowly add this borax water to the oils and stir on low heat for a minute until the mixture becomes thick. Remove from heat and store it in a bottle when it cools.

Vitaminized nourishing cream

Ingredients:
Beeswax – 1 tablespoon
Emulsifying wax – 1 tablespoon
Lanolin – 1 tablespoon
Vitamin E capsule – 3
Vitamin A capsule – 3
Almond oil – ½ tsp
Borax – ½ tsp
Tincture of benzoin – 1-2 drops

Method:
Melt the waxes and lanolin using the double boiling method. Simultaneously, dissolve borax in warm water. Add the water to the wax. Beat until it cools slightly. Prick the vitamin capsules and squeeze out the contents in the heated mixture. Add almond oil and a drop of tincture of benzoin to it and whisk until it thickens.

Use these nourishing creams for your night time skin care. Soak a cotton ball in warm water, squeeze out the excess water. Now apply a suitable cleanser and gently wipe it off with the cotton ball and then apply a rich night cream. When using these creams on your face, do not pull the skin roughly but use firm upward strokes on the cheeks and temples, and horizontal movements on your forehead. Rub the cream into the sides of your nose in a neat, pinching motion. Never use these “heavy creams” around your eyes or manipulate the delicate skin here, for this can cause wrinkles.