Medicinal value of honey

Honey, nature’s soother, is more that just sweet. Ever since the dawn of civilization it has been the favorite food of all ages. This miraculous gift of nature has imbibed the heat of the sun and the fragrance and nectar of the flowers, maybe that’s the reason why it is so tasty and delicious. Honey is highly nutritious - it has traces of minerals and vitamins not to mention the antioxidants which destroy free radicals and delay ageing. In short, it is a safe and wholesome food for old, children and adults. 

Moisturizers to lubricate your skin

More than anything else, it is the moisture content which governs the skin’s softness, and elasticity and keeps it looking young. Cold, windy weather, low humidity, air-conditioning, and excessive exposure to the sun – all these factors can dry up the skin. Ageing also takes its toll on the skin and as one gets on in years moisture is lost at a faster rate than it can be replaced. This will be evident in the form of those tiny lines under the eyes and mouth. The problem hits you harder in drier climates.

How then do we combat this dryness? How could we prevent this loss of moisture from our skin? The solution lies in using moisturizers which keep our skin well lubricated and oiled – minus all those greasy films some cold creams live behind. Moisturizers are absorbed by the skin and erase out lines and dry crinkling of the face within weeks. Putting on a light, moisturizer will make make-up easier to apply and will reduce the risk of dragging the skin.

Many sophisticated – and expensive – creams are not necessarily more effective than the simple ones using natural ingredients like oil or jojoba oil. Lanolin, with its exceptionally good water-absorbing qualities, avocado oil which has good skin penetration properties are good moisturizers.

Do-it-yourself moisturizers

Before moving on to the latest in the moisturizing mart, let us take a look at some simple and ready-to-make stuff that can make your face beautiful – smooth and glowing.

*Some beauty therapists recommend using elder flowers soaked for a day in water, with wax and borax added on to the solution, as a good moisturizer.

*Mixture of mineral, cod-liver and castor oils, with lecithin and glycerin, carrot oil, vitamins B2 and E added on, make up a moisturizer for dry, scaly skin.

* Tea decoction and cucumber juice in equal quantities is also a good homemade moisturizer.

See also: Know your skin type / 5 golden rules of skin care

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Fragrant fennel – Uses

Fennel seeds are a common sight in the Indian kitchen. Their aroma is breathtaking. Though both aniseed and fennel are called saunf in ‘Hindi’, fennel is somewhat larger than aniseed. Commonly used for seasoning and garnishing in Indian cuisines, this seed has other uses as well.

Beat the heat this summer by these therapeutic drinks

Thirst is one of the several troublesome features of summer. If you are concerned about your health, don’t try to quench your thirst with aerated soft drinks. Ordinary potable water is any day better than those ‘not-so-cool’ drinks. Want to try out something different, natural and homemade? How about some of these cooling, energetic and therapeutic drinks?

* Tender coconut water is the best summer cooler available at any roadside corner. It is ideal for slaking thirst as it is a hermetically-sealed and a naturally-available purified drink. Not only does it supply the fluid, which is needed by the body, but also the salts which are equally important.

*Kokum squash, another ‘desi drink’ can also be considered. Apart from having cooling properties it is also a digestive; it prevents belching and is also an anti allergic agent.

* Instead of having plain limejuice or limejuice with soda, try adding a teaspoon of ginger juice and quench your thirst with this refreshing and energetic beverage.

* Lassi, buttermilk (Chaas) and jaljeera (it’s a good digestive) are also the ultimate summer beverages to relieve the discomfort caused by the scorching, energy sapping heat.

* Fruit juices provide sugar, besides water, which is needed to supply the energy supplements of the body. So without much ado, go ahead and consume them.

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Home remedies and tips for minor ailments

For minor ills, turn to grandma’s home remedies and tips using the stuff from your kitchen and home. They work wonders to relieve annoying medical problems.

Here is a collection of some favorite remedies for common ailments:

Bug bites:

Break out the roll-on anti-perspirant, and dab a bit on itchy, irritated red welts from mosquito bites.

Acne (Zits):

For that annoying zit which props up on your face, apply toothpaste before you go to bed. It should help dry up the pimple by next morning.

Stuffy nose:

Mix a quarter teaspoon of salt in a half cup of water and spray or drop the solution into the nose. The concoction helps clean out nasal mucus, which washes out pollens and virus bugs.

Sore throat:

Push the fluids. Keep the throat moist by having hard candies, which probably do as much good as cough medicines.

Gastrointestinal problems:

During diarrhea, eat lot of starches, bananas, and rice. If constipated, stay away from starches, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, high fibre foods and water.

Smelly feet:

Soak feet in strong tea decoction for 20 minutes everyday until smell disappears. To prepare footbath, brew two tea bags in two-and-a-half cups of water for 15 minutes and pour the tea into a basin containing two litres of cool water.

Hand mask for your hands

Just as a face mask improves the skin of your face, a hand mask improves the color and texture of your hands and arms.

Make the following hand mask and apply it once a week.

Ingredients

3 tbsp gram flour (besan)
2 tsp malai (cream of milk) or oil
juice of ½ lemon
¼ th teaspoon turmeric powder
2 tsp of glycerin

Method:

Mix all the ingredients together and make a smooth paste, you may add a little water, if needed. Apply this mixture over your hands and arms and leave for about 15 minutes and then wash it off.

If your hands are deeply suntanned, use fresh milk which is a natural mild bleaching agent. Apply liberally over your hands and leave it overnight, washing with water the following morning.

See also: Cleaning your hands / Nourishing routine for your hands / Almond hand cream / Satin hand cream

Amla (gooseberry) for hair

Managing hair, the crowning glory is a tough task indeed. Barring those lucky few (probably it’s in their genes) who are gifted with naturally thick trouble-free and lustrous hair, others have to slog to keep their hair in a good condition.

Bogged down by unmanageable, troublesome hair? Then, turn to this miracle berry called ‘amla’ for help and manage your tresses, the natural way. Amla (Indian Gooseberry) was used by women in ancient times to take care of their mane. It could help you too. Ayurvedic texts are replete with references about the usefulness of amla as a hair tonic. Premature graying, hair-loss, dull, limp and oily hair – you name it and ‘amla’ seems to have a solution to your problem.

Here are a few such recipes using amla (gooseberry):

Amla to prevent premature graying

Take a few amla and cut them into pieces. Dry them in shade. Boil these pieces in coconut oil till the solid matter becomes like charred dust. This darkish oil is an excellent oil to prevent graying of hair. Massaging the scalp with amla oil induces sound sleep also.

Amla as a conditioner

The water in which dried amla pieces are soaked overnight nourishes the hair and this water can be used as a last rinse while washing your hair.

Amla to prevent hair-loss

If you are losing hair excessively on your scalp, a regular intake of amla not only prevents further hair depletion but is also good for hair growth. Also wash you hair with the fresh juice of amla.

See also: Medicinal value of Amla (gooseberry)

Drumsticks for health

“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” goes a popular proverb. How true! Health conscious people, who are busy counting calories and spending a fortune on expensive and nutritious foodstuffs, hardly spare a thought to the humble drumstick (sahjan) tree which is a common sight in the gardens of so many Indian homes. They don’t mind consulting dieticians who charge exorbitant amounts for chalking out a suitable diet chart but are hesitant to make use of any home-grown, nutritious or cheaply available vegetable. Why the special emphasis on 'drumstick' ? Simply, because it is loaded with all the vital health ingredients. Read on to find out more…

Home remedies for Diarrhea

Colorfully decorated sweet meats, heavy snacks, bubbling overflowing glasses of ‘desi’ soft drinks are gustily enjoyed by people, especially children during festivals. But what of the aftermath – those bouts of an upset tummy, acidity, indigestion, diarrhea etc.? A few home remedies recommended by grandma and naturopaths come in handy when such occasional bouts of ailments strike.

Home remedies for diarrhea

* Drink lime juice with a little salt. Do not dilute.

* Ginger juice with a pinch of salt is also recommended.

* Fresh pomegranate juice is also helpful. Take a large sized pomegranate and extract the juice. Half a cup of this juice taken 3 or 4 times a day will provide complete relief. (Note: Rind should not be separated from the fruit while processing).

* Sherbath (sweet drink) prepared from the pulp of bael fruit should be taken thrice a day for 3-4 days. This is believed to be an excellent remedy for chronic diarrhea also.

* Slightly fry the outer peel of amla (gooseberry) and grind with a little water. Make the patient to lie down and let this paste be applied around the navel. Pour a little ginger juice in it. This is believed to cure even acute diarrhea.

* Dried fruits of amla (gooseberry) are useful in chronic diarrhea.

* Goat’s milk should be boiled with equal quantities of water and should be administered in dosages of 20-50 ml.

*Prepare a cup of strong tea and flavor it with a pinch of powdered cardamom. Take this tea twice a day for 2-3 days.

* For diarrhea in children: Mix the scrapings of an apple with milk. Mash it thoroughly and give it to the affected child; thrice a day will be effective.

Whiten your teeth by eating apples

A smile enhances your face value and more so if it is backed by healthy sparkling teeth. But you just can’t do without those steaming cups of tea/coffee. They are that indispensable to you – you highly need them to stimulate you, to get you going and to brighten up your day. One of the consequences of this indulgence: over a period of time you will develop stains on your teeth, which will dull your smile.

Easiest way to fight this stain – try this good old but a highly effective home remedy. Bite into a juicy apple after lunch. Your teeth will look noticeably whiter! The mildly acidic and astringent quality of apples cleanses and brightens your teeth. Chewing foods like apples, celery, sugarcane and carrots, actually help scrub away stubborn stains over time. It is almost like brushing your teeth with a nature’s toothpaste; a toothpaste which not only acts as a teeth whitener from the outside but also promises good dental health from the inside. Being a tea/coffee drinker, if you weren’t consuming these foods earlier, do so now. You will begin to notice the cleansing effect of these foods on your teeth right away.

However do not forget to rinse your mouth with water after eating apples. If you don’t get a chance to do so then at least drink some water to rid your teeth of the sugar or acid that it may have deposited. Alternatively, try a stick of sugarless gum. This chewing action stimulates flow of saliva. Saliva neutralizes acids produced by plaque bacteria and helps clear the mouth of food that plaque bacteria usually feast on. So chew gum and smile on.

See also: Teeth Whitening remedies / Exercising teeth the natural way
Pic credits:shutterstock.com

Tips for conditioning your hair

All types of hair need a conditioner –even oily hair. Whilst some people prefer to use conditioners only on special occasions, the regular use of conditioner will help protect your hair cuticle and, thereby, protect the natural shine and beautiful condition of your hair. Even hair that is in ‘perfect’ condition needs gentle protection, especially if it has a tendency to be dry. Conditioners also help neutralize static electricity.

For your regular conditioning application after shampooing, follow these steps:

1. Thoroughly rinse out the shampoo.

2. Apply a sufficient amount of conditioner to cover hair lightly and evenly.

3. Allow the conditioner to remain on hair for 60 seconds while you gently massage it through.

4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water until hair feels smooth and tangle-free.

5. Use a wide-toothed comb to gently smooth out any remaining tangles.

Also read through Conditioning your hair for more information and also for recipes to make your own home-made conditioners.

See also: Drying the hair after your bath /Get rid of split ends in the hair / Home Remedies for dandruff

Treating acne with essential oils

Acne, the most common skin disorder afflicts people of all ages, though it is most common among adolescents. It causes a lot of self-consciousness and misery.

When your lovely face is marred by a crop of ugly acne and the unsightly scars that follow, don’t try to hide it under layers of thick make-up. This will make the acne even worse by clogging the pores. Take acne and other related skin problems in your stride. A daily regimen of skin care and a little knowledge about its cause, along with wise diet habits will help in reducing its severity.

Here’s a home based remedy for treating mild acne with a few essential oils.

Ingredients:

Two drops of lavender,
Four drops of chamomile
One drop of lemon
½ tsp of carrot

Method:

A) Clean your skin with a mild soap and warm water. Rinse thoroughly in cold water.

B) Apply the oils that have been mixed together. Massage it in without scrubbing your skin or squeezing the pimples.

C) Apply hot compresses made by dipping a towel in hot water.

If your acne is severe and does not respond to initial self-treatment, it is better to seek professional help.

pic credits:fotosearch.com

Clay pads for your eyes

As we are spending more and more of our time under artificial lightings and illuminations, television, computers and the like, our delicate eyes are constantly subjected to stress and strain. The hectic and stressful lifestyle that one leads these days is also detrimental to one’s ocular health. Result – Defective vision and other eye problems are increasing at an alarming rate. A sensible diet coupled with a few relaxation techniques for the eyes can help to relieve those tired eye muscles.

To give your eyes the much rest, here’s a recipe for a clay eye-pad recommended by naturopaths. So try this out to relax and cool your eyes.

The clay eye pad:

Take clay of any color (preferably black). It should be obtained from the surroundings of a pond or from a virgin ground, devoid of chemical fertilizers. If pure clay is commercially available, you could use even that. Sift it and see to it that it is without grits.

Method:

Moisten clay with cold water and make round, flat and small lumps from it. Put these lumps on your closed eyelids for about 10 minutes (not more than that). Lie down and relax completely. See to it that your mind is free of all worries and problems of the day.

We frequently rest our eyes during the day (especially when they are tired) by closing them for a moment. This clay pad relaxation method brings about a fuller and a more conscious relaxation of the eyes and is an improvement on the natural and unconscious process of closing one’s eyes for relaxing. Clay has the virtue of drawing out toxins and has a cooling effect on the eyes.

See also: Eye care for computer users/ Eye Yoga/Keep your eyes in a good condition with these habits

Bhramari Pranayam

Pranayama (Yogic breathing exercises) is the new mantra of fitness freaks these days. Gone are those days when people would exclaim with a bewildered look “Pranayam, what’s that?” The credit for popularizing these ancient yogic breathing techniques most certainly goes to Swami Ramdev, who is a household name in India these days.

Yogic postures (asanas) combined with correct breathing exercises like Pranayam is a complete exercise package. Let’s just take a look at one of the Pranayams, ‘The Bhramari Pranayam’. The name ‘Bhramari’ is so intriguing. What does it mean? While performing this pranayam, the humming sound of a ‘bumble bee’ is produced; hence the name. (‘ Bhramara’ means bee.)

Medicinal and cosmetic value of red sandalwood

Red sandalwood (Raktha Chandan) is a variety of sandalwood that differs in the most basic way. It’s red and it does not have fragrance. Though it is not as popular as the common variety of sandalwood nevertheless, its medicinal benefits cannot be ruled out.

Managing mood swings

One moment you find yourself irritable and down in the dumps for no rhyme or reason; the next moment you find yourself happy and boisterous. 

These emotional upheavals and mood swings which take you on a roller-coaster ride especially happen when you are dealing with change and pressure.