Cosmetic and medicinal uses of jasmine flower

Jasmine is a very small white flower with a unique and pleasant fragrance liked by one and all. In India, women make strings of these lovely flowers and adorn it in their hair. These flowers are also used to make garlands, especially to be used in Indian weddings and also in temples for the worship of deities. Jasmine also known as “mallika” in Sanskrit and “mallige” in Kannada, is cultivated in almost all parts of India and in Karnataka state, mainly, and is exported to the Middle East countries.

Jasmine flower as well as the essential oil extracted from the two species (Jasminum Officinale and Grandiflorum) of this flower is used in high-grade perfumes and cosmetics, such as creams, oils, soaps, and shampoos. Jasmine oil is said to blend with every floral scent and hence extensively used as important perfumery item throughout the world. [Source]

Some studies and research have also shown that it has anti-cancerous properties and that blood cancers and solid tumours respond well to ‘jasmonate’, a synthetic compound derived from jasmine flowers. Prof Eliezer of the Tel-Aviv university is hopeful that a drug based on ‘jasmonate’ may be available soon.

Homemade hair-packs and conditioners for normal hair

To those lucky ones who have normal hair, here are some great hair-packs and conditioners to try.

1. Add a tsp of Brahmi (Asiatic pennywort) leaves (Brahmi Powder, if leaves are not available) to a small bottle of castor oil. Warm it and work it into your scalp at night. Wash it off in the morning. Remember to wash your scalp thoroughly to ease out the sticky castor oil.

2. Mix henna powder with black tea, a tsp of ground soaked fenugreek (methi) seeds and two egg whites. Apply it and leave on till it dries completely. Wash it off. For the final rinse, add a tbsp of beet juice to a mug of water to get that superb shine.

3. Prepare a mixture of one cup coconut milk, two tsp of gramflour/chickpea flour (besan), 3 tsp of castor oil, 1 tsp of Shikakai and Amla powder and one tsp of honey. Mix well and rub onto your scalp for 20 minutes. Wash off, preferably with a homemade herbal shampoo or reetha (soap nut)) water

Tip: Substitute shikakai with Neem for equally great results.

Lakme Deep pore cleanser:Review

My face usually becomes an oil-slick towards the end of the day. That’s why I prefer to cleanse it first with a deep pore cleansing milk before cleaning/washing it thoroughly with water. Recently I have been using Lakme Deep Pore Cleanser and I’m quite happy with it. It comes in a 60ml (Rs.45/-) and 120 ml (Rs. 75/-) bottle. With a mild fragrance and a creamy texture, it’s an awesome product and excellent for makeup-removal. Formulated with natural avocado extracts and anti-oxidants like vitamin E, it gently deep cleans the skin of all the surface impurities while its light moisture based formula conditions and nourishes the skin leaving it smooth and silky.

I apply it all over my face and neck and then with a damp cotton wool gently scrub off the dirt and grime from my face. And indeed my face feels clean and silky with no greasiness afterwards.

A pillow to wipe out wrinkles

Forget anti-wrinkle creams, botox, microdermabrasion, cosmetic surgery, facelifts or even laser resurfacing for that matter. Why? Simply because researchers have developed a copper oxide pillow case, designed to iron out wrinkles and crow's feet. This pillow comes with gloves and a mask as well.

The details: Clinical trials, supervised by a dermatologist, were carried out on 57 volunteers for four weeks. While some volunteers were given anti-wrinkle pillows that felt no different from any normal fabric pillow, others were given the usual conventional pillows to sleep. By the end of the trial, it was seen that those sleeping on copper pillows were statistically more likely to have experienced a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles. In fact, it was found that though the exceptional fabric had an impact on all facial lines it was best at ironing out the finer lines.

How does this fabric work on wrinkles and fine lines? Researchers believe that moisture from the skin releases copper ions - charged atoms - from the pillow cases which stimulate the production of collagen below the surface of the skin. Dr David Fenton, a London based dermatologist; however opines that even though this study is a breakthrough, more independent research into the effects of this pillow case on skin needs to be carried out before people rush to buy one.

Himalaya Herbals’ Purifying neem face wash:Review

Amongst the array of facial cleansers that I have purchased and tried, I have found that Garnier Naturals’ Deep pore exfoliating face wash is the best – it was very effective in oil control during the hot summer months when my skin had become increasingly greasy and unmanageable. Now that summer is over, I wanted to try some ‘natural product’ that could not only cleanse but also help with acne and pimples. So I purchased this Himalaya Herbals’ Purifying neem face wash 72g for Rs.45/- (around $1). It’s a soap-free formulation enriched with awesome herbal ingredients like Neem and turmeric (buy here) that have anti-bacterial and purifying properties. However this cleanser is not 100% natural as methyl paraben and propyl paraben are being used as preservatives.

By the way, I have tried many of Himalayas’ products as well. Himalaya Herbals’ neem face pack/mud pack for instance has had an amazing effect on my complexion and also helped me deal with excessive oiliness and pimples. And it’s almost a month since I am using this purifying neem face wash and it make my face feel fresh and clean by getting rid of grime without drying my skin. Also, I haven’t seen any pimples popping up on my face these days. But it looks to me that it might not be of much help to extremely greasy skins during summer as this gel-like cleanser is meant for all skin types. Also it might not be tackle excess sebum (oil) production that well.

Permanent makeup

Also known as micro-pigmentation or ‘medical tattooing’, this involves implanting small amounts of colored pigments into the skin for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes – usually endowing permanent colour on the lips, cheekbones and eyebrows or restoring colour to white scars from burns, accidents or surgery.

Initially, the lasting makeup may look incredibly extreme and gaudy. However as you are getting it done from a professional with proper skills, you need not worry much about the look as the person knows what he/she is doing. And even though the ink may appear strong at first, it soon subsides, making the look realistic. Almost always the implanted color is not perfect after the first procedure and at least one follow-up to the initial procedure is highly necessary and this is often scheduled after a minimum of 5-6 weeks. Very soon the lasting makeup will start looking like everyday makeup.

Time commitment: About 45 minutes, but the area becomes a little swollen after the procedure, so do it on an easy day. The recovery from permanent makeup simply consists of waiting for the ink to decrease somewhat so as to get a natural look. As there are no surgical procedures involved, it does not require any downtime or any major need for rest. The ink will start to fade as years pass as with any tattoo, meaning that this too requiring periodic maintenance, color re-enhancement or color re-freshing like your hair-color. So it is important to consider this and all aspects of the procedure when selecting a potential permanent cosmetic makeup technician.

Permanent makeup is not necessarily the best procedure for those who want it for convenience – the procedure is really set in place for those who have issues with makeup. Some may be allergic to cosmetics, while others may not be able to see well. Still others with motor impairments and diseases such as arthritis, Parkinson’s disease etc may find it difficult to apply makeup everyday. Permanent makeup is particularly beneficial to people who can’t wear other cosmetics due to allergies and other skin sensitivities. Though permanent makeup is considered safe, experts warn about the potential risk of lasting side effects, including allergic reactions and skin nodules called granulomas. Occasionally, people may even develop an allergic reaction to ink in tattoos they have had for years, they add.

Sportspersons are wearing red contacts at the Olympics

 These days at the Beijing Olympics, sports-persons are using red contacts to prevent glare and for increased visibility in the hazy atmosphere.

Co-developed by Nike Inc. and Bausch & Lomb over a period of 7 years, these fully tinted lenses — which are now known in the retail world as MaxSight use Light Architecture technology that only allows certain wavelengths of light to pass through the lens and enter the eye.

Protein rinses for your hair

Besides the after-shampoo herbal rinses mentioned here, you should also try some of these easy-to-make protein rinses to lubricate and condition your hair. However make sure that you do it on an easy day, when you are not going out.

Wheat germ rinse

Take 4 T of powdered wheat germ and tie it ip in a muslin bag. Soak the bag in 1 pint of water for 3 hours. Squeeze the bag and use the solution to rinse your hair.

Whey after shampoo rinse

Collect and strain whey, and use it as a rinse. Whey liquid contains abundant protein – so this is an awesome, inexpensive protein hair rinse, worth a try.

Oatmeal rinse

Fill a muslin bag with 4 T of powdered oatmeal and soak the fastened bag in a pint of water for 3-4 hours. Squeeze out the milky white liquid and use as a last rinse.

Himalaya Herbal Gentle Exfoliating Apricot scrub

Try Himalaya Herbal Gentle Exfoliating Apricot Scrub - you will simply love it. Apricot kernel granules gently whisk off the dead skin cells and blackheads while wheatgerm oil, rich in natural vitamin E, moisturizes the skin and Apple nourishes and tones the skin. The result is a healthy, glowing skin.
Application:
Gently massage with fingertips in a circular motion over damp face and neck, avoiding the area around the eyes. Wash off and pat dry. Use once or twice a week. Suits all skin types.

Himalaya Herbal Gentle Exfoliating Apricot Scrub 150 g

Similar reading: Himalaya Gentle exfoliating walnut scrub: Review

Awesome Raspberry Mask for a glowing skin

Indulge yourself with this awesome raspberry mask - a sheer delight for your skin. The natural acids from fresh, organic raspberries together with the goodness of pure honey and cream refresh and invigorate your skin to give a beautiful, healthy glow.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons honey, preferably organic
2 table spoons oat flour
3-4 drops of lavender essential oil
1/2 cup raspberries, preferably organic

Method:
Except for oat flour, mix all of the ingredients except oat flour and pour it into a bowl. Then add oat flour to thicken the paste and get the desired consistency. Apply to a clean face, avoiding the undereye area immediately after mixing, allow the mask to sit for 30 minutes, and rinse with warm water followed by a splash of cool water.
(Guest post by RJ)