Beauty and Personal Grooming

Instead of reaching out for that cough syrup when your child is suffering from an incessant, nagging cough that worsens at night, you might try good old honey as a home-remedy .

Yashoda asks : I have heard people say that if honey comes in contact with hair, the hair turns prematurely grey. Is this true? I do a facial massage with honey and rose water. This worries me.   This is an absolute false statement with no scientific basis – just one of those various  myths  associated with premature graying!  

Aloe Gel may be a great home-remedy to treat burns , but honey isn’t bad either. A New Zealand study has found that treating burned skin with honey from the kitchen cupboard promotes faster healing than skin treated with antibiotic creams or surgical dressings. It is already known that this sweet stuff from the kitchen has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and for long people have been using it to cure minor burns and wounds , but the fact that the recovery period is faster by as much as 4 days as compared to other standard treatments is something worth mentioning. In fact, recently it has been found that a cream popularly used to cure burns may actually delay healing. Furthermore, Cochrane Researchers after a thorough study have revealed that despite the wide range of wound dressings available for burns, there is no consensus on the most effective alternative treatment.

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)

Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. Hence it is used in a variety of moisturizing products including cleansers, creams, shampoos and conditioners . It is also not irritating to the skin, so it can be safely used on sensitive skin and even on babies (though it’s not really necessary). Even smearing pure honey on your skin without adding any other ingredients moisturizes it. Honey is simply too good for the skin. It can also be used effectively on puffy eyes and for lightening dark circles . Here are two homemade recipes with honey which you can use to nourish and pamper your skin. Honey as a natural moisturizer Ingredients: Honey Vegetable oil Lemon juice Method: Mix together all the ingredients. Rub into hands, elbows, heels and anywhere that feels dry. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with water. Honey mask for a smooth skin This age-old but simple mask effectively moisturizes and tightens the skin, making it smooth and soft. Ingredie...

Continuous late nights, lack of sleep , excess of sleep, fatigue and strain take their toll on the eyes, resulting in puffy eye lids and dark circles . Extreme hot weather, dust, wind, smoky rooms, can leave eyes red and strained. Our eyes are an index of general health and lusterless, strained and puffy eyes clearly indicate ill health and overstrain and do not portray us in a good light. Take extra care of your eyes. Use a clay pad once in a week to soothe your tired eyes . To reduce puffiness and contours around your eyes try this effective eye nourisher using the good old, sweet, and versatile honey . The method: Prepare a decoction of chamomile tea in boiling water. Strain and set aside to cool. Then blend cucumber , aloe vera gel and honey so that they mix well. Add chamomile tea. Blend until smooth. Apply gently under eyes using ring finger. The ring finger being the weakest does not exert much pressure and hence it can be comfortably used for massaging the del...

This easy mask is suitable for all skin types . Honey, being an excellent cleanser and moisturizer, leaves the skin cleansed and silken. Egg yolks contain anti oxidants which are beneficial to our skin. Ingredients: 1 egg yolk 1 tsp honey 1 tsp vitamin E oil 1 tsp almond oil Method: Mix all the ingredients together, stirring until smooth. To use, apply to face and rinse with warm water after 15 minutes. See also: A simple home-remedy for sunburn / Two masks for a radiant face / Two simple home made beauty aids for your face / Multani Mitti (Fuller’s earth) cleansing mask