Herbs for beauty

Let me share an experience…..

It was early 2005 and I was to get married. I had taken appointments for sittings in a beauty parlor for the bridal package. It included facial, bleach, manicure, waxing and all other regular finishing touches. There were preparatory sittings scheduled ten days before wedding day so that the final day was assured to give best results. So there I was on the table to experience the facial pack which was supposed to rejuvenate and clarify my skin around ten days before the wedding.

After a cumbersome process for more than two hours involving burning sensations f the bleach, the pack was cleared off and I was asked to wash my face. It was then that I realized that instead of flaunting glowing skin, I would now have to sport blemished skin with redness all over. The bleach was actually to harsh for my skin . Though this was not a very pleasant experience I consoled myself that this was just the preparatory sittings and asked the beautician to modify the chemical components in the facial when she does it just before the wedding day. She readily accepted. Soon the thought of new life ahead took over my blemishes and when I stepped into he parlor one Day before the auspicious day for the last and final facial, the blemishes had almost disappeared. I then reminded the lady at the parlour to use milder bleach this time and so did she promise. There was another sitting of three hours this time and after I washed my face , I was red with anger this time and perhaps even confused and ashamed to be front my mom who was always against chemical use on skin. The faint rashes of the earlier facial were now substituted with dark red blemishes and scars. These were very prominent and the worse part was that there was no time left for self healing.

This has happened with nearly half of my friends and colleagues in one or the other facial sitting. But still the need of looking good carries us off to the parlor. But perhaps now we have a choice, a choice which deserves to be explored; that of using herbal beauty products. Just as herbs are used as spices and medications, they are also used as beauty agents. The cleansing properties of gritty scrubs, antiseptic properties of herbs, cooling and toning characters of mud based natural products and moisturizing properties of emollients are all exploited in the beautification industry. The benefits of the most commonly used beauty products are mentioned below:

Turmeric

Turmeric is a major ingredient in many face packs. It is the best choice for glowing bright skin. The flavanoids in turmeric give them this character. Moreover the antiseptic properties treat any mild infections and sores. Turmeric maintains the ph of the skin and this treats pigmentation of the skin. Hence turmeric paste has conventionally been applied on the elbows, face and neck to lighten the skin and keep it a fresh.

Sandalwood

Sandalwood is used in the form of a powder or a paste. It is a cooling agent and treats blemishes, prickly heat and other skin disorders related to excessive heat. On account of its pleasant aroma, it has been a component in many body oils too. It is a good face pack as it tones the skin and also cools and clarifies it.

Neem

This is perhaps the strongest antibacterial and anti fungal agent amongst all herbs. Hence it is applied in paste form on skin to get rid of pimples and acne. Sometimes, to purify the skin and remove excessive fatty deposits, neem extract is also taken in orally to gain a healthy clear glowing skin. Another area where it is generally applied is in treating dandruff. This is also due to fungal infestation and hence the anti fungal properties of neem are valuable.

Rosemary

This is used to prevent premature hair loss and to nourish the hair and keep them moisturized to prevent drying. In addition it is also used to revitalize the skin by removing the dead cells and energizing the skin.

Chamomile

The extracts of chamomile flower is also used to cleanse the eyes and give them a shine. Also, it is used in shampoos to cleanse the hair.

Aloe Vera

This is primarily used as a humectant to moisturize the skin and hair. It is an effective component of face packs with honey and kelp.

Henna

Though predominantly used in hair nourishment henna is also applied on the skin in various forms. For hair care henna paste is made from the powdery extract of henna plant. It is then mixed with egg white and thoroughly applied for thick, shiny hair. In combination with coffee powder, amla powder and onion peels henna makes a perfect hair conditioner. Henna is also used to color the body, primarily hands and feet and for making temporary tattoos on the skin

Tags: acupuncture, alternative, diabetes, natural, blood pressure, herbs, herbal, obesity, weight loss, asthma

Believe me or not, my hair is 38″ long, black and straight. Well, I don’t give the credit to any beauty products. It is so because I owe my hair to my genes in combination with the hair care  my loving mother gave me from childhood.

I was pampered with herbal oils and medications since I was born. My maternal grandmother who learned Ayurveda ardently and my paternal grandfather who believed in Ashtanga Hridaya played a major role in this affair. When I traveled to Maharashtra, people asked me for hair care tips. I did not know what to tell them until I learned about my own hair oil which my mother would bring me religiously in tight bottles.

The most common hair problems are hair loss and dandruff. Hair oils do not help in all conditions. The hair problems are also related to your health, life style, diet, climatic conditions and so on. Vitamin deficiencies  poor health or illnesses, overweight, strenuous life situations, not taking proper and regular baths, regular use of products like hair sprays, not giving proper internal and external nourishment- all contribute to different hair problems like graying and thinning of hair, split ends and what not.

Ayurveda links all health conditions to the Tridosha system. It maintains that a person with Vata constitution will have dark, dry and frizzy hair. He or she easily gets split ends and dandruff. Pitta people will have oily, light brown, blonde or red hair prone to premature graying. Hair will be thick, wavy and shiny for kapha people. Oiling your hair is an age-old traditional practice in India. There are dissensions with regard to whether you should oil your hair when you have dandruff. However, at home we make oil with ground curry leaves (some use neem too) for dandruff. It has a strong smell but works well. You can use and experiment with oils like coconut oil, almond oil and olive oil which are good for both skin and hair.

Some hair care tips:

1. If you have hair problems forget the hair oils available in the supermarkets. Make some at home or get it from a pharmacy. A good and simple hair oil you can make at home may have ingredients like hibiscus flowers, gooseberry, henna leaves, neem, with one or two Indian gall nuts or ink nuts (kadukka) and a few grains of black pepper.
2. Hot oil treatment is something you can try at home and by yourself. Take your favorite oil in a small bowl. Take a bigger bowl with a little hot water, keep the small bowl inside it and swirl. Massage your scalp and the hair ends with the warm oil. Leave on for an hour and wash away with a mild shampoo. Use conditioner for dry hair with split ends.
3. Do not be harsh to your hair. Be gentle even when you dry it or brush it.
4. Keep your hair tangle free.
5. You can even use a few drops of Vitamin E oil as it can work well for your scalp. Use henna for grey hair instead of hair dyes.
6. Do henna at home so you know what you need to mix. It can be prepared with fenugreek powder, amla powder, egg, curd or honey, tea for color and/or lime juice. Pour a spoon of oil into the henna mix if you have dry hair. Do not use henna if you have dry, damaged hair.
7. Castor oil can help hair grow thick and strong. It can be used on your eye brows to enhance thickness and growth.
8. Don’t skip head baths. And don’t keep a very oily head. It captures more dirt and dust.
9. If you do not mind slippery bathrooms, apply a paste of fenugreek powder on hair one hour before bath.
10. Regularly trim your split ends. A 2-inch cut will do. And regularly oil your hair ends.
11. Change your pillow cases regularly if you have dandruff. White flaky scalp need not be dandruff. It can be psoriasis or just dry flaky skin owing to weather.
12. Have a healthy diet
13. Deal with Stress

Last not the least, do not worry if your hair is not thick by nature. All you need is healthy hair.

-Aparna K V

Tags: homeopathic, blood pressure, Ayurvedic, diabetes, diabetes, herbs, acupuncture, chinese, alternative, weight loss

Herbs for beauty

Let me share an experience…..

It was early 2005 and I was to get married. I had taken appointments for sittings in a beauty parlor for the bridal package. It included facial, bleach, manicure, waxing and all other regular finishing touches. There were preparatory sittings scheduled ten days before wedding day so that the final day was assured to give best results. So there I was on the table to experience the facial pack which was supposed to rejuvenate and clarify my skin around ten days before the wedding.

After a cumbersome process for more than two hours involving burning sensations from the bleach, the pack was cleared off and I was asked to wash my face. It was then that I realized that instead of flaunting glowing skin, I would now have to sport blemished skin with redness all over. The bleach was actually to harsh for my skin . Though this was not a very pleasant experience I consoled myself that this was just the preparatory sittings and asked the beautician to modify the chemical components in the facial when she does it just before the wedding day. She readily accepted. Soon the thought of new life ahead took over my blemishes and when I stepped into the parlor one Day before the auspicious day for the last and final facial, the blemishes had almost disappeared. I then reminded the lady at the parlor to use milder bleach this time and so did she promise. There was another sitting of three hours this time and after I washed my face , I was red with anger this time and perhaps even confused and ashamed to be in front of my mom who was always against chemical use on skin. The faint rashes of the earlier facial were now substituted with dark red blemishes and scars. These were very prominent and the worse part was that there was no time left for self healing.

This has happened with nearly half of my friends and colleagues in one or the other facial sitting. But still the need of looking good carries us off to the parlor. But perhaps now we have a choice, a choice which deserves to be explored; that of using herbal beauty products. Just as herbs are used as spices and medications, they are also used as beauty agents. The cleansing properties of gritty scrubs, antiseptic properties of herbs, cooling and toning characters of mud based natural products and moisturizing properties of emollients are all exploited in the beautification industry. The benefits of the most commonly used beauty products are mentioned below:

Turmeric

Turmeric is a major ingredient in many face packs. It is the best choice for glowing bright skin. The flavanoids in turmeric give them this character. Moreover the antiseptic properties treat any mild infections and sores. Turmeric maintains the ph of the skin and this treats pigmentation of the skin. Hence turmeric paste has conventionally been applied on the elbows, face and neck to lighten the skin and keep it a fresh.

Sandalwood

Sandalwood is used in the form of a powder or a paste. It is a cooling agent and treats blemishes, prickly heat and other skin disorders related to excessive heat. On account of its pleasant aroma, it has been a component in many body oils too. It is a good face pack as it tones the skin and also cools and clarifies it.

Neem

This is perhaps the strongest antibacterial and anti fungal agent amongst all herbs. Hence it is applied in paste form on skin to get rid of