Those who know the art of make-up would definitely know this. If you wear pink lipstick your teeth (however fair they are) would look pale and yellow and if you wear red lip color, they would look whiter. In our daily life, we come across many people who have yellow and even blackish teeth. Some may not be confident of showing their happiest of emotions in fear of betraying their unpleasant stained teeth. Well, a pretty smile would add a spark not only to your face but to your over all appearance.

Teeth Stains

Your teeth can be stained due to various reasons. One of the main reasons for discoloration of teeth is the use of smoke or tobacco. Unhealthy eating and drinking (soda, coffee, tea) habits also contribute to it. The drinking water has fluoride in it, the excess of which may stain your teeth rather than whitening it. Certain medications and health conditions may also be responsible for yellow teeth. As you age, your teeth may turn yellow exposing the yellow-colored Dentin under the enamel. To an extent, improper dental care also leads to stained teeth.

If you feel that your teeth discoloration is not due to your life style or poor dental care you need to visit your Dentist. But yellow teeth does not steal anything more than a beautiful grin. There are no health issues tied to it and you don’t need to go for any expensive teeth cleaning sessions unless your insurance covers it. You can take some extra care and try out some home remedies to bring back your brightest smile.

Herbal Remedies for Yellow Teeth

Ayurveda maintains that yellow teeth is a result of Kapha dosha. Ayurveda offers some medicinal herbs for proper dental care. Tulsi (Ho­l­y­ Bas­i­l­-O­c­i­mum s­an­c­tum), Babul­ (Ac­ac­i­a ar­abi­c­a), Ban­­yan­­ (F­i­c­us­ reli­gi­os­a), Mar­gosa (Neem- Az­ad­ir­ac­h­th­a in­­d­ic­a) and the like are medicinal herbs which can bring back the sparkle to your face. Tulsi is the Queen of herbs and plays an important role in dental care. It can prevent teeth discoloration and bleeding of gums (p­yorrhea). Twigs of Babul and roots of banyan are great natural tooth brushes. Chewing of Babul bark aids loose teeth and dental disorders while the ingredient, tannin will help teeth whitening. Banyan will render health to the teeth and gums as it whitens the teeth with its astringent properties. Neem is both antibacterial and antiseptic. Brushing with neem twigs will get rid of mouth odor, eliminate plaque and reduce dental cavities.

Home Remedies

Most of the home remedies mentioned here are not scientifically proven. They stem from either folk medicines or individual experiences.

1. Brush your teeth with baking soda. A little of baking soda cannot do any harm to your teeth enamel but will help to make it shine.
2. The white inside of orange peels can be rubbed on your teeth for whiter teeth.
3. Try a tiny pinch of salt with your usual tooth paste. But salt in excess can damage your teeth enamel. The abrasiveness in salt helps to remove plaque and food particles from the teeth while too much of abrasion can weaken your enamel.
4. Using burnt rice husk for brushing (cleaning with fingers) is an age old practice. I have personally done it at my ancestral house and it works wonders to clean your teeth.
5. Many people are against the use of strawberries (sugar content) and hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening. Better go to a dentist than trying out anything dangerous.

Change the Diet

Quit smoking, chewing tobacco and yes, betel leaves. Avoid too much of coffee and black tea if you have colored teeth. Eat less of sweets and chocolates and always remember to gargle after eating. Foods which are pung­ent­, bit­t­er­ and astringent are good for whitening your teeth.

My teacher was so right when she said ” a smile takes only 14 muscles where as it takes 144 muscles not to smile.” I am not sure of the numerals but what she said is so right. Have a smile, always!

-Aparna K V

How many times did you have to cook without fresh curry leaves or mint?

Did you know that Aloe Vera can prevent hair loss??? Maybe you did. But you could not get pure Aloe Vera juice. Instead you had to go for the costly aloe gels available in the market.

Then why not think of planting them in your own garden, backyard, terrace or patio or even inside your windows??? Or even better, how about a cute little hanging garden?

In the present scenario of booming real estate, gardens or yards are disappearing and diminishing in importance. People are on the look for flats and apartments and the concept of having some soil and nursery of one’s own is nearly extinct.

Let me give a brief insight into the prospect of having a herbal garden within a small area, be it your balcony or indoors. Herbs are hassle free and easy to grow! And they are worth the effort.

About Herbs

Herbs are plants valued for their medicinal properties, flavour or scent. They offer innumerable uses, be it medicinal, culinary or ceremonial. The root, the stem, the bark, the flowers, the seeds, and the fruits of a herb are used along with their leaves.

Herbs can be categorized as annual, perennial, or biennial. Annual plants grow only in one seasaon and will need replanting in each spring. Perennial plants grow for several years and will grow again from the root even when the foliage dies in the fall. Biennial plants grow for two years dying out in the second year.

Herbalism or Botanical Medicine is quite popular in India, China and in Greek and Roman cultures predominantly. In India, the use of herbs is mentioned as early as in Kama Sutra (yet to read). However, herbal remedies are ever growing in popularity in every nook and corner of the world. If not for medicines, some have beautiful flowers and a sweet and tantalising scent that pervades the entire premises.

The Garden Site
It’s quite easy to grow some herbs in your garden. They need good drainage and will grow in neutral to alkaline soil. Some herbs are sun lovers and can be planted in the soil or kept in a pot or container where they can get enough sun. Basil, Chives, Dill, Rosemary, Thyme and the likes enjoy full sun while herbs like mint like only partial sun.

Some plants like those from the mint family and lemon balm may invade their docile companions and kill them. They even throw their off springs out even from a hanging pot. Thus these Invasive Herbs demand a separate container and enjoy a lot of attention to themselves. Some herbs are very small in size and growing in containers will prevent them from getting lost. Aloe Vera also can be in pots or containers. It prefers a dry and sunny climate with a great drainage because 95% of it is water. And the best part is that they need very less of water.

Clay pots with good drainage holes are the preferred containers for herbs. These pots or jars can be easily taken indoors during winter. But remember, plants growing in containers dry out faster than that ones growing in the ground. However, any excess of water can cause the roots to rot!!

Parsley, chives, thyme, coriander, rosemary, and basil are great for a hanging garden. For hanging gardens hanging baskets are available.

Care of the Herbal Garden
The herb garden will need regular watering and weeding depending upon the weather. Different plants will need varying measures of water. Plants in ontainers will need more of watering. Weeds tend to take off the food from the herbs destroying them eventually. They also attract lot many insects.

Prune the herbs once a month to keep them good-looking and healthy. Normally, they do not need any fertilizer and if needed a liquid fertilizier would do the job. For a healthy life, perennial herbs will need to be divided every year or two.

Some Common Herbs for a Home Garden

Aloe Vera
The large number uses of the Aloe plant include the treatment of skin diseases, sun burn, healing of the wounds etc. It is anti-fungal, anti- bacterial and moisturising. If ingested, it can reduce the blood sugar level, obesity, cure digestive diseases, heart burn and so on.

Curry Leaves
Though used a seasoning in Indian cuisine curry leaves are a good source of Vitamin A and Calcium and are beneficial to the skin.

Ginger
For health problems like cough, abdominal problems, vomiting, arthritis and rheumatism ginger serves as a medicine.

Mint Leaves
Mint is an easy to grow perennial herb that brings the images of cold and rejuvenation to the mind. It is great to spice up the palate and fill it with a refreshing aroma. Out of the mint family, peppermint used for headache, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatism and so on. Menthol in peppermint works well for indigestion.

Neem
A great blood purifier and detoxifier, neem is also a cure for a variety of skin problems.

Rosemary
In cooking it gets along with non-vegetarian dishes and sauces. As herb-oil it has refreshing qualities while it is also said to aid memory and concentration. It is credited with treating wounds, burns, cold, arthritis and rheumatism. A great perennial herb also for ornamental purposes.

Thyme
Fresh Thyme is used in salad dressings, dried leaves in pot pouris and the essential oil in deodorants. It also aids the treatment of ailments like epilepsy to melancholy. It is a perennial herb.

Tulsi
The most common herb found in India, Tulsi or Holy Basil, is a great healer. An annual help, it helps in conditions like fever, cold, sore throat, mouth infections, skin problems, eye disorders, respiratory disorders and even with heart diseases.

Turmeric
Can aid poor vision, increase milk production, cure diabetes, rheumatic pains, cough and skin disorders.
These are great for a small herbal garden and can serve the entire family for a healthy living. Remember, herbs can cure. Have a fragrant little yard, a healthy life and an aromatic cuisine!!!

-Aparna K V

Disclaimer: The statements here are suggestions and we do not offer any medical advice. You should always consult your doctor or any qualified medical practitioner before buying any of our products.

Tags: Kitchen Tips, Natural Cures, Natural Remedies, Herbal Supplements, Ayurvedic Medicine

The Holy Basil : Tulsi

Herbs have always played a significant role in human life since centuries. The modern man, in spite of his scientific and inventions and innovations is now turning back to the safety of herbal care for his umpteen medical problems. He realizes the fact that Mother Nature has cure for everything and that there is much to be discovered.

Tulsi (Tulasi), otherwise known as Basil leaf, is one of the most popular medicinal herbs in India. It is native to India and has a central position in Indian culture. It also appears in some of the European Christian legends like those of the Greek Orthodox Church. The name basil is likely to have derived from Greek words referring to “royalty” or “king.” Tulsi is considered by Hindus as a sacred plant and is widely used for its extensive medicinal properties since eons. Tulsi, is the elixir of life and takes a customary and distinctive place in the garden of an Indian. It has a unique place in the native Indian beliefs and superstitions as well. A traditional Indian would not begin his day without offering prayers to the Sun God (Surya Namaskara) and the Tulsi leaves (Tulsi Puja). In ancient Hindu houses Tulsi is located in the center of the eastern side of the compound in a specially built-in area as it is believed to safeguard the house from harmful diseases. It is true that the presence of Tulsi in the vicinity of the house can control the spreading of harmful germs and keep the atmosphere clean and pure owing to its antibacterial powers.

Tulsi is highly revered and consecrated in India because of its invincible medicinal powers and is considered as a gift from the Lord Himself. It is a symbol of a Hindu’s religious inclinations. However, Vaishnavites do not draw on Tulsi for medicine due to their rigid belief that Tulsi is a favorite of God Vishnu.

There are various definitions as to what the Sanskrit word ‘Tulsi’ mean. Some references show that it means ‘the incomparable one’ while some others point out that it means ‘the one that does not tolerate’.

Scientific Names

Scientifically called Ocimum sanctum or Ocimum tenuiflorum , Tulsi has three varieties namely Rama Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum ), Krishna Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum ) and Vana Tulsi (Ocimum gratissiumum ). They are mainly distinguished by their color and then by the size of the leaves, fragrance and flavor. Thai Basil is another variety that closely resembles the Holy Basil.

Medicinal Properties

The healing powers of Tulsi are not alien to human race. Tulsi is the elixir that promotes longevity. Tulsi is bestowed with magical powers to reduce stress, enhance stamina, relieve inflammation, lower