Perfect Hair mask to Rejuvenate Dull, Dry and Frizzy hair

This hair mask is quick, easy and works wonders!

Do you know the price you are paying for chemically treated and coloured hair? No, we are not asking for the monetary value but the effect these treatments have on your hair. Excessive chemical dyeing or hair colouring leaves the hair dry, lifeless and frizzy. Premature greying is also one of the signs of such treatments. But if you have coloured or treated hair and are looking for ways to rejuvenate it, this hair mask by Dr Nirmala Shetty, featured in her book ‘Beauty at your fingertips’, is the perfect remedy. You can also ditch the chemical dyes and try these natural hair colours.

Fruit and egg hair mask.
Ingredients

1. 1 banana, chopped
2. 1 slice papaya, chopped
3. ¼ cup coconut milk
4. ¼ cup base oil (sesame, almond or olive)
5. 2 egg yolks
6. 2 dashes lavender oil

Method

1. In a mixer, add and grind all the ingredients to make a thick and smooth paste.
2. Taking small sections of hair, apply the mask evenly on the roots and the length of the hair, just like you apply henna. Tie your hair in a neat bun.
3. Allow the hair mask to stay for 20 minutes on your hair. You can cover it with a shower cap to avoid dripping.
4. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo followed by a conditioner. Use an aloe vera based shampoo preferably.
5. Use this twice a week to nourish damaged hair.

Bananas prevent root damage. Papayas help maintain hair health and give it a sheen. You can use either sesame, olive or almond oil for their moisturising properties. Coconut milk reduces hair fall and the proteins in the milk stimulate hair growth and nourish hair follicles. It is also a very good conditioner. Egg yolks are great for damaged, brittle hair and flaky scalp. They also strengthen the hair follicles. The fragrant lavender oil is effective in preventing hair loss. Here are some more ways to reverse the chemical damage and stop hair loss.

Expert recommended Natural Remedy for Joint Pain and Swelling

This leafy vegetable can provide relief from joint pains and swellings.

Suwa leaves, shepu or dill leaves are one of the herbs that heal as they have medicinal properties. These tiny, dark green and pungent smelling leaves help prevent digestive disorders, diarrhea and exhibit several other health benefits. Dill leaves are effective in reducing joint pains and swelling of joints, according to the renowned naturopath, Dr H K Bakhru.

How dill leaves help?
Dill leaves are effective in counteracting antispasmodic disorders. Applying dill leaves along with sesame oil on joints regularly can provide relief from pain and aches because of their soothing properties. The liniment is also known to reduce swelling of the joints and provide relief to the elderly who suffer from pains during daily activities. Dill leaves are an excellent source of calcium. Adding them to your diet can prevent bone loss and osteoporosis.

How to use dill leaves?
Boil fresh dill leaves in a cup of sesame oil. Allow it to cool and massage the oil gently on the joints, suggests Dr H K Bakhru. Dill leaves have a strong odour and pungent taste. They can be made palatable when mixed with other leafy vegetables, potatoes or dals. Finely chopped dill leaves can be sprinkled on raitas and salads too.  Dill seeds can also be roasted and munched once a day for increasing your daily calcium intake.

Try Lemongrass Herbal Tea to alleviate Menstrual Pain

Sip this aromatic herbal tea to soothe menstrual cramps.

Instant relief by popping painkillers during that difficult time of the month can do more harm to your body than good. Though, the constant pain, discomfort and cramps need immediate attention so that you can concentrate on your daily activities, painkillers can’t be the solution. Natural ingredients that help ease menstrual pain are a safe and effective bet. Lemongrass mixed with pepper is one such effective remedy for menstrual problems suggests renowned naturopath Dr H K Bakhru, in his book Herbs that Heal. You may also like to read about some easy and effective home remedies to beat menstrual pain.

How does lemongrass help?

Lemongrass is a natural sedative and produces a calming effect that can ease cramps and pain during menstruation. Myrcene present in lemongrass is an analgesic or painkiller[1]. According to a research published in the Journal of Medicinal food, citronellol present in lemongrass exhibits antinociceptive action[2] and thus provides relief from menstrual pain. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties prevent yeast infections. Lemongrass also acts as a mood enhancer and reduces the discomfort due to heavy bleeding or cramps. Did you know that avoiding these 6 foods can help alleviate menstrual pain?

How to use lemongrass?

• While making lemongrass tea, use one tablespoon of freshly chopped or dried lemongrass in one cup of water. Add the lemongrass to a cup and pour boiling water on it. Allow it to steep for five minutes. Strain and sip. Honey helps preserve the benefits of lemongrass and hence it can be added for sweetening. Lemongrass juice or decoction of raw lemongrass can be sipped regularly.
• Add a pinch of pepper to a cup of water and boil it. Pour this on one tablespoon lemongrass leaves and sip it two-three times a day during menstruation.

How to use Amla or Indian gooseberry for High Cholesterol

Worried about your rising cholesterol levels? Control it now with amla or Indian gooseberries.

High cholesterol is something most of us have to worry about. We hardly think twice about how our wayward eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle has on our health and then have to pay the price in some or the other form of a lifestyle disease. High cholesterol level invites heart diseases such as atherosclerosis and stroke. And if your cholesterol levels go through the roof, then you don’t have much of choice but to take blood thinning drugs, follow a strict diet and exercise every day. However, there are many natural remedies you can use to control your blood cholesterol levels and one of them is Indian gooseberry or amla.

Amla is also used in Ayurvedic medicine. Apart from being rich in vitamin C, amla is a storehouse of antioxidants and minerals. However, various clinical studies show that Indian gooseberry interferes with cholesterol absorption from food and also stops the action of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase that plays an important role in the formation of cholesterol. Amla reduces total cholesterol (TC) level, LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) and triglyceride (TG) level. It is also known to increase High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) level [1].Confused about HDL and LDL? Here’s what they actually mean.

Apart from controlling blood cholesterol levels, amla also has an anti-diabetic effect and also helps controls hypertension.

How to use amla for reducing cholesterol levelsDrinking a cup of amla juice every day is the easiest and safest way to incorporate it in your diet. But make sure you drink fresh amla juice every day. To make the juice at home follow this procedure:

1. Cut two gooseberries into small pieces and remove the seeds.
2. Grind the gooseberries with a cup of water in a blender.
3. Strain it using a muslin cloth or a fine strainer.
4. Add a pinch of black salt or a teaspoon of honey before drinking.

Look 5 years younger with this aroma fruit pack

Bid goodbye to early signs of ageing with this natural face pack.

Signs of ageing are first noticed on the skin. As we age, the skin starts becoming thinner and loses its natural elasticity. Add to it lack of moisture and fine lines will soon appear, making you look older. Stress, smoking, drinking alcohol and junk food, lack of exercise and not drinking enough water can cause wrinkles. What your skin needs is some pampering and natural ingredients often come to rescue. Are you following these anti-ageing tips for your skin?

Here’s a recipe for an anti-ageing mask by Dr Nirmala Shetty, founder of Nirmal Herbal, from her book Beauty at your finger tips.

The Aroma Fruit Pack

Things you need

• 4 tsp avocado paste
• 4 tsp papaya paste
• 1 tsp almond oil
• 1 dash ylang ylang essential oil

Recipe

• In a glass bowl, mix the papaya and avocado paste. Add the oils to it and stir again till all ingredients are mixed well.
• Apply the pack on your face and neck and massage gently. Let it stay for 5-10 minutes.
• Wash with cold water and pat dry. Moisturise your face after this routine.
• Using this pack daily will ensure you enjoy young and glowing skin suggests Dr Nirmala.

How the face pack helps?
Being a rich source of Vitamin E, avocados keep the skin healthy and maintain the complexion. It protects the skin from sun damage and reduces signs of ageing. Papaya is effective in reducing acne, tan and Vitamin A present in it provides nourishment to the skin. This helps ward off wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of ageing. Ylang ylang oil improves skin elasticity by shrinking large pores and helping in the regeneration of skin cells [1]. Almond oil is a natural moisturiser and prevents dryness. All these combined work as a perfect recipe to keep the skin youthful and glowing. You can also incorporate these foods to prevent early ageing of skin.

Planning to kick the butt? Make cinnamon your best friend

These spice sticks can curb your craving for a ciggie.

Tobacco or smoking addiction can cause irreparable to your well-being. Despite several warnings, people take the puff nonchalantly and before they realise, they reach a stage from where turning back is difficult. If not smoking, many people take to chewing tobacco. Smoking and tobacco cessation therapies don’t just recommend cold turkey methods. They support you and help you find different methods of distraction to curb those cravings. It may include constant counselling or providing helpful aids like low nicotine cigarettes, exercises and outdoor activities, replacing the cigarette with healthy snacks or juices and much more. You may also like to read about how these 9 tips can help you stay away from smoking.

One such ingredient that has been used for a very long time for tobacco or smoking cessation is cinnamon. If you are trying to quit smoking, try chewing on a small stick of cinnamon to distract yourself. In all likelihood, you will not miss your cigarette or tobacco. Besides, curbing the urge to smoke, cinnamon’s health benefits make it an ideal natural remedy for this cessation. It exhibits anti-cancer properties and also keeps your heart healthy, thus lowering the damage your addiction may have caused to the body. You can also try these 4 natural remedies to quit smoking.

In a 5-day plan to quit smoking designed in 1964[1] which received recognition from the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society and even the World Health Organisation, chewing on cinnamon sticks or small pieces of cinnamon several times a day was recommended.

This remedy is safe and very simple. So what are you waiting for? Kick the butt and pick some cinnamon instead.

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References:

McFarland, J. W., & Folkenberg, E. J. (1964). How to Stop Smoking in Five Days: By J. Wayne McFarland & Elman J. Folkenberg. Prentice-Hall.

Glasgow, R. E., Hollis, J. F., McRae, S. G., Lando, H. A., & LaChance, P. (1991). Providing an integrated program of low intensity tobacco cessation services in a health maintenance organization. Health Education Research,6(1), 87-99.

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Sip some hibiscus tea the next time you suffer from fever

The infusion is easy to make and has numerous health benefits.

The bright pink or red coloured hibiscus flowers are effective in preventing and controlling several ailments and hair problems. Hibiscus can be used to treat urinary tract infections, is a natural remedy for diabetes and even prevents premature greying of hair. Also, hibiscus can prevent and provide relief from fever.

How hibiscus helps?
Ayurveda has recognised the properties of hibiscus as a cooling drink for fever [1]. The antipyretic properties of hibiscus help control fever and alleviate pain and discomfort. Hibiscus has also demonstrated demulcent or anti-inflammatory properties, which relieve you of pain caused due to inflammation of mucous membranes during fever. The phyto constituents in hibiscus also possess antibacterial, antiviral, and analgesic properties. All these collectively make hibiscus effective during fever. A study published in the International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences states that hibiscus flower infusion can be used as a refrigerant drink in fever [2]. Hibiscus tea helps stimulate appetite and hence proves to be beneficial during fever when loss of appetite is common. You can also try these 6 yoga asanas that provide relief from fever.

How to use hibiscus?
Hibiscus flowers may be infused in water and the strained liquid can be consumed from time to time for relief during fever. Sipping on hibiscus tea regularly will keep you healthy and ward off fever or any other infections.

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References:
Soni, D., & Gupta, A. (2011). An evaluation of antipyretic and analgesic potentials of aqueous root extract of Hibiscus rosa sinesis Linn.(malvacae). Int. J. Res. Phytochem. Pharmacol, 1(3), 184-186.
Kumar, A., & Singh, A. (2012). Review on Hibiscus rosa sinensis. International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, 3(2), 534-538.
Image Source: Shutterstock

Natural Remedy to save your Baby from painful Diaper rashes

Wet and tight diapers can lead to the bothersome diaper rashes. A baby’s skin is soft and sensitive and needs to stay away from chemicals and harsh skin care products. Most mothers resort to home remedies and natural ingredients to prevent and reduce diaper rashes. Sesame oil is one such ingredient. Read about the causes of diaper rashes.

How sesame oil helps?
According to a study[1] conducted in China on 80 babies suffering from diaper rashes, applying sesame oil proved to be more effective than a diaper cream of a popular brand. Sesame oil has also been traditionally used in India to prevent diaper rashes. Being a natural emollient, the oil soothes and moisturises the baby’s skin and provides relief from the itching or burning caused by rashes. It also acts as a barrier and prevents diaper rashes. Sesame oil is also a key ingredient in many herbal formulations to treat rashes, skin allergies, dry skin itching and other skin issues [2]. The demulcent and antibacterial properties of sesame oil reduce inflammations and relieve pain [3]. Here are 9 reasons you must include sesame oil in your beauty regimen.
Gently massage a little sesame oil on the rash prone areas every day to prevent rashes. You can apply it on existing rashes for quicker healing. You can also try these tips to banish diaper rashes.

Image Source: Shutterstock
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References
Wei-ping, C. H. E. N. (2012). Application of Sesame Oil to Baby Diaper Rash and Evaluation on its Curative Effect [J]. Health Medicine Research and Practice, 4, 029.
Rosen, R. (2007). U.S. Patent No. 7,235,265. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Anilakumar, K. R., Pal, A., Khanum, F., & Bawa, A. S. (2010). Nutritional, medicinal and industrial uses of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seeds-an overview. Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus (ACS), 75(4), 159-168.

Control Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and prevent Heart diseases with Saffron

Saffron or kesar is one of the most expensive spices in the world. In fact, it was once associated with royalty where the queens would bathe in saffron for glowing skin. It’s rich colour, aroma and warm and earthy flavours add a royal touch to any dish. Pregnant women are often given saffron milk for its health benefits and so that the skin of the baby is healthy and glowing. Saffron has a few compounds that are very beneficial to heart health. Here are 5 ways saffron can give you beautiful skin.

How saffron helps?
Saffron is full of carotenoids, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. One such carotenoid is crocetin, which is present in maximum proportion in saffron. Crocetin has proven to be effective in maintaining cardiovascular health [1]. It is also found to increase oxygen level in the body [2]. This helps prevent heart diseases. Crocetin also helps in reducing the level of cholesterol in the blood, thus preventing its accumulation in arteries and reducing the risk of artherosclerosis [3]. This is turn reduces the risk of heart attacks and promotes smooth flow of blood, keeping blood pressure in control. Saffron is often referred to as a ‘cheering cardiac medicament’ and is added to meals for its healing properties [4]. Did you know eating dates every day can also help prevent heart disease?

How to use saffron?
Saffron is very expensiveand hence may not be commonly used in every household. But a pinch of saffron added to milk can be consumed to prevent heart diseases and keep hypertension and cholesterol in check. Saffron is often added to desserts and even Mughlai curries. However, saffron must not be used in excess at one time as it may have toxic effects.
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References:
1. Shen, X. C., & Qian, Z. Y. (2006). Effects of crocetin on antioxidant enzymatic activities in cardiac hypertrophy induced by norepinephrine in rats. Die Pharmazie-An International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 61(4), 348-352.
2. Yan, J., Qian, Z., Sheng, L., Zhao, B., Yang, L., Ji, H., … & Zhang, R. (2010). Effect of crocetin on blood pressure restoration and synthesis of inflammatory mediators in heart after hemorrhagic shock in anesthetized rats. Shock, 33(1), 83-87.
3. Gainer, J. L., & Chisolm, G. M. (1974). Oxygen diffusion and atherosclerosis.Atherosclerosis, 19(1), 135-138.
4. Basker, D., & Negbi, M. (1983). Uses of saffron. Economic Botany, 37(2), 228-236.