Herbal Tips For Beauty Care
Herbs have been held in high regard since ancient times. Their medicinal properties make them invaluable natural treasure. However, herbal infusions are also known for skin and hair care. Even today the cosmetic industry creates hype by declaring use of one or other exotic herb in their beauty products.
Women all over the world are more comfortable buying herbal cosmetic products rather than products made from harmful chemicals. Many women prefer making their own beauty products at home. Not only is this economical but also good for your skin and hair in the long run.
Chemical free products take good care of your skin and hair protecting them from any kind of damage. Chemicals, on the other hand, can cause severe damage to skin and hair if used regularly and for a long time.
While many women are interested in preparing creams, lotions, toners and shampoos themselves, they aren’t aware of the various herbs and their uses. Given below is a list of herbs, fruits and various ingredients that can be used for preparing cosmetics at home.
Almonds
Powdered almonds and almond oil is used mainly for preparing masks and scrubs for dry and normal skin. The oil of almond is particularly good for making cleansing creams and lotions. Use of almond leaves the skin feeling soft, supple and smooth.
Alum
Alum is finely grounded into a white or yellow powder. This powder has excellent astringent properties when mixed with rose water. Alum can also be used by athletes to dry dust sweat and dirt. Alum mixed with white wax is good for healing broken heels.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Many women have used apple cider vinegar at one time or another to treat urinary tract infections of UTI. The vinegar makes for an excellent skin toner when diluted with distilled water. It helps maintain the ph balance of the skin by providing essential acid mantle washed away by soap during cleansing process.
Avocado
Avocado is a great skin and hair nourisher. Ripe and mashed avocado makes for an excellent face mask. It helps clear the blemishes giving the skin an even tone. Avocado creams have good anti-ageing properties and smoothen out fine lines with regular use. Avocado oil and conditioner are excellent for hair making the hair stronger, thicker, healthier and shinier.
Banana
Banana and honey face mask is used for giving healthy appearance to dull and dry skin. The fruit mixed with milk also helps smooth rough skin especially of elbows, knees and ankles.
Basil
Basil is a herb that is used mainly in Italian cooking. The herb grows mainly in areas where the sun tends to shine. It has white flowers that are shaped like whorls and the leaves are oval with a wax-like surface. Basil has medicinal properties and is mainly used for curing morning and travel-related sickness.
The aroma of herb has a calming effect on the nervous system and is also advised to patients suffering from depression and hypertension. Crushed basil leaves help cure skin problems like acne, pimples, blemishes and uneven skin tone.
Bergamot
Bergamot is a herb with excellent aroma. Bergamot essential oil is used widely in perfuming colognes, deodorants, talcum powders and soaps. A few drops of bergamot essential oil in any homemade cosmetic will give it an excellent perfume. Bergamot oil is also used in lipsticks and lip colors to remove the waxy smell from them.
Betony
Betony is a shrub with purple colored flower and mainly grows in dense forests. The shrub does not crave sunlight and is found in shaded areas. The shrub has been used from times immemorial to cure headaches since it is a natural painkiller. Betony also has anti-bacterial properties and helps cure acne by purifying the blood when taken in tonic preparation. Many blood purifying tonics have betony as an essential ingredient.
Bicarbonate of Soda
This is an acid salt used as a beauty product. Also known as baking soda, this ingredient when mixed with a little water makes for an excellent exfoliator. It is not very harsh on the skin and leaves it feeling clean and healthy.
So next time you run out of your favorite scrub simply mix water with baking soda and exfoliate. It is also good for cleaning teeth when you run out of toothpaste. Baking soda is also used for whitening teeth by people who smoke.
Calamine Lotion
Calamine lotion is alkaline in nature and is therefore used to treat irritated skin. Skin problems like painful pimples, burns of any kind (including sun burns), uneven skin tone and oily skin can all be treated with application of calamine lotion. In cases of chicken pox and herpes zoster calamine lotion is often prescribed for soothing the skin and preventing it from itching.
Cucumber
Cucumber is quite a popular vegetable during summer as it helps in weight loss. However, cucumber is also known for its cosmetic properties. Application of cucumber slices on tired eyes not only revives them but also helps prevent dark circles.
Grated cucumber can be applied on skin and used as a mask for oily and dull skin. Cucumber juice can be used as a toner. Mix a teaspoon of lemon juice in it and use it as an astringent. The vegetable helps keep the skin clean and clear. It also soothes skin irritated by sun.
Fuller’s Earth
Also known as Multani Mitti, this is mineral rich clay used mainly for preparing masks. The clay has excellent cleansing properties. The minerals in the clay penetrate deep in the skin pores and draw out the impurities. Masks made using Fuller’s Earth are especially beneficial for treating pimples, acne, skin blemishes and pigmentation.
Mix Fuller’s Earth with rose water and apply the paste on the face regularly for an even skin tone. The powdered form of clay can also be used as a dry shampoo. Clean oily and grimy scalp using paste of Fuller’s Earth and water.
There are innumerable ingredients that have been known to aid in beauty care. The above list covers only a few of them. Before using any natural ingredient to prepare a cosmetic infusion it is important to know its properties and uses.
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