Wildturmeric

Here in Tamil Nadu, Dengue fever is spreading rapidly in the place where my son is studying and many of the students including my son got it. I wanted to share all the treatments and the remedies that we did for our son. It can be very scary to see platelets and blood pressure drop so fast, please don't worry. With good care, it will get better within 3 to 4 days. What Causes Dengue? Dengue is a fever caused by dengue virus. It is a mosquito borne disease that is spread by Aedes type mosquitoes. We only get dengue when we get bitten by infected Aedes mosquitoes. Dengue Fever Signs & Symptoms Day By Day: Last week, 3 of the 5 children in my son's hostel room got dengue fever. I was quite worried and the same day night my son called us home and said he was not feeling well. The next day early morning, we went to pick him up and by then the fever had shot up to 103 degrees and he had severe headache and light cramps in the legs. Some of the common symptoms of dengue other than high fever are headaches, cramps and rashes but my son didn't have rashes. Body tiredness, pain in the legs and feverishness were the early symptoms. Since his body temperature shot up quickly, by the time we reached the school, the doctor in the school had given him a paracetamol to bring the temperature down. Lab Tests For Dengue: My son slept all the way back home from school and once we reached home, we gave him plenty of water and took him to his pediatrician to confirm whether it was dengue fever. After doing a blood test she confirmed it was dengue like I feared. His blood pressure started dropping by then and his platelet count also started dropping. Dengue Fever Treatment Day By Day: Dengue Fever 1'st day: Once it was confirmed that it was dengue fever, the doctor advised plenty of fluids and to give him paracetamol if the fever crossed 100 degrees. After the paracetamol given in the school, his temperature went back to normal and he didn't have any temperature and headache the whole day but his platelets was down and his blood pressure also was low. He kept having plenty of fluids and I gave him papaya leaf juice in the evening.Dengue Fever 2nd Day: The second day, I gave him papaya leaf juice in the morning and evening. He didn't have fever in the morning but suddenly it shot up to 102 degrees in the afternoon though his intake of fluids was good. Evening, we took him to do a blood test again, his platelet count dropped further to 116000 and his total wbc dropped to 4300. He was getting tired of drinking huge amounts of water and he started having headache by the end of the evening. So I started giving him electrolyte water along with warm homemade soups. I gave papaya leaf juice in the morning and evening too. Dengue Fever 3rd day: Because of the huge amount of liquid intake, he was barely taking solid food and all of us barely slept that night as we kept checking on him throughout the night as we worried that his temperature might suddenly shoot up again. He didn't have temperature in the morning but got fever in the afternoon, his temperature was around 100 degrees. Since we are living in a village, we took him to town in the evening for the blood test. Though his liquid intake was good, his platelets dropped further down to 111000 and his wbc dropped to 3000. He continued taking papaya leaf extract. Dengue Fever 4th day: He didn't have temperature the whole day and his liquid intake was good. I kept giving him light but nourishing foods like idli in the morning, rasam in the afternoon and plenty of vegetable soups and fresh coconut water from the farm. We took him for the blood test in the evening and to our relief, his platelet count increased to 127000 and his wbc count also increased to 3200. I kept giving him papaya leaf extract both morning and evening. Dengue Fever 5th & 6th Day: Once his platelets stopped dropping and started increasing he didn't have temperature at all. But when we took him for checkup in the evening, to our shock, though his platelets increased to 130000 and wbc to 5500 his blood pressure was still low. The doctor advised to increase his intake of electrolyte which we did. On the 6th day, his platelets improved still further and his blood pressure returned back to normal. My Personal Advice: Dengue mortality rate is increasing and even few days back, two people in our neighboring village died due to dengue fever. In my humble opinion, this is because we mistake dengue fever for ordinary fever. If you are living in a place where dengue is spreading and you have fever please visit a doctor and do a dengue test, it costs around 750 rupees but it will save our lives. The sooner we confirm it is dengue the faster will be the cure and also it will help platelets from dropping to dangerously low levels. The two essential things that will help treat dengue is hydration and papaya leaf extract. Hydration is the key for treating dengue, all fevers are dehydrating but it is especially acute during dengue fever. My son's lips used to look dry even after drinking liters of liquids throughout the day. Once he started taking electrolyte drink, it was much better so I definitely would suggest drinking electrolyte water. You can either buy electrolyte drink from the shops or make your own, I have given the recipe for electrolyte water below. Regarding papaya leaf extract, it definitely helps increase platelet count and even doctors recommend it. Fresh papaya leaf juice is bitter and if it is very hard for you to drink it, you can take papaya leaf tablets available in the markets. If you have dengue, be sure to test yourself daily even if you don't have fever till the platelet stops decreasing and stops increasing. I know it is hard, it definitely was for my son to travel daily from the village to the town for the blood tests when he had fever. But then it helps us to know whether the platelet count is decreasing or increasing and whether the amount of liquid intake that day was enough or not. Once the platelet count stops decreasing and starts the uptrend you can stop testing as the platelets usually does not decrease again. I would also suggest giving nourishing home cooked meals and fresh homemade juice instead of giving store bought breads and bottled juices. Please remember that in India, most of the so called whole wheat breads contains only maida as the main ingredient. Drinking coconut water will prevent leg craps caused due to low potassium levels, once my son started drinking coconut water he didn't have any leg cramps at all. Also if you are on any medication, please mention it to your physician. Dengue Prevention: Nilavembu kudineerwill help prevent dengue to a certain extent as it helps increase our immunity. We can also prevent mosquitoes from breeding around our homes by getting rid of standing water......

3 TOP DENGUE FEVER TREATMENTS & REMEDIES:

1. Papaya Leaf Juice:

For making papaya leaf juice, take 1 medium papaya leaf and remove the thick middlestalk. Wash the leaf well, I usually soak it in water for a minute and then wash it under running water. Now grind it along with little water and strain. I gave my son papaya leaf juice twice a day, once early morning in empty stomach and another in the evening. If you don't want to take the juice, you can take papaya leaf tablets twice a day after food. Papaya leaf juice greatly helps increase platelet levels.

2. Foods To Take During Dengue:

I gave him idlis (traditional South Indian steamed rice cakes) in the morning and my son always insisted that he wanted coconut chutney along with it too so I made coconut chutney without seasoning with just a small chili and gave it to him along with idli for breakfast. For lunch, I gave him rasam rice made out of lentil water and spices mixed with soft boiled rice. Night was again idli. In between the meals, he took plenty of fluids like homemade vegetable soup, fresh fruit juices and coconut water along with coconut meat.

3. Hydration During Dengue Fever:

Drink plenty of water throughout the day. I would also suggest taking 2 or 3 packs of electrolyte, it will prevent blood pressure from dropping too low. You can also make your own electrolyte drink by mixing 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice, 2 tsp of lemon juice, 1 cup coconut water, 1/8 tsp salt and 1 tbsp of honey. If you are not able to drink lots of water, take liquids in the form of homemade vegetable soups (avoid non veg soups), fresh fruit juices without added sugar and coconut water. My son was feeling very thirsty even after two days after the fever so continue to have plenty of liquids for a few days even after the fever.

Senna Alata | Cassia Alata is a very important medicinal plant with amazing medicinal uses and health benefits. It is native to Mexico and but now can be found in many parts of the world. In India, it is found commonly and can be easily found along road sides and wastelands. The seed, leaves and flowers are used for medicinal purposes. Cassia Alata belongs to the family Fabaceae and genus Senna. Cassia Alata| Senna Alata is the botanical name. It is commonly called Candlestick Plant | Candle Bush | Candlestick Cassia | Candle Tree Plant | Candle Bush Plant | Yellow Candlestick Plant as the inflorescence of the plant looks like a candle. It is also commonly called as Ring Worm Bush plant as it is very famous for treating ringworm. It is called Seemai Agathi in Tamil, Dadmurdan In Hindi, Shima Agati in Malayalam, Shima Avasi in Telugu, Akapulko in Philippines, Eth Thora in Sinhalese, Chumhet Thet in Thai, Bois Dartre in French, Kerzenstrauch in German, Kasshia Arata in Japanese and Dadrughna in Sanskrit. Senna Alata plant is a large shrub that grows up to 3 to 4 meters tall. The large and broad bilateral leaves close at night. The inflorescence are candle shaped and looks strikingly beautiful. The fruit is a straight pod with small square seeds. Chemical Constituents: Anthraquinones, glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, lectin, rhein and tannins. Some of the compunds isolated from the leaves are chrysoeriol, kaempferol, quercetin, 5,7,4 trihydroflavanone, kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1>--6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, stearic acid, palmitic Acid, palmitic Acid Ceryl Ester, n-triacontanol, n-dotriacontanol and 17-hydrotetratriacontane. Traditional Uses: Traditionally it has been used for treating insect bites, ring worm, wounds, as a laxative, hyper tension, skin diseases, decoction of the leaves are used for cough and to get rid of intestinal worms. Here are the medicinal uses of cassia alata:1. Anti Fungal Properties & Anti Microbial: Both ethanol extract and water extract got by boiling the cassia alata leaves in water has amazing anti fungal properties and anti microbial properties making it very effective for treating skin diseases. It is very effective against ringworm as it has anti dermatophyte properties which are the main causes of ringworm. It is also particularly effective against Cadidia Albicans, Microsporum Canis and Trichyophyton Mentagraphytes. You can read the study that proves it here. 2. Anti Inflammatory & Antioxidant Properties: Cassia alata has wonderful anti inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Applying a poultice of the leaves on the effected area helps bring down the inflammation effectively. In fact, cassia alata showed the most anti inflammatory properties against four other herb extracts it was tested along with, you can read the study here. 3. Anti Pyretic Properties: Cassia Alata has wonderful fever reducing properties and the water extract can be used for reducing high body temperature. The water extract can also be used for treating malaria fever as it has anti malarial properties too. 4. Anthelmintic Properties: Generally all cassia plants have the ability to expel worms and especially cassia alata is very powerful. The water extract of cassia alata leaf can be taken for expelling worms and has been traditionally used for it for many years. 5. Anti Diabetic Properties: Cassia alata has blood sugar lowering properties and this action is believed to be because it inhibits carbohydrate digestion. Slowing carbohydrate digestion leads to slow release of sugar thus it greatly helps diabetic patients. 6. Anti Tumor properties: An isolate extracted from cassia alata has wonderful anti tumor properties and has been proven to be very effective against colon canceroma, bladder carcinoma and colo rectal carcinoma. The extract isolated from cassia alata is named f61 and amazingly it does not cause any harm to non cancerous cells. You can read about it here. 7. Ovicidal & Larvicidal Properties: Cassia alata has both ovicidal and larvidal properties and is used for getting rid of nematodes of sheep and goats. The water extract can be used safely for getting rid of parasites. 8. Cassia Alata As a Laxative: Cassia leaf extract got by boiling the leaves in water has been traditionally used for treating constipation. This traditional use has been backed by research and you can read the study here. Cassia Alata Side Effects: Cassia alata has low toxicity when consumed internally as a medicine but pregnant women should not consume cassia alata as it can lead to abortion. Traditionally cassia alata extract has been used for inducing abortion in pregnant women and this practice is indeed proven to be true. Cassia Alata Dosage: Usually the recommended dosage for cassia tea is 1/2 to 1 tsp of the dried leaves and 1 to 2 small fresh leaves....

4 TOP WAYS TO USE CASSIA ALATA FOR HEALTH & SKIN CARE:

1. Cassia Alata Tea For Constipation:

For treating constipation take the water decoction by infusing 1/2 to 1 tsp of the dried leaf or 1 fresh leaf in boiling hot water. This tea is good for diabetic patients and reduces fever too.

2. Cassia Alta For Ring Worm:

Take the fresh leaves and pound in mortar and pestle along with little water to get a thick paste and apply as a poultice.

3. Cassia Alata For Skin Diseases:

For treating skin diseases, heat one cassia leaf in 2 tbsp of coconut oil till the leaf turns crisp. Let it cool, strain and use it for external application. This oil can be used for treating all kind of skin diseases.

4. Cassia Alata For Wound Healing:

Fresh cassia juice got by grinding cassia leaf with little water can be applied with a small piece of cotton on skin infections. Try to use fresh leaf for making the juice for best results...

One of the most annoying problems we women face is unwanted facial growth especially upper lip hair. Many visit beauty salons regularly for waxing to remove the upper lip hair. But upper lip hair can be easily removed at home permanently with natural home remedies and I wanted to share all of them. But what causes upper lip hair? Excessive hair growth on face and body is called hirsutism and it is caused due to hormonal imbalance and is mostly common in women suffering from poly cystic ovarian syndrome (pcos). Some hair on our upper lip is normal and is mostly genetic but if the hair growth is dark, coarse and very visible then it is highly likely to be due to hormonal imbalance. The best way to stop hair growth on upper lip is to treat pcos and you can find how to treat pcos with natural home remedies easily here. Once pcos is treated, upper lip hair won't grow as thick and coarse anymore and you can easily remove the existing hair with the remedies given below. Different ways to remove upper lip hair? Some of the common methods used for removing upper lip hair instantly are plucking unwanted upper lip hair with tweezers, waxing, using hair removing creams and electric trimmers. Finally there are homemade scrubs which helps stunt the hair growth permanently but it takes time and depending on the coarseness of the hair might take months to see results but the results are permanent. I would suggest not using tweezers to pluck upper lip hair especially if the hair is thick as it injures the skin. The best option is to use instant hair removal methods like waxing or using an electric trimmer to remove existing hair along with using homemade scrubs daily. This way we can remove existing hair and arrest further hair growth simultaneously. When you continuously use both methods, you will find hair growth gradually diminish and over time will stop completely. The time it takes will depend on how coarse your hair is. To use the below given scrubs, make it into a paste and apply as a thick coat on the upper lip. Wait for it to almost dry and then start rubbing gently in small circular motions and then remove it off. Wash your face and then apply a moisturizer without fail.....

10 Top Ways To Remove Upper Lip Hair At Home Naturally & Permanently:

1. Nagamotha & Vasmbu Powder For Hair removal:

Take 100 grams of nagarmotha powder and 10 grams of vasambu powder, mix well and store in an airtight box. To use, take enough powder, mix it with water and apply. Both nagarmotha and vasambu powder have been used for hair removal in Tamil Nadu for many years.

2. Turmeric For Upper Lip Hair Removal:

To use turmeric for hair removal, just take a tsp of turmeric powder and add enough milk to form a paste and apply. Turmeric is very effective for hair removal and you can use either kasthuri turmeric or normal cooking turmeric. If you have oily skin, mix it with rose water.

3. Alum & Rose Water For Upper Lip Hair Removal:

Take a tsp of alum powder in a bowl, alum is called Phitkari in Hindi and Padikaram in Tamil. Alum is sold in block form in India and is called shaving alum as men rub alum block on their cheeks after shaving to heal cuts caused while shaving. Buy alum block and powder it in mortar and pestle and then use. Mix alum powder with enough rose water to from a paste and apply.

4. Sugar Scrub For Upper Lip Hair Removal:

Sugar scrubs if used regularly arrests unwanted hair growth but try to use fine sugar else it will cause skin irritation. To use, take 1 tsp of fine sugar in a bowl, I prefer to use caster sugar that is used for baking as it is very fine. Add enough orange juice to form a paste and apply. This is one of my favorite scrubs.

5. Gram Flour Upper Lip Hair Removal:

Take 1 tsp of gram flour in a bowl. Add 1/4 tsp of kasthuri turmeric to it. Now add enough milk to form a paste and apply. Gram flour is an another ingredient that has been used for hair removal from ancient times in India and this gram flour mask is especially famous...

6. Honey Wax Upper Lip Hair Removal:

Heat 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup honey and 2 tsp lemon juice till sugar dissolves completely. Pour into a wax heater, whenever you want to wax your upper lip, melt the wax and apply it on the upper lip area. Press hair removal strip firmly on top and pull it in the opposite direction of hair growth. Regular waxing will help slow upper lip hair growth.

7. Gelatin For Upper Lip Hair Removal:

Gelatin peel off masks are great for removing upper lip hair as it removes upper lip hair when we are peeling off the mask. Instead of buying expensive peel off masks you can easily make your own using gelatin. This homemade peel off mask is made with gelatin, orange juice and turmeric powder and you can find how to do it here.

8. Egg White Mask For Upper Lip Hair Removal:

Egg white masks are great for upper lip hair removal because they dry firmly on the skin and when we remove it by gently rubbing it, it removes the facial hair too. I prefer to use it along with rice flour. For the face pack, take 1 egg white in a bowl. Add in 1 tsp of rice flour to it. Mix well and apply as a face pack and once it dries remove it by rubbing gently.

9. Baking Soda For Upper Lip Hair Removal:

Baking soda and turmeric combination is an other remedy that works very well for removing upper lip hair. But this paste is a little drying on the skin, if you have dry skin I would suggest using a moisturizer without fail later. For the remedy, take 1 tsp of turmeric powder in a bowl, add in 1 tsp of baking soda to it. Now add enough water to form a paste. Once you add water, the mixture will start foaming which is normal and once the foaming subsides, apply.

10. Homemade Bath Powder For Hair Removal:

Using bath powders are a great way to get rid of unwanted facial hair easily. Traditional bath powders has ingredients like green gram dal, wild turmeric, white turmeric, poolan kilangu and dried rose petals. Wild turmeric is called "kasturi manjal" in Tamil and white turmeric (Zedoary) is called "Poolan kilangu" in Tamil and all these ingredients help remove unwanted facial hair if used regularly. You can find the recipe for it here.

I have always loved tea and drink it almost daily and I am so happy to share the health benefits of black tea. Black tea is got from the leaves of the shrub called Camellia Sinensis. Four types of tea are got from the same plant - oolong, black, green and white tea. What differentiates them is the level of oxidation and black tea is more oxidized than the rest of the three teas and has a strong flavor. How Is black Tea Produced? The process starts with hand picking tea leaves which is a labor intensive work. Then the tea leaves are sorted and then the process starts. When the tea leaves are brought into the factory, the leaves are full of moisture. The first process is withering, during withering, the tea leaves are spread over a wire mesh and hot air is passed over them to reduce the water content to 70 %. Withering makes the leaves pliable, ready for rolling. During rolling, the tea leaves are rolled either by machine or by hand, rolling breaks the cell structure of the leaves and helps them release their natural oils and then they are ready for oxidation in which the leaves are left to dry out at certain temperature. The color of the leaf indicates the level of oxidization and once the desired color is reached, the leaves are passed into hot air dryers to bring the water content down to almost 3 % and then they are packed. Black Tea Origin: Black tea originated in China in the late Ming dynasty, the first black tea produced was called Lapsang Souchong. Lapsang means high mountainous area and small leaf trees are called Souchong. Usually green tea and oolong tea was drunk in China and black tea was accidentally found when a group of army men passing an old tea factory consumed tea made from the leaves that were left to oxidize in the factory. They liked the robust and intense taste of black tea and continued to oxidise the tea leaves for making it. Black Tea Varieties: Usually black teas are named after the region it is produced. In India, Darjeeling tea, Assam tea, Munnar, Kangra and Nilgiri are popular. In China, Lapsang Souchong, Congou, Keemun, Dianhong, Yingdehong are popular. Ceylon, Nepali, Rize, Jaekseol are popular around the world. Each of these tea have their own characteristics flavor. Black tea is also blended with other dried herbs and flowers to make blends and some of the popular blends are Early Grey tea, English breakfast tea, Irish breakfast tea, Indian Chai tea and Russian Caravan. Black Tea Chemical Constituents: Black tea is rich in polyphenols (the most important are catechins, flavonoids, tannins and theaflavins), amino acids, caffeine, theobromine, theophylline and xanthines. Black Tea Nutrition & Calories: 100 grams of black tea has 1 calorie, 3mg of sodium, 37mg of potassium, 0.3 grams of carbohydrate, 3mg of omega-3-fatty acids, 1 mg of omega-6-fatty acids and 20mg of caffeine. Green Tea vs Black Tea: Green tea does not go through oxidation process while black tea does, oxidation reduces the antioxidant content of black tea when compared to green tea. Regarding the caffeine content, 100 ml of green tea contains around 10.57 mg while black tea contains around 20 mg of caffeine. Nutrition wise green tea is more beneficial than black tea. When it comes to taste, green tea has a slight bitter taste when compared to black tea. Black tea can be stored for a long time when compared to green tea as it loses it flavor quickly. Selecting & Storing Black Tea: If you prefer strong tea, choose Indian teas like Darjeeling or Assam tea. If you prefer a more lighter black tea, choose Chinese black teas. Since I live in Tamil Nadu, I buy Nilgiri tea whenever I visit Ooty. Most of the tea factories have small outlets in the places they are manufactured and usually you can find all the different blends manufactured by them in one single place. I highly suggest you buy tea from these places as you have a wider choice. Regarding storing, I store it in plastic jars in a cool place in the pantry away from moisture and heat. Some Common Questions Regarding Black Tea: How do you drink black tea? To make black tea, take 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of black tea leaves in a tea pot. Pour a cup of boiling water on top and close with a lid, let it steep for 2 to 3 minutes and then strain. Sweeten if you prefer. Where to buy black tea? You can buy black tea in all the departmental stores in India. Always buy from reputed brands and unless you are buying from company outlets don't buy tea sold loose as it is mostly adulterated. How much black tea can you drink a day? Though 250 mg of caffeine is the suggested upper limit for caffeine consumption, I would suggest not drinking more than 2 to 3 cups of black tea as it leads to some side effects like stomach irritation and restlessness. How much caffeine in a cup of black tea? A cup (200 ml) of black tea contains around 40 mg of caffeine. Can I drink tea in empty stomach? Drinking tea in empty stomach increases acidity so always try to have it in between meals. Which is worse for your teeth - coffee or tea? Coffee is better than tea as tannins in tea causes teeth stains so always make sure to gargle your mouth after drinking tea. Is black tea with milk good for you? Try to consume black tea without milk as milk prevents the absorption of antioxidants present in tea. Is black tea dehydrating? Since black tea contains caffeine which is a diuretic, black tea is dehydrating so always have it in moderation. Is black tea healthier than coffee? Black tea has less caffeine than coffee and tea drinkers also have been reported to have less stroke and heart disease. Can black tea help you lose weight? Black tea is rich in polyphenols which helps reduce cholesterol and improve insulin sensitivity. It is also low in calories making it ideal to include in a weight loss diet. Is drinking black tea good for your skin? Since black tea is rich in antioxidants it helps to fight off free radicals that cause premature ageing of the skin. Side Effects Of Black Tea: Like with most foods over consumption of black tea can lead to some side effects like stomach irritation, nervousness, acidity, sleep problems, diarrhea, dizziness and heart burn.....

10 AMAZING HEALTH BENEFITS & USES OF BLACK TEA:

1. Black Tea & Bone Health:

I have always thought caffeine in any form is associated with bone loss as I have been advised from my young age that if I drink tea I will suffer from bone loss later on in life. When I was researching about black tea, I was surprised to find that black tea can be used as an adjunct for calcium supplementation as it helps increase calcium absorption which in turn can actually help in bone health! You can read the study that proves it here.

2. Reduces Blood Pressure & Cholesterol Levels:

Regular consumption of black tea reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Though not in a very significant way, regular consumption does bring down the blood pressure. You can read the study that proves it here. Regarding cholesterol levels, the results were very significant but please keep in mind that the study was done on mildly hypercholesterolemic adults who were given a diet moderately low in fat.

3. Prevents Ovarian Cancer:

Black tea is very effective in reducing the risk of ovarian cancer by 30 %. A study was done on 414 women with primary ovarian or fallopian cancers who were given either coffee, black tea and decaffeinated coffee. The black tea group and the decaffeinated group had positive results while the caffeine group did not. This is because of the high caffeine content in coffee. Theaflavin (theaflavin-3-gallate and theaflavin-3'-gallate) present in black tea has been proven to inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer cells and are non toxic to normal ovarian cells.

4. Lowers Risk Of Diabetes:

Stable blood sugar levels after meals is very important for diabetic patients and black tea consumption has been proven to improve post prandial glucose levels in both diabetic and normal patients. A study which was done on normal and diabetic patients after sucrose overloading showed significant results. But the interesting part was both low and high intake of black tea had the same impact. You can read the study that proves it here.

5. Boosts Immunity:

Since black tea is rich in antioxidants, it helps fight off free radicals which are the main cause of premature ageing and illness. Regular consumption of black tea helps improve our immunity. Consuming antioxidant rich foods will reduce common health problems like cold, cough and flu greatly and black tea is no exception.

6. Aids Weight Loss:

Black tea can be helpful in aiding weight loss too. Black tea is rich in polyphenols which helps reduce cholesterol levels and improve insulin sensitivity. Black tea promotes weight loss by altering our gut bacteria. It is also low in calories making it ideal to include in a weight loss diet. Also exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet consistently for quick and permanent weight loss.

7. Reduces Risk Of Parkinson's Disease:

Parkinson's disease which is characterized by rest tremor, rigidity and inability to initiate movements is usually treated with L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (I-DOPA). But certain natural plant extracts like black tea can assist I-DOPA in suppressing inflammation and reduce oxidative stress thus greatly helping in slowing down the progression of the disease. You can read about it here.

8. Black Tea With Lemon Treats Diarrhea:

Black tea mixed with lemon juice is a wonderful home remedy for treating diarrhea. At home, if anyone suffers from diarrhea, we always give them black tea mixed with lemon juice and it usually arrests diarrhea very fast. To make black tea with lemon, boil a cup of water with 1/4 tsp of fine black tea for a few seconds and switch off. Strain and add 1/4 tsp lemon juice.

9. Black Tea For Grey Hair & Hair Growth:

Black tea is great to use as a natural hair dye, the dark reddish black color of black tea makes it an excellent natural hair dye. To use, mix 1 cup henna powder with juice of half a lemon and enough black tea to form a thick paste. Let it soak overnight and the next day use it alone or along with indigo as a hair dye. Black tea can also be used as a final hair rinse to add nice shine to hair. Since black tea is rich in antioxidants, it can greatly arrest hair fall and stimulate hair growth.

10. Black Tea For Skin:

Black tea can be taken internally and applied externally for skin care. Since black tea is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, it fights off free radicals which are the leading culprits of premature ageing of the skin. Black tea when taken internally has a protective effect against UV radiation and skin infections and helps prevent skin cancer. When applied externally, black tea treats skin blemishes as it has skin lightening properties. It can also be applied to soothe sunburns and acne. Used black tea bags can be used as an eye compress for reducing under eye bags.

Low platelet count also known as thrombocytopenia is a medical condition in which our platelets are lower than normal. Last week my son suffered from dengue fever in which his platelet count dropped drastically and we used natural remedies and methods to raise his platelet levels. I also did a quite of bit of research about it and wanted to record what I learnt in the blog. What Are Platelets? Platelets also called as thrombocytes are colorless cells produced by bone marrow and are present in our blood stream and their main function is clotting. They stop bleeding by clumping and clotting and this process is called hemostasis. When there is injury and blood loss, platelets gather at the place in large numbers, they attach themselves to the substances present in the area and then they connect to each other and form a plug thus arresting the bleeding. Unless the bleeding and wound is too large they arrest the bleeding effectively. Bone marrow which is found inside the bones contains stem cells which mature and develop into white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. The problem occurs when the bone marrow is destroyed due to some diseases like leukemia or if the production is slowed down due to life style factors like drinking, toxin exposure and taking certain medications. Platelet Count Normal Range? The normal levels of platelets found in the blood are 150000 to 450000. The platelet count can vary during menstruation. In healthy people platelets last for about 7 to 10 days after which they die at which point they are replaced by new platelet cells produced by bone marrow. When the platelet count drops down to 30000 to 50000 per micro liter, the risk of bleeding when injured increases and if it drops below 15000, we start bleeding even without injury and it gets really dangerous the more the platelet count drops. You can take a blood test called complete blood count to find the platelet count. We were doing the total blood count test daily for my son to determine the platelet count when he had dengue fever till it started reversing and started the uptrend. Low Platelet Count Symptoms: There will not be any symptoms when the platelet count is mildly low but when the platelet drops very low some might experience external bleeding from the nose or gums. The most common symptoms of very low platelet count is difficulty stopping the wounds from bleeding. I had a friend who suffered from low platelet count and it used to be difficult to arrest the blood flow from even a small wound for her. Some women might experience heavy menstrual flow. Low Platelet Count Treatment: The usual treatments are medications to increase platelet count, platelet transfusions and surgery in very severe cases. There are also wonderful home remedies for increasing the platelet count (I will be posting them this week) but the remedies will be of no use if we don't change our lifestyle habits that lead to low platelet levels in the first place: a. Eliminate Alcohol: If you have low platelet count, try to cut down the amount of alcohol you are consuming and over time try to eliminate it completely as it decreases the production of platelets. b. Eat Healthy: We all know that eating healthy is vital to good health but it is especially important when you are suffering from low platelet count as it can lead to deficiencies like vitamin b12 which can slow down the production of platelets. Try to eliminate processed foods, white sugar, sodas and junk food that has empty calories providing us with zero nutrition. Also increase your intake of water. c. Get Rid Of Toxins: Try to go natural and buy organic produce as much as possible. Try to use natural cleaning products at home like lemon, vinegar and baking soda instead of store bought chemicals. Also instead of using chemical based beauty and makeup products, try making your own face packs, shampoos and hair oils without any chemicals. You will find many natural recipes in this channel. Try not to reheat food in microwave often especially in plastic containers. Don't use synthetic fragrance, use pure essential oils for fragrance. d. Learn Home Remedies: Try your best to treat common problems like cold and flu with home remedies instead of taking antibiotics each time. Once you learn to use natural remedies to treat common problems, you will never go back to taking antibiotics often. e. Drink Nilavembu Kudineer: Instead of using pain killers for reducing pain and inflammation which lower platelet count, use natural pain killers like nilavembu kudineer which have anti inflammatory and platelet increasing properties. You can find the recipe for it here.

10 Top Causes Of Low Platelet Count (Thrombocytopenia):

Platelet count can drop due to three reasons, when there is a decreased production of platelets or when they are trapped and finally when there is increased destruction of platelets.

When They are Trapped:

1. Enlarged Spleen:

Spleen is an organ the size of the fist found above our stomach. It's primary function is to fight infection and maintain proper fluid balance. When the spleen gets enlarged due to infections, liver cirrhosis or other liver diseases, it starts trapping large number of platelets thus reducing the platelet count.

Increased Breakdown:

2. Pregnancy & Menstruation:

Few pregnant women experience mild slowing of platelet production during pregnancy which goes away after child birth. There will be fluctuations when we have our periods too.

3. Bacterial & Viral Infections:

Bacterial and viral infections also can lower platelets. When we suffer from viral fevers like dengue fever and zikka virus, it can drastically lower our platelet count to dangerously low levels.

4. Medications:

Certain medications can lower our platelet count, anti inflammatory medicines, seizure medications and antibiotics and certain pain killer medicines like ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen can lower platelet count.

5. Auto Immune Diseases:

Low platelet count can be caused due to auto immune diseases like idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, idiopathic means unknown cause. Some of the other immune diseases that leads to low platelet count are thrombocytopenic purpura, antiphospholipid syndrome and lupus.

Decreased Production:

6. Alcohol Consumption:

Consuming alcohol slows down the production of platelets. Especially if alcohol is consumed in excess coupled with a poor diet, the reduction will be significant. If you are suffering from low platelet count try eliminating alcohol first.

7. Cancer & Anemia:

Leukemia, group of cancers that start in the bone marrow resulting in abnormally high levels of white blood cells can also cause low platelet count. Since the bone marrow is destroyed in patients suffering from leukemia, it results in low levels of platelets. Also in a certain type of anemia called aplastic anemia, the bone marrow is destroyed resulting in low platelet count.

8. Toxin Exposure:

Regularly exposing ourselves to toxins can also lead to low platelet count. Some of the common toxins that slows down platelet production are pesticides, arsenic and benzene. They are usually found in regular store bought cleaners, fruits and vegetables that are dipped in pesticides....

9. Genetics:

Certain genetic diseases can also lead to low platelet count. Diseases like gaucher's disease and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (affects babies and the platelet antibodies are inherited from father or mother) reduces platelet count.

10. Nutritional Deficiencies:

Having a poor diet of processed food and junk food often can lead to nutritional deficiencies like vitamin B12, folic acid, iron and vitamin k which can contribute to low platelet production. Even dehydration can lead to low platelet count.

Fenugreek is a very common spice used extensively both in home remedies and in cooking in India. The botanical name of fenugreek seeds is Trigonella Foenum-Graecum. Both the leaves (called methi leaves in Hindi and vendhaya keerai in Tamil) and the seeds of the plant are used extensively. Fenugreek seeds are called Methi Dana in Hindi, Vendhayam in Tamil, Menthulu in Telugu, Menthe in Kannada and Uluva in Malayalam. Fenugreek Seeds Composition: Trigonelline, 4-hydroxyisoleucine, sotolon, protodioscin, diosgenin, yamogenin, apigenin-7-0-glycoside, luteolin-7-0-glycoside, trigoneosides, trigofaenoside A, glycoside D, vitamins (especially vitamin C) and minerals. Fatty acid component of fenugreek seeds contain linoleic, linolenic and oleic acids in the order given. Fenugreek seeds have wonderful medicinal uses and health benefits, it has anti diabetic, anti inflammatory, anti obesity, antioxidant, galactagogue and anti ulcer properties and you can read about the uses in detail here. Though fenugreek seeds have wonderful medicinal uses like with any ingredient if consumed in excess will have side effects. Few months back, one of our relatives asked me whether consuming fenugreek seeds was good for reducing his high blood sugar levels. I explained that fenugreek is indeed good for reducing high blood sugar levels and also mentioned the dosage to be taken daily. When we met again few days later, he mentioned that he felt unwell on days he consumed fenugreek seeds so he had stopped consuming it. When I asked him the amount he consumed he replied 1 tbsp! I had asked him to consume 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Along with consuming fenugreek seeds, he was taking his regular blood sugar medication also and both had drastically reduced his blood sugar levels making him feel dizzy and unwell. Please remember that dosage is very important when it comes to consuming fenugreek seeds.How To Consume Fenugreek Seeds? You can consume the seeds by soaking it in water overnight or in the form of fenugreek powder and finally as fenugreek tea and you can find the recipe for it here. You can also try fenugreek capsules if you don't want to consume the seeds. Fenugreek Seeds Dosage: The general suggested dosage is 1/2 tsp but start with 1/4 tsp of the seeds and increase it to 1/2 tsp over time.....

6 FENUGREEK SIDE EFFECTS YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OFF:

1. Fenugreek During Pregnancy:

Consuming fenugreek seeds as a spice is fine during pregnancy but it should not be overdosed. When I was pregnant, I was eating fenugreek seeds used in curries as usual which was very very little. But I stopped consuming fenugreek seeds in large doses like in fenugreek tea. Fenugreek in large doses will cause birth defects in babies and you can read the study that proves it here.

2. Fenugreek Allergy:

Some people might be allergic to fenugreek seeds. If you are allergic to any ingredient in Leguminosae family then there is a high chance that you will be allergic to fenugreek too. The allergy can result from external application, inhalation of the powder and internal consumption. Some of the common symptoms of fenugreek allergy are wheezing, numbness, facial angioedema and fainting. You can read the study that supports this claim here.

3. Urine Odor:

One other side effect of consuming fenugreek in large doses is urine odor commonly called maple syrup urine phenomena. When you start consuming fenugreek seeds daily like in the form of fenugreek tea, some will experience urine odour almost similar to maple syrup this is due to a compound called sotolon present in fenugreek.

4. Aggravates Sinus Infection When Used As Hair Pack:

The only problem with fenugreek seeds when applying it externally on the scalp is that anyone who is prone to sinus or asthma can't use it as it is very cooling and will aggravate the problem. To be on the safer side, don't let it soak for a long time (max 10 minutes) when you are using it the first time. Once you are comfortable then you can let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes.

5. Fenugreek Drug Interactions:

Fenugreek seeds when taken in quite enough quantities separately reduces blood sugar levels. Like I mentioned before when we take fenugreek seeds along with diabetic medications it can lower our blood sugar levels to dangerously low levels. To avoid this, never overdose on fenugreek seeds and take only the suggested dosage. Also monitor your blood sugar levels closely and adjust the medication accordingly.

6. Upset Stomach:

When consuming internally in small amounts it does not cause any problems, but in excess it can lead to upset stomach for some as it is very high in fiber. Fenugreek is bitter so it is hard to over consume the seeds but we can add too much of fenugreek seeds while making fenugreek tea and if you do so, it will cause diarrhea. It is best not to give young children fenugreek tea however you can add fenugreek seeds as spice in small quantities while preparing their food.

Aloe Vera is one one of the best natural healers that heals even the most damaged skin and hair so well. Aloe Vera has amazing skin, hair and health benefits. It brings down inflammation, heals scars, treats acne, conditions the hair, promotes hair growth when applied externally and when consumed internally also has amazing benefits. We get loads of aloe vera gel in the markets but most of them contain lot of preservatives, color and synthetic fragrance. I have seen my relatives and family members extract aloe vera gel at home from my young age so I have always continued to do so. The first time I tried a famous store bought aloe vera gel, I hated it. It smelt of cheap synthetic fragrance and was bright green in color with loads of preservatives. I hated the feel off it on my skin and just threw it away, I would highly suggest not using aloe vera gel with color and perfume. Instead try making your own, it is so easy to do. All you need is a fresh aloe vera leaf, if you are living in India you can find aloe vera plant easily as it grows wildly all over. You can also grow aloe vera plant easily in pots, it needs very little maintenance. When you are collecting aloe vera leaf, choose mature leaves found at the bottom of the plant. They tend to be larger and contain large amount of gel. Once you have selected the aloe vera leaf, wash your hands to get rid of any germs and then cut the leaf. You will find slimy green juice flowing from the cut end, I usually wash the leaves to get rid of the slimy green juice. Pat dry to get rid of the moisture completely. Now cut the thorns on both sides of the leaf and then split the leaf into two. Now scoop out the inner gel using the knife. Now you can make aloe vera gel in three ways. For drinking it as a juice, grind the gel separately along with honey and your wonderful aloe vera drink is ready, have it immediately for best results. For using aloe vera gel for face, grind the aloe vera gel with 1 vitamin c capsule, few drops of your favorite essential oil and grind to smooth paste in a blender without adding any water. For using it for hair, grind aloe vera gel with 1 vitamin e capsule into a fine paste and apply as a hair pack. I would suggest storing the aloe vera gel in the refrigerator once you make it even if using vitamin e and vitamin c. Both vitamin e and vitamin c are natural preservatives and will increase the shelf life of the aloe vera gel (in the refrigerator) for a few weeks else it will last only for one week. You can also freeze freshly extracted gel in ice cube trays and it will last well for almost a year. I use fresh aloe vera gel extensively for skin and hair care at home. I do buy store bought aloe vera gel without color and perfume for making creams and lotions alone as fresh aloe vera gel is runny and will never thicken the creams....

ALOE VERA GEL PREPARATION AT HOME FOR SKIN, HAIR & HEALTH:

1. COLLECTING FRESH ALOE VERA GEL FROM ALOE VERA PLANT:

1. Cut a mature aloe vera leaf from the plant.

2. Wash to get rid of the slimy green juice.

3. Remove the thorns on both sides of the leaf.

4. Cut the leaf into two and remove the inner gel using a knife.

2. MAKING ALOE VERA GEL AT HOME: 3 TOP WAYS

a. ALOE VERA GEL FOR HAIR:

For hair, take 1/4 cup of the collected aloe vera gel in a blender along with 1 vitamin e capsule and grind to a smooth paste. Store in the refrigerator and use as a hair pack when necessary. This hair pack will condition the hair really and will make it super glossy and shiny.

b. ALOE VERA GEL FOR HEALTH:

Take 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel in a blender along with honey to taste and blend to a smooth juice and consume immediately. This drink will heal stomach ulcers, improve immunity and also will help with weight loss.

c. ALOE VERA GEL FOR SKIN:

For skin care, take 1/4 cup of the collected aloe vera gel in a blender along with 1 vitamin c capsule and 4 drops of essential of choice and grind to a smooth paste. Store in the refrigerator and use when necessary. This gel will heal scars, wounds and acne very very effectively.

Dandruff affects young and old and though it is not a serious condition, it can be uncomfortable as it causes itching and severe flakiness. I got dandruff when I went to hostel, my scalp was constantly itchy and hair fall also started very soon. The hostel food also was poor and added to the problem. When I came home for the long holidays, my mom treated my dandruff with at home treatments which worked really well. I still continue to do those treatments at home regularly to keep my scalp dandruff free. But before we get to know the traditional home remedies for dandruff, we should get to know what causes dandruff in the first place. Prevention is always better than cure and if we get to know the reasons we can prevent getting dandruff in the first place. When I first spoke to a dermatologist about it, he said that the exact cause of dandruff is not known but he mentioned all the possible reasons that we could get dandruff. Since I had dandruff, I could personally relate to many of the reasons he mentioned which I have listed below. Dandruff Symptoms: The most common symptoms are appearance of excessive amount of white flakes in the scalp and extreme itchiness. For me, it was mild itchiness and flakiness and once I started using home remedies, it stopped very quickly. I will be doing a separate post on all the natural remedies for dandruff soon. Common Treatments: The common treatment for dandruff involves using anti dandruff shampoos containing certain special ingredients. The first ingredient is ketaconazole which is used for treating fungal infections that cause dandruff. The next ingredient used in dandruff shampoos is salicylic acid which helps loosen the flakes found in the scalp which when stuck to the scalp can increase the infection further. The third common ingredient used is coal tar which helps reduce the inflammation. The next ingredient is selenium sulphide which helps reduce the fungal infection well and finally in extreme cases steroids are prescribed. I would suggest using home remedies but if you want to try these shampoos apply them on the scalp only the number of times prescribed and leave it on the scalp only for the time mentioned in the bottle. Some of these shampoos can cause side effects so if you experience any adverse effects stop using them immediately and consult your dermatologist about it.....

10 TOP CAUSES FOR DANDRUFF WE SHOULD GET TO KNOW:

1. Stress & Dandruff:

Stress does major damage to our health and well being than we realize. Stress causes hormonal imbalance which can lead to excessive oil production or excessive dryness in the scalp depending on the type of your body which then leads to dandruff. For me, the stress of moving to hostel was also one of the major reasons for dandruff. Try to reduce stress if you are suffering from dandruff and you will see positive changes soon.

2. Seborrhoeic Dermatitis & Dandruff:

If you experience very severe itchiness then it can be seborrhoeic dermatitis which is a scaly itchy scalp rash. With seborrhoeic dermatitis, the itching and flakiness is very severe and you will have it in the face and back too. If you suffer from it, eat healthy and try to cut down high fat processed food completely. If the condition is very severe visit a dermatologist without fail.

3. Diet & Dandruff:

Diet plays a major role in dandruff too. If you regularly eat high fat, high processed food then there is a high chance of getting dandruff. Diet very low in nutrients, high in artificial colors, preservatives and trans fats plays havoc with our hormones which in turn can affect the oil glands in our scalp which can lead to dandruff.

4. Dry Scalp & Dandruff:

Usually the major reason for mild forms of dandruff is dry scalp. When we have dry scalp we should take care of it well by having oil bath regularly and not using chemical products often which dries out the scalp. If you are suffering from dry scalp and dandruff, I highly recommend taking oil bath weekly twice, it will take care of the problem soon.

5. Fungal Infection & Dandruff:

Dandruff can be can also be due to fungal yeast infection caused by a type of yeast fungus called Pityrosporum Ovale. This fungus is present in our scalp in small quantities but certain conditions like stress, poor eating habits, dirty scalp can cause it grow in large quantities leading to dandruff. To prevent it, maintain a health life style and reduce stress completely...

6. Not Washing Hair Often & Dandruff:

You must have heard people commonly comment that their hair is itchy if they don't wash their hair regularly. This is because when our scalp gets dirty, it starts accumulating in the scalp and can lead to mild form of dandruff which in turn can cause itchiness. Try to wash your hair often and keep it clean of dirt and grime to prevent dandruff.

7. Certain Medications & Dandruff:

If you are taking any medication regularly especially ones that are very powerful chances are it is the cause for your dandruff too. If you experience dandruff suddenly and are taking certain medication like steroids please mention it your dermatologist. It will help him pinpoint the reason correctly. Most of us never think that medicines can cause scalp diseases but they do so watch keenly whether it is because if it.

8. Hormonal Imbalance & Dandruff:

Hormonal imbalance which affect many women can also be one of the main reasons for dandruff. If you are going through important phases of your life like puberty, menopause, pregnancy, etc and if you are extremely stressed out about it along with eating badly and not exercising chances of you getting dandruff increases many fold. Educate yourself about the different phases of life and how to deal with it calmly and everything will work out fine...

9. Aids & Dandruff:

Another information that surprised me was that dandruff is very common in aids patients and also people with aids get the more severe form of dandruff I mentioned earlier called seborrhoeic dermatitis. The chances of an aids patient getting seborrhoeic dermatitis is almost 27 % more when compared to the normal population. In fact extreme cases of dandruff is considered one of the early signs of aids.

10. Hair Products & Dandruff:

Certain hair products can also lead to dandruff. If you use very strong chemical based shampoos that strip the scalp of the natural oils, it can lead to dandruff especially in people with dry scalp. If you are using a lot of store bought shampoos, I would suggest slowly replacing them homemade shampoos that does not strip the hair of natural oils . You can easily make your own shampoo that is 100 % natural and you can find many natural shampoo recipes here in the blog.

Low platelet count also known as thrombocytopenia is a medical condition in which our platelets are lower than normal. Platelets also called thrombocytes are colorless cells produced by bone marrow that are present in our blood stream and their main function is clotting. Bone marrow which is found inside the bones contains stem cells which mature and develop into white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. The problem occurs when the bone marrow is destroyed due to some diseases like leukemia or if the production is slowed down due to life style factors like drinking, diseases like dengue, toxin exposure and taking certain medications.The normal levels of platelets found in the blood are 150000 to 450000. When the platelet count drops down to 30000 to 50000 per micro liter, the risk of bleeding when injured increases and if it drops below 15000, we start bleeding even without injury and it gets really dangerous the more the platelet count drops. You can take a blood test called complete blood count to find the platelet count. There will not be any symptoms when the platelet count is mildly low but when the platelet drops very low some might experience external bleeding from the nose or gums. The most common symptoms of very low platelet count is difficulty stopping the wounds from bleeding. There are amazing herbs and foods for increasing platelet count that are backed by research. Five of the most common foods for increasing platelet count are 1. Amla juice: Amla also called as Indian gooseberry is an amazing in increasing platelet count. Drink amla juice often to increase platelet count. 2. Wheat Grass Juice: Wheat grass juice made by grinding wheat grass with little water is an amazing way to increase platelet count. 3. Leafy Greens: Consuming leafy greens daily is an other effective way to increase platelet count effectively. 4. Pomegranate Juice: If you are suffering from low platelet count try to consume either amla juice or pomegranate juice daily, both will help increase platelet count fast. 5. Sesame Seeds: Consuming sesame seeds is an amazing way to increase platelet count. At home we make a traditional sweet with sesame seeds called ellu urundai. It is a traditional remedy for people suffering from anemia.....

5 MORE REMEDIES FOR INCREASING LOW PLATELET COUNT IN THE BLOOD:

6. Papaya Leaf Juice For Increasing Low Platelet Count:

Papaya leaf juice is an amazing remedy for increasing platelet count and I don't need to cite a research as I used it for my son to increase his platelet count when he had dengue fever. I used to give him papaya leaf juice daily twice to increase his platelet count and it greatly helped. You can read about how to make papaya leaf juice here.

7. Nilavembu Kudineer For Increasing Low Platelet Count:

Nilavembu kashayam | nilavembu kudineer made by boiling nilavembu kudineer powder with water is very very famous here in Tamil Nadu for increasing platelet and is widely used for treating dengue and chikungunya fever. Though it is called nilavembu kudineer (kalmegh in Hindi), it is not just made with just nilavembu herb. It is an amazing Siddha formulation that is a mixture of 9 herbs and nilavembu is just one herb in the mixture. You can read about it in detail here.

8. Amman Pacharisi For Increasing Low Platelet Count:

Amman pacharisi called Asthma-plant in English is a wonderful herb that increases platelet count naturally. It is native to India and you will find it growing abundantly everywhere here in Tamil Nadu, you can read about this plant in detail here. This plant's botanical name is Euphorbia Hirta and is edible. If we break any part of this plant, a white milky substance will flow out. The water extract of this plant has been proven to increase platelet count and you can read about it here.

9. Giloy For Increasing Low Platelet Count:

Giloy | Guduchi is an ancient herb that is used extensively in ayurvedic medicine that increases platelet count naturally. It's botanical name is Tinospora Cordifolia. The stem of giloy is the most used part but giloy leaves and roots are also used as a medicine. This plant can be found growing wild on trees and shrubs and it can be easily identified with the heart shaped leaves. The leaves have a perfect heart shape and giloy can be easily grown in pots at home.The water extract got by boiling giloy stem in water is a very effective in improving platelet count and you can read it giloy in detail here.

10. Boerhavia Diffusa For Increasing Low Platelet Count:

We call spreading hogweed plant punarnava in Sanskrit and mookirattai in Tamil. It is a creeper that grows everywhere in India and it bears tiny cluster of beautiful flowers that are pink in color. It is rightly called punarnava as it brings back lost vigor and vitality. It's botanical name is Boerhavia Diffusa. This is an edible plant that is commonly found in Tamil Nadu and the water extract of this plant is used for increasing platelet count and has been proven through research too. You can read about the plant here.

Rice water is one of the cheapest but most effective hair care treatments that we can do at home. All you need for it is handful of rice, using rice water for stimulating hair growth and to condition our hair has been done for centuries. It has been popular in many Asian countries like India and Japan for stimulating hair growth. What Is Rice Water? The water in which rice was boiled is called rice water. In olden days, when the concept of rice cooker was not known, rice was boiled in clay pots with large amounts of water and once the rice got cooked, the water was drained. Since rice was consumed on a daily basis, rice water was always there at home and it was extensively used for both skin and hair care. Types Of Rice Water: There are actually two types of rice water. The first is the water in which the rice was used to soak before cooking. It is also called rice water and it will be slightly cloudy as rice releases little bit of it's starch in it. The second is boiled rice water got when we drain the water after the rice is cooked. I prefer the boiled rice water as it is more creamy and thicker. Rice water has amazing hair benefits especially if we use it regularly: 1. Rice Water For Hair Growth: Rice water is rich in amino acids and vitamins which helps in hair regrowth. If you are suffering from hair fall, I would suggest using rice water regularly for hair care 2. Rice Water For Split Ends: Rice water especially cooked rice water is very very nourishing and super conditioning. When we use it as a shampoo mixed with shikakai powder, it prevents dryness which leads to split ends. 3. Makes Hair Super Shiny & Glossy: When we use rice water as a final hair rinse, it coats the hair and makes the hair super shiny and glossy.You can use either one of the three methods mentioned for the hair rinse. 4. Rice Water Repairs Damaged Hair: Rice water contains a compound called inositol which helps repair damaged hair really effectively. When we use it as a hair rinse, it forms a protective coat and helps heal and repair damaged hair. 5. Strengthen Hair Roots: When we use rice water on our scalp along with other conditioning ingredients as a hair pack, it greatly helps strengthen the hair roots. 6. Treats Dandruff: Fermented rice water when applied directly on the scalp is an amazing home remedy for dandruff. It is a traditional remedy that has been done for many years in our village. 7. Natural Hair Conditioner: If you are looking for a natural but effective hair conditioner then I would highly suggest using rice water as a final hair rinse. If you have extremely dry hair, you can mix one vitamin e capsule in it and use as a final hair rinse. 8. Arrests Hair Fall: If the hair fall is caused due to scalp problems using rice water regularly will greatly help. I would suggest mixing amla powder and rice water and using it as a hair pack, it will arrest hair fall immediately. What Is Fermented Rice Water? When we leave the rice water to ferment, it is called fermented rice water. Both types of rice water I mentioned can be left to ferment for a day and then can be used for hair care. Fermenting the rice water increase the nutrient profile of rice water which in turn helps nourish our hair follicles even better. It also brings down the pH level of the rice water almost close to that of our scalp which makes it very effective. Fermented rice water also contains pitera which is a natural by product of fermentation. Pitera has amazing hair and skin benefits and greatly helps protect the hair. You can use any type of rice to make rice water, I prefer hand pounded rice.....

A. How To Make Rice Water For Hair Growth - 3 Ways!

1. How To Make Plain Rice Water For Hair Growth:

Soak 1/4 cup of hand pounded rice in a cup of water for 30 minutes and then strain out the liquid. Your simple rice water is ready.

2. How To Make Boiled Rice Water For Hair Growth:

After soaking a cup of rice for 15 minutes, boil it in 5 cups of water till the rice is cooked fully. Cover with a lid and then strain out the rice water.

3. How To Make Fermented Rice Water For Hair Growth:

To make fermented rice water let the rice water ferment by leaving it at room temperature for a day. If you live in a cold place, you can let it ferment for 2 days. Once fermented you can store the rice water in a glass bottle in the fridge and use it for a week.

B. How To Use Rice Water For Hair Growth - 3 Ways !

1. Rice Water Hair Pack:

Take 1 tbsp of amla powder in a bowl. Add in enough fermented rice water to form a paste and apply as a hair pack. Wait for 15 minutes and then wash it off. This hair pack has multiple hair benefits, it treats dandruff, strengthens hair roots and arrests hair fall immediately.

2. Rice Water Shampoo:

To make rice water shampoo, take 2 tbsp of shaikai powder in a bowl. Add in enough rice water to form a paste and use it for washing your hair. This shampoo is all natural and cleans the hair really well.

3. Rice Water Hair Rinse:

Rice water hair rinse is one of the best ways to use rice water to bring shine to otherwise dull hair. To use rice water as a hair rinse, take rice water and pour over hair after using shampoo. Rinse with water once more and you will be amazed how glossy and shiny your hair is.

Like many I love lemon water made by mixing lemon juice, honey and warm water. It is also one of the most popular remedies for weight loss and to detox the body naturally. After years of using natural remedies, I have learnt one important lesson and that is to get to know the side effects before having any natural remedy on a regular basis. It applies to lemon water too. Lemon water has wonderful medicinal uses and you can read about all of it's health benefits here. But we should get to know how to use it correctly to prevent any side effects especially if you decide to have it on a regular basis. The reason lemon and honey water is so effective is it is rich in vitamin C which is an antioxidant thus helping us improve our immunity greatly. But lemon is also highly acidic which is why it will not agree for everyone. In my personal experience, if we have lemon water in between meals most people can tolerate it well. But if consumed in empty stomach in the morning, it might cause problems especially in people who are prone to gastric problems like ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. I would also suggest not over consuming lemon water, take one to two cups of lemon water a day and no more......

5 Side Effects Of Drinking Lemon Water With Honey In The Morning:

1. Lemon Water Might Cause Tooth Decay:

One of the major side effect of consuming highly acidic foods like lemon is it can erode our teeth enamel. When we consume lemon water on a daily basis, our teeth comes into contact with the acidic lemon juice which erodes our tooth enamel leading to teeth sensitivity. To prevent this from happening, drink it through a straw. This will reduce the amount of time our teeth is in contact with lemon water. You can also rinse your mouth after drinking lemon water to protect the teeth further.

2. Lemon Water Worsens Canker Sores:

If you are having canker sores, I would suggest not consuming lemon water for a few days as it can cause intense irritation. Canker is an open and painful mouth ulcer and is very common. They are white or yellow in color surrounded by inflamed red tissue. Canker sores are usually found inside the lips and cheeks and can make eating extremely painful. Foods containing citric acid like lemon water can cause severe irritation if you drink it while you have canker sores.

3. Worsens Gastric Ulcers & IBS Symptoms:

If you are suffering from gastric ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome, I would strongly suggest not taking lemon water in empty stomach. Ulcers are formed when our stomach produces excessive acidic juice causing the soft inner lining of our stomach to erode. Having acidic foods will worsen the condition even more. I never take lemon water in empty stomach as some times it irritates my stomach. Take it in between meals to prevent the side effects and don't take more than one cup a day.

4. Lemon Water is A Diuretic:

Lemon water is a mild diuretic, it increases the urine output slightly more. It is because of this diuretic nature that lemon water is always included in detox diets. When we drink lemon water on a regular basis we should remember to increase the water intake. Though it is not worse like caffeine drinks, it is a mild diuretic and you will experience dehydration when you consume large amounts of lemon water a day. I would suggest sticking to one glass per day.

5. Lemon Honey Water & Diabetic Patients:

Though honey is good for health compared to regular white sugar it is still a sweetener and should be avoided by diabetic patients. Consuming lemon honey water in empty stomach is especially bad for diabetics as it spikes blood sugar levels drastically. If you want to consume lemon water take it without honey and I would suggest taking it in between meals as it reduces the impact of meals on blood sugar levels greatly.

Lemonhas been used extensively in both traditional medicine and home remedies from ancient times. Along with health benefits, it has amazing skin care benefits too and is especially used for skin lightening from ancient times. Our skin color is determined by the amount of melanin present and dark skinned people have more melanin when compared to light skinned people to protect the skin against ultra violet radiation. The process of producing melanin by melanocyte cells is called melanogenesis and an enzyme called tyrosinase plays a huge role in it. Natural skin lightening ingredients like lemon inhibits tyrosinase thus preventing the production of melanin. Lemon has wonderful skin lightening properties and you will find lemon extract in most of the skin lightening creams. Ascorbic acid found in lemon inhibits tyrosine thus greatly preventing melanogeneisis. You can read the study that supports this claim here. When I mention skin whitening, what I really mean is lighten scars, dark spots and pigmentation. Every skin color is beautiful but it will be more beautiful if it is even toned and lemon helps achieve it easily by lightening all skin blemishes. I have given three skin lightening remedies using lemon that I have tried over the years. All these remedies works really well in lightening scars, pigmentation and dark spots. Lemon juice is highly acidic and can cause intense irritation if used alone so I would suggest always mixing it with other skin lightening ingredients and then using it on the skin. Also another common advise is to apply undiluted lemon juice overnight on face to lighten skin. I would suggest not to do it especially if you have sensitive or dry skin. I have used other skin lightening ingredients like strawberries, rice flour, rose water and besan in these three recipes and all these ingredients have skin lightening properties as well. Choose the recipe that you like and use regularly at least weekly twice to see results....

How To Use Lemon Juice To Lighten Your Skin | 3 Top Ways !

1. Lemon & Strawberry Skin Lightening Scrub :

Take 4 strawberries, wash and remove the stalk. Now grind the strawberries to a smooth paste along with 1 tbsp rice flour and 1 tsp of lemon juice. To use, massage gently for few seconds and then wash it off. This face scrub will brighten the skin tone really well.

2. Lemon & Besan Skin Lightening Face Mask:

Take a tsp of besan or gram flour in a bowl. Add 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder and a tsp of lemon juice to it. Add enough whole milk to form a spreadable paste and use it as a face mask. Wait for it to dry completely before washing it off.

3. Lemon & Rose Water Lotion To Lighten Skin:

To make the lotion, take 1/4 cup of rose water in a cup. Add in 1 tsp of lemon juice and 1/4 tsp of glycerin, mix well and store in a glass bottle. Use it as a lotion all over the body. This lotion will make your skin satiny smooth along with lightening all scars and blemishes.

Many of us suffer from stretch marks and there are wonderful home remedies for fading them. But before that I wanted to share the causes and general treatments available for treating stretch marks. Stretch marks also called as striae medically is actually a type of scarring that occurs when our skin is stretched at a rapid pace. Stretch marks does not cause any medical issues and is harmless but they can be unsightly and can cause mental distress. Stretch marks usually appear as narrow long stripes or lines and though it is common among women, men also get it. Stretch Marks Formation: During stretch marks formation elastolysis which is a process of release of elastase occurs. Elastolysis reduces and changes the structure of elastin and fibrillin fibers and also causes structural changes in collagen fibers causing them to thicken and densely packed. Gradually the epidermis degenerates and vascular changes happen resulting in red streaks. Stretch Marks Occurrence: Stretch marks occurrence in pregnancy is about 40% to 88%, occurrence during teen years can be varied from below 10% to more than 80% and 43% due to weight loss. When stretch marks appear they appear dark in color due to the above said changes and then fade over time. Stretch marks are classified according to their appearance and here are the types of stretch marks based on the appearance: 1. Striae Rubre: Initially stretch marks are raised and are red in color and it is the first stage. 2. Striae Albae: After some time the stretch marks slowly start fading from a darker color to pale silvery color and also flatten out. This stage is referred to striae albae. 3. Striae Gravidarum: Stretch that are formed after pregnancy is referred to striae gravidarum. It is one of the most common types of stretch marks. 4. Striae Atrophicans: When the skin is thinned due to any reason leading to stretch marks it is referred to as stria atrophicans. It usually follows some medical conditions like cushing syndrome. 5. Striae Caerulea: If the color of the stretch marks is dark blue it is referred to as striae caerulea. 6. Striae Nigra: If the stretch marks are black in color it is called striae nigra. 7. Striae Distensae: Usually stretched skin is referred to striae distensae. Stretch marks usually occur during the last trimester of pregnancy and they are usually found in the stomach, breasts and thighs. In teenagers, it can be found thighs, buttocks, breasts and shoulders. Stretch Marks Prevention: In my personal experience, massaging the skin daily with nourishing oils improves skin elasticity and goes a long way in preventing stretch marks.......

STRETCH MARKS CAUSES:

1. Pregnancy & Stretch Marks:

More than 80% of pregnant women get stretch marks during the last trimester when the skin stretches. Pregnancy related hormones also can contribute to stretch marks. Surprisingly younger women tend to develop stretch marks more than elder women during pregnancy.

2. Puberty& Stretch Marks:

Stretch marks can appear during puberty when there is a sudden growth spurt. Stretch marks does not affect all the teenagers. In my family none of the teenagers have stretch marks, genetics also plays a role in stretch marks. Race also plays a role, dark skinned people tend to develop stretch marks more.

3. Weight Gain& Stretch Marks:

Excessive weight gain is also one of the leading cause of stretch marks. When our skin stretches due to excessive fat accumulation, we start developing stretch marks. drastic weight loss also can lead to stretch marks, always try to lose weight slowly and steadily.

4. Steroid Use& Stretch Marks:

This cause really surprised me as I have never associated topical steroid application with stretch marks. If you are using steroids for long duration's of time chances of getting stretch marks also increases.

5. Medical Conditions& Stretch Marks:

Certain medical conditions and their treatments can cause stretch marks. Some medical conditions that cause stretch marks are Cushing syndrome, Marfan syndrome, anorexia nervosa and chronic liver disease. Certain medications involving chemotherapy, contraceptives and antipsychotic drugs also can cause stretch marks.

STRETCH MARKS TREATMENTS:

6. Emollient Creams:

We get loads of creams for reducing stretch marks. Most of these creams claim to increase collagen production thus helping in fading stretch marks. silicone gels are used to reduced scars and chemical peels are also used. Some of these creams can lead to skin peeling, redness and skin irritation so research well before using them.

7. Therapies:

Laser therapy is used to improve the appearance of stretch marks. They claim to improve collagen production and are used in both striae albae and striae rubre. When used during rubre, it reduces the swelling and redness and when used during striae albae can cause repigmentation making them blend with our skin. Needling, Radio frequency treatment, galvanopuncture, microdermabrasion are also some other therapies that are used.

If you are looking for natural ways to lighten skin then rice powder will greatly help. Rice powder also called as rice flour is just finely ground up rice. Almost every day our skin is exposed to pollution, harsh chemicals and scorching sun light and it does take a toll on our skin resulting in dark spots, pigmentation and dullness. Instead of resorting to harsh chemical peels and creams to get back the skin to former glory it is best to use natural remedies that are gentle on the skin. One of my favorite ingredients for lightening all the scars and blemishes is rice powder, rice powder has wonderful skin lightening properties. The bio active compounds found in rice bran are called ferulic acid, gamma-oryzanol and phytic acid. They are wonderful antioxidants and have been used in many skin creams to prevent skin ageing and to repair damaged skin. Even a simple act of adding a tbsp of rice powder to bath water and soaking in it has wonderful healing properties and can greatly heal damaged skin, you can read the study that supports this claim here. Regular use of rice powder on our face and skin can improve skin elasticity, reduce roughness of the skin and can lighten our skin. When I mention skin whitening, what I really mean is lighten scars, dark spots and pigmentation. Every skin color is beautiful but it will be more beautiful if it is even toned and rice powder helps achieve it easily by lightening all skin blemishes. I have given five skin lightening remedies using rice flour that I have tried over the years. All these remedies works really well in lightening scars, pigmentation and dark spots. Choose the recipe that you like and use regularly at least weekly twice to see good results. You can buy rice flour easily in all the departmental stores in India but you can also make your own rice powder easily at home. To make rice powder, soak rice for an hour and drain water completely. Now spread it on a thin cotton cloth to get rid of moisture. Once completely dry, dry grind in a mixer and sieve to get rid of any lumps and store.....

How To Use Rice Powder For Face & Skin Whitening | 5 Top Ways !

1. Rice Powder & Rose Water Scrub:

Mix equal quantities of rice flour and fine caster sugar in a bowl. Add in rose water and mix to form a paste and use it as a scrub. This scrub will not only remove black heads and white heads, it will lighten scars well too.

2. Rice Powder & Potato Bleach:

For treating acne scars, take a tsp of rice flour in a bowl. Squeeze in half a lemon. Add in enough potato juice to form a paste and apply all over the face. This natural bleach fades scars and blemishes well.

3. Rice Powder & Turmeric Face Pack:

For the face pack, take 1 tbsp each of rice flour, kasthuri turmeric and licorice powder in a bowl. Add in rice water and mix well to form a paste. Apply this pack all over the face, wait for it to dry completely before washing it off. This face pack treats hyper pigmentation very well.

4. Rice Powder & Orange Scrub:

For the scrub, take rice flour in a bowl, squeeze in fresh orange juice to it. Mix well and use it as a face scrub. I love this combination and use it very often. Both rice flour and orange juice in the scrub brightens the skin tone and is very very refreshing. This scrub can be used as a daily facial cleanser.

5. Rice Powder & Walnut Face Pack:

For the pack, grind 3 walnuts in a mortar and pestle. Now add in 1 tsp rice flour and enough yogurt to form a smooth paste and apply as a face pack. This pack is one of the best skin brightening face packs that is perfect for dry and dull skin. Use it regularly to see good results.

Many of us suffer from stretch marks and though it is not a harmful condition it does cause mental distress. If you have stretch marks, there are wonderful home remedies for removing them. Stretch marks also called as striae medically is actually a type of scarring that occurs when our skin is stretched at a rapid pace. You can read about all the causes and medical treatments available for stretch marks here. Stretch marks occurrence is very common during pregnancy especially during the last trimester when the belly skin stretches, during puberty when there is a sudden growth spurt and after drastic weight loss. When stretch marks appear they appear dark in color due to the above said changes and then fade over time. Stretch marks can be found in the stomach, breasts, thighs, buttocks, breasts and shoulders. When I spoke to some medical professionals about it they all mentioned that stretch marks can be very difficult to treat but can be done if we follow the treatments regularly. Don't expect instant results, follow these remedies regularly and with time it will start fading. Unlike chemical treatments, herbal remedies for stretch marks does not have any side effects and can be used for long periods of time safely. Home remedies like mentioned below improve the collagen production and blood circulation in the skin and also helps increase the skin elasticity thus greatly helping in healing and fading stretch marks. I have given ten home remedies that are very effective for removing stretch marks, use them regularly to see good results. The time it takes for stretch marks to fade will vary from person to person but consistency is the key for removing stretchmarks naturally at home. Choose a remedy you like and use it consistently. Try not to use ingredients that are harsh on the skin like lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda for removing stretch marks. Even if you do, moisturize your skin later without fail. Personally I like massaging my skin with a blend of extra virgin olive oil, vitamin e oil and coconut oil (I have given the link to to the recipe below). To prevent stretch marks, regularly massage the skin with pure unrefined oils. It will improve skin elasticity and will go a long way in preventing stretch marks in the first place....

10 TOP HOME REMEDIES TO REMOVE STRETCH MARKS:

1. Vitamin E Oil For Stretch Marks Removal:

To use vitamin e oil for stretch marks, take 1 vitamin e capsule and mix the contents in 2 tbsp of virgin coconut oil and use. To use, take little bit of the oil and massage well into the skin half an hour before bathing daily.

2. Body Brushing For Stretch Marks Removal:

Dry body brushing is a great way to fade stretch marks. I am a great fan of body brushing and would highly recommend it. To use, dry brush daily for a few minutes before bath. But for body brushing, I would suggest using brushes specifically designed for it and you can read about it completely here.

3. Coffee Scrubs For Stretch Marks Removal:

Coffee scrubs are a great way to fade stretch marks. To make coffee scrub, take 1 tbsp coffee powder in a cup. Add enough almond oil to form a paste and use it as a scrub. Try to use this scrub at least weekly twice to see results.

4. Aloe Vera For Stretch Marks Removal:

Cut a fresh aloe vera gel and wash to remove the slimy green juice. Cut the thorns on both sides of the leaf and cut the leaf into two. Now rub the aloe vera gel over the stretch marks daily. This will help fade stretch marks very quickly.

5. Cocoa Butter For Stretch Marks Removal:

Cocoa butter is very nourishing and helps heal damaged skin very quickly and it also fades stretch marks. To use, melt 1 tbsp cocoa butter and 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a pan, once melted store in a bottle and use it for massage.

6. Turmeric Oil For Stretch Marks Removal:

Turmeric has wonderful skin lightening properties but instead of applying turmeric directly on the skin, use turmeric oil. It is so easy to use and gives wonderful results if used regularly. You can find how to make turmeric oil here. To use, massage this oil for 2 to 3 minutes half an hour before bath.

7. Orange & Rice Flour Scrub For Stretch Marks Removal:

Scrubs are great as they help remove dead skin along with fading stretch marks. I would recommend using them weekly once or twice. To make the scrub, take 1 tbsp of rice flour in a bowl, squeeze in enough orange juice to form a paste and use it as a scrub.

8. Massaging With Pure Unrefined Oils For Stretch Marks Removal:

Massaging with pure unrefined oils regularly will greatly helps fade stretch marks. You can use either unrefined coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, castor oil, sesame oil, rose hip oil, jojoba oil or argan oil regularly. To use, choose any one of the these oils, warm lightly and massage gently for 2 to 3 minutes.

9. Gotu Kola For Stretch Marks Removal:

Massaging the skin with gotu kola extract has been proven to help with stretch marks. The botanical name of gotu kola is Centella Asiatica and you can read about it in detail here. You get plenty of gotu kola based creams in the markets but you can easily make your own gotu kola oil by boiling the leaves in coconut oil and straining. Use it as a massage oil regularly.

10. Homemade Massage Oil Blends For Stretch Marks Removal:

Instead of using a single oil for treating stretch marks, you can also blends. When I was pregnant I made a simple blend of extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil and vitamin e oil and was using it regularly till delivery. Massage oil blends are very effective in preventing and treating stretch marks and you can find how to make it here.

Ayurvedic herbal bath powders have been used in India from ancient times and it does more than just clean our skin. Usually bath powders also called body wash and face wash powders are made with ingredients that have anti bacterial and nourishing properties and keeps the skin blemish free. Sadly the use of bath powders is slowly diminishing and nowadays younger generation generally prefer only store bought soaps and body washes. I agree store bought body washes come attractively packaged and smell great but we should remember that they also come loaded with chemicals, artificial colors and fragrances. Homemade bath powders also smell great if you add ingredients like kasturi turmeric and rose petal powder. Once you get to know the benefits of herbal bath powders, you will start using them regularly: 1. Cleans The Skin Well: Homemade bath powders cleans the skin well just equally well like store bought soaps. Soap foams so we think it cleans well but bath powders cleans the skin well too if not better. 2. Lightens Scars: Ingredients in bath powders like turmeric, sandalwood powder lightens scars really well if used regularly. 3. Removes Unwanted Facial Hair: Regular use of homemade bath powders weakens facial hair and helps remove it if used regularly. But the time it takes to remove facial hair will vary from person to person. 4. Prevents Skin Infections: Since most of the ingredients used in homemade bath powders contain anti bacterial properties, they go a long way in preventing all skin infections. 5. Make Your Skin Glow: Bath powders acts as a mild exfoliant and removes dead skin giving a nice glow to our skin. I have already given the recipe for a herbal bath powder using rose petals but you have to sundry the ingredients and then grind them which many found difficult to do. I wanted to share an instant version of homemade herbal ayurvedic bath powder using pure herbal powders that you can make under a minute! The ingredients used in this bath powder are gram flour, green gram flour, wild turmeric powder, rose petal powder and sandalwood powder. This bath powder is very fragrant and regular use will make your skin glow and will keep it blemish free. This herbal bath powder can be used for both adults and babies.

METHOD:
1. Take 2 tbsp of gram flour also called as besan in a cup. Besan keeps the skin blemish free and cleans the skin well.

2. Add in 2 tbsp of green gram flour to it. Green gram flour is a mild exfoliant that removes dead skin gently and it also keep the skin shiny and glowing. You get green gram flour easily in the markets.

3. Add in 2 tsp of wild turmeric powder to it. Wild turmeric powder has wonderful antiseptic properties and will keep the skin blemish free. It is also very fragrant. You can get wild turmeric powder in herb shops.

4. Add in 1 tsp of rose petal powder to it. Organic rose petal powder has amazing skin care benefits and it keeps the skin blemish free.

5. Finally add in 1 tbsp of Sandalwood powder. Sandalwood powder prevents acne and helps fade scars and keeps the body cool during summer and prevents body odor.

6. Mix all the ingredients well. To use, Add enough water to form a paste and use it for both body and face. Make sure to store this homemade bath powder in an airtight box and use daily.

NOTES:

If you have dry skin, mix the bath powder with milk or rice water.
Try to get pure organic powders for best results.
Make small batches so it remains fresh.
This bath powder is very very fragrant.
This bath powder is very gentle on the skin and can be used for children too.

Getting a facial done is one of the most relaxing things I can think off and the best part is you can easily do it in the comfort of your home with ingredients found in your kitchen. Facials have multiple skin benefits: 1. Deep Cleans: Since we use a scrub and a cleanser, facial deep cleans the skin and gives it an amazing glow 2. Removes Blackheads: Because we steam our skin during facial, it opens up the pores and when we scrub our skin later, it removes all the blackheads and whiteheads easily. 3. Hydrates The Skin: Facials are super hydrating and especially at home facials done with pure nourishing ingredients hydrates the skin very well. 4. Exfoliates Gently: After a facial, you will find your skin super soft and smooth, that is because it exfoliates the dead skin very effectively. 5. Improves Blood Circulation: Massaging improves blood circulation and since we massage our skin well during the facial, it helps improve the blood circulation resulting in glowing skin. When I was in college, I remember saving up money for getting a professional facial done. Professional facial were expensive then and now it is even more expensive. After marriage, I started doing my own at home facial with ingredients found in the kitchen. Surprisingly my skin felt very good just like it felt after a professional facial. The only thing I missed was the professional massage from experienced hands. I started learning how to do facial massage at home and now I don't miss professional facial at all. The only thing we have to remember when doing a facial at home is to plan in advance. Choose a day when you are relaxed and have plenty of time. Choose a time when you won't be disturbed and if you have young children at home, do it when they are asleep. Light a scented candle, play soft music and get the all the ingredients ready. If you keep walking to the kitchen for each and every step of the facial to get the ingredients, you won't feel relaxed at all. Follow these facial steps in the order given and after finishing off with face pack, wash your face and then apply a moisturizer. You will find your skin smooth and glowing. Continue doing this facial once every 15 days for best results....

How To Do Facial At Home - Step By Step Tutorial With Natural Ingredients:

1. Remove All Make Up:

The first step is to remove all make up from your skin completely. If you have the time, you can make your own makeup remover and you can find the recipe for it here. Else I would suggest using plain milk, it removes all make up really well. If you don't want to use milk, you can use pure unrefined coconut oil to remove makeup too. To use first dip a small a cotton in milk, squeeze out excess and use it remove the makeup completely.

2. Cleanse Your Face:

The second step is cleansing your face with a mild cleanser, I would suggest using a natural cleanser suited to your skin type. You can either use a store bought one or make your own. Cleansing removes any dirt or grime left over after removing the makeup. I like to make my own foaming honey cleanser with honey, liquid Castile soap and few drops of essential oil. You can adjust the recipe to your skin type by adding or skipping the coconut oil and you can find the recipe for it here.

3. Steam Your Face:

After cleansing your face, the next step is steaming. For steaming I would suggest steaming with neem leaves. Neem leaves have amazing anti bacterial properties and greatly helps prevent skin infections. Steaming opens up the pores which makes it easier for us to remove the blackheads while scrubbing. To steam, boil 2 liters of water with a handful of neem leaves. Once it starts boiling, remove it from heat and use it to steam your face by covering yourself with a thick towel. I would suggest steaming till the water losses it's heat. But please don't bend yourself too close to the water.

4. Use a Scrub:

After steaming, massage your face with a scrub gently. My favorite blend is mixing a tbsp of rice flour with fresh orange juice. This is a very simple but effective scrub that helps remove blackheads and white heads very effectively. Just make sure to concentrate well on the areas like your nose where the blackheads are usually found. But don't scrub too hard, do it very gently for 2 to 3 minutes. After using the scrub, wash your face and pat dry.

5. Massage Your Face:

The fifth step is massage. After the scrub, massage your face in upward strokes. I usually use homemade aloe vera based creams for it. It is so very effective and does wonders to skin if used regularly. One of my close friends who is a beautician always recommends dipping the hands in ice cold water and then massaging the face with cream. This helps close the pores as well, at first it will feel awkward to do a self massage but you will get better at it with time. Don't forget to massage the neck and I would suggest massaging for 5 to 6 minutes.

6. Apply A Face Mask:

After the massage, wash your face and pat dry. By now your skin will be smooth and supple. Now it is time to apply the face mask which is the final step. I prefer kasthuri turmeric face packs as it brightens the skin tone really well and it also prevents acne if used regularly. For the face pack, take one tbsp of besan and 1/2 tsp of kasthuri turmeric powder in a bowl. Add in rice water if you have combination skin, rose water if you have oily skin and milk if you have dry skin and apply as a face pack. Kasturi turmeric does not stain the skin like normal turmeric and I highly recommend it to keep your skin blemish free. Wait for it to completely dry and then wash it off. If you don't want to use turmeric based face packs, I have uploaded many face pack recipes, choose the one you like and use.

Aloe vera is one of the best ingredients to use for promoting hair growth and it has amazing hair benefits. Aloe Vera has been in use for more than 2000 years and has been extensively used for health, hair and skin care. The major chemical constituents of aloe vera gel that are very effective for promoting hair growth and treating hair problems are a. Vitamins: Aloe vera is rich in vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin C and E, choline and folic acid. They are wonderful antioxidants that prevent free radicals which affect our hair in a negative way. b. Enzymes: Aloe vera contains around 8 enzymes and out of them bradykinase has anti inflammatory properties when applied topically thus greatly helps reduce scalp inflammations. c. Minerals: Aloe vera is rich in minerals like calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese and potassium. They help nourish the hair both when taken internally as a juice and applied externally as hair packs. d. Anthraquinones: Out of the 12 anthroquinones present in aloe vera, some like aloin and emodin have anti bacterial properties thus greatly helping in preventing scalp infections that leads to hair fall. e. Fatty Acids & Hormones: Fatty acids and hormones present in aloe vera have wonderful antiseptic and anti inflammatory properties which again treats all scalp problems. f. Lignin: Lignin present in aloe vera improves the penetrative effect of other ingredients that is why when we use aloe vera based hair oils, it penetrates well into the scalp resulting in smooth and glossy hair. The best way to use aloe vera for hair growth is using it in the form of hair oil and hair packs. Here are the hair benefits of aloe vera gel that you will experience immediately when you use aloe vera hair packs and aloe vera hair oil: 1. Aloe vera conditions the hair well and makes it super shiny and soft. So just within a few uses, you hair will be shiny and sooth. 2. Aloe vera treats all scalp problems including dandruff when applied on the scalp. Use it with lemon to see instant results. 3. It heals scalp infections especially if used along with neem powder. If you are suffering from scalp infections like boils or itchy scalp, apply aloe vera gel mixed with neem powder. 4. Aloe vera gel strengthens the hair roots and stimulates hair growth. You can use any one of the hair packs I have given below. 5. If you are suffering from hair loss using aloe vera hair mask will arrest it very quickly. I have given 10 aloe vera hair treatments that I have used over the years. Choose the ones you like and use it regularly for best results. For all these treatments, I have used fresh aloe vera gel and you can find how to make fresh aloe vera gel here. To use the aloe vera hair packs given below, mix the ingredients and apply all over the scalp. Wait for 15 to 30 minutes and wash it off with a mild shampoo. You can use the aloe vera hair packs weekly twice. The aloe vera hair oil can be applied weekly twice before hair bath....

10 TOP ALOE VERA HAIR REGROWTH TREATMENTS AT HOME:

1. Aloe Vera & Lemon Hair Pack For Dandruff:

Take a tbsp of ground fresh aloe vera gel in a cup. Add in the juice of half a lemon and apply it as hair mask using a piece of cotton. Wait for 15 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo. This hair pack treats dandruff really well.

2. Aloe Vera & Egg Hair Pack For Hair Fall:

Take the inner gel of 1 aloe vera leaf and grind it to a smooth paste in a mixer. Mix in 1 egg and apply as a hair pack. This hair pack is best applied with a hand brush, wait for 15 minutes before washing it off. This protein rich hair pack will arrest hair fall very quickly.

3. Aloe Vera Juice For Hair Growth:

Drinking aloe vera juice also has amazing hair benefits. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and it also full of antioxidants which fights off free radicals. You get plenty of aloe vera juice in the markets but I would suggest making you own. To make your juice, take 2 tbsp of fresh aloe vera gel, grind it a mixer with 1 cup of coconut water and drink.

4. Aloe Vera & Neem Hair Pack For Scalp Problems:

Take a tbsp of neem powder in a bowl. Add in enough aloe vera gel to form a paste and use it as a hair mask. To use, apply the paste using a hair brush all over the scalp. Wait for 20 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo.This hair pack will treat all scalp infections.

5. Aloe Vera Hibiscus Hair Mask For Shiny Hair:

Take the inner gel of 1 aloe vera leaf. Now grind it together with 2 hibiscus flowers and apply as a hair pack. This hair pack is best applied with hands, wait for 15 minutes before washing it off. This hair pack is super conditioning and will leave your hair soft and smooth.

6. Aloe Vera & Onion Hair Pack For Hair Thickness:

Take 1/4 cup of peeled shallots also called small onions in India and chinna vengayam in Tamil. Grind in a mixer without adding any water and extract the juice. To the juice, add equal quantities of fresh aloe vera gel. Apply all over the scalp. Wait for 15 minutes before washing it off.

7. Aloe Vera & Amla Hair Pack For Hair Regrowth:

Take a tbsp of amla powder in a bowl. Add in enough aloe vera gel to form a paste and use it as a hair pack. To use, apply the paste using a hair brush all over he scalp. Wait for 10 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo. This hair pack promotes hair growth.

8. Aloe Vera & Vitamin E Oil Pack For Hair Fall:

Take the inner gel of 1 aloe vera leaf and grind it to a smooth paste in a mixer. Now break open and add in the contents of 1 vitamin e capsule and apply as a hair pack. This hair pack is best applied with a brush, wait for 15 minutes before washing it off. This hair pack is super conditioning and hydrating.

9. Aloe Vera Hair Oil For Hair Growth:

At home we make a wonderful hair oil with fenugreek seeds, aloe vera and vetiver root. The oil is very fragrant and promotes very fast hair growth. We also use unrefined coconut oil as a base for making it. Regular use of this hair oil will solve all hair problems and you can find how to do it here.

10. Aloe Vera & Henna Hair Pack For Grey Hair:

Take 1/4 cup of fresh henna leaves in a mixer. Add in enough aloe vera gel to form a paste and use it as a hair pack. To use, apply the paste using a hair brush all over the scalp. Wait for 30 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo. This hair pack will dye the hair dark red.

Almond oil is one of the best oils to use for promoting hair growth. If you are suffering from hair loss, I would suggest using nourishing pure plant based oils like almond oil regularly for hair treatments. With regular use, you will be really surprised how the texture of our hair changes for the better and also how fast the hair grows. The reason almond oil is so good for hair is because 1. It is very high in vitamin E (5.3 mg of vitamin E for 1 tbsp of almond oil) which is an amazing antioxidant that prevents free radicals that cause damage to our hair. 2. Almond oil contains high levels of fatty acids and when we apply it on our hair, it nourishes and conditions it greatly and is really great for dry and damaged hair. 3. Almond oil has anti inflammatory properties and if you are suffering from scalp inflammation, I would highly suggest regular almond oil massage. 4. Regularly using almond oil hair treatments adds shine to hair and prevents split ends. If you are suffering from split ends and dull hair, I would suggest egg and almond oil hair mask given below, it will greatly help. 5. Regularly massaging scalp with almond oil will improve circulation in the scalp and strengthen the hair roots. You can either use it alone or combine it with coconut oil and castor oil and use. When you are using castor oil, use it in 1:4 ratio as castor oil is very sticky. There are two different types of almond oil available. One is from sweet almond tree whose botanical name is Prunus Dulcis Var. Amygdalus. This is the almonds that we regularly consume. It has amazing hair, skin and health benefits. The main fatty acid composition of sweet almond oil are oleic acid, linoleic acid followed by palmitic acid and stearic acid. The unsaponifiable portion contains phytosterols, tocopherol and squalane. It is pale straw colored liquid with high amount of fatty acids that nourishes the hair and skin. This is the oil to use for hair care. The second type is got from bitter almond tree whose botanical name is Prunus Dulcis Var. Amara. Bitter almond has compounds called cyanogenic glucosides and when the bitter almonds are macerated, they hydrolyze and produce toxic hydrogen cyanide in very high amounts. Since bitter almond oil is very toxic it should be used only under medical supervision. When buying almond oil, make sure to buy only cold pressed sweet almond oil. In India, refined almond oil is sold cheaply, I would suggest buying only cold pressed sweet almond oil for best results.....

5 TOP WAYS TO USE SWEET ALMOND OIL FOR HAIR GROWTH:

1. Almond Oil & Egg Hair Pack:

Take 1 egg in a bowl. Add in a tsp of virgin sweet almond oil to it and mix well. Apply all over the scalp and hair, wait for 15 minutes before washing it off. If you don't want to use egg, you can substitute it with coconut milk.

2. Almond Oil & Castor Oil For Hair:

Both sweet almond oil and castor oil when combined together is very effective in arresting hair loss and promoting new hair growth. To mix, take 2 teaspoons of sweet almond oil and 1/2 tsp of cold pressed castor oil in a bowl. Mix well and use it to massage your scalp 10 minutes before bath. You can also use olive oil or coconut oil too.

3. Almond Oil & Lemon:

This sweet almond oil treatment is wonderful for treating dandruff. For the treatment, take 1 tsp of lemon juice in a cup. Add in 1 tsp of sweet almond oil to it. Mix well and apply it all over the scalp using a piece of cotton. Wait for 10 minutes before washing it off.

4. Almond Oil & Vitamin E Treatment:

Almond oil when warmed and applied on the scalp with vitamin e strengthens the hair and prevents hair loss very quickly. For the treatment, take 1 tbsp of almond oil in a cup and place it in warm water to heat it up a little. Now add in the contents of 1 vitamin e capsule and mix well. Use this blend to massage the scalp, wait for 30 minutes before having hair wash.

5. Almond Oil & Avocado Hair Pack:

If you have dry hair, just try this hair pack, it does wonders. Mash one ripe avocado to a smooth paste, add in 1 tsp of sweet almond oil to it and mix well. To use, apply this hair pack all over the scalp and hair, wait for 30 minutes before washing it off. Regular use will make your hair super shiny and soft.

Turmeric has amazing skin lightening properties and has been used for it from ancient times in India. I have always seen my aunts and grandmothers use turmeric for skin care on a day to day basis. Almost every bathroom in our village will have a turmeric and small stone. When women go for bathing, they rub the turmeric on the stone along with the little thick rice water till they get a smooth paste. Then we rub it all over our face, massage for a few seconds and then wash it off. This simple method has amazing skin lightening benefits and always keep skin smooth and free of blemishes. Even if there are blemishes, it lightens them well. Turmeric lightens scars, dark spots, pigmentation and treats suntan really really well. This has been proven through research too, you can read about it here. The only problem with this method is turmeric stains skin yellow so I prefer to use turmeric in the form of bath powders and I like to use kasturi turmeric instead of regular turmeric. Kasturi turmeric is very fragrant and does not stain like normal turmeric so I prefer to use it instead of normal turmeric. But if you don't mind the light stain, you can use the normal turmeric too. I prefer to make my own turmeric paste at home instead of buying store bought turmeric powders. I find store bought turmeric powders stain the skin really yellow which makes me wonder whether artificial colors are added to them. To make your own turmeric paste for skin care, soak a turmeric in hot water for a few minutes. Now take a rough stone and rub the turmeric on it well along with little water till you get enough paste. This way you will get unadulterated turmeric for skin care. Since I love making my own creams and face packs, I have tried turmeric face pack, turmeric cream and turmeric oil at home. They all work well but use them regularly to see fast results. I have given all the recipes I have tried over the years below, choose the one you like and use regularly......

5 TOP WAYS TO USE TURMERIC FOR SKIN LIGHTENING:

1. Turmeric & Milk Face Mask For Skin Lightening:

Take 1 tsp besan also called as gram flour in a bowl. Add in 1/2 tsp turmeric powder to it. Add enough milk to form a paste and use it as a face pack. To use, apply all over the face and neck, wait for 10 minutes before washing it off.

2. Turmeric Oil For Skin Lightening:

To make turmeric oil, take a turmeric and rub it on a rough stone along with little water to get a smooth paste. Now heat 1/4 cup unrefined coconut oil along with 1 tbsp of turmeric paste, it will immediately start spluttering. Once the spluttering sound stops, remove and strain. To use, massage this oil regularly before bath.

3. Turmeric Cream For Skin Lightening:

Turmeric creams are wonderful for skin lightening and you can make them easily at home. I make it with aloe vera gel, turmeric powder and rice water and you can find the recipe for it here.

4. Turmeric Powder & Yogurt | Honey For Skin Lightening:

Turmeric powder mixed with honey or yogurt is also wonderful for lightening dark spots and scars. If you have oily skin, mix turmeric powder with honey else if you have dry skin mix it with yogurt. To use, apply a thin coat all over the face, wait for 15 minutes before washing it off.

5. Turmeric Bath Powder For Skin Lightening:

I love homemade bath powders. Homemade bath powders are always made with turmeric as a base. They are fragrant, keeps the skin blemish free and lightens the scars and blemishes really well. If you have dry skin mix it with thick creamy rice water else use rose water or plain water to mix. You can find the recipe for it here.

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