Herbs and Shea Butter as Natural Conditioners

Natural herbs are the best hair conditioners. The synthetic or chemical products cause hair loss and may turn the black hair white. Here are the few best natural hair conditioners.

Women with beautiful Hair
Wikimedia Commons by Andrea Pavanello

1. Fenugreek Seeds
Methi or fenugreek seeds are used for flavor and health benefits in foods. These seeds remove dandruff and promote the overall hair health and growth. Soak the dry seeds in water for at least 6 hours and apply the paste on the roots of the hair and rinse after drying.

2. Coconut Milk
The coconut milk prepared from fresh or grated coconuts prevents hair fall and strengthens, moisturizes and disentangle the long hair. It is not necessary to soap wash the hair afterward as it does not make the hair oily. Just water rinsing is enough.

3. Oil Massage

Give a weekly hot oil treatment to hair by massaging the hair with slightly hot natural oil for few minutes and wash with soap or shampoo after half an hour. It reduces hair fall and promotes hair growth by increasing the blood circulation. The herbal oils extracted from coconut, olive, sesame, almond etc. could be used after infusing them with herbs.

4. Aloe vera 
Extract the Aloe Vera gel with a knife, apply it on the hair and wash after half an hour. It will condition the hair and make them smooth and silky. This gel is used in skin burns too.

5. Shikakai

The dry and powdered seeds or leaves or bark of acacia concinna or shikakai are the best natural hair cleansers and conditioners. The paste of these is used as a shampoo. Washing the hair with leaf infusion is the best for dandruff while the extract is used in shampoos.

6. Shea Butter as Natural Conditioner
Shea Butter is the fat extracted from the nuts produced of African Shea tree is applied on hair as a natural hair moisturizer and conditioner. 
The Shea butter is also good for skin.
It is advisable to use the Shea butter on wet hair. It gives best results in hair treatment if coconut oil is applied just before its application. 
Check for any allergic reactions, as some people are susceptible to it.

Natural Home Remedies for Baldness

Close-up of the flower of the sesame plant.
Wikimedia Commons

1. Mix equal amount of sesame flowers and murex or caltrop or singhara and prepare the paste by grinding it in butter oil and honey. Apply the paste to remove baldness.

2. Taking 2-3 grams of the powder of the roots of the vine Indian Sarsaparilla or Hemidesmus indicus or Anantamul thrice a day with water cures baldness. 

3. Massage the hair with sesame oil. After an hour wrap the hair in a towel soaked in hot water and replace the towel on cooling. Repeat the hot towel treatment for 5- 10 minutes and then wash the hair with cold water. It removes the dandruff and increases the blood circulation in hair roots. 

4. Snake Cucumber has rich amounts of silicon and sulfur which help in the growth of hair. Washing the hair with the juice of snake cucumber and taking the juice of it with carrot and spinach juice help in the growth of hair. It also helps in the growth of healthy nails and nail loss.

How to Control Weight and Wrinkles by Kissing

Lip Kissing
Photo credit- Wikimedia Commons by echomrg

Kissing each other thrice a day for 15-20 seconds each time helps in weight loss and longevity. Kissing each other for longer duration may increase the blood pressure.

But deep or long kiss is good in obesity and makes the body thinner as it burns a lot of calories in the body. The amount of burnt calories depends on the length and passion of entwined lips. Generally the body burns up to 5 calories per minute of kissing.

On the other hand deep kissing promotes longevity. It is due to the reason that deep breathing burns the fats and accelerates the circulation of blood. The lip lock during during kissing increases the frequency of breathing and helps in consumption of energy. Kissing stimulates the nerves and increases the immune system. It boosts the mood which helps in the release of healthy hormones in the body.

Lip Kissing
Photo credit- Wikimedia Commons by Steve Evans

Kissing reduces the anxiety and stress as it stops the noise in the mind and brings peace and tranquility. It increases the levels of oxytocin in the body which is an extremely calming hormone that soothes and produces the feeling of peace and calm. 

Deep Lip Kissing
Photo credit- Wikimedia Commons by Hubert Hung 

During a passionate kiss the face and tongue muscles become active and tense. About 15 to  17 muscles on tongue and 30 muscles on face become active thereby promoting blood circulation and reducing facial wrinkles respectively.

The facial muscles in this way perform exercise and brighten the skin especially on face by increased circulation of blood and oxygen to the muscles.

Frequent kissing is also good for the health of teeth and gums as the large amounts of saliva containing calcium and phosphorus gets secreted in the mouth and nourishes the teeth. The acidic character or the pH value of saliva is neutral and is beneficial for gingivitis tooth decay and the overall dental health,.

It is advisable to make the kissing partner comfortable and make sure that the breath is clean.

It is better to go for deep breathing, if there is no one to kiss.

Don’t Kiss the Infant

Lip Lock
Photo credit- Wikimedia Commons by Daniel Hendricks

The arrival of a child changes the entire atmosphere of the house. Every member of the family wants to spend time with the child. Most of the people show their love and affection by kissing the child. They hardly know that this act could be very dangerous to the health of the child. The child with a weak and underdeveloped immune system may get afflicted with several infections and diseases. The Kissing by the parents and the elders increase the risk of the child to become ill.

The following problems occur when the child is kissed.

1. The act of kissing transfers the saliva from one person to another. In this way several diseases also get shifted. This situation could be dangerous to the child. 

2. Epstein Barr Virus commonly called EBV is a virus of herpes family. This virus spreads by kissing and it remains in the body throughout the life. Most of the people get infected by it in the childhood without knowing about it. It cause of infectious mononucleosis which is also called mono and glandular fever popularly known as the “Kissing Disease”. Most of the people carrying the virus don't get sick.

3. Sometimes the child suffers from the fever and becomes ill after kissing. It simply means that the kissing person has transferred some infection to the child. On certain occasions the situation becomes so grave that spasms may appear in the child. Severe throat infection may also appear along with inflammation. 

4. There are specific harmless bacteria in the mouth of every person. These bacteria may be friendly to one person but inimical to the other. These bacteria too get transferred by kissing. 

Home Remedies for Long and Dense Hair

It is better to void the use of synthetic shampoos and use the herbal one instead as the former contain harmful chemicals and preservatives. The home remedies of Indian herbs have been tried and tested since ages and ages. 

Woman with long hair
Wikimedia Commons by Viethavvh

1. Amerbel
Boil about 200 gram of dodder (ruscuta reflexa or Amarbel or mistletoe,  a leathery-leaved parasitic plant which grows on apple, oak, and other broadleaf trees and bears white glutinous berries in winter) in 2 liters of water till the water is reduced to one liter. Wash the hair with this water in the morning. It is the best remedy for the growth of hair. 

2. Ginger, Garlic
Apply the juice of garlic on hair for the growth of new hair. The hair regrows after the regular massage of the ginger juice on scalp for a month or so.

3. Mango Kernel
Grind about 10-15 gram of mango kernel in the juice of Indian gooseberry or amala. It will make the hair curly and long.

4. Radish
Regularly eat a radish with black pepper and rock salt after lunch for 3-4 months. The intake of the mixture of carrot, spinach and cucumber juice also increase the growth of hair and stops the loss or falling off of nails. 

5. Henna and Amla
Soak equal amount of dry powder of henna and Indian gooseberry overnight and wash the hair with this water in the morning. Repeat the remedy for few days for soft and long hair.

Woman with long hair
Wikimedia Commons by Sylvia Ismus

6. Kalonji
Boil about 50-60 grams of nigella stevia or kalonji in a liter of water and wash the hair with the extract. Repeat the remedy for a month to get long and strong hair. 

7. Cucumber
The silicon and sulfur contained in cucumber help in the growth of hair. So wash the hair with the juice of cucumber. Eat cucumber and snake cucumber too.

8. Wild Berries
Prepare the paste of the leaves of wild berries and neem (or margosa) and apply on the hair. Rinse the hair for half an hour. Repeat this remedy on every alternate day for a month or so to stop the hair loss and to get the long and shining hair.

9. Hibiscus
Apply the juice of hibiscus flower to increases the growth of hair. Make a paste of the leaves of hibiscus and massage it on the hair two hours before bathing. It is the best remedy to increase the growth of hair. 

Alternatively, prepare a paste of equal amount of hibiscus flower and its leaves and apply on hair before going to bed at night and wash in the morning. This remedy is very effective for the growth of hair.

10. Chinese Rose

Washing the hair with the juice of the petals of Gurhal or Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis or shoe flower or Chinese rose increases the growth of hair.
Prepare the paste of the flower and massage the roots of the hair and take shower after 2 hours. The regular application of this juice nourishes the hair and reverses the speed of hair loss.

Add olive oil to the fresh juice of hibiscus flowers and cook till the water evaporates. Store the extract in a vial and regularly apply this oil on hair after taking the shower. It increases the length of hair and makes them healthy and strong. 

Woman with long black hair
Wikimedia Commons by Risingstarmanager

Heat the mixture of olive oil and the fresh juice of hibiscus flowers till the water evaporates. Keep the residue in a glass bottle and massage it on the hair after bathing. It will make the hair shiny and long.

11. Triphla
The intake of 5-7 grams of the powder of triphla with 1 gram of incinerated iron or Loh Bhasm (Iron ash) in the morning and in the evening stops the hair loss. Triphla means means "three fruits," namely amla (Indian gooseberry), bahera (Terminalia bellirica), and hurd (Terminalia chebula). 

12. Apple
Grind equal amount of the seeds of custard apple and berries and apply the paste on the roots of the hair. This remedy helps in hair growth.

13. Sand Ginger
Prepare the powder of about 100 gram of Kapur kachri (or sand ginger or aromatic ginger or resurrection lily, Botanical Name- Hedychium Spicatum), 100 gram nagarmotha (or nut grass or purple nutsedge or cypriol Botanical name Cyperus rotundus), 50 gram each of camphor and kernel of soap nut,  250 gram shikakai or acacia concinna and 250 gram Indian gooseberries. Prepare the paste of 50 gram of these powdered contents with water and apply on hair. Let the contents dry. Wash the hair with warm water. It increases the growth of soft hair and also gives relief from lice and nit.

Woman with long black hair
Wikimedia Commons by Ryan Lackey

14. Reetha

Apply the paste of reetha or soap nut, shikakai or acacia concinna on hair and wash after drying to get soft, silky, shiny, dandruff free dense hair. 

15. Bhringraj
Cut the hair short at the places where they are sparse and massage the juice of the leaves of bhringraj or bhangra or Eclipta Alba where there is no hair. Repeat the remedy for few days and the black hair will appear on bald areas. This remedy also helps in split hair.

16. Anantmula
The regular intake of a pinch or 3-4 gram of the powder of Hemidesmus indicus (or Indian sarsaparilla or popularly known as amarbel or anantmula or endless root) with water 2-3 times a day removes baldness. 

17. Sesame Flower
Prepare the paste of equal amounts of the flower of sesame and caltrop or cow’s foot or gokshura with equal amounts of honey and buttermilk and apply it on bald patches of the head. Repeat the remedy for a few days and the hair will start growing.

18. Indian Gooseberries

Woman with beautiful hair
Wikimedia Commons by Andrey Maximov

Washing the hair with the mixture of Indian gooseberries, soap nut and acacia concina or shikakai removes dandruff (a chief cause of hair loss) and makes the hair long dense and shiny.
Keep the powdered Indian gooseberry and Heena soaked in water overnight. Wash the hair with this water in the morning to stop hair loss and to get soft and long hair. Repeat the remedy for a month or so.   

Add lemon juice in the powder of Indian gooseberry and wash the hair with the contents in case of hair loss, white hair, dandruff and the problem of nit and louse.

19. Sitaphal
Grind equal amounts of the seeds and leaves both of annona squamosa or sitaphal or Sharifa and wild berries. Apply the paste on the roots of hair for the growth of long hair.  

20. Castor Oil
 The castor oil or Arandi oil could be used for long hair as it is a natural treatment. Massage the castor oil on the roots of hair for a few minutes and then wash off with water. 

Caution

1. It is advisable to conduct an allergic test on a small patch of skin before using any of the products.

2. Take care of the requirements of the hormones and nutrient in the body as the hair loss is generally a sign of an internal problem caused by disorders and imbalances.

Home Remedies for Acne and Pimples

1. Margosa or neem increases the immune system of the body and has magical effect on pimples. Make a face pack of paste of 4-5 leaves of margosa and yellow clay or multani mitti. Wash with warm water on drying.

Face Without Pimples
Wikimedia Commons by Frank Kovalchek

2. Add few drops of honey in curd and apply the paste on face for complete removal of pimples in few days.

3. Prepare the paste by rubbing the seed of Jamun or syzygium cumini on stone. Apply it on face as a mask to remove the pimples and blemishes.

4. Rub the bark of margosa or neem on stone and apply the paste on pimples.

5. Prepare the paste of equal number of mint and basil leaves and add few drops of lemon and apply it on pimples regularly.

6. Prepare the paste of a tablespoon each of tomato juice, yellow clay or multani mitti and ground red lentil in water or milk. Add a little rosewater to it and apply it on pimples. Wash after drying and see the results in few days.

7. The regular application of olive oil on face at night before going to bed removes the pimples.

8. Apply the mixture of lemon juice and rose water on face and wash after half an hour.

9. Peel the boiled potatoes and rub the peels on face to remove the pimples and blemishes. 

10. Apply the paste of sandalwood powder on pimples and wash after drying. The regular application of the paste removes the pimples and the marks on the face.

11. The steam of the leaves of neem or margosa is best for pimples.

12. Apply the paste of gram flour and buttermilk or jaifal or nutmeg and milk on pimples, to inhibit their recurrence and improves the texture of the facial skin. 

13. Take a small amount of Aragon oil and rub it on the hands and body after a shower to make the skin supple and smooth.

14. Eating guava regularly for 4 weeks cleans the digestive system and gives relief in pimples. 

15. Mix a few drops of lemon juice in milk cream and gently apply the contents on pimples for a month or so to get relief from pimples. It also imparts extra glow to the face.

Camphor is very effective for Pimples

Camphor is best for all types of skin diseases. The occurrence of pimples acnes and their marks is a very common problem. The application of the oil of camphor on face removes the pimples. The regular application removes the marks of pimples from the face. 

How to Stop the Hair Loss and Increase Hair Growth with Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil has a pleasant smell and has many health and cosmetic benefits. It is especially used in hair loss and hair growth. It removes dandruff and gives thick and long hair. Eucalyptus oil is used in several hair packs.

Start using the eucalyptus oil in case of hair loss or thin hair. The following remedies could be used for the growth of hair.

1. Hair Massage of Eucalyptus Oil 

Transparent oil dots on Eucalyptus leaves 
Wikimedia Commons by John Moss

Massage of warm eucalyptus oil at night before going to bed and wash the hair in the morning with herbal shampoo. It will increase the growth of the soft and silky hair and keep the scalp clear and clean.

2. Eucalyptus Oil and Lemon 
Add few drops of lemon to the warm eucalyptus oil and gently massage the hair for 10-15 minutes for an increased blood circulation. It also increases hair growth and cleans the scalp.

3. Eucalyptus Oil and Almond oil
In case of profuse hair loss, the warm mixture of almond oil and eucalyptus oil should be massaged. It strengthens the hair and makes them soft.

4. Eucalyptus oil and Hyena oil 
Massage the warm mixture of Eucalyptus oil, castor oil, and hyena oil.  Then wrap the head with a hot towel for half an hour and wash with herbal shampoo.

5. Eucalyptus Oil and Hibiscus Flower 
The hibiscus flowers are the best for the growth of the hair. Boil few hibiscus flowers in water and prepare a paste of the contents in a blender. Keep aside the water extract. Add few drops of eucalyptus oil and apply the paste on hair. Wash with herbal shampoo and the water extract of hibiscus flowers after half an hour.

6. Indian gooseberry or Amla
The taste of Indian gooseberry is slightly bitter. The fruit is hard with a very hard seed inside. It is a common ingredient in most of the herbal oils and conventional shampoos and is especially good for the health and texture of hair. The application of the paste of Indian gooseberry reduces hair falling and removes dandruff. It can also help in preventing premature graying of hair.  In case of non-availability of fresh fruits, the dried powdered is available in the market.

7. Henna
Henna, an excellent natural herb can prevent hair graying, and is used as a natural dye for grey and dark hair. Wash and grind the fresh henna leaves with little yogurt and coffee powder. Apply the paste on hair and let it dry for some time. Thereafter rinse off to turn grey hair into a natural reddish-brown tint with soft and smooth texture. This remedy also strengthens the hair roots and help in reducing the hair loss.

Buttermilk or Lassie- The Indian Cold Drink for Wrinkles and Pimples

Fat free lassie

Lassie is a water base Indian cold drink made from yogurt or buttermilk. It is generally flavored with sugar, salt, mint, ground and roasted cumin, or mild spices. It is very useful for health and is also called whey. It is prepared by churning the curd and removing the butter from it. This popular and traditional drink is served chilled in summers. Sometimes it is taken with a thin layer of clotted cream on milk. The sweet Lassie, contains sugar or fruits.

It gives the following benefits.

1. It soothes in summer and tones the skin.

2. The intake of a pinch of turmeric with it is best in gastroenteritis.

3. The face mask of the paste of Lassie and flour removes the wrinkles and pimples.

4. The application of fresh Lassie and butter remove the blisters from the heels.

5. It re hydrates in dehydration and alleviates the stress.

6. It fights against body fats and reduces the weight.

Photo Credit- Swami Stream
Image URL- http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Fatfreelassi.jpg/800px-Fatfreelassi.jpg

Almond Face Pack for Dry Skin

The people with dry skin should use the almond face pack, which could be made at home. It will impart natural glow to otherwise dull and dry skin.

Make a paste of 4-5 almonds with organic honey. Apply the paste evenly on the face, excluding the areas under the eyes. Leave the pack for 10-15 minutes. 

Then rinse with clean water and rub lightly with towel. Apply almond oil on the face daily before going to bed at night. Drink 10-12 glasses of water per day to wash of the toxins from the body. Eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables. Follow this routine for a month and see the results.

Photo Credit- Daniel Schwen
Image URL-http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Almonds_macro_1.jpg/800px-Almonds_macro_1.jpg

Anti-ageing Vitamin C Mask and mango Kernel

A beautiful Face
Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by Lies Thru a Lens 

The vitamin C mask has an anti-aging effect on the face and acts as an antioxidant too. This mask acts like a buffer and rejuvenates the skin when the vitamin E pills are added to it. 

This mask is very stimulating and may cause some irritation foe the people with sensitive skins. In case of any burning sensation it is better to rinse the mask immediately with water.It is due to the reason that the oxidation of vitamin C causes some irritation. 

To prepare the vitamin C mask, take powdered Vitamin C (one tbsp) and vitamin E liquid gel (2-3 pills). Add few drops of water and make a smooth creamy paste. Apply the mask with fingertips on damp face. Avoiding the area around the eyes, gently rub the mask in circular motions upwards from chin to cheeks and towards the ears, and then apply it over the entire face including the and neck.

Rinse the mask with lukewarm water after 10 minutes. Pat dry the face with a clean towel and apply the moisturizer. 

Mango Kernel Prevents Wrinkles

The mango kernel has the texture of butter, and is ideal for all skin types. It could be added to other oils and butters. It has a mild aroma like olive oil.
It protects against the harmful effects of sunlight and prevents wrinkles and restores the elasticity of the skin. It moisturizes the dry skin and the hair as it heals the drying effects of soaps and cleansers on the skin.
It is an excellent antioxidant. 
The shelf life of mango kernel is 3 to 4 years if stored in cool place. 

Most of mango kernel oils are in refined form and that is why its therapeutic quality gets altered. Try to find and buy the unrefined and organic mango kernel oil.  

Glowing Skin by Digestion

The health of the skin depends on the digestion. Because the intake of nutrients from foods needed for beautiful skin occurs in digestive system. The rashes, breakouts, eczema, redness and dull skin problems are due to digestive problems. 

The Glowing Skin
Wikimedia Commons by Paolo Neo

The toxins from the digestive system are removed by the organs like liver, kidney, skin etc. Thus acne or pimples and dermatitis occur, when the organs fail to remove the toxins. 

The poor digestion and intestinal inflammation, is caused by the overeating of dairy products, excess alcohol intake, stress, lack of exercise, sleeplessness, less water intake and constipation. In order to get healthy and glowing skin,

1. Avoid high processed foods, gluten, processed soy, sugar, and refined carbohydrates. 

2. Take whole foods, green vegetables and fruits for proper digestion. 

3. Strengthen the digestive system by friendly bacteria contained in probiotics, like milk or water kefir, sauerkraut and kombucha. It maintains the pH level, removes the toxins and helps the body to absorb the skin beneficial nutrients. 

4. Eat nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes.

5. A tablespoon of the raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar mixed in water or in salad, helps in digestion, increase friendly bacteria, and cleanses the digestive system.

6. There are the times when the body does not make sufficient enzymes. It also happens in old age, so take digestive enzymes for the absorption of nutrients needed for healthy skin. These promote digestion, renew damaged cells decrease constipation. Avoid contaminants from non-organic animal-based enzymes.

7. Eat dairy or meat products of organic pasture raised and grass fed animals. 

8. Physical exercise is necessary for stress and proper functioning of digestive system. Increased heart rate helps in transportation of nutrients to the skin cells and removes the toxins through sweating.

9. Take few drops of lemon juice with black pepper, coriander and cumin seeds to get relief in digestive disorders.

Home Remedies for Dark Lips

Beautiful Lips
Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons by Nicu Buculei

Among several beauty blues, the black or dark lips are very common. Besides giving an ugly look they signify health problem too. The lips have a prominent place in overall beauty. The soft lips with natural pink color embellish the beauty, while the black and rough ones are embarrassing. Therefore it is necessary to know why the lips become black.

Besides taking care of the lips, it would be beneficial to keep the followings tips in mind.

1. The insufficient intake of water makes the lips black.

2. Take healthy and nutritious food including green vegetables, salads, fruits etc.

3. The lips not connected with bones or are pouting generally remain black.

4. The excessive use of alcohol or smoking is another reason

5. The lipsticks are acidic so proper ones of best quality should be occasionally used.

6. The deficiency of Iron and vitamin A appears in black color of lips.

7. The absence of apocrine glands also make the lips black.

Remedies

1. Include pulses, lintels, milk, soybean etc. in regular diet.

2. Use sunscreen lip balm on lips while going out in sunlight.

3. Use the paste of rose flower, lemon and glycerin on lips before going to bed.

4. Regularly apply the saffron-milk balm on lips.

5. Gently massage the lips with almond oil to increase the blood circulation.

6. The application of beet juice improves the color of lips.

7. Make a paste of butter or lemon and glycerin, and keep it applied overnight.

8. Before using the light shades of lipstick, apply foundation or powder on lips.

9. Remove the lipstick before going to bed and rather use it sparingly. 

Hoe to take care of skin by Strawberry

1. Sliced Fruit of Strawberry 

Strawberry is a great skin care additive due to its mildly astringent properties and is the best option for various ailments of the skin. It could also be used as a natural beauty product for oily skin to improve the texture. 

1. It cleans the pores, stops the growth of tumors or cancer cells and removes the dead skin cells.

2. Strawberries act as a natural conditioner. Make a paste of 10- 12 ripe strawberries and apply on the hair. Rinse after half an hour to get natural shine.

3. As a natural treatment against acne or pimples, mash few strawberries with curd and apply the paste on the face. Let it remain for 15 minutes, then wash and tap dry. 

4. For oily skin prepare the paste by mashing strawberries with unsweetened yogurt and apply on face. Leave for 15 minutes and then rinse with cold water.

5. In order to remove the eye puffiness, put thin slices of strawberry on the eyes and lie down for 15 minutes. 

6. For a soft, smooth skin rub the slices of strawberry on the face for few minutes, let it dry and then rinse with cold water.

7. Make a paste of 8-10 strawberries with a tablespoon each of honey, olive oil, milk and cornstarch. Apply this scrub to exfoliate the skin. Gently rub off and rinse with cold water.

8. As a natural whitener, mash the strawberries with little baking soda and just rub on the teeth and brush off after some tine, to remove the stains and whiten the teeth.

9. The strawberry foot and hand scrub is made from strawberries, olive oil (2 tbsp), kosher salt (1tbsp). Apply the smooth paste on feet and massage for 15 minutes to remove the dead skin cells. Wash with soap and water. 

Strawberry, Honey, Lemon Face Scrub

The homemade strawberry face scrub is a natural, effective, inexpensive and the best remedy for the oily skin. The great amounts of alpha-hydroxy acid contained in strawberries, clears the acne, takes excess off oil from the skin, and reduces eye puffiness or dark circles.

To prepare the strawberry scrub, take 10 large and ripe strawberries and make a smooth paste with a fork or a spoon. Add one tablespoon of olive oil to the paste because it cleans the skin, makes it glowing and supple, stops the clogging of pores, and is a moisturizer.
Next add two tablespoons of honey to the mixture as it reduces the swelling and inflammation, kills bacteria, and makes skin taught and youthful.

To give make the mask a natural astringent and to reduce the skin oil, add few drops of fresh lemon juice. According to skin type, that is if the skin is dry, add 8 to 10 drops of lemon juice, or add one tablespoon of lemon juice when the skin is oily. 

Properly mix all the contents till a consistent and creamy paste is obtained. 

Apply the paste evenly on face and neck after washing and pat drying the face. Leave the mask for five minutes and then use warm water to wash the face.

2. A Face without Blemishes

Strawberry, Milk, Lemon Face Scrub

For the signs of aging and dry face the face scrub made from strawberry, milk and lemon is the best. It exfoliates the skin and restores youthfulness.

Mash and blend about 10 tablespoons of strawberries. The seeds of strawberries provide grittiness to the mixture to act as a natural scrub. The alpha-hydroxy acid present in strawberries removes the old and dead cells from the outer surface of the skin.
The lemon too contains alpha-hydroxy acids, and the addition of a tablespoon of lemon juice, will remove the dead skin cells that do not retains water. It is due to the water content in cells that the skin looks young.

Next add two tablespoons of powered milk to the mixture, because again the milk is another defoliant containing alpha-hydroxy acids. It removes blackheads, slough away dead skin cell, and unclogs the pores. The fats in milk soften and seal the skin cells.

Evenly apply the mixture on entire face and neck be avoiding the areas near the eyes. Scrub off with a dry cloth after 15 minutes with warm water containing lemon juice. Wash the face again with cold water.

How to Make a Strawberry Face Mask

The homemade strawberry face mask is the natural, effective, inexpensive and the best remedy for the oily skin. The strawberries contain great amounts of alpha-hydroxy acid, which clears the acne and take off oil from the skin. The strawberries are good to reduce puffiness and circles beneath the eyes.

To prepare the mask, take 10 large and ripe strawberries and make a smooth paste with a fork or a spoon and add one tablespoon of olive oil to it. Without clogging the skin pores, the olive oil moisturize and cleanse the skin by making it glowing and supple.

Then add two tablespoons of honey to the mixture. Because honey reduces swelling and inflammation, kills bacteria, gives youthful look to the skin and makes it taught.

Thereafter add few drops of fresh lemon juice to the mixture. Add 8 to 10 drops of lemon juice according to skin type i.e., if the skin is dry or add 1 one tablespoon of lemon juice for oily skin. Because lemon is a natural astringent and helps to reduce the skin oil.

Properly mix all the contents till a consistent and creamy paste is obtained. 

Before applying the face mask wash the face and pat dry gently, and then apply it evenly on face and neck. Let it remain on the face for five minutes and rinse with warm water.

Strawberry Honey Cream Mask

The strawberry honey cream mask is organic and natural.The salicylic acid present in strawberries, cleanses by removing the impurities and dead cells from the skin. On the other hand the mixture of honey and cream nourishes the tired and sagging skin and keeps it supple, moist and fresh. It is very easy to prepare this mask.

Make a puree of five medium sized ripe strawberries in a blender or food processor or mesh them with the back of a spoon or fork. To form a thick paste just mix 1 tablespoon each of fresh heavy cream and organic honey.

Wash the face and then apply the paste on the clean and dry face and neck. Leave it for about 15 minutes. Avoid the areas around the eyes. Thereafter rinse off by using cotton pads and water.

As a variation and to balance the pH of the skin, replace the cream with live and active cultures of yogurt. You can also use The raspberries can be used instead of strawberries for sensitive skin. It is less likely that the yogurt and raspberry combination may cause irritation to those allergic to strawberries.

3. Avoid Sunlight

Strawberry Protects the Skin from Ultraviolet Rays

It reduces the damage caused to the DNA by UV rays, because of the presence of anthocyanins molecules in it. The red color to leaves, flowers and fruits is made from anthocyanin pigments. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti tumor characteristic of strawberry extract is due to rich contents of anthocyanins in it.

These results are becoming the basis for future studies to ascertain the bioavailability and bio activity of anthocyanins in the dermis and the epidermis layers of skin. 

The strawberry extract increases the cell survival. Thus a photoprotective cream made from strawberry extract has been developed. 

Half a milligram of extract per milliliter shows photoprotective properties and provides protection to cells exposed to UV rays. It protects the epidermal cells that are susceptible to skin-related diseases especially cancer. The enzymatic processes in the body to can be modulated by the strawberry extract. 


Further Reading- Strawberries

1. Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons by- Paolo Neo
2. Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons by - Chris Willis
3. Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons by- Jacob Montrasio