CategoriesLifestyle

Aloe Vera – Your Skin and Hair Will Thank You

Aloe Vera is a plant that can be found in many households – and no wonder, considering how much we know about its benefits. Whether you’re suffering from acne or sunburn, aloe vera is the perfect remedy. But its benefits aren’t restricted to just these two situations. There is a lot more that this plant has to offer.

Aloe Vera has been known by many names throughout history. The Egyptians called it the ‘plant of immortality’. In India, it has many names in all the different languages – in Telugu, it is known as ‘Kalabanda’, in Hindi, ‘Ghritkumari’, in Malayalam, ‘Kumari’, in Tamil, ‘Katralai’, in Bengali, ‘Ghrtakumari’, in Marathi, ‘Koraphada’ and in Kannada, ‘Lolisara’. The leaves of the plant yield two useful substances – the sap or the aloe latex and the gel, composed of water and many nutrients. It doesn’t do wonders for your skin alone; it also helps your hair tremendously. Read on and find out how this favourite can help you.

 

Benefits For Skin

The soap and gel made from aloe vera consist of nutrients such as sodium palmate, glycerine, sodium palm kemelate, sodium carbonate and sorbitol among others. Let’s take a look at how these nutrients help your skin.

Aging

While it is natural for fine lines and wrinkles to make their appearance as you grow older, sometimes factors such as pollution can make these signs show up early, causing premature aging of skin. Application of aloe vera helps to prevent these signs from showing up before they’re supposed to.

Moisturization

If you have skin that is prone to oiliness or acne or both, you’ll find that applying aloe vera can work miracles. Even if you don’t have these problems, it is one of the best natural moisturisers out there.

Acne and Blemishes

Not only does aloe vera gel help you deal with acne, it also helps to lighten the scars and blemishes left after and can even clear them up completely.

Helps With Sunburns

The soothing properties of aloe vera make it the go-to topical application if you’ve been out in the sun too long. Not only does it soothe the burns but also reduces inflammation.

 

Benefits for Hair

Hair Growth

While the benefits of aloe vera for skin are rather widely known, what is not known quite so well is that applying aloe vera on your hair and scalp can help with more hair growth.

Dandruff

Did you know that many shampoos and conditioners in the market have aloe vera as a key ingredient? If you suffer from dandruff or an itchy scalp, then you should definitely give one of these products a try. You may find that it works wonders for a persistent, irritating and embarrassing problem.

pH Balance

In addition to all its other properties, aloe vera is also great for ensuring that the pH balance of your hair isn’t disrupted – something that can otherwise cause a lot of problems such as hairfall.

Conditions Hair

Do you have dry hair? Have you been advised to condition it? Look no further than aloe vera whose moisturizing properties ensure that not only does it strengthen your hair shaft but also makes your hair shine with health.

CategoriesLifestyle

Almond – The Superfood Your Skin Needs

We’re all familiar with almonds. Many of us were probably made to eat soaked almonds every morning by our mothers or other female relatives when we were children. Some of us (like me) may even have protested loudly at having to do so (children, I tell you!). But, as is usually the case, there was and is a good reason behind this practice. For example, did you know that continuing this practice into helps lower cholesterol, prevent cancer, prevent birth defects, give energy boosts and much much more? No wonder, then, that this humble little food is actually considered a superfood that can benefit your health, skin and hair.

Almond is one of the best natural substances that you can use on your skin, thanks to its Vitamin E and fatty acid content, among other things. Read on to see how much it can do for your skin.

Your Skin is Protected from the Sun

The abundance of Vitamin E in almonds ensures that your skin isn’t damaged but is protected when you step out into the sun. In fact, it is also a great remedy for sun burns if you’ve stayed out too long.

It Works Well as Aromatherapy Oil for Massage

One of the best parts about almond is that the oil is suitable for all types of skin. This means that all you need to do is relax and let it nourish your skin while you feel calm and wonderful, thanks to its aroma.

It Moisturizes Your Skin Naturally

If your skin is sensitive to the chemicals used in commercial serums or if you simply don’t want to use products with too many chemicals in them, this is what you should go for. You just need to use a few drops on your face every day and watch the transformation. The best part is that the oil is non-greasy and is absorbed quickly and easily into your skin.

It Can Treat Whiteheads, Blackheads and Acne

Oil and dirt trapped in the skin’s pores clog them up and cause conditions like acne or give you blackheads and whiteheads. Almond has certain essential fatty acids that help to regulate the amount of oil that the sebaceous glands secrete, thus helping to prevent breakouts. You can even use it to treat skin rashes.

It Can Deal with Puffy Eyes and Dark Circles

If you want to get rid of dark circles under your eyes effectively, simply soak almonds in some water and then make a paste out of them. Before going to sleep, apply the paste in the under eye region and leave it overnight. Voila! The puffiness is gone and dark circles are reduced.

This is just the tip of the iceberg as far as skin care is concerned. The benefits of almonds are too many to list. But the benefits do exist and it is a good idea for you to take advantage of everything this superfood has to offer.

CategoriesHair Oil Lifestyle

Ayurveda to Treat Dandruff

Dandruff is one of the worst nightmares for anyone. That sudden urge to scratch your head in public and then find white flakes on your fingers and shoulders can embarrass you to a large extent. Dandruff is known to be a complex problem in Ayurveda. There are different causes of dandruff in different people. However, it is grouped under Kshudra rogas- something that can be cured easily. 

The one way you can treat dandruff is first by not thinking about it all time and getting affected by it. Secondly, stop buying multiple shampoos and hair care products for it. Using different products without having proper knowledge can harm your hair even more. Most anti-dandruff shampoos are made of chemicals that might remove dandruff but eventually cause hair fall or other hair problems. 

Ayurveda has the solution for all these hair problems, but first, we need to know the basic causes of dandruff.

Poor Hygiene of Hair

While washing hair every day is not right, not washing it for a week or more can cause a mess. Not washing your hair frequently enough – less than three times a week can accumulate dust and pollution on your scalp making hair dull and dry and your scalp itchy. This makes the scalp a breeding ground fungus and, later, dandruff. 

Poor Eating Habits

Eating habits define a lot about your health and hair. It would help if you always took a balanced diet and nourished food, so your body and hair are healthy. Eating lots of fatty fast food and fewer vitamins & proteins can weaken your hair roots and make them prone to dandruff.

Skin Conditions

Certain skin conditions like eczema or other skin disorders can be an individual’s major cause of dandruff. With such conditions, one tends to get more flaky skin and dry, itchy scalp in winter than others.

Mental Stress

According to Ayurveda, when a person is stressed mentally, they invite more skin and hair issues as the immunity is low. Thus, to keep stress under control, one should practice yoga and meditation regularly. This will help avoid dandruff.

Ayurvedic Treatments for Dandruff

Some amazing home remedies and Ayurvedic treatments reduce and remove dandruff, keeping your hair healthy and lustrous.

Amla

Amla is said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties along with Vitamin C, which is very effective in relieving itchiness on the scalp and reducing dandruff. 

How to use:

Mix Amla powder with Tulsi leaves and add some water to the paste. Apply this mixture to your hair. Let it stay for 30 mins. Rinse well.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is another effective Ayurvedic treatment for itchy scalp and dandruff. It soothes skin and also has anti-bacterial properties.

How to use:

Scrape aloe vera from the aloe vera plant and apply it directly to the scalp. Leave it overnight or for 30 mins and wash it off.

Methi or Fenugreek Seeds

Methi has antibacterial properties that are considered the best Ayurvedic treatment for dandruff. It also nourishes the scalp and strengthens the hair roots.

How to use:

Soak Methi seeds overnight and grind them into a paste. Mix curd, lemon juice or henna into the paste and apply it to your hair. Let it stay for 30 mins and wash off well.

Neem

Neem has antifungal and antibacterial properties and is antiseptic as well. It kills bacteria to fight dandruff, soothes the scalp, and relieves it from itchiness. 

How to use:

Apply Neem oil to your hair and leave it overnight or for a few hours. Wash off with water. 

To Sum Up

While the aforementioned tips can go a long way in solving the dandruff problem, no cure or remedy can completely remove it, until you follow a healthy lifestyle and use the right hair solutions.