7 Natural Ways of Making Natural Colors This Holi

Holi, the festival of colors is one of the much-loved festivals in India. Like every festival, Holi is also celebrated with lots of love, joy, and fun which people show by showering colorful powders(Gulal) and rang on each other.
However, the colors which we buy from the retail stores may have various chemical ingredients which are harmful to our skin and hair. When we have been gifted with pure and natural color alternatives by mother earth, why not make the best of it and prepare our natural safe Holi colors this time:

Red: Mix ample amount of red sandalwood powder with refined wheat flour. Sandalwood is a magical gift for skincare and even adds an aroma in your Holi colors. Wheat flour is equally safe to use as it is a basic edible ingredient used in every Indian kitchen.

Yellow: Who knows the beauty of turmeric better than us? You can mix turmeric powder and gram flour to make a bright yellow powder for Holi which will also improve your skin tone.

Orange: Dried and crushed forest (Tesu) flowers can be used for preparing orange powder. Tesu flowers are used in various ayurvedic medicines, hence, it is beneficial to our body in all ways.

Green: Finely crushed and powdered fenugreek (methi) / mint (pudina) leaves can be the best ingredient for preparing green color. Fenugreek has been found to do wonders in haircare and mint keeps your scalp and skin cool in the hot summer.

Pink: Grated beetroot or Pomegranate seeds can be soaked in water to get a bright pink color. Pomegranate and beetroot have so many natural compounds which beautify –It will not only give you a pinkish color but will also keep your skin healthy throughout Holi.

Brown: This Holi, instead of drinking tea or coffee, just shower it on your friends. Boil tea leaves or coffee in water and cool them to prepare a rich brown liquid as a Holi special.

Purple: It’s so simple! Grind Black grapes or jambul (jamun) and dilute with ample water to get a natural purple liquid to play with at Holi this year.

Hope these natural color extracts will help you enjoy an eco-friendly Holi this year body and soul. Happy Holi!!

8 Ways to Use Rosewater to Beautify Your Skin

Rosewater – A mild pure extract of rose petals has been found to be used widely in every Indian household and at auspicious occasions. But why??  It’s because Rose water is certainly a versatile magic potion that goes with every beauty and skincare or hair care recipe. It works well with all type of skin texture and is a cherished beauty secret. Here are the 10 most effective benefits of Rosewater:

1. Maintains pH balance:

Rosewater imbibes the purest form of herbal properties that helps to maintain the skin’s pH balance and hence controls the excess oil on the skin surface. It’s mild and soothing aroma keeps you fresh throughout the day.

2. Reduces Acne and Irritation:

Rose water is very rich in anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the red patches and skin irritation, heal the acne, exfoliates the dry skin and makes your skin healthy. Moreover, it acts as a deep cleanser that helps in removing oil and dirt accumulated in the clogged skin pores.

3. Revitalize the Skin:

Pure distilled rose water hydrates, revitalizes and moisturizes the skin to the core thereby giving it a glowing tone.

4. Healing Agent:

Rose water contains strong anti-bacterial properties which help in healing the scars, cuts, and wounds. The best part is, it totally reduces the scars and does not leave any marks behind.

5. Regenerate Skin Tissues:

The antioxidant assets of rose water help strengthen the skin cells and regenerate the skin tissues giving you a younger look and fresher feel.

6. Skin Toner:

Application of Rosewater as a toner is the best way to clean the pores and tone up the skin. Using rose water on the skin after steaming will tighten the capillaries and hence reduces the red patches.

7. Enhance the Quality of Hair:

The beneficial herbal properties of rose water enhance the quality and volume of hair. It is also used to treat mild scalp issues including dandruff.

8. Anti-Aging Formula:

Distilled rose water has always been used as an anti-aging formula, thereby keeping the fine lines and skin wrinkles at bay.
So, make the most of this beauty secret which has been used by renowned beauties like Cleopatra!!

Do You Want to Get Rid of Hair and Scalp Problems?

Dandruff, dry hair, itchiness, hair fall, baldness and much other hair related issues are a big concern for most people today. You try new shampoos, conditioners, hair spa and so much more to keep your hair smooth and thick. But still, you don’t get the long beautiful silky hair you always dreamt of. Your hair still gets broken, scalp issues. No growth, etc.

So, Do You Want to Get Rid of Hair and Scalp Problems?

The most effective remedy that has always helped in hair care is by using the right hair oils…, not just any hair oil, but natural and ayurvedic oils that penetrate deep into your scalp and nourish your hair from the roots.

Coconut Oil:

A magical oil that has all the goodness of nature and required elements to nurture the hair from the roots itself. Though it is slightly greasy, this oil is absolutely suitable for hair massage and has been used for centuries now. Hot oil massage by heating up the coconut oil slightly can help it to penetrate your scalp deeper.

Almond Oil:

Rich in vitamin E, sweet almond oil is very beneficial for hair growth. Application of almond oil on a regular basis makes the hair longer, stronger and shinier. You can mix almond oil with other natural oils like amla, coconut, etc. for a better result.

Castor Oil:

It is counted among the age-old skin and scalp healing remedies which is why it is now blended in most beauty products. It has excellent skin inflammation reducing and healing properties of skin conditions caused by sunburns, dry skin, acne, etc.

Amla Oil:

Amla, the natural ingredient containing essential fatty acids has been used for hair care remedy since ancient times. It helps in strengthening the hair follicles and improving the quality of hair.

Mustard Oil:

Mustard oil is used extensively in North Indian kitchens but it also has the anti-fungal properties which make it perfect for scalp treatment. Daily massage with this oil gives you faster hair growth and cures dandruff completely. As it is quite greasy, you can add almond oil, or coconut oil to at any apply 2 hours before taking bath.

Olive Oil:

Olive oil is widely used in restaurants to give excellent taste to the food. However, it is even more useful in hair treatment. Its high exfoliating property helps us to regain lost hair quickly and it also makes the hair root stronger.

DIY Aloe vera Cucumber gel- Glowing skin & for hair growth

 

Benefits of Aloe Vera Gel :
Aloe is famous for its inherent quality of getting totally absorbed by the skin and crossing all the layers of the skin. The aloe vera gel is a natural purifier and assists healing of the skin , which is why it has been used  from time immemorial as a natural antiseptic . It soothes dermatitis, skin rashes and allergies of the skin as well as itchy conditions of the scalp as it calms the cells down .
Aloevera also promotes cell growth of the hair follicles and thus helps in hair growth . It also balances the ph of the scalp

Benefits of Cucumber :
The natural skin lightening properties of cucumber helps reduce dark circles under the eyes. Cucumber has several antioxidants which help in anti ageing as they counter free radicals responsible for ageing. It contains ascorbic acid that helps decrease the presence of bags and puffiness around the eyes and silica which strengthens the connective tissue and leaves the skin feeling silky smooth. Of course cucumber is also well known for its cooling properties and an eye pack of chilled cucumber slice feels like heaven on tired eyes.

DIY Aloe Vera Cucumber Gel As a Facepack :

You will need:
1 tbsp of aloe vera gel
1 tbsp of cucumber pulp – roughly chopped (remove seeds)
1 tbsp of boiled normal water

1. Blend all the ingredients in a mixer or with an electrical blender till you get a smooth paste .
2. Apply on a cleaned face and keep for half an hour .
3. Wash it off with warm water and pat dry

This rejuvenating aloevera cucumber gel can be an instant facepack before a party , for that fresh glowing look

As a Hair pack for an Itchy Scalp &for promoting hair growth:
You will need:
2 tbsp of aloe vera gel
2 tbsp of cucumber pulp – roughly chopped (remove seeds)
2 tbsp of olive oil

1. Blend all the ingredients in a mixer or with an electrical blender till you get a smooth paste .
2. Apply on the scalp and keep for half an hour .
3. Wash it off with warm water and a herbal shampoo.

Get free from that itchy irritating scalp with this soothing aloevera cucumber gel hair pack and get smooth silky hair as well !! For more info visit http://www.prakritiherbals.in/.

Stop Premature Greying of Hair and Hairfall Naturally with Curry Leaves!

Premature greying of hair is the bane of every youngster today ….well look no further than your kitchen for the  solution!! Age old recipes which have used the humble curry leaf to nourish the hair and prevent greying – any wonder that our grand moms still have such black silky hair while we are all ready to pull out what is left of ours!!;)

Hair loss & premature greying can occur due to stress, improper diet, lack of proteins and even improper combing techniques. Curry leaves are a rich source of beta-carotene and proteins, which can reduce hair loss and increase hair growth. They also contain amino acids and antioxidants which strengthen the hair follicles and moisturize the scalp. Curry leaves also help remove the dead hair follicles, which can be the reason behind dandruff.Curry leaves are a rich source of vitamin B, which help restore hair color by nourishing and strengthening the roots. So, Stop Premature Greying of Hair and Hairfall Naturally with Curry Leaves with pure natural curry leaf extracts.

• Darkens hair and reduces greying : Adding curry leaves to one’s regular diet has proven to be beneficial in treating premature graying of hair, as the curry leaves add strength and vitality to hair and darkens it.
• Nourishes hair: Curry leaves can also be boiled in coconut oil and applied regularly for healthy hair.Add curry leaves to your dietary intake- they are fabulous for hair and  general nutrition
• Nourishes from inside out: Boil curry leaves in water, squeeze a lime and add sugar to it. Drink daily for about a week. This will increase hair growth, and make your hair shiny. It’s also great for digestion!
•  Repairs  damaged hair:Curry leaves are very effective since it assists in the scalp restoration process, helping the hair follicles breathe and making them stronger. You can apply the paste directly on your scalp which helps repair the roots. Once your roots are strong, the hair will also grow faster!
  So do reach out for the humble curry leaf &see the magic it does for you !!

Bouncy Silky Hair This Monsoon Naturally!!

The heavenly rains  not only bring with them lots of  fun n frolic , but also loads of humidity which truly messes with our tresses,don’t they!!
I’m sure you all have noticed how the all encompassing humidity  totally  frizzes up our hair  which tends to become so limp even after being shampooed and have less shine body&bounce.
Tips  to keep hair bouncy& healthy this monsoon!!

1. Give your hair a pampering hot oil massage  before shampooing and wash off with a mild shampoo.
2. Do not tie hair when wet
3. Avoid using chemical treatments or blow drying your hair too much.
4. Comb you hair when semi dry or completely dry with a wide tooth comb
5. Nourish your hair from inside out with  a diet rich in protein, vitamin E and C  & drink lots of water .
In the monsoons, hydrate your hair with  herbal  rinses which can be made at home with simple kitchen ingredients

TEA & LEMON RINSE :

Tea and lemon rinses can work wonders on your hair during the monsoons, not only adding body & lustre but also cleansing it beautifully giving you shiny ,squeaky clean  hair .
Boil tea leaves in enough water. Strain , cool the liquid , add lemon juice and use it as a rinse after your shampoo.
Soak fenugreek seeds in water overnight and add Lemon juice – Use as a last rinse. Fenugreek – Lemon rinse helps reduce oiliness and maintains normal pH balance reducing dandruff and giving you shiny bouncy hair .
So throw out your  worries & have a fun filled  monsoon this year -naturally !!

Freedom from lice naturally with teatree oil

 

 

Why let your kid’s beautiful childhood be affected by the pesky & embarrassing problem called LICE???

Anyone can get it but it is fairly common in school going kids because of the close proximity with each other which allow the lice to get transmitted easily.Head lice are parasitic wingless insects which live on the scalp of your head and thrive on your blood.They also lay eggs which are called nits , and which grow into adult lice when their growth cycle is over. Hence it takes a long time to get rid of these pests as they recur frequently.

 

 

 

Well moms, not to despair!!There is a natural way to  to beat this  irritating problem of lice&nits .

Tea tree oil treatment:  
Apply a mixture of 3 tbsp of olive oil with 1 tbsp of teatree oil. Rub into scalp and leave for 30mins.Wash with normal shampoo. Then rub in vinegar into the scalp to loosen the nits.Wait for 10 mins and wash off with hot water. Comb your hair using a fine lice comb to remove the lice and nits. Repeat every week to get rid of this irritating menace .
Another easy alternative is to mix 10-15 drops of teatree oil in your shampoo and use it regularly.

Warning: Do  remember that Tea tree oil is toxic when taken by mouth so keep it out of reach of children. However it  is widely used in low concentrations in cosmetics and skin washes.

Tea tree oil which is an essential oil from the leaves of  Melaleuca Alternifolia has been claimed to be useful for treating a wide variety of medical conditions  including lice, dandruff, acne etc.So make the most of this natural wonder to get rid of the pesky lice forever!!

DIY Tips to identify and manage dry, curly, oily or damaged hair

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It has been rightly said that your hair is your crowning glory- any wonder that we all worry about it so much;) One of our foremost desires is to have thick, healthy, shiny , bouncy hair isn’t it… and we would do anything to get them looking absolutely fabulous!!

For that we need to know more about our hair type, its porosity and density so that we can choose hairstyles or products that are best suited to it and highlight its strengths . Find out more in detail about your roots and the detailed structure of the hair here.

Did you know that the angle at which the hair comes out of the follicle is related to its shape??The shape of the follicle determines the shape of the cortex, and the shape of the fiber is related to how straight or curly the hair is!!!Straight hair shoots straight out from the scalp and is round in cross section.Wavy hair is oval in shape and comes out of the scalp at an angle,whereas curly hair is flattened and comes out of the scalp at an extreme angle…so blame whatever hair you have on your genes;)

The thumb rule to distinguish between dry, oily and normal hair and scalp is to watch its behavior for 4 days post a hair wash with your regular shampoo and conditioner with a test called the DAY 1234 test courtesy Dr Aparna Santhanam- a leading hair& skin specialist -am a big fan of hers!!
Day 1. After a day, If both the scalp and hair feel greasy to touch- You have OILY HAIR/SCALP
Day 2. 2 days after a shampoo, if your hair needs a wash and your scalp is greasy-you have NORMAL HAIR/SCALP
Day 3. 3 days after a shampoo, if your scalp feels greasy and your hair is limp, you have NORMAL TO DRY HAIR/SCALP
Day 4. 4 days after a shampoo,if both your scalp and hair are still dry – then you have DRY HAIR/SCALP

 Few more pointers to distinguish the different hair types :
A. DRY HAIR/SCALP , FRIZZY HAIR

Dry,frizzy  hair is dull, lackluster and usually characterized by a feeling of dryness, split ends or hair that is brittle and breaks easily. This type of hair feels rough,and not smooth and silky and is generally indicated by frizziness, fly away hair  and a lack of shine .Dryness can be caused by insufficient oil production by the  sebaceous glands on the scalp or due to hormonal imbalances, diets deficient in proteins and vitamins or due to chemical treatments.

People with dry hair need to deliver moisture to the hair’s inner cortex while keeping the cuticle well lubricated and tight.
Dry hair needs protection in the form of emollients and lubricants like herbal hair oils which will lubricate the outside cuticle layer of hair,and create a shine as well. Humectants like aloevera are also needed to retain the moisture within this type of hair.

B.   Curly Hair :

 Curly hair gets tangled easily is difficult to manage & is also often prone to becoming extremely dry. That’s because the curl keeps the hair away from your scalp and sebum which is the scalp’s natural moisturizers sebum does not reach the hair strands . Therefore  the trick is to  moisturise curly or frizzy hair  without weighing it down with heavy, damaging residues or making it oily and more likely to collect dirt. Light products like aloe vera based gels or light hibiscus or aloe vera based  shampoos suit curly frizzy hair better.
Tips for people with dry hair or curly frizzy hair:
1.Massage your hair with nourishing  oils like olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil or pamper your hair with a natural hairmask  of eggs,curds or  papaya   before a hairwash . Use  a pre -wash hydrating conditioner as far as possible
2. Wash your hair 2 times a week with a mild shampoo and products formulated  for dry hair containing natural moisturising conditioning agents like aloe vera, hibiscus etc.
3. Use a rinse off  or leave in conditioner based on natural oils like olive, jojoba oils
4. Have  a healthy diet fortified with proteins&vitamins  like eggs, sprouts etc &drink lots of water

C. Oily Hair and Scalp:

Oily Hair usually  goes hand in hand with an oily scalp.The sebaceous glands in this case work overtime& hair tends to take on a  limp,greasy look. A diet rich in oily and junk food can also lead to an oily scalp

Tips for Oily Hair/Scalp:
1.Wash your hair 3-4 times a week with a natural shampoo and products formulated  for oily hair with amla ,shikakai,reetha to cut down the grease and restore the bounce.
2. Apply light oils or gels before a shower or a paste of fenugreek , but avoid leave in conditioners which can make the hair very limp.
3. Add flaxseeds &  chia seeds  to your diet , and cut down on oily food and junk.

Normal Hair:

Lucky are the ones who have normal hair!!! Normal hair is hair that is strong,resilient, moisturised and shiny and a normal scalp is one that is moist and pink without any flaking,irritation or bumps.The goal of people blessed with normal hair is simply to maintain it in the same balanced state.
Tips For Normal Hair:
1.Wash your hair 3-4 times a week with a natural shampoo formulated  for normal hair .
2. Apply  a pre wash conditioner or hair mask or lightly massage the scalp with coconut or olive oil to maintain the shine and bounce of your hair.
3. Condition with a mild conditioner
4. Add colored fruits, strawberries, peppers and asparagus to your diet

Colored,  Straightened or Permed Hair:

Isn’t it ironical that   those with curly hair get it straightened and those who are bored with poker straight hair get it permed or curled…Well,the grass is always greener on the other side isn’t it’;) …..C’est la vie!!:D
However it is our poor hair than bears the brunt of all these chemical treatments which include colouring hair as well.

The hair’s outer cuticle is normally made up of a very tightly packed network of cells which do not allow moisture to escape and keep it moisturised and soft and is responsible for  shiny, healthy hair,. The alkalis used for Colouring ,perming or straightening  treatments  first cause swelling of the cells that form your hair’s outer cuticle.  The chemicals used in dyes  then    penetrate the swollen cuticle and move into the underlying cortex, and peroxide first  bleaches out the pigment that’s there in the first place,so that the pigments can then change the colour of your hair. The first one or two times,the cells may shrink back to its original tight mesh.But the problem arises when we repeatedly subject our hair to chemical treatments.The  more often you do this, the less likely it is that these cuticle cells will shrink back into the tight, smooth network and thus become dry and frizzy. There is no way to totally replace damaged cuticle on existing hair -the only solution is to wait for new hair to grow.
Use  a good conditioner like aloevera or jojoba oil will act by filling in the gaps formed between the damaged cells and replacing  the lost moisture,thus restoring some softness and shine to the hair.

Tips for people with coloured, straightened or permed hair:
1.Massage your hair with nourishing oils like olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil or pamper your hair with a natural hairmask  of eggs, curds or  papaya   before a hairwash . Use  a pre -wash hydrating conditioner as far as possible
2. Wash your hair 2  times a week with a mild shampoo formulated  for damaged hair containing natural moisturising conditioning agents like aloe vera, hibiscus  etc.
3. Use a moisturising rinse off conditioner or leave in conditioner based on natural oils like olive, jojoba oils
4. Have  a healthy diet fortified with proteins, chia seeds &vitamins.

Hope this helps you decide on the right products and regimen to suit you hair type. Will be updating soon on tips to also estimate the density and porosity of your hair with simple DIY tests…keep watching this space 🙂

Brighten up your skin with the divine king of fruits-the mango!!

Look like a queen with the help of the yummylicious mango -any wonder the Mango is called the king of fruits???
The lovely golden mango  is simply bursting with the goodness of vitamins ,minerals a nd antioxidants.It has large quantities of Beta carotene which gets converted to vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant.Isn’t it  great to know that we have a natural source like  mangoes at hand to fight the age old problems of acne&aging 🙂

Skincare and Haircare  Beauty Benefits of the Mango:

1.A treasure house of  Vitamin A  : Vit A  is universally known for its anti aging ,rejuvenating properties and helps heal acne &pimples as well. Vitamin A is the greatest friend to good skin and its deficiency can cause dull skin, open pores, acne, as well as horny eruptions on the arms, elbows and knees.
2.Antiaging: Promotes collagen formation,Moisturises  dry skin &Regenerates new cells,thus helping in reducing wrinkles and fine  lines.
3.High in Fibre&Iron ,low in calories: Rich in vitamin A , B and C as well as Potassium, Calcium and Iron..
4.Mangoes for Healthy skin and hair:High content of  antioxidants,the enzyme mangiferin,&vitamins are very beneficial for healthy skin&hair
5.Rich in AHA:the skin of the fruit is rich in AHA which sometimes gives that tingling feeling

6.Protects against eczema&wrinkles: Even the mango kernel which would otherwise be thrown away ,yields valuable mango butter on cold pressing.Mango butter is a very  effective emollient,moisturizing the skin and protects the skin from dry skin conditions like eczema and  is very effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

So, what are you waiting for? Include those ripe and juicy mangoes in your daily diet and begin leading a healthy and beautiful life!
Do keep watching this space for some yummylicious mango recipes&DIY mango facials…..:)

Play Holi with Natural Colours!!

                                                                                Holi!!!Just the name conjures up brilliant images of dazzling colour,fun,frolic and Masti!!!!!! But hold on-what happens the day after??You are left with itchy coloured skin,stained nails,red smarting eyes-.the list just goes on…..In fact at times people who are allergic to certain substances might find it difficult to breath or take almost a month to recover from the rashes..This is caused by the chemicals mixed in the colours,which may contain heavy metals like chromium,lead,and mercury.Most Holi colors sold in the market are oxidized metals or industrial dyes mixed with engine oil. Sample this: Green &blue come from copper sulphate, purple is chromium iodide, silver is aluminum bromide, black is lead oxide and shiny colors are result of powdered glass being added to the colors. Asbetos and silica normally form the base for these colors.It is very hard to remove these chemical colors from the skin as  they enter into the body through the skin.Sometimes these colours accidentally enter into eyes and can cause reddening and itching.

Tips to safeguard your skin and hair  :
1.Read the labels-Some brands specify that the color is for industrial use

2.Use only branded  natural colors which are now available in most stores.

3. Examine the color powder carefully :if you can see glass powder or smell diesel oil,totally  avoid these colors

4.Apply coconut oil or aloe vera gel to your skin and hair,before playing Holi.

5.Slather on sunscreen or aloevera gel :the mixture of chemicals and the hot sun overhead is a potent combination for sunburn and suntan. 6.Apply  Vaseline under your nails& on your lips: This will prevent the colours from seeping in&staining them

7.The Lemon Rub:Rub some lemon wedges over your skin for some time and then wash it off.Lemons can naturally bleach the skin&take off stubborn stains.After washing it off,be sure to apply a herbal moisturiser or aloe vera gel to prevent the skin from drying up.

8.Protect your hair: Oil your hair with a nourishing herbal hair oil or olive oil and tie it up before you step out.Later rinse off the colours with a gentle herbal shampoo&deep condition it with a jojoba based conditioner.

9.Apply a hair pack  of coconut&fenugreek :This reduces the dryness caused by the harsh colours.Read more at https://prakritiherbals.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/go-coco-nuttya-coconut-fenugreek-hairmask-to-reduce-hairfalland-dandruff/  Make these natural colours at home…..All you need is some time and patience and you can!!!!!

• NATURAL COLOURS:
• Dry Yellow Colour: Mix two spoons of turmeric powder with four spoons of besan for bright yellow colour
• Wet Yellow Colour: Mix Two spoons of turmeric in two litres of water and stir well.
• Dry Green Colour: Make a paste out of different leaves like spinach, coriander, mint etc in water and leave it to dry. Another method is to mix mehndi and any flour.
• Wet Green Colour: Take four spoons of henna and mix in two litres of water.
• Wet Magenta Colour: Grate beetroot and soak in one liter water for magenta colour.
• Dry Green colour–Pure mehendi / henna powder. Mix with equal quantity of flour to get a lovely shade of green. Mehendi  will not leave its imprint on your face as it can be easily brushed off.Make sure the henna is pure and not kali mehndi as it has dyes mixed in it
• Wet Brown Colour: Boil tea or coffee in water and cool it
• Wet Black Colour– Boil dried fruits of Amla / Indian Gooseberry in an iron vessel and leave it overnight. Dilute with water and use.

Well what you are waiting for???…This year play Holi the safe way!!!!   HAPPY HOLI TO YOU ALL !!!!:)