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 NATURALLY
BEAU TIFU
TheComplete Beauty Book
 Ambika Manchanda

NATURALLY
BEAUTFUL
The Complete Beauty Book
 Contents
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100
 Foreword
eauty is not the special shape of the eyebrows, the length of the hair, a tiny waist or dainty
feet. It is more a way of expressing yourself, enhancing your physical assets and improving
upon your drawbacks. Beauty is different things to different people. As the world changes, so
do beauty concepts. How did black suddenly become beautiful? And lately, how is it that
Indian women have taken all the top honours at the world beauty scene? Suddenly the world has
woken up to the fact that beauty is not about looks, or colour, or about how to make up your face. It is
much more than that. Its about being comfortable with one’s own body. Its about health and vitality.
And most of all, its about the knowledge that I am beautiful, because I feel beautiful inside.
Being beautiful is all about lifestyle. Not the way society columns depict wannabes. Its about doing
the right things, eating the right foods, and having a fitness and beauty regimen. To do the right
things, one has to know what to do. This book takes a major step in that direction. It tells you how
you too can be beautiful, with simple and effective directions. The remedies could well take you back
on a nostalgia trip. We go back to nature and its bounty. It’s a fresh look at grandma’s recipes, and the
kitchen. A plethora of beauty aids and treatments; easy to make and simple to use. And the results?
Wait and see.
Oriental women from China and India as well as those from ancient Egypt were superbly skilled in
the art of repairing the ravages of time. They made lavish use of flowers, herbs and resins for making
applications and potions that made their skin glow. The ancient art of make-up, face care, and beau-
tifying the body were far more elaborate and advanced than today.
Shringar, or adornment, was considered almost a ritual for a bride. Traditionally and even today,
at Hindu marriages the bride receives a beauty box from her husband. Today, synthetic mass manu-
factured vanity cases have replaced the ancient, adorably carved wooden chests or metal cases, once
used by brides. Even the contents are mass products: a cream, a lipstick, a powder, and eyeliner and
so on...as much as the purse permits. But in ancient times, the beauty box itself was a work of art.
Much care was put into it and it was filled with all possible items for a woman's personal adornment.
Glass or carved bottles of attar (extracts or perfumes) of roses, jasmine, mogra and many other flow-
ers, containers of kohl for the eyes, others even more intricately carved or shaped containing abeer
(power) or missi (a herb) to redden the lips were lovingly put into the make-up chest.
Today women all over the world are using henna to disguise white hair and turn it to a reddish
brown shade. In ancient times henna has been used not only to enliven the hair but also to adorn the

Vu
palms of the hands and feet and even colour the nails.
Teenagers today eagerly buy the latest anti-acne and antipimple creams at exorbitant prices, little
realising that the cure for these ills exists in their own kitchens! Women in India have used sandal-
wood for centuries for this very purpose. It has strong antiseptic qualities and softens the skin.
Similarly, women in most eastern countries have used “chikni mitti” or Fuller’s earth, mixed with
rose water. This is also popularly known as “Cleopatra’s Pack” in the west. It helps to tighten the skin,
and is the basis on which facemasks are marketed.
Women in ancient times were very particular about removing unwanted hair. Thus ash from
incense sticks was used to get rid of them. Lemon juice and sugar mix was also used regularly for this
purpose. Today, women go to beauty parlours for “waxing”. Nothing changes. The future goes way
back. Centuries back.
Women in India have always used herbs, fruits and flowers to beautify themselves, to adorn and
enhance their good points. We do indeed have a wealth of knowledge as far as herbal and natural
beauty aids are concerned. In fact beauty and make-up ritual in ancient times was more elaborate
and state of the art than even today.
Exquisitely designed boxes and containers were used to store beauty aids. Historic evidence reveals
that there was an intense desire for personal culture and body care. For instance, hair-drying pins of
metal with intricately carved bases having devices for creating rhythmic sounds were used while dry-
ing the hair. These were very popular in South India. Among other objects of ancient toiletry articles,
one can find slender bottles carved with tiny mirrors. Kankavatis were containers for a certain red
pigment, used as bindis to mark the forehead.These containers had different forms like peacocks,
musical instruments, elephants, swans, or mango.
Even the foot scrubbers found among ancient pieces were imaginatively made. These artefacts had
a hollow shape and were fitted with tiny metal balls that made a rhythmic sound when used. Some
other exquisitely shaped were containers for Missi, a herb to redden the lips; others contained differ-
ent dyes to adorn the forehead. Carved boxes containing Abeer were also included. Abeer is a powder
made from sandalwood, aloe, rose petals and a few grains of civet. These were powdered in a mortar
to a very fine power.
Thus the ancient art of makeup and adornment finds no comparison today. In this jet age of
instant cures, we look backwards to the glorious days when it was difficult to find an ordinary face,
when women made it a point to look extraordinary.

Vill
 Soft as Silk
s soft as silk, as smooth as alabaster (marble), as fresh as a rose petal—poets and writers
have gone into raptures while describing a woman’s skin. Historically, the Egyptians were
perhaps the first people who perfected the art of cosmetics and beautification techniques
for the face, hair and the body. In fact they apparently went to great lengths to do so. The
women improved their appearances by using a vast variety of cosmetics. The British Museum in
London displays a beauty box dated 1400 BC, belonging to Queen Thuthu. The contents are fasci-
nating. It contains pumice stones to remove rough skin, eye pencils of wood and ivory, with which
probably koh] was applied, a bronze shallow dish used perhaps to mix ingredients for shading the eyes
and several bottles of beauty potions.
Oriental women were known for their magical ability to deal with all beauty problems. It is only in
the rush and run routine of the 20th century, that people have lost the art of looking beautiful.
Today, most women go out and work. Obviously dust, pollution and a tension-ridden life can play
havoc with your skin. Thus women end up using covering-up techniques by using make-up to hide
their blemishes rather than using ancient and time tested methods to retain and enhance beauty. It’s
again a question of ‘looking’ beautiful, as against being naturally beautiful. This has certainly taken
a heavy toll. Realisation has now dawned about the harmful effects of chemicals, and people are
again going back to the basics: back to nature. Beauty lies there.
Now we turn back the pages of history and look and seek cosmetic cures from natural ingredients
like fruits, flowers, and vegetables and herbs, along with different types of salts and soils, mud and
earth. Granny’s wisdom is evident in finding the right answers to all problems of beauty. A little
knowledge, and a little time spent upon yourself can certainly help you to preserve God's gift of nat-
ural beauty.
To enhance your skin you need to understand your skin type and how to get the best from it. Your
skin maxim should be minimum maintenance from natural resources. It should be improvement,
rather than mere cover-up techniques.
Indeed, beautiful skin feels like soft, creamy, smooth silk. The colour matters little. Be it black,
brown, or yellow or tan or white. Its beauty lies in its freshness, its softness and its smooth as silk
looks. A good skin is a healthy skin. This shows that you care about yourself. The skin protects the
body, keeps it at an even temperature. While poets have described it as a delicate part of our body, it’s
the skin that takes a batterings of a lifetime of wear and tear and gets the feel of leather. If you want
to avoid this, then you must ensure a regular care regime for the skin.
To maintain the skin in a good condition, it needs to be constantly cleaned and cleared of dead cells
that cause the pores to become blocked with dirt, pollution and sweat. The skin also needs to be con-
stantly rejuvenated. Oxidation due to pollution, the sun’s ultra violet rays; all contribute to wear and
tear of the skin, blocking its pores and causing a host of other problems as well. Greasy skin, pimples,
blackheads, roughened texture are all the results of neglect. Diet too plays an important role in
determining the health of your skin.

9
“
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 f Bak
SKIN@ rey
Lypes
nva
i ~~ L
Basically there are three types of skin textures: normal, oily and dry. Some people have a dry
skin in certain areas and an oily or normal skin in other areas. This is termed as a combina-
tion skin type.

NORMAL: This type of skin is neither too oily, nor too dry. It is not oversensitive to wind, harsh sun-
light, or cold. It does not have open pores, lines or acne. It has a smooth texture. It poses little prob-
lems unless it has been neglected or abused.

OILY : Generally people develop an oily skin in their teens. Overproduction of oil by the sebaceous
glands leads to an oily skin. People who have an oily skin should avoid oily food, starches and sugar.
They need a rigid skin care regime and should remove every trace of make-up every night before
going to bed. While bathing, mild exfoliates should be used.

DRY : Normally associated with ageing, some people have a naturally dry skin. In this case too, the
right nourishment can work wonders. Along with this you need to have a moisturising routine.

Thus we see that all types of skin require care. The bath time is best for an overall skin caring rou-
tine. Bath time should not be a mere spartan exercise of cleansing the body. It should also be a time
to revitalize your body and skin. True, in today’s rush and run lifestyle, a morning bath can at most
be a quick cleansing routine that ‘wakes’ you up for the day ahead. However, you could devote some
extra time at night before going to bed when you bathe again. Also, a weekly, leisurely, rejuvenating
bath should become a routine. This is when you could attend to your skin, and deal with any prob-
lem.
Tiny body pimples caused by over secretion of the sebaceous glands are a result of poor circula-
tion. Use a loofah or coarse mitt to scrub these away and renew your skin. A pumice stone should be
used for your heels and other rough areas like elbows and knees. Normal wrinkling of the skin can
be attended to while bathing. Rub some moisturizing cream or lotion before the bath. Massage well,
and then wash away.
You would be surprised to know that your kitchen is a magical box that has all the ingredients to
make you beautiful. Expensive creams and lotions are certainly not the answer to your beauty prob-
lems. Flowers, fruits, vegetables and other natural things can provide the answers to a lot of skincare
problems. So let’s start with something really exciting and unusual...but very simple.
 Floral Baths
The Romans, Egyptians and oriental women were known to have very fastidious beauty and
bathing routines. For them, bathing was a major social event. They also promoted the healing
powers of warm water to which various herbs, salts and flowers were added, thus ensuring
health-giving qualities to their baths.

MIXED HERBS AND LEAF BATH: Take a handful of bay leaves, rosemary and chamomile leaves.
Put all these together in a piece of muslin. Tie it tight and soak this bundle in your bathtub or water
bucket in slightly warm water for half an hour. The fragrance permeates into the water. Remove the
bundle of muslin and gently rub it all over your body and then bathe with the fragrant water. This
bath is most relaxing and helps tone up the body.

FLORAL BATH: Chamomile flowers, rose petals or fragrant tube roses, even agrimony, wrapped in a
muslin cloth or bag, soaked in water would have the same toning and smoothening effect upon your skin.

MILK BATH: A traditional elaborate bath that literally ‘feeds’ your skin! Considered to be the very
height of luxury, it was used by Nero’s wife, Poppaea, and has since been a favourite over the years.
Poppaea bathed in donkey’s milk and water. Several innovations have been introduced to make this a
fascinating bath regime. It’s easily made at home.

Take Half Litre Milk. To this add 2 tablespoons of honey. Add strained chamomile
/ juice or the juice of crushed rose petals obtained by infusing them in water. Mix
\ all these and pour the mixture into warm bath water. Soak yourself in the bath-
tub, or keep pouring slowly over your body, rubbing all over. Be leisurely about
this. After the milk and flower water has been used up. You could bathe with nor-
mal cold water.

BATH FOR DRY SKIN: Take 200 ml. of glycerin, and add to this 200 ml. of rose
water. Pour this in a bottle. Smear this all over your body and beginning at the
neck, start rubbing it in gently as you go downwards, to your arms, torso, legs and
back. Continuously massage the mixture into your skin, nourishing it. Once the
solution is absorbed into the skin take a normal bath using a glycerin-based soap.
gy
ALMOND BATH: This is also an ideal solution for people with a dry skin. It should be used espe-
cially during severe winters when even normal and oily skins tend to dry up. You should use this
treatment instead of soap. Take a piece of muslin, crush a few almonds and tie them in it. Wet your
body; rub this almond bag all over your body vigorously. Keep adding a little water and continue
scrubbing. This immediately exfoliates without damaging your skin and at the same time it nourish-
es the skin with its natural oils.

VINEGAR BATH: Those with an oily skin problem should definitely try this. Take a mug of
water and add to it a little malt vinegar. Mix well and massage your body with_this diluted
vinegar water. Take a bath with cold water and feel the difference.

MILK AND EGG BATH: Wrinkling skin? Do not fret. Try out this simple magical formula.
Take a cup of cold milk. Take the white of one egg and beat it up until it stiffens. Add the cold
milk and fold it gently into the egg. Use this paste all over beginning at the neck, down the
arms, torso and legs. Leave it on for five minutes. It dries very quickly. Then bathe with a
mild soap. It leaves the skin looking taut and supple.

CUCUMBER AND YOGURT BATH: Take one cucumber. Peel it and chop it into small
pieces. Take half cup of curd and add to it the chopped cucumber pieces. Then run it
through a blender to form a thick paste. Apply this paste all over the face, neck and body
before a bath. Leave it on for 7-10 minutes. Rub vigorously and then bathe with a mild
soap. This is a very nourishing and cooling bath routine and goes
down well in the hot summer months.

14
 Scrubs
Dead skin cells, jaded skin and tanning can effectively be got rid off by using exfoliating scrubs
to remove dead cells. However, do not exfoliate everyday. If your skin is oily, it needs to be
done maybe once a week. For those with dry skins exfoliating twice a month is sufficient. You
can easily make some homemade scrubs that can be as effective. Try them.

ORANGE AND LEMON PEEL SCRUB: Do not throw away orange and lime, or lemon
peels. Dry them out thoroughly till they are brittle. While drying them, keep them away
from sunlight. Powder them and keep them in a jar. Take two tablespoons of the dried
peel power, two tablespoons of wheat bran or porridge grains. Add to this half table-
spoon of honey and a little milk to make a coarse paste. Before a bath, rub this all
over your neck, arms, body and legs. Use rough circular motions as you go along.
This will help to exfoliate dead skin. Then bathe normally. It’s a wonderful scrub
and so easy to make and the effects are immediately visible. Leaves you feeling
squeaky-clean.

CHICKPEA POWDER SCRUB: If your skin is oily this is the ideal homemade scrub. Take 4 table-
spoons of chickpea powder. Add to this, half tablespoons of turmeric power, a few drops of rose water
and milk to make a thick paste. Rub it all over the body. When the paste dries and starts caking, again
use rough circular motions to exfoliate. People with dry skin can also use this scrub after substituting
milk with full cream.

OATS: Take half a litre of buttermilk or half a litre of beaten curds. Take half a cupful of oats that
have been coarsely ground or are in thick powdered form. Add to the curd or butter milk. Mix well.
Pour in a container and refrigerater for 2 hours. Apply this thick paste all over the body starting from
the neck downwards, to the arms, torso and legs. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm
water containing lemon juice. This scrub reduces pores and cleans up the skin.

TOMATO WRAP : Take 4 tomatoes. Chop them finely. Puree them.

Soak some rice for 30 minutes and then grind it coarsely. Add this to
the pureed tomatoes. Apply all over and leave it on for about 20 min-
utes. Bathe with warm water. A good scrub for people with oily skins.

16
 Bathing Routines
You can have different types of bathing routines to suit the needs of your skin. The body loses
a fair amount of natural oils after a bath. You constantly need to replenish them.

SAFFRON: Take half cup olive oil and half cup almond oil. Add to it a pinch of saffron. Mix them
together and pour in a small pan with a handle. Take a large container with water and put it to boil.
Hold the small pan over the container and steam it well, constantly stirring the mixture till the oils
obtain a rich yellow colour. Remove and cool. Pour the oils into a bottle and keep for further use. Use
this after a bath. Gently massage all over the body, neck downwards. Keep massaging till the skin
completely absorbs the oils. It is very soothing, nourishing for the skin and the saffron gives a
heady perfume.

SANDALWOOD OIL: Take a cupful of coconut oil, and one teaspoon of sandalwood oil. Mix well;
pour into a jar to keep for use. Massage well into the body after a bath. Tones up the skin and gives a
very luxurious and vitalizing feeling.

ROSEWATER AND GLYCERIN: Take half a cup of glycerin. Add to this 250 ml of rose water. Stir
well and pour into a bottle to keep for use. Massage all over your body after a bath. This is one of the
mildest and most nourishing of skin conditioners.

IN)
 Skin Problems
Kitchen disasters and neglect can cause burns, bruises and even chilblains. These are negging
problems which have surprisingly simple cures.

BUINS

YOUR SKIN DOES NEED PAMPERING. Skincare should be a routine rather than management by
crisis. It needs to be a good habit and not an exception before any occasion. Pampering your skin with oils,
lotions, masks and scrubs is certainly not the end. You need to have a balanced diet too. Foods like salads,
fruits and vegetables, coupled with Vitamin A enriched foods are good for your skin. Curds, honey and
tons of water give way to a fresh and youthful skin.

/ ONIONS: Most minor burns at home occur in the kitchen by touching hot stoves,
ovens, food containers and hot irons. These are usually superficial in nature and can
be treated at home. The key is to act quickly and maintain presence of mind and
soothe the skin. Run cold water over the burn for 5 minutes. Take a raw onion, slice
it and rub the cut surface of the onion over the burn area. It relieves the pain and
reduces the inflammation.

TURMERIC : This has tremendous curative power. Use a paste of turmeric and curd on the burn
immediately. Apply the paste gently. Leave it on. Wash off and leave the skin to dry completely. Repeat
after some time.

’ POTATOES: Immediately slice a raw potato and place the raw slices over the burn and bandage lightly.
Keep the bandage on for about 20-30 minutes. This immediately gives a cooling effect and also
helps in removal of scars. Alternatively you could boil and mash the potatoes and apply
them as a pack over the burnt area. This will help in lightening the scars and over time will
remove them.

CABBAGE: A similar cabbage leaf poultice also helps.

CAMPHOR AND COCONUT OIL: If the burn has left scars then try this. Crush 2
tablets of camphor and add to it 250 ml of coconut oil. Mix well till the camphor dis-
solves in the oil. Pour the oil into a jar. Apply regularly over the burn scar. It helps to lighten and remove
the scar.
A
ALOE VERA: A very useful plant. It
has multifarious uses in skincare prob-
lems. Should be kept accessible. Just
break off a leaf and squeeze the mois-
ture on the brim. Soothes immediately.
These days Aloe Vera gel is easily
available at all chemists and beauti-
cian’s shop too as it is a very popular
skin hydrant.

TEA: Use wet tea bags. Apply

them over the burnt area and
keep them moist till the pain is
reduced. This prevents blistering.

Persolration
\ ATeallperspire.
Someofusdoso
very profusely, while for others
it is normal. There are 2 million sweat
glands all over the body. You need to
use deodorants and anti-perspirants
after a bath, more so in summers. You
could use sprays, talcum powders or
lotions to keep you smelling fresh and
appearing cool. A vast variety is avail-
able today. Choose these products to
suit your skin type. People with oily
skins should avoid roll-ons and cream
deodorants. Instead, they should use
dry sprays. However, light talcum powders are best. Use them after your bath; allow them to dry com-
pletely before putting on your clothes.

Chilolains
feces itchy, reddish blue swellings occur in winter on fingers and toes. They occur due to cold
that restricts blood circulation in the extremities. Here are a few simple home remedies for
this problem.

ONION: If you suffer from chilblains use this remedy regularly during winter. Cut a raw onion. Use
the cut edge all over the chilblains; let the juice soak into the skin. The severity of itching dies down
almost instantly.

EGG AND HONEY: Taka a tablespoon of honey, a little glycerin, and one egg white, and add to this
a little flour. Mix in to a paste. Apply all over the chilblains. Leave it on for 6-8 hours. Wash off. Cures
you very quickly.

NR
NR
POTATO: Slice a potato. Sprinkle some salt on it. Rub it all over the chilblains. Helps to soothe the
itching and redness.

Minor Cuts & Bruises

EASTER LILY: These belong to the same family as the garlic and onion. They have tremendous cur-
ative powers. They are rich in aromatic anti-microbial oils, which make them effective in curing
minor cuts and bruises.

Take a handful of lily petals. Rinse in warm water. Chop finely. Cover them by rubbing alcohol and
then set them aside for two weeks. Now crush these, strain the juice and pour it into a small bottle.
Apply gently on cuts and wounds.

We thus see that knowledge of the use of plants, flowers, fruits and basic kitchen condiments and
herbs can take care of most of our skin care problems. Above all, you need to be conscientious in the
effort to keep a healthy skin.
 Hands and Feet
Hands are the most used or rather the most abused part of our body. Yet, they have inspired
poets to write poems on them. They are the most visible and vulnerable part of our body.

ands and feet are constantly exposed and perform a zillion different tasks. Since they do not
have any oil glands to protect them from within, they also dry up faster and tend to wrinkle
and age faster. Our hands also pay a heavy price due to lack of care. We tend to overlook them
and use them in lieu of tools, doing numerous chores. In fact, since they work the hardest, they need
special care and pampering.
Our overworked and indispensable pair of hands are busy all the time, dusting, cleaning, cooking,
scrubbing, washing, typing—in fact, they are seldom still; perhaps only when one sleeps. They do
achieve incredible tasks and as a result face the maximum punishments or accidents. They get burnt
while cooking, cut and bruised while chopping and scrubbing. They do need extra care and attention.
In fact, since they are so visible, they need to look their best all the time. You can camouflage your
face with make-up but you cannot hide ugly, uncared for, misused hands. So, do spare a thought for
these overworked hands.
Romantically, hands have figured in many a poet’s literary expression, and delicate, ‘rose-petal’
hands have been considered to be a sign of a beautiful woman.
Constant exposure to the elements and harsh chemicals makes our hands dry faster. The nails too
get discoloured, crack, chip, and become hard and brittle due to exposure to chemicals in detergents.
Diet also affects -the health of your nails. Lack of certain vitamins discolours the nails and makes
them brittle. Thus, you have to be careful about your food intake to maintain a healthy pair of hands
and beautiful almond shaped and pearly nails.
Some of the common problems that make hands harsh and nails brittle and hard have been tack-
led here. Useful tips and common cures by using natural products from the kitchen are listed to enable
you to take good care of your hands and nails.
The key to a beautiful pair of hands is regular care and maintenance. Most of us ignore our hands
and feet. It is absolutely important to establish a hand and foot care routine.
Start by washing your hands with a mild glycerin based soap. Next, exfoliate your hands with any
good home made exfoliate. Now place your hands in warm water, to which olive oil and a mild soap
has been added. Soak them in this water and scrub the nails using a soft nails brush. Remove and pat
them dry.
j
:
;
 Dry Hands
ost of us have our pet peeves about our hands. Some have dry coarse hands; others have
cold clammy hands. Some have soft thin delicate hands where the skin tears easily. A little
knowledge would help you to overcome some of these problems. Apart from this, one is con-
stantly exposed to minor cuts, burns and bruns and bruises in the kitchen or while doing chores. Here
are some good tips to rectify these problems.

SUGAR AND OIL: Take 3 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of oil (any oil, vegetable oils, olive oil or
almond oil will do). Mix the sugar and oil, beat to a blended consistency. Rub into the hands. Keep
rubbing for 5-7 minutes, then rinse well with warm water. The dead coarse skin is removed and the
hands appear soft and clean.

SUGAR AND LIME: Take one tablespoon lemon juice, one tablespoon sugar, one tablespoon water.
Lightly mix all these ingredients and rub all over the hands. Keep rubbing it in till it starts to dry. Rinse
with water. Softens coarse hands.

HONEY LEMON JUICE AND OIL : Take one-teaspoon oil (any oil, vegetable oils, olive oil or almond oil
will do), one teaspoon lemon juice, one tablespoon rose water. Mix well together. Rub over crusty
elbows, knuckles and other hardened areas. Keep rubbing it in, then after 5-7 minutes rinse off. This
not only nourishes the skin, but also keeps it soft.

LEMON JUICE AND BARELYPOWDER : Take one tablespoon barley powder, one table-
spoon lime juice.
In case barley powder is not available, boil barley for 10minutes. Extract the juice
and mix it with lime juice. Apply on the finger joints to get rid of dark circles. Rub well
into the skin. Leave it to dry and then apply and rub again. After it has dried, then rinse
off. Softens and whitens the knuckles.

POTATO JUICE : Take two potatoes, peel and grate them. Extract juice of these potatoes. Apply all over
the hands, especially over the knuckles and finger joints. The potato juice can also be applied over
scars left by wounds, cuts or burns. If used regularly, it helps to eliminate these scars and lightens
dark areas around the knuckles and finger joints.

ONION JUICE : You can relieve minor kitchen burns on the hand just by rubbing a raw onion on the
burn. Take an onion, cut it into half and rub on the burned area. It immediately reduces inflamma-
tion and relieves pain.

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 COLD MILK : Did you know that blisters on the hands
while cooking can be cured with a cold milk com-
press if applied immediately? Put some cold milk on
the blister; dab it two or three times. It soothes imme-
diately and actually aids in healing.

TURMERIC POWDER: So often hands get minor cuts

while chopping vegetables or while performing other
household chores. If you have cut your fingers or
hands, immediately apply turmeric powder onto the
wound. It stops bleeding and aids healing.

GELATIN : For those people who have split nails and

cracked hands, a good ‘soak’ in gelatin will certainly help. Take a packet of gelatin or lemon jelly, pour
it into a cup of hot water. Make a paste and put it to set. When it has set, soak the hands in this jelly,
keep rubbing the nails and cuticles as well as the hands. Keep them soaked for at least 15minutes. A
regular use of this treatment prevents cracks on the skin of the fingers and the cracking and splitting
of fingernails. Eating jelly also helps promote a healthy growth of nails.

BUTTERMILKAND ALMOND OIL : Take one tablespoon almond oil and one cup buttermilk. Mix well,
apply on the hands. Massage well, let it dry, then apply again. Repeat this till all the solution is used
up. Use this at night, before bedtime. Wear cotton gloves and sleep. Next morning, rinse well. This
treatment ensures that the hands remain soft and maintain a good skin texture.

Ww
Ws
 Ni Ll| S
ails require constant care too. They chip, crack and discolour due to harsh treatment. Nails
are horny extensions of the skin and are made from the protein called Keratin, like the hair.
If the nails are in a poor condition then rough treatment is only a partial cause. Poor or care-
less nutrition affects the health of nails. Lack of vitamin B and C makes the nails hard and brittle and
causes them to crack. An average nail grows by about one millimetre per day. A good diet and sun-
shine promotes healthy nails.
Nails need to be constantly cleaned, moisturized and buffed to keep them looking healthy. The way
you look after your cuticles, the manner in which you file your nails, all these go a long way in pro-
moting a well manicured look. Nails can be irreparably damaged due to cuticle infections, or other
damage from housework or use of poor quality soaps and detergents. The cuticles also tend to hard-
en and spread out beyond the nail bed area, further damaging the nails. All these are just due to care-
lessness and can be overcome by a proper nail care routine.
A nail takes approximately 16 weeks to grow from its root to the tip. Nails cannot miraculously
grow overnight, nor can the texture of the hard, yellow, brittle nails change so quickly. A deliberate,
patient nail, care routine, combined with the right diet can indeed work wonders and give you per-
fectly shaped, finely textured nails.
Your nails need to be cleaned gently: Take a sponge soaked in warm water. Squeeze soapy water on
your nails and rub on the nails, under the nails, and draw out the dirt. Dry brittle nails should-first be
soaked in a solution of warm water, olive oil and lime juice. Soak your nails in his solution for 10 min-
utes, constantly massaging and cleaning your nails, while gently pushing back your cuticles with
your fingers. After this cleaning routine, scrub your nails with some good moisturizing cream or
lotion. While nail polish does protect the nail and is a good make-over for nails, you should keep your
nails free from polish at least once a week, and let them ‘breathe’ in the air, sunshine and moisture.
Nails need protein to keep them strong. Thus you must take a protein rich diet to prevent them
from getting brittle-or develop cracks. They should also be kept as dry as possible, and manicured
every few days. They should always be kept trimmed to the right length and the cuticles softened and
gently pushed back.
Use an emery file (sandpaper) rather than a metal nail file. Do not file away the sides too deeply as
one can injure the nail bed.
The colour of your nails is an indicator of good health. Healthy nails are transparent and look a
little rosy too. Pale nail beds often indicate anaemia. Yellowing and thickening of nails along with a
slow growth rate may be due to illness or lung disease.
Concave nails indicate iron deficiency, while white patches on the nails indicate calcium deficien-
cy. Your diet must be rich and nutritious with plenty of vitamin B as well as calcium, found in whole
grains; meat, cottage cheese, green leafy vegetables. Eat garlic daily to keep the nails healthy. A cap-
sule of vitamin E strengthens nails as well.
A few common nail care tips will ensure healthy nails. Keep the nails trimmed, clean and moisture
anIr
39
helps reduce swelling due to water retention. Last, but not least, while bathing, remove dead skin with
a pumice stone and loofah.
Our feet keep us balanced and carry our weight. In a lifetime they walk as much as going five times
around the earth. We only pay attention to our feet when they rebel at their utter neglect; when they
can bear the neglect no longer and become ill with calluses, corns, bruises and ingrown toenails and
bunions. We should look after our feet before any of these problems creep in. Some of the serious foot
problems may need the attention of a doctor. So, prevention is always better than cure. You can cer-
tainly prevent a lot of foot problems by knowing about them and preventing them by using the right
home cures. So take a look at your feet and start caring for them right away.
Now let us discuss a few common foot problems and how we can tackle them.

40
 Neglected Feet
Most foot problems arise due to neglect and oversight. Crackedfeet, corns and other common
ailments should be attended to and nipped in the bud. Afew suggestions to deal with them.

Cracked Heels
ee is one of the most common and embarrassing problems. Cracked heels are the first signs of
sheer neglect. A daily dose of cleansing and moisturizing will help.
Before going to bed, soak your feet in warm soapy water for 15 minutes. Wash and dry. Then take
one teaspoon Vaseline. Add to it the juice of one lemon. Rub this mixture into the cracked heels and
other areas of the feet till it is thoroughly absorbed. This should be done daily.
, Amixture of glycerin and rosewater too, if applied regularly, helps to soothe and cure cracked-heels.

FOOT EXFOLIANTS AND SCRUBS

You need to exfoliate your feet without being too harsh. Dead skin accumulated on the feet can cause
a lot of problems. The ideal way to get rid of calluses is to exfoliate. Use a loofah at least twice a day to
get rid of the dead skin. However, nourishing and exfoliating your feet should be done every week.

STRAWBERRY EXFOLIATES : Take 6-8 strawberries and two tablespoons of olive (or almond) oil, and
one teaspoon of sea-salt.
Mash the strawberries. Add the oil and salt. Make into a paste. Massage into the feet, rubbing
harshly as you go along. Keep rubbing, especially around the hardened areas of your feet. Leave the
paste on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then with cold water.
Another good exfoliate is to use crushed almonds, instead of strawberries. Both exfoliate the tough
skin of vour feet and the natural juices and oils nourish your feet.
Other natural exfoliating foot scrubs can be prepared by grinding corncobs and walnut shells.
These are especially good for exfoliating very toughened feet, especially the heel areas.

ORANGE AND OIL SCRUB: This is an ideal cooling foot scrub. Take two oranges, one
cup of oil (any vegetable oil will do), and one cup of sea salt.
Mix together salt and oil. Thickly slice the oranges into rings. Dip them into this oil
and salt lotion and start rubbing all over the feet. Use generously on the hardened skin
areas. Keep rubbing vigorously for 10 minutes, then rinse off. This cleans your feet,
cools and softens them.
Calluses on the feet can also be cured by rubbing the soles of the feet with lemon
sliced into half. Take a lemon, slice it into half, and rub it vigorously in circular
motions over the toes, heels and other tough and hard areas.

Geis

hese are caused by friction and pressure when the bony parts of your feet rub against your shoes.
A bee problem needs to be treated by a doctor. Change your footwear immediately. Use exfoliates,
warm footbaths and moisturizing routines to ease the pain. There are a few home cures too that can cure
newly formed corns. They should be treated at once. Any delay will require the attention of doctor.

4]
 MARIGOLD : The marigold flower belongs to the same family as the arnica. It has antiseptic qualities.
The juice of the leaves is an excellent cure for warts. The sap from its stem is useful in curing warts,
corns and calluses of the feet.
All one has to do is to slice the stem lengthwise and apply the juice of the stem on the affected
areas. Leave it on. Use this treatment everyday at the first sight of the corn.

LICORICE : The dried roots of this plant and its underground stems are used as flavouring agents in
food as well as the base in many cough medicines.
Take a few licorice sticks; powder them and add a little mustard oil. Rub this paste onto the corns and
the hardened skin. Use regularly, especially at bedtime. Leave it on. All newly formed corns will disappear.

~ PINEAPPLE: This is an absolutely unique way to treat corns. At night, just before bedtime, soak your
feet in warm water for 20 minutes to tenderize the corns. Cut out a square piece from the pineapple
peel. Rest the inside of this directly on the corn. Use tape to attach this piece directly on the corn.
Cover with socks and leave on overnight. Apply for four or five nights consecutively. This would be of
great help in treating the corn. Pineapple contains an enzyme called Brometain that softens and
breaks down dead skin. So don’t throw away that pineapple peel. Use it to cure painful corns.

swollen Feet
ometimes, mild water retention or odema, especially during the menstrual cycle or due to hor-
monal changes can cause immense discomfort. Here is a simple cure.

42
malachite, grey ore, and galena was ground to a powder and mixed with oil to form kohl for the eyes.
Colour for lips, cheeks and nails was made from red ochre clay. Powders for whitening the face were
used by Assyrian women even as long back as in 1000 BC. Special make-up jars, beautifully carved
bottles made from stone and glass were used to store cosmetics. Thus, women in ancient times man-
aged to look stunning without using any chemical-based or synthetic cosmetics which did not
exist then.
Over the years, man developed mass-produced, synthetic beauty products. Contrary to their pur-
pose, these have sometimes caused more problems than what they set out to cure. In fact, many doc-
tors and cosmetologists believe that a number of skin problems can be attributed to synthetic beauty
products. As a result, people are again moving towards natural beauty aids. Eco-friendly, natural
cosmetics and beauty products are now in great demand. These truly enhance the quality of your
skin and so make you look and feel healthier and lovelier.
Nature’s bounty has provided us with a treasure chest, which if used effectively can bring out that
special glow in your face. It is not necessary to spend a fortune to look beautiful. You can work won-
ders by just delving into your home’s treasure trove of fruits, flowers,vegetables and condiments to
find the right cure. .
You must also accept yourself and turn your so-called “flaws” into features of your personality. For
instance, a sharp pointed nose, or freckles or a mole on your cheek need not be camouflaged; any or
all of these can become a distinctive part of your personality, to be used as an advantage. Besides,
most common problems can be cured at home. Do you have under-eye shadows? Are you worried
about wrinkles? What about pimples? Head towards the kitchen and help yourself to its bounty,
which if used the right way could well be that Alladin’s lamp which lights up your beautiful face.
 skin Proolems

ome of the most common problems that women have are related to the skin. Freckles, dry
skin, wrinkles, pimples and oily skin, shadows — the list is endless. A little knowledge of
their causes and prevention can go a long way in combating them. Some problems are genetic
while others are merely a part of the ageing process. Today, women face a host of hair and skin prob-
lems. This is mainly due to poor food habits, a disorganised lifestyle and of course, environmental pol-
lution. Here we would like to deal with some of these problems and suggest some really wonderful
home cures for them.
Today, international beauty houses are being compelled to use natural products as the modern,
health and beauty conscious woman is going back to nature. These cures yield better and longer last-
ing results. They enhance the beauty of your face and radiate that special aura from within you,
Face care begins with a good wash. Cleansing creams and lotions are used to remove stale make-up and dirt.
If this is not regularly done, then the pores get clogged leading to numerous skin problems. Here are some easy
to make, and even easier to use, face cleansers suitable for different types of skin.

CHICKPEA POWDER AND TURMERIC: Take half cup chickpea powder. Add one teaspoon turmeric
powder and half cup of milk. Stir well. Apply this paste all over the forehead, face and neck. Wait for
two minutes and wash off. This is good for oily or mixed skin types. The chickpea powder absorbs the
extra oil and the milk nourishes your skin, leaving it tingling fresh.

MILK : Nature’s most effective natural cleanser. Take half a cup of cold milk. Add half teaspoon of salt.
Stir. Take balls of cotton, soak and then gently dab milk and salt lotion all over forehead, face, and
neck. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes. Apply again. Now rub gently in circular motions and wash off. The
salt in the milk gently exfoliates dead skin and the milk nourishes the skin. Your face instantly gets a
fresh and glowing look. This is good for all skin types.

CUCUMBER AND CURD : Take one cucumber, grate it.

Squeeze out the juice. Add to this 3—4 tablespoons of
beaten curds. Stir well. Apply this paste all over the fore-
head, face and neck. Leave it on for 3-4 minutes. Wash
face and neck with cold water. While cleaning and tight-
ening the pores, it also lightens blemishes and freckles.
Very nourishing for the skin. You could use just grated
cucumber as a face cleanser too.

YOGHURT : This is yet another effective face cleanser, very

good for dry skin. Take half a cup yoghurt. Add to this half
teaspoon honey. Stir well. Apply all over the forehead, face
and neck. Rub it in gently. Leave on for 2—3 minutes.
Wash off with cold water.

CHAMOMILE : Take a handful of fresh chamomile flow-

ers. Add to these some rosemary tops, fresh or dry. Boil
them well in a pan containing 2 cups of water. Let the
mixture cool. Mash flowers well. Strain and keep. When cool, dip in small pieces of muslin, wring and
apply all over the forehead, face and neck. Keep dipping and applying several times. Let it dry.
Wash off when completely dry. An excellent cleanser.

ALMOND : Take 5—7almonds. Pound them to a paste/powder. Take the yolk of one egg.
Beat it up. Add to it one tablespoon of honey and continue beating. Now add almond
paste/powder. Mix well. Apply all over the forehead, face and neck. Rub it in gently.
When it begins to dry, wash off with lukewarm water. Good for dry skins, especially in
winter when the skin tends to lose its natural oils. This acts as a restorative.

HONEY AND VITAMINA/E : This is a very good and effective cleanser, especially Lom
for people with blemishes. Take half cup warm water. Add one-tablespoon
honey. Snip open one capsule of vitamin A and one capsule of vitamin E. Mix
well. Apply quickly all over the face. Leave it on for 2 minutes and wash with
cold water.

These cleansers can be used in the mornings before a bath, however, it is imperative to use them at
bedtime. Remove all traces of make-up with milk, or rosewater and glycerine cleansers everyday, and
use any of the others occasionally to treat your skin to a special cleansing routine.

U1WwW
 Rejuvenate with Exfoliates
Sometimes one needs a more exhaustive cleansing routine. These need not be a daily ritual, but they are
required to rejuvenate your skin, more so, if one has skin problems. You also need to get rid of dead skin cells.
For this you need to use exfoliates.

xfoliation is important as it stimulates the skin, and helps to get rid of dead skin cells, leading
to a clearer skin with fewer lines and wrinkles. A word of caution here, everything is good
within limits. Many women believe that they shold exfoliate everyday. Be cautious. One should
never over-exfoliate as that may damage blood vessels especially, the delicate skin area on the face.
This can cause redness and inflammation. Your skin type determines how often you should
exfoliate. Ideally speaking, it should be done once a week. Women who have abnormally oily skins
and an acne problem can do so twice a week. Never more than that. In winters, exfoliate less often
than in summers.
Basically there are two types of exfoliates — mechanical and chemical. Mechanical exfoliates
involve using an abrasive sponge or loofah to physically buff the skin. Sometimes using these too
harshly can harm your skin. Instead, you could use mechanical exfoliates made from grains, pulses
or even vegetables. Chemical exfoliates are commercially marketed products which use beta hydroxy
acids to remove dead skin cells. These should be used only when advised by a beautician or cosmetol-
ogist. For normal requirements it is best to use exfoliates made from natural substances.

OATMEAL : Take half cup oatmeal. Add to this half teaspoon salt, one teaspoon honey and just a lit-
tle cold milk to make a rough thick paste. Apply all over the forehead, face and neck. When it begins
to dry up, rub using brisk, firm movements. A good exfoliate for tough skins acts as an abrasive agents
and helps in exfoliation.

WHEATHUSK: The flaky powder left behind when wheat flour is made, is the best exfoliate. You could
use wheat porridge grains also. Take half cup of wheat husk or porridge. Add to this one tablespoon
honey and one tablespoon of milk. Make a thick paste. Apply all over the forehead, face and neck
(avoid the eyes). Exfoliate gently with a loofah, or use strong circular motions with the hand, keep
rubbing for 5 minutes. Wash off. The skin becomes clean, baby soft and glowing.

54
CHICKPEA POWDER : Take half cup chickpea powder. Add one teaspoon turmeric powder and one
tablespoon olive oil (or any other oil like coconut). Mix and make a thick paste. Apply all over the fore-
head, face and neck (avoid the eyes).

When the paste starts to dry up, rub with your hands, scrubbing as you go along. Then wash it off
with lukewarm water. This is a mild but effective exfoliate that also helps get rid of fine facial hair.

RICE : This makes an excellent exfoliate. Take half cup rice. Grind it coarsely toa
powder. Add to it one tablespoon of honey and two tablespoons of beaten curd. {
Blend into a paste. Apply all over the forehead, face and neck. This paste dries up
very fast, so rub quickly in circular motions. Scrub well and wash off.

YELLOW LENTIL: Take half cup of any yellow lentil. Soak for half an hour. Drain out the water. coarse
grind it to a paste. Add to it a tablespoon of chickpea powder with just enough milk to make a thick
paste. Apply all over the forehead, face and neck. Keep rubbing in circular motions to remove dead
skin and clear blemishes. This is an ideal exfoliate for even very tender skin.

VEGETABLES: You can use cabbage leaves, the outer skin of sweet gourd, skin of tomato etc. Take grat-
ed cabbage leaves, tied in a thin piece of muslin and rub all over the forehead, face and neck. Keep
rubbing, applying pressure. The same can be done with any other vegetable peels, or grated sweet
gourd. These are the mildest of exfoliates and clean very gently.
 loners and Fre: shen (an
Toners, fresheners and astringents belong to the same family. They help in smoothening your
skin, and act as a balm after the exfoliation process. These help to seal skin pores, tighten the
outer layers of the facial skin, also acting as a safety net after a heavy exfoliation
and cleansing routine.

BERRIES : You could use strawberries, cherries, cranberries or blackberries to make this unique, reju-
venating toner and astringent at home.
Take one tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoons of pureed berries, one tablespoon oatmeal or wheat
bran. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.Wet your face. Apply this paste all over the forehead, face
and neck (avoid the eyes). Let it remain for five minutes. Now gently rub it into your face. Rub and
wash off with tepid water. The fruit acids in the berries shrink your pores, brighten up your face and
tone your skin. Use this toner to really pamper yourself.

LIME : Take 2 cups of water. Add juice of two limes. To this solution add one tablespoon of tincture of
benzoin as a preservative. Shake well and pour into a bottle and keep. Use this as an astringent. Very
good for normal skin.

WATERCRESS : Take a handful of watercress salad leaves. Bruise them and add them to a saucepan
containing equal parts of water and milk (one and a half cups should be enough). Simmer over a slow
fire for a few minutes. Remove from the fire and mash the leaves well. Strain and pour the liquid into
a bottle after cooling. Apply this lotion after a bath or after cleaning your face of all make-up. Let it
dry on your face. This removes blemishes and gives the complexion a healing touch, mae it soft
and creamy. Wash off after 10-15 minutes.

CORNFLOWER : Take a handful of flowers and infuse in 250 ml of boiling water. Allow to cool. Mash
the steamed flowers into the water. Add a teaspoon of which hazel (available at the chemist shop).
Strain and pour into a bottle after cooling. An effective and soothing astringent.

ORANGE AND LEMON PEELS: Do not throw away orange and lemon peels. Sun dry
them. When they are absolutely dry and brittle, powder them and keep them in a
jar or wide mouthed bottle. This powder can be used in a number of face care prepa-
rations; as a moisturizing face pack, as an exfoliate and also as an astringent.
To use as an astringent, take 2 tablespoons of this powder, add to this 3 table-
spoons of rosewater and 3 tablespoons of water. stir well and shake it up. Apply this
lotion all over the forehead, face and neck. Be careful and avoid the eyes. Let it dry,
then wash off. This is an excellent astringent that cures blemishes, shrinks open
pores and a good cure for pimples.

CUCUMBER AND ROSEWATER : Take one cucumber. Peel and grate it. Take 3 table-
spoons of rosewater and add the grated cucumber. Put it in a blender and make a paste and refriger-
ate. Use as a toner on dry sun-burnt skin. Apply all over; leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse off.
Excellent for sun burnt, dry skin.
ICE CUBES : Take ice cubes and rub them all over the face. This tightens the pores and increases the
blood circulation. An ideal, inexpensive and instant toner.

LEMON TREE FLOWERS : If you have a lime tree in your garden, you can make this effective com-
plexion lotion. Take a handful of lemon flowers and infuse them in 20 ml of boiling water. Let it cool.
Mash flowers and strain. To this add equal part of rose water. Pour in a bottle, refrigerate and keep.
Use after a bath or after cleaning your face. Especially good after you apply at bedtime and leave it
on overnight.
 Moisturisers
and Face Packs
A rigorous cleaning and exfoliating routine leaves the skin hungry for foodand nourishment.
You need a good moisturiser orface pack to nourish your skin. In fact you need to use mois-
turisers at least twice a day.

EGG AND ALMOND MOISTURISER : Take one egg yolk and add to it one tablespoon almond oil or take
5 almonds and crush them to a fine powder and then add to the egg yolk. Add one tablespoon of
honey to this. Stir well and apply to the forehead, face and neck (avoid the eyes). Leave it on for 15
minutes. Rinse, first with warm water then with cold.

FULLER’S EARTH AND HONEY : Take 2 tablespoons of fuller’s earth. Add to it one tablespoon of honey
and one tablespoon of milk. Mix well. Apply this paste all over the forehead, face and neck (avoid the
eyes). Leave it on for 15minutes, and then wash off with cold water. The fuller’s earth seals the pores
while the honey and milk nourish the skin.

MARIGOLD FLOWERS : Take 2 cups of marigold petals. Soak them in a bowl of water and keep aside.
After 2—3 hours, when the petals are limp, mash them well with your hands in the same water. To this
paste add one tablespoon of glycerine. Mix well. Apply to the forehead, face and neck (avoid the eyes).
Wash off after 10 minutes. An unusual, but very effective, skin tonic.

LEMON JELLY : Take a packet of lemon jelly and add to it a cup of boiling water. Stir and mix well, and
add to this the juice of one lemon. Stir and let it set in the refrigerator. Just before using, steam your
face to open up the pores. Apply chilled jelly to the forehead, face and neck (avoid the eyes). Leave it
on for 15minues then rinse off. This is an excellent cure for oily skin as lemon absorbs the excess oil
from your skin.

PARSLEY : Take a handful of parsley. Chop it finely and put it in a bowl. Pour 2—3 tablespoons of boil-
ing water over it. Add one tablespoon of light olive oil and mash well to make a thick paste. Apply to
the forehead, face and neck (avoid the eyes). Leave it on for 5—10 minutes. Remove gently. Wash it off
with warm water. Parsley has antibiotic properties that kills germs. The olive oil helps to shrink the
pores. This pack is especially useful when you come back from a polluted environment. Useful for all
skin types.

WATERMELON: There is no better method of refreshing the body and sun-scorched face than to use
a watermelon. Watermelon instantly restores lost moisture, tightens the skin and leaves it looking
fresh, It is also simple to use. Just cut slices of watermelon, squeeze some lime juice on them and apply
to the forehead, face and neck (avoid the eyes). Keep rubbing in hard circular motions as you go
along. Alternatively, you could puree the fruit, add lime juice and apply like a face pack. Leave it on
for 20 minutes and wash it off. A squeaky clean, glowing skin emerges.

60
STRAWBERRIES : An excellent nourishment for people with oily skin. It feeds your skin yet, absorbs
excess oil. Take a handful of strawberries, chop and put in blender. Add the juice of one lime and half
cup yoghurt or cream and blend well. Pour in a container, refrigerate for 30 minutes and apply to the
forehead, face and neck (avoid the eyes). When it begins to cake, apply again. Let it stand for 20 min-
utes, then rinse off by rubbing gently into the skin.

AVOCADO : Very popular with most beauticians, who make liberal use of this fruit for a variety of
beauty treatments. Chop and put the fruit in a blender. Add one teaspoon honey, a little lemon juice
and half cup yoghurt. Blend to make a thick paste. Pour into a jar and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Massage well into the face and neck. Wash off with plain water.

APRICOT : Another favourite with beauticians, also used in several beauty care products too. Take
2-3 apricots, de-seed them, chop and put them in a blender. Add to this half cup yoghurt or thick
cream. Whip and pour into a container. Apply to the forehead, face and neck (avoid the eyes). When
it starts caking, apply some more. Let it stand for 20 minutes, then wash off. It’s an excellent nour-
ishment for your skin.

PAPAYA : You can use the papaya fruit instead of the apricot to make a similar skin nourishment
potion. Papaya effectively rejuvenates tired, jaded and dry skin. Regular use yields astonishing
results.

ALMOND : Take 10-15 almonds and grind them finely. Take half cupful of yoghurt or sour cream.
Add to it the almond powder and mix well to form a smooth paste. Apply to the forehead, face and
neck (avoid the eyes). Leave it on for 20 minutes and then wash off. An excellent tonic for dry blem-
ished skin.

OATS : Take a cupful of oatmeal. Add beaten yolks of 2 eggs and one tablespoon of honey. Add a few
drops of tincture of benzin. Whip all this together in a bowl. Pour in a jar and keep in the refrigera-
tor. You can use this several times. Take a little of this thick creamy paste and apply to the forehead,
face and neck (avoid the eyes). Massage into the skin and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with
lukewarm water.

ORANGE PEEL AND ROSEWATER: Take 3 tablespoons of dry orange peel powder and add to this a
few dried powdered rose petals. Add one teaspoon of honey and just enough milk to form a thick
paste. Apply to the forehead, face and neck (avoid the eyes). Let it stand for 20 minutes, then wash off.
This unique moisturising pack leaves your skin as soft as a baby’s skin.
You can certainly arrest ageing and keep your skin looking healthy by following these simple, yet,
very effective face-care rituals and routines. This does not mean that there are no other
skin problems that have to be dealt with. Pimples, pigmentation, dry skin, wrinkles,
oily skin and blackheads are some of the common problems that women face. Given
here are a few simple, easy to make cures for some. Patience is the keyword for
effective treatment; the results will far exceed your expectations.
63
64
 Growing Up With Acne
livery age has its own problems. Acne, pimples and blackheads are some of the common problems that cause
anguish during the process of growing up.

cne is mostly a problem of adolescence, though it could be due to hormonal imbalance too,
The female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, are produced during the early growing up
years, and the body needs time to adjust to this. An imbalance is created. The androgen hor
mones produced by the adrenal glands also affect the texture of the skin. The result of all these hor
monal changes can manifest into excessive oiliness of the skin and scalp and also excessive perspira-
tion. Too much secretion of oil clogs the pores, leading to blackheads and spots. Infected blackheads
may lead to acne and pimples. A very aggressive cleanliness regime is needed to combat this situa-
lion. A few simple Do’s and Don’ts will help.
Don't ever “pick” a pimple. The natural healing cycle for a pimple is 7 days. According to derma-
tologists, when you “pick” a pimple, you interrupt this cycle and set back the healing process by
another 7 days. lhe best thing is to wait and let it dry on its own.

DO'S
@ Drink lots of water.
@® Clean your face as often as you can,

@ Use astringents to help get rid of excess oil.

@® at more fruits and raw vegetables.

@ Bathe frequently and use cooling lotions during summer.

@® Keep your nails trimmed neatly to avoid dirt being carried to your face and increase chances of
infection.

DON'T

@®fat oily and starchy foods,

@ Use any make-up.

Blackheads, acne and pimples can indeed be controlled with the help of ingredients from your
kitchen. A word of caution. If your infection is mild, then these simple remedies along with a con-
trolled dict will suffice. However for major infections it is best to take the doctor’s advice too.

® BLACK PEPPER AND CURD : ‘Take one tablespoon black pepper powder and add to
it enough curd to make a thick paste. Apply on the infected area and let it dry.
@ Wash off after 5—7 minutes. This is an effective cure for blackheads.

8 OATMEAL AND YOGHURT: ‘Take 2 tablespoons of oatmeal and 3 tablespoons of

yoghurt. Mix and add one tablespoon of lemon juice and one teaspoon of olive oil.
Blend and whisk well together in a bowl. Wash your hands and then apply over infected
area first, then all over the face. Leave on for 5—7 minutes and then rinse with cold water. Very effec-
tive for blackheads.

65
 TOMATO JUICE : Normally, pimples and acne are associated with
an oily skin. In case these occur on a dry skin then this is the ideal
treatment. Take a few tomatoes and puree them. Freeze the puree
into cubes (in an ice cube tray). Store these frozen tomato ice cubes in
a bag or a container in the freezer. During the day, apply one cube each on either
cheek, all the time rubbing gently. Repeat the treatment everday. A very effective way of
getting rid of pimples.

ALMOND, LEMON AND OLIVE OIL : Powder 10 almonds and add to this the juice of 2 lemons. Add 2
tablespoons of olive oil, mix well and store. Keep in a jar and use twice a day. Its helps in curing pimples.

POTATO AND MILK : Pimples leave behind an ugly scar when they dry and fall off. To get rid of these
scars use this and see the results. Take 2 potatoes. Skin and grate them. Extract the juice and to this
add 2—3 tablespoons of cold milk. Stir well and apply all over the pimple scars. Let it dry and gently
rub and wash off. Use this treatment regularly, at least twice a day.

ORANGE PEEL AND YOGHURT: An ideal mask that extracts dirt and oil from clogged pores. It also
opens up the clogged pores that cause acne and blackheads. Take 2 tablespoons of orange peel pow-
der and add 4 tablespoons of yoghurt to make a paste. Apply all over the face, while gently rub-
bing in circular motion. Wash off with cold water. An excellent way to prevent clogged pores
and keep the skin clean and healthy.

APPLE JUICE : Take an apple, peel and grate it to extract the juice.
Add one teaspoon of honey and apply on face. Dab gently on the
pimples and let it dry. Apply again. Repeat this treatment at least
twice a day. Your pimples will dry and the scars will vanish with reg-
ular treatment.

- GARLIC : Take a few pods of garlic and crush them fine. Add a few drops of honey and
. A add some curd to make a paste. Apply gently only on the pimples. Let it dry, and then
j wash gently without scrubbing. Regular use helps dry the pimples faster and healing is
‘J much quicker. Be careful to use this paste only on the pimples.

TOMATO AND YOGHURT : Take 2/3 tablespoons of tomato puree and add a little beaten yoghurt. Also
add one tablespoon boiled oatmeal paste or boiled porridge. Blend all these into a paste. Apply all over
the face and let it dry. Rinse with cold water. An effective way to rid yourself of pimples.

MINT : Take a few mint leaves and crush them finely. Tie them in a piece of muslin and squeeze it to
extract the juice. Apply the juice all over the face. Dab gently with cotton wool pads on the pimples.
Wash off and use at least once a week. It controls pimples.

FULLER'SEARTHAND ROSEWATER: This makes an ideal acne pack for oily skin. Take 2 tablespoons
of fuller’s earth and add one tablespoon of rosewater and 2 tablespoons of curd. Mix all these to form
a thick paste. Apply this on the face and leave it for 20 minutes, and then wash it off. Regular use once
a week is good for mild acne problems.

66
 EAU DE COLOGNE AND LEMON JUICE : Mix an equal quantity of eau de cologne
with boiled and cooled lemon juice. Apply this solution on the pimples. Leave to dry
and then apply again. Wash off after the application has dried. Repeat the treatment
at night. This helps in drying the pimples faster.

CLOVES : Take a few pods of cloves and roast them dry in a pan. Powder them and add a little curd to
make a paste. Dab the paste on the pimples and let it dry. Wash off. Use this treatment regularly if you
are prone to pimples. It is especially good for people who have an oily skin. The roasted cloves help to
dry up the pimples faster.

TEA BAGS: Saturate 2 tea bags in warm water. Now press the wet tea bags onto the pimples. Press,
dab 2 or 3 times on pimples and leave it to dry. Rinse after a while.

A few handy tips for those who suffer from pimple ‘attacks’. Drink plenty of water and vegetable or
fruit juices. Use cucumber or other fruit and vegetable packs to cure pimple scars. Maintain a diet that
is rich in cottage cheese, fish and yoghurt. These help to cleanse your
system and ward off pimples.

Every morning the first thing you should have is a glass of

carrot juice or a glass of lime juice with honey. These are
excellent ‘tonics’ to cleanse your system and help in giving
you a clean, glowing complexion.
 Blemishes,
Shadows and Scars
Exposure to the sun and the vagaries of nature lead to different reactions on the skin.
Some people get scars and blemishes while others suffer from sunburn and tan.
A few precautionary measures and regular application of useful remedies would certainly help
you combat these problems.

JINDeRaei Sql)WOMns
flee are usually caused by tension and tiredness of the eyes. Overwork, long hours of exposure
of work at a computer screen, lack of sleep and of course ageing process - all contribute to this
problem. One tends to rush and buy the latest ‘under-eye’ cream. A word of caution here, some of
them may be too rich and extra moisturising and could result in causing puffiness in the under-eye
area. Always use a light moisture-based cream. To cure these problems at home use the following:

CUCUMBER : Clean your face of all makeup. Cut out thin slices of cucumber. Chill them. Now lie
down and shut your eyes. Apply chilled cucumber slices over your eyes and under-eye area and relax.
Leave it on for 15 minutes. Gently rub the slices over the eyes and under-eye areas, and then wash off.
You will feel relaxed and refreshed. The natural moisture from the cucumber acts as a healing tonic,
while the cucumber juice helps to lighten the skin too. A great relief for tired and puffy eyes.

ICE CUBES : When you get in from the hot sun your eyes get tired and bloodshot. You also develop
dark circles and shadows due to the heat and pollution. Try this: wash your face. Take some ice cubes
and wrap them in two pieces of muslin. Lie down and shut your eyes. Place one ice cube pack over
each eye, rubbing gently. This will immediaely ease the ‘burnt up skin’ feeling. Regular use helps to
lighten the shadows under the eyes.

GREEN GOURD : You could similarly use slices of green gourd instead of cucumber. The juice of the
green gourd also helps in lightly moisturizing as well as lightening the skin tones.

PeCinled GIN Isle Ie=(Cle

Seas due to hormonal changes, lack of proper nourishment or even due to stress, your facial
skin becomes patchy—light in certain areas and dark in others. Use the following to get rid of
patches as well as shadows and ‘brown’ spots.

69
FULLER’S EARTH AND LIME : Take one tablespoon fuller’s earth, add one teaspoon of lime juice and
enough rosewater to make a smooth paste. Apply this paste all over the face, rubbing it in gently.
Leave it to dry and then apply again on the dark patches or spots. Leave it on for a further 5—7 min-
utes then wash and rinse with cold water. Use this treatment everyday to get rid of the patches.

MINT JUICE : Take a few mint leaves and crush them. Tie in a piece of muslin and extract its juice. Use
this pure mint juice all over the face. Excellent for spots and blemishes.

PAPAYAPACK : Take 2—3 slices of a ripe papaya and extract the pulp. Add
to it one teaspoon of turmeric powder and one tablespoon of fuller’s earth.
\lash together to form a paste. Apply generously on the patches and dark
areas of the skin. Leave it to dry. Then rinse it off. Regular use, maybe thrice
a week, helps to even out the patches and blemishes.

CUCUMBER AND LIME JUICE : Take a cucumber and grate it after peeling. To this add juice of one
lime. Mix well and put it into a blender to make a fine paste. Apply this paste all over the face and let
it dry. Wash off. Regular use lightens shadows and scars.

VINEGAR AND ROSEWATER : Take 2 tablespoons of vinegar and add one tablespoon of
rosewater. Now add the juice of one cucumber. Stir well to form a lotion. Dab this lotion all
over the face and let it dry. Repeat this procedure twice or thrice till the complete lotion has
, been used up. Helps to remove spots and blemishes if used regularly.

FULLER’SEARTHAND CAMPHOR : Take one tablespoon of fuller’s earth and add to it half
teaspoon camphor powder and one tablespoon lime juice. Blend well to form a smooth
paste. Apply all over the face, rubbing it in gently. Leave it to dry. Rinse and wash off.

CARROT PACK : Take 2—3 carrots and grate them after peeling. Boil the grated carrots in
very little water till the water dries up. Cool and mash. Apply this pack all over the face.
Leave it on for LO-15 minutes; gently rub it in before rinsing off.

BANANA PACK : An ideal ‘food’ for the face. It not only nourishes the skin but
also ‘magically’ removes scars, dark patches and blemishes. You will notice
the change even alter using this once. Take a ripe banana, peel and mash to a
pulp. Apply al over the face and leave it on for 10minutes. Wash off and see your
skin come out sparkling clean and nourished.

POTATO PACK : Take a raw potato, peel and grate it. Put the grated potato into a muslin piece and tie
it tightly to form a pad. Rub this pad all over the face in firm, circular motions for about 5 minutes and
then wash your face. Alternatively you could directly rub potato slices all over your face. Helps to
clear blemishes and scars.

COCONUT OIL AND CAMPHOR : In case of minor burns that leave scars, this is a good recipe.
Take 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and add to it one teaspoon of camphor powder. Rub thoroughly
into the burn mark or scar at least 10 minutes before your bath. Use regularly for quick results.

|
CARROT : Grate 2 carrots and add enough milk to make a thick, non-dripping paste. Spread it even-
ly all over the face, forehead and the neck. Leave it on for 20 minutes then wash off. This mask reju-
venates the skin.
Another very effective mask can be made with grated carrots and egg yolk. Add beaten egg yolk to
the grated carrots and add one teaspoon of almond or olive oil. Mix well in a blender to form a smooth
paste. Apply all over the forehead, face and neck. Leave it on for 15 minutes. Use cotton wool dipped
in warm milk to wipe it off. Follow with a rinse.

76
 Your Crowning Glory
ong, flowing, lustrous hair has always been associated with women of great beauty. Hair
has also been an instrument of fashion, in fact it is often termed as a person's ‘crowning
glory’. Beautiful, bouncy hair reflects the health of a person; gives the appearance of vibrancy
and life. Hair itself is organically dead material, but its follicles are not. The beauty and health of
your hair depends upon the health of these follicles. Women spend fortunes on their hair. Well-groomed,
luxuriant, lustrous, hair is, quite simply, beautiful and sexy. It can signify youth,
health, and vitality.
Hair goes through enormous “tortures” before it is made cosmetically accept-
able to most women. Endless hours are spent combing, blow drying, tinting, curl-
ing, crimping, straightening, dying and bleaching. In fact, hair is subjected to end-
less experimentation. Indeed, it has amazing strength and resilience to cope with
the vagaries of a woman's mind.
A woman’s worst nightmare is loss of hair leading to baldness. Premature
greying, rough and brittle hair are some of the numerous problems waiting to be
solved. Hair comes in different textures, shades, colours, and is perhaps also a
mark of distinction that differentiates between different races.
First, however, we need to know a few basic hair facts. Each hair is made up of
an outer layer or cuticle. This is made up of a protein called Keratin, which pro-
tects the hair and helps retain moisture. Next is the inner layer where the colour-
ing or pigmentation is produced. This surrounds the innermost layer, the medul-
la. Hair grows from a follicle on the scalp. Each follicle produces only one strand
of hair. An average human head contains between 80,000 to 150,000 strands of
hair.
A person’s overall health is immediately reflected in the state of her/his hair. A healthy person
sports thick, glossy hair. While baldness is usually more genetic in nature, a sudden loss of hair has
a lot to do with external health factors. For women it could well be due to a reduced level of the hor-
mone estrogen during pregnancy, hair loss due to anxiety and tension, hormonal imbalances, pollu-
tion, sudden weight loss, as also a badly mismanaged diet schedule.
The shape of the hair follicle determines your type of hair. Flat, oval shaped follicles promote curly
hair, while perfectly round follicles promote straight hair. Hair colour is usually inherited and it com-
plements the shade of the skin. Then, we have hair that is naturally dry or oily, fine or coarse, shiny
or dull. There is a great variety.
Some of the most common problems are dandruff, split ends, thinning or falling hair, premature
greying, dull and rough hair. Many, if not all of these problems can be tackled at home with natu-
ral products made from commonly available fruits, vegetables and herbs,

Sl
 Puy]
Sere
This is the most common complaint, and all of us suffer from this at some time or the other, There
are a lot of misconceptions associated with dandruff. People who have this problem rush out and
buy up the latest shampoos and conditioners.

“Where is also a misconception that dandruff is caused by dry scalp. In fact, it is due to an oily
“scalp. Wrong dietary habits like excessive consumption of cheese and chocolates also cause
oil to accumulate on the scalp and cause dandruff. Worry and tension increase the flow of oil
..._ in the scalp, make you prone to dandruff. These white flakes can be a nightmare. Dandruff
wane tends to weaken the scalp, and the flakes falling on your face, neck and shoulders can affect
your skin too.

WARM OIL TREATMENT : Warm 4-5 tablespoons full of wheat germ oil, olive oil or coconut oil.
Massage well into the scalp. Wrap a warm towel around your head. Leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse
your hair thoroughly with water, to which lemon juice has been added. Massage well as you rinse.
This is the most commonly known cure for dandruff.

CHICKPEA FLOUR (BESAN) AND CURD : Take half a cup of chickpea flour. Add to this a little curd and
enough water to make a thick paste. Apply on the scalp and individual strands of hair. Leave it on for
for 30 minutes. Rinse vigorously with warm water.
 ROSEMARY AND OIL TREATMENT : Take half a cup of coconut or
olive oil. Add a few drops of rosemary oil, (alternatively, crush
some fresh, or even dry rosemary leaves, boil them in the oil. Let it
cool, then strain the oil by squeezing the leaves.) Apply all over the
scalp. Leave it on all night after wrapping up your head with a
towel. In the morning, rinse your hair with a mixture of warm
water and lemon juice.

FENUGREEK (METHI) SEEDS AND OIL : Crush a tablespoon of

fenugreek seeds in about 5 tablespoons of warm coconut or
olive oil. It would be better to boil them in the oil. Cool the mix-
ture and apply generously all over the scalp. Leave it it on for two
hours. Rinse and wash off.

SOAP NUT (REETHA): This is ideal for removing dandruff. Soak

half cup soap nut overnight in one cup of warm water. Extract
the juice from the soap nut by rubbing them vigorously. Strain.
Apply directly on the scalp. Leave this on for 15minutes. Rinse
and wash your hair with tepid water. Shut your eyes tightly
while rinsing as it hurts the eyes. Ensure that no residue is left
behind.

ONION : Grind raw onions to a fine paste. Rub this paste into
your scalp. Leave it on for an hour. Wash thoroughly. Rub in
some lemon juice into your scalp and hair to rid your self of the onion smell.

BLACK PEPPER : Take 10 grams of black pepper powder. Add to it the juice of a fresh lime, along with
a quarter cup of milk. Rub this mixture thoroughly into your scalp. Leave it on for an hour and wash
it out thoroughly with water.

Dry Lifeless Hair

This hair looks like unwashed straw. It grows thicker nearer the scalp and thins out towards the ends,
thus causing split ends. Atmospheric pollution too tends to have a drying effect on the hair, Such hair
needs extra care.

WARM OIL MASSAGE : The is nothing as nourishing as a warm oil massage. Take half a cup of
coconut oil. Crush 4 almonds and add to oil. Steam this mixture by placing it inside a pan. Apply
while still warm, deep into the scalp and into the roots of your hair. Cover your head with a towel and
leave it on for half an hour. Shampoo your hair.

BANANA NOURISHING PACK : Mash two ripe bananas. Add half cup beaten curd.
Apply this paste all over your scalp and coat the ends of the hair with it. Pile up your o

84
 hair high over your head. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then
shampoo as usual. You will immediately notice a dramatic
change in the texture of your hair.

EGG TONIC : Beat up an egg in a cup of milk. Squeeze in the

juice of one lemon. Add to this a teaspoon of coconut oil or olie
oil Massage well into your hair. Cover with moist, warm towel.
Leave it on for an hour. Rinse it thoroughly. The final rinse should
be with lime juice and warm water. A good alternative would be
to add yogurt instead of the milk.

Split Ends
To treat split ends, first trim off the ends of your hair to an even length. Use all the nourishing
applications described in the earlier chapter for your hair. Avoid back-combing or use of spiky
rollers. You could also use these other nourishing tonic applications for your hair.

PAPAYAPACK : A unique, simple and easy remedy to bring your hair back to life. Take
half of a ripe medium sized papaya. Slice after skinning and deseeding it. Put it
in a blender and blend it to a pulp. Add half cup of yogurt and apply lavishly
to your scalp. Part your hair at regular intervals and apply to hair strands and
hair ends. Leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse hair thoroughly with warm
water.

CREAM TONIC : After you shampoo your hair, use the following tonic: take half cup milk; add to this
a tablespoon of cream. Beat it up. Apply on scalp, hair strands and hair ends. Leave it on for 15 min-
utes. Rinse and wash well with water.

HONEY : Take half a cup of curd. Add to this a table spoon full of honey. Mix well. Apply
on scalp and hair strands and hair ends. After 20 minutes wash with water. See a
remarkable change in the sheen and smoothness of your hair.

BLACK LENTILPACK : Take half a cup of black dal (lentil). Add one table spoon of fenu-
greek (methi) seeds. Dry grind to a coarse powder. Add half a cup of curd. Mix well. Apply generous-
ly all over the scalp. Leave it on for 2 hours. Wash your hair with water using a mild shampoo.
Any of these treatments should be a regular part of the attention that your hair deserves from you.
The results? Seeing is believing.

86
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Fruits, vegetables and even nourishing food are miraculous hair conditioners if used in the right way.

AVOCADO : Chop and put fruit in blender. Mix 2 egg yolks in this pulp. Massage well into hair. Rinse
with a mixture of lime juice and vinegar.

MAYONNAISE: Food for hair! Heat half cup of mayonnaise. Apply to dry, unwashed hair. Leave it on
for half an hour. Rinse, then shampoo. Gives super results.

SAFFRON : Boil saffron strands in water. Cool it. Add to it the juice of one lime and one tablespoon of
honey. Rub into scalp and hair strands. Leave it on for 15minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water. Your
hair acquires a golden sheen.

93
 Helpful Tips
Some people are genetically prone to grey hair, thinning hair or balding. However, the health of
your hair depends largely on your blood circulation and nutrition. Without adequate protein
inputs in our body, hair stops growing. Its colour changes and it becomes brittle and lifeless.
Thus, ensure that you have protein with foods.

ometimes low haemoglobin results in hair loss. This is due to iron deficiency, which can be
Sees by eating bananas, apples and other iron enriched foods.
Avoid eating refined foods like chocolates, burgers, pizzas and pastries. Yeast tablets help hair
growth, so does Vitamin E. Other foods that promote hair growth are grains, beans, lentils, green
leafy vegetables particularly fenugreek, carrot juice, beetroot juice, fish and fruits like avocado, apple
and banana. Here are a few tips for your crowning glory.

* A regular hair care regime should be followed.

* Tie a scarf if you are going out in the hot sun. A hundred strokes at night as granny advised
should not be forgotten. Brush firmly, but not harshly, by putting your head forward and throw-
ing your hair in front. Brush neck downwards and outwards.
* A warm oil massage regularly is a must.
* Be careful when using a conditioner, avoid using it on the scalp, only on the hair strands.
* Do not apply the shampoo directly onto the hair. Take a little water in the palm of your hand and
mix the shampoo first before applying on the hair.
* After shampooing your hair, it is always better to rinse the hair too.
* Occasionally rinse your hair with some of the rinses mentioned above.
* Choose the right kind of brush for your hair. Flat brushes are best for normal use. Use round and
vented brushes for blow drying, while a cushioned brush body is best because it moulds itself to
your contours.
* Always ensure that you follow a regular cleaning and nourishing routine.
* So it is about going back to the basics. It is about healthy hair, and feeling good with a little help
from nature.

94
 Eat and Grow Beautiful
ooking beautiful and retaining one’s beauty should not make you an obsessive slave to
beauty cures. While the right use of make-up and beauty care products can undoubtedly
enhance your beauty, you can be truly beautiful only if you are healthy. So, eat the right food
and grow beautiful. Once you gain knowledge about the right kinds of foods for good health,
you can start eating a well-regulated diet, and the results will only be too evident. Your face will glow
with health and vitality, your hair will bounce and shine, and your body will be taut and trim. It
makes a lot of sense to care not only about the food you eat, but also in the manner in which you do
so. A few tips on practical knowledge about food and eating habits would certainly go a long way into
developing a healthy regime, which will stand you in good stead.
Undoubtedly, beauty is also a state of the mind. In order to look good, you ought to “feel good” too. True
beauty comes from within; from a feeling of well-being. It is not the way you dress, or do your make-up,
nor your sense of style or get up, but it is the person within you that looks radiant and beautiful.
Good looks have a lot more to do with food than is commonly realised. The key to vitality, health
and beauty is in eating right.
Women in general, and working women in particular, ignore their basic food requirements, lead-
ing to malnourishment and other deficiencies. Today, in any urban environment, as much as 75% of
young working women are anaemic. This also results in period cramps, heavy bleeding, abdominal
bloating and irritability. All this takes a heavy toll on your body and in the way you look. Coupled with
this is the fact that many urban women are prone to emotional dieting fads, which messes up the del-
icate balance within the body, and deprive themselves of essentials like iron, calcium, proteins and
minerals. Eventually, this affects the hair, skin, and teeth, and gives the appearance of premature age-
ing. Bulimia and Anorexia are also growing as women look to magazines and glossy advertisements
and try to be like the thin emasculated models that promote the business of beauty.
Excess of carbohydrates for instance, can take a toll on the hair, skin and the eyes. On the flip side,
the addition of vitamins and other nutrients to food can make a difference in the quality of your skin,
your hair, and remove headaches and irritability and other day-to-day ailments. Did you know that
sluggishness and lack of energy could be overcome with a changed and improved diet plan?
All this does not imply that you need to be fastidious or obsessive about your food. It only means
that you need to have basic nutritional awareness about your food. You can thus select the right kinds
of foods best suited to the needs of your body. Its your daily food intake that is important. So, do spare
a thought for food. Make sure that you get enough nutrients and have a balanced diet. This is the key
to good health and beauty. Modern day eating habits, convenient cooking and fast food culture robs
us of essentials like vitamin B complex, as found in milk, liver, fish and wheat germ. We tend to culti-
vate wrong eating habits. Let me just tell you very briefly about some nutrients that are absolutely
essential for a sound and healthy body.

a7.
SKIN: Your skin needs Vitamin B2. This is present in fresh vegetables, milk,
whole wheat bread. It also needs Vitamin C to vitalise and purify the blood-
stream. The easy way out? Eat at least one orange a day. Simple!

TEETH AND BONES : These need calcium and Vitamin D. So take plenty
of milk and fish. Avoid too much of starch and sugar.

HAIR : Hair is made from a protein-based substance called keratin.

Thus, a healthy mane of hair needs plenty of protein and
vitamin B. A high protein diet should include fish, cheese and
eggs.

NAILS : To avoid chipping, cracking and discolouring of nails, ensure that you have a diet rich in pro-
teins and minerals and iodine.

EYES : The most essential requirement for healthy eyes is Vitamin A. Carrots and cabbage and other
leafy vegetables are a good source, as are butter, eggs and fish.

Over the years, our eating habits have deteriorated. Coupled with the fact that pesticides are being
used in grains, fruits and vegetables, eventually they rob you of essential “natural” nutrients. Today’s
working women seek a quick and easy way out. Thus, many people go in for processed foods, which
may be the primary cause of poor nutrition. There is really no substitute for nature. We have seen it
time and again. Natural produce, fruits, vegetables and food grains are best when grown in its natu-
ral process without any artificial ingredients. An increasingly large number of people are depriving
themselves of essential nutrients. True, the modern, stressful lifestyle may be a cause, but lack of
interest and ignorance about the basic nutritional values is definitely the other cause.
In today’s lifestyle, busy people with little time for shopping for food and even lesser time for cook-
ing it, do not realise the harmful effects of only relying on processed foods. Besides, the marketing
hype and fashion cults often change, dictate and shape people’s food habits. Be wary of such sensa-
tionalism. Do not become a prey to these superficial swings in food habits, for they are based on eco-
nomics and your health is never the consideration. A bit of intuitive know how and a lot of com-
monsense can steer you to a healthy way of eating for a more beautiful you.
One of the most glaring bad food habits that exist today is subsistence on hastily prepared foods or con-
venience foods as they are called. These are semi-processed add-some-water-type of preparations. Thus,
essential minerals are robbed from your food. Today’s staple diet consists of foods that are used as snacks.
Lack of time, or rather the lack of priority in one’s life are the reasons why one so often picks up bad eating
habits. If you plan ahead, and educate yourself about the nutritive values of common day-to-day food prod-
ucts, you can eat well and grow beautiful. Let your body “talk” about the food it needs.
There is also a need to dispel some myths about food, nutrients and diet. Some believe that the key to
health and beauty is by increasing the daily dose of vitamins. So popping pills becomes a common every-
day occurrence. You may not even need to take pills unless you are short on any particular vitamin that
you may need to supplement. Mindless pill popping is harmful. Excess is worse than deficiency.

98
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 A Treasure Trove
ature has been very generous with its bounty of fruits, flowers, vegetables and herbs. It
INee us all that we need to look beautiful, remain healthy and stay youthful.
The early Egyptians were the first to take an interest in using plants for making perfumes and cos-
metics. They perhaps learnt the art from the Mesolithic travellers who roamed the Nile valley in
5,000 to 10,000 BC.
The Egyptians had a cure and a preparation for every part of the body. Ancient Egyptian women
improved and enhanced their appearances with a variety of cosmetics made from the Earth’s bounty.
A judicious use of nature’s gifts helps you to enhance your assets and improve upon your draw-
backs. It certainly makes you aware that beauty and health are intertwined. Good nutrition and use
of natural beauty aids can radiate that aura of beauty that was dormant within you. With the use of
these fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs, you can improve the quality of your hair, texture of your
skin and in fact rejuvenate yourself completely.
Health and confidence will reflect not only on your face but also in your complete personality. So,
go ahead and make yourself beautiful, not by putting layers of make-up but by enhancing the quali-
ty of your skin; hair, and complexion. And by, being content and happy with the way you look natu-
rally. Be beautiful and happy from within. ,
We owe it to ourselves to spend a little time and effort to grow beautiful. Equipped with these help-
ful hints from skincare; hair care, face care to nutritional guidelines, you can discover ways to
improve your looks and remain youthful and beautiful.
Before you decide on a course of self-improvement, you first need to do a thorough body-check.
Recognise your weak beauty points and set about the task of improving upon them and enhancing
them. Every product cannot give you a miraculous cure. Using products to improve and enhance
yourself has to be a determined and deliberate effort, and it has to fit into a normal routine of your
lifestyle. Decide what is best for you; what enhancers you really need and then go about using them
regularly to show results and maintain them.
When you are young, you have enough time and spare cash to look after yourself. But as you take
on responsibilities of home, hearth and children, beauty care need not take a back seat for want of
time or money, if you use the products so easily available in your own kitchen.
Today, beauty houses the world over are being compelled to go back to nature; to use more natu-
ral products in their preparations. The modern woman is going back to nature, both in her eating
habits and for her body care. Homemade natura! beauty aids can prove to be effective if used correctly
and consistently.
As you would have realized after going through the beauty care suggestions; fruits, flowers, herbs
and vegetables provide cures for improving the quality of the skin, giving a glow to a tired face,
imparting health, colour and body to your hair, thus imparting a sense of well-being to the complete
body. True, these beauty cures do not have a shelf life, as they contain no preservatives or chemicals.
However, you just need to analyse what you need to use everyday, or every week. Once you establish
a routine, the task of making and using them is worth the effort of making hem fresh. So, spare a lit-
tle time for yourself.
Let us now take a look at what your beauty treasure trove in the kitchen has to offer. Indeed your
kitchen is like an eco-friendly cosmetic laboratory. It provides you with beauty aids for almost every
problem and helps you to overcome flaws, if any, and to enhance your beauty. These cures usually
have no side effects and instead beautify you from within and not merely superficially.
Let us now recapitulate some of the most easily available beauty cure aids available right here in
your kitchen:

ALMOND : The juice of almonds, crushed and powdered, are extensively used to make face packs,
skin nourishers and night creams that nourish and ‘feed’ your skin. They are extremely useful on
aged or wrinkled skins. Usually mixed with rose water and glycerin to make skin nourishers.
When added to milk, makes an excellent mask that nourishes and softens your skin.

APPLE : Apple juice if mixed with vinegar makes an excellent hair rinse. Grated apple paste
mixed with honey or milk makes an excellent facemask, very useful for complexion cures.

APRICOT : Fresh apricots blended with honey or milk; or fresh apricot paste by itself makes excellent
face-masks, which is a very effective nourisher for dry skin, chapped arms, and it helps in rejuvenat-
ing dead skin.

AVOCADO : This is a universal favourite. The pulp of this fruit is a skin nourisher and
provides an excellent ‘food’ for the skin. If added to honey or curds, it makes an excel-
lent moisturizer.

BANANA: Pulp if mixed with milk, honey or curds makes a good face-mask that rids
you of blemishes. An excellent skin softener. Pulp when mixed with curd and beaten to
a thick paste is excellent for your hair, promotes healthy, glossy hair and gives them a
unique shine.

CARROT : The ideal ‘wrinkle fighter’. Raw carrots grated and added to almond oil and honey
and applied as a thick mask, fights wrinkles.

CHICKPEA POWDER : Used as a base for different types of face-masks and as a skin softener and exfo-
liate. It helps to remove dead skin; hair on the arms and blemishes as well as acne.

COCONUT OIL : Used in numerous beauty care aids. Excellent hair nourisher.

CUCUMBER : Some of the best skin preparations are made from cucumber. When used with curds,
makes good, nourishing complexion masks. When used by itself, its juices remove dark circles and blem-
ishes. An excellent skin tautener; it also closes pores, fights skin tan and helps in rejuvenating
the skin.

10]
 GARLIC: Good for its medicinal properties. If taken raw, it purifies the blood, thus
giving a clearer complexion. It also heals cuts and wounds, and clears blemishes if
its juice is applied.
GRAPEFRUIT : When the fruit is blended with yogurt it makes a good skin tonic. A skin tautener that
also cures blemishes and shadows.

HONEY : A pre-requisite for so many skin nourishers; face-masks and skin tonics. If taken daily with
lime and warm water, it purities blood and clears the skin of blemishes.

HENNA: Its leaves are dried and powdered. Used not only to decorate and beautify the palms, it is uni-
versally used as a hair conditioner, colorant and nourisher.

LAVENDER : Its {lowers are used to make soaps and hair creams. The oils in these flowers promote hair
growth. You can make excellent toilet waters from it to soothe tired nerves. Its essential oils are excel-
l ent coolants for headaches and migraines.

LEMON : One of the most commonly used ingredients. A perfect all-rounder used for removing skin
tans; as a facemask; as an astringent, as a skin toner and lightener. It tautens the skin and removes
wrinkles. Useful to fight dandruff and an excellent tonic if imbibed with honey.

LILAC: Its flowers not only yield a wonderful perfume, they make excellent astringents, bath waters,
and soothe sunburnt skin.

MARIGOLD : Its flowers are used to make face creams and skin ointments. It is soothing to
J the eyes too.

ONION : Onion juice can again be used in various beauty cure treatments. Its juice cures pimples,
burn scars and is excellent for dandruff problems. It also helps to restore natural hair colour.

OATS : An excellent base for making face packs, exfoliates and is a remarkable skin tightener.

OLIVE : Used to prepare skin creams to nourish the skin. Revives jaded skin and good for
dull, lifeless hair

PAPAYA : Again, an excellent and commonly used base for face packs and an excellent
hair conditioner. It adds bounce and shine to the hair. The papaya is easily available and
its regular use does wonders for your skin and hair.

PEACH: An all time favourite with beauticians all over the world. Makes nourishing facemasks and
packs. Fights dry skin and curbs wrinkles. Exfoliates and nourishes.

POTATO : A remarkable skin tautener and helps lighten tan. Heals burns, cuts and lightens your com-
plexion. Helps to get rid of burn marks, removes pimples and freckles.

ROSE: Its petals are used to make a number of beauty preparations and astringents. It softens the
skin, fights dry chapped skin and soothes jaded skin.

SAFFRON: Skin enhancer and softener. Excellent for the complexion.

SAGE : Used as a hair colorant. If used with olive oil it also nourishes dry, life-
less hair.

SANDALWOOD : Commonly associated with making perfumes. Its powder

when mixed with honey or milk enhances the skin miraculously. It fights tan-
ning; softens the skin and is an excellent cure for pimples, blackheads and
blemishes.

STRAWBERRY : Its fruit is crushed and used with milk or honey to make facemasks. Just strawberry
juice by itself is an ideal cure for clearing blemishes.

SUNFLOWER : This is also used to cure blemishes.

TURMERIC : Has tremendous curative powers. Cures scars and burn marks. It smoothens the skin and
is a base for many other tonics.

TOMATO: Another favourite ‘skin toner’. Makes good face masks. A good cleanser and useful for
clearing the skin of marks and blemishes.

WALNUT : Both the fruit and its shell are used to darken the hair. Oils extracted from
these are used as hair darkeners and mixed with shampoo to give a sheen and gloss
and volume to the hair.

WATERCRESS : Used to clear the skin. It smoothens the skin. A paste made from this when applied on
burn marks clears them quickly. A good skin hydrator.

WATERMELON : An ideal skin hydrator. It makes the skin taut, refreshed and rehydrated. It also helps
to clear shadows under the eyes. There is no better moisturizer than watermelon.

WHEAT: Its husk, or porridge are good exfoliates. Also used as a base in a number of skin mask
preparations.

LETTUCE : Makes an excellent astringent. Fights acne and blemishes.

YOGURT : Used in numerous skin preparations to make skincare masks, packs, and by itself as a skin
smoothener. Fights acne. Yogurt is also used in a number of hair care preparations. It nourishes the
hair, helping in healthy hair growth.
The magical beauty treasure chest in your own kitchen can help you create your own beauty kit.
You can remain beautiful and healthy by using these natural beauty aids. Ultimately, we do fall back
on nature to help us become truly beautiful. So give yourself a natural makeover from your own
kitchen beauty box, which is indeed a treasure trove of beauty aids.

103
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 Ambika
Manchanda
beganher
-- joumalistic-careerthree decades ago .
with The Times of India. Today she has
more than a thousand articles» -
published both in Hindi-and English and
has also authored several books.

- Naturally Beautiful came as an

inspiration from her daughters who
loved to try out new beauty |
recipes made from ingredients that
came from the rich and diverse natural
habitat of India. |

Cover. & book design

Peali Dutta Gupta, The Studio
Photographs
Deepak Budchraja

Makeuo
Anette Wong, Valerie Kachari

3Model
Sheetal
vege: Charitra

291 42-X|

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