Winter can be one of the worst times of the year to take care of your skin care. Your skin either gets extremely dry or a combination of all of the above. When the weather changes, so should your skin care treatments. Your skin is slowly adapting to the environmental changes around it, but once your skin has fully adapted it is time for it to change yet once again, so your skin never really settles down during the winter. Your skin gets dry in low humidity which is what the winter brings along with it. In low humidity your skin gets dehydrated and fragile. This is where moisturizer comes into play. The more the better!
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Moisturizing is about the only thing you can do to treat dry skin in the winter. Taking a hot bath and lathering on the moisturizing crème is an easy and quick start to healing and preparing your skin for the cold elements that it will face for the day. After taking a shower apply baby oil to your skin. This will help to keep the moisture in and the dryness out.
Some of the best types of moisturizer for winter weather are ones that contain oils in them, just because your body isn’t producing the oils needed to have hydrated skin. Lanolin, vitamin E oils, and avocado oils are perfect for absorbing moisture and retaining it in the skin. Protein from milk is a great way to soften skin that is dry or wrinkled. Honey is also a great moisturizer that is all natural.
Exfoliating the Dryness Away
Finding a good exfoliating regime is one of the first things besides the moisturizer to seek out. With your skin drying out constantly, exfoliating it is a good way to keep your skin looking great. You should exfoliate your skin at least two times a week to keep the flaky dry skin away. Your skin diminishes it oil production in the winter which in turn causes the dry skin. This is due to the low temperatures outside and the heat from inside which removes most of the moisture from your skin.
The Importance of Water
Water is important no matter what time of year it is, but it is extremely important in the winter. You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day to replenish the water lost from the winter air taking it out of your skin. There is one ancient Chinese remedy that is a safe method give your body a boost of energy. This includes warm water mixed with lemon. This concoction detoxifies the body of toxins and removes those that cause your skin to be dry.
A good night’s sleep is also a good step to take. While you sleep at night, your body is replenishing itself and preparing itself for the oncoming day ahead whether it be hot or cold. If you aren’t getting enough sleep at night, your body as well as your skin will not be health and glowing.
Eating the Right Foods
In the winter time we regularly eat a lot more than we do in any other season. This is good as long as we are eating the right foods. Eating foods rich in protein, vitamin A, B1, and B2 is a great way to improve your skins healthiness. By consuming these types of foods, you can help your skin build up a defense against the elements along with your regular skin care regiment. In winter time, your skin needs all the help it can get. Foods that are full of antioxidants help your skin to fight off inflammation and protect the cells of the membranes from being destroyed by the elements. Drinking green tea or eating foods with omega 3 are other great ways to help. These are rich with antioxidants. Taking a multi-vitamin is also a great way to help your skin along.
If you want some more info about natural skin care ,men skin care, or anti-aging skin care, You are on right place, stay here at You best Herbal Info blog, because I will write about those types of skin care in next weeks.
Skin Care - Quick Herbal Tips
Down the ages, Indian women have used simple, effective home-made remedies to look after their skin.
Skin Cleanser:
Found in your own kitchen is a simple, chemical free cleanser � good ol� unboiled milk. All you need to do is dip a piece of cotton wool in milk and wipe your face with it. It also cleans unseen dirt and goes down into your pores. Another fine cleanser is almond oil, especially effective in protecting the delicate skin under the eyes.
Skin Moisturizer:
For normal skin care, you can take 1 cup of yogurt, 1 tablespoon orange juice and 1 tablespoon lemon juice and mix it into a paste. Apply it on your face as a mask and keep it on for 15 minutes. Then clean it off with a wet tissue watch your complexion glow. For dry skin, you could use a mixture of cooked oatmeal and honey; it will not only help moisturize the skin but also acts as a good cleansing agent.
Skin Nourishment and Bleach:
For nourishing your face try a protein mask. You can prepare this mask by first soaking 1 tablespoon urad dal and 4 almonds in water overnight and then grinding them into a paste. You can then apply this protein mask to your face and wash it off after half an hour. This exceptional protein mask will not only nourish the skin but also bleach it.
Wrinkle Prevention and Softer Skin:
To prevent wrinkles and soften your skin, you could try pure castor oil; it is known to slow down the aging process of the skin.
Skin Conditioner:
Another simple and excellent skin conditioner that can be made out of 1 tbsp. honey blended with 2 tbsp. cream (of milk). Leave it on for a few minutes and wash it off. It works like magic.
Skin Blemishes:
For skin blemishes, you can try rubbing a raw potato on your face.
Sun-Protection Lotion:
It�s summer time. Time to cool off. So let�s wind up with a good home-made sun-protection lotion. Take cucumber juice and equal amounts of glycerine and rose water and make a concoction. This should be refrigerated. Try it, it�s really cool.
The Indian beauty has a hundred tips up her sleeve, so visit us again for some more beauty secrets next week.If you have also problems with black skin acne scars visit link.
Beauty Tips
" Dharmaarthou sthreeshu lakshmishcha sthreeshu
lokaaha prathishtithaaha |
Suroopaa yauvanasthaa yaa lakshanairyaa vibhooshithaa ||
Yaa vashyaa shikshithaa yaa cha saa sthree vrishyatamaa mathaa|
| " Dharma (principles), Money or Lakshmi (godess of prosperity) are present in woman. The whole world exists in woman. The woman who is beautiful, young ,educated and who is in her senses is considered as the best aphrodisiac" We all are creations of beautiful nature. There is no word as ugly in natures' creations. The judgment of grades of beauty lies in the vision of viewer. One looks beautiful and radiant only when his inner beauty surfaces. This inner beauty is gained through yoga, meditation and use of natural beauty enhancers. |
Beauty tips:
Grate raw coconut and squeeze milk out of it. Apply this milk over your lips and face. It adds grace and glow to your skin.
Cleansing the skin :
Dip a piece of cotton wool in unboiled milk and wipe on the face with it. It also cleans unseen dirt and goes down to pores.
| Skin Moisturizer: For normal skin mix 1 tablespoon orange juice and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a cup of yogurt, to make a paste. Apply it on face as a mask and keep it on for 15 minutes. Then clean it off with a wet tissue. This mask enhances the complexion and glow of face. Nourishing the skin A protein mask help to nourish your skin. Soak a teaspoon of urad dal and 5-6 almonds overnight. Grind this to a fine paste apply this protein mask on face and wash it off after half an hour. This mask nourishes the facial skin and also enhances the complexion. | |
Preventing wrinkles :Application of pure castor oil prevents wrinkles and softens the skin. This slows down the aging process also
Home made conditioner: mix one table spoon of honey and 2 table spoon of cream. apply this mixture on face and wash it off after few minutes. It works wonders.
| Removing Skin pigmentation and marks: Rubbing a raw potato on face removes marks and pigments. Sun-screen Lotion from kitchen: Prepare a homogenious mixture of cucumber juice , glycerin and rose water .Apply this mixture on face. this mixture can be refrigerated. |
Face Packs:
1.Silk Cotton tree thorn paste ( For Pimples)
Ingredients :-
- Big thorns of Silk cotton tree.
- Milk
Method of preparation :-
Rub thorns briskly and circularly on a grinding stone (Available in Indian stores or temples) sprinkling milk at intervals. The paste start accumulating on grinding stone as the process continues. Collect the paste so formed and apply it as a face pack. This removes pimples and their marks.
2.Split Orange lentils (Masoor dal) Flour pack ( Gives glow to Skin)
Ingredients:-
- Split orange lentils (Masoor dal flour which is available in Indian stores) flour
- Milk
- Ghee
Method of preparation :-
Prepare a paste by mixing the flour with ghee and milk .Apply this as face pack. This enhances the glow of skin.
3.Sandal wood powder pack (Rejuvenates skin)
Ingredients:-
- Sandal wood powder
- Turmeric powder
- Milk
Method of preparation:-
Mix all the ingredients to form a paste. Apply this as face pack. This rejuvenates the skin
Information about herbal products & herbal treatments at HERBALINFOSITE.com
If you are one of those persons who have tried different medicines, soups, creams, etc… but finding no result instead of having side effects, than you have selected the accurate website because, HERBALINFOSITE.com will give the information’s about herbal products & herbal medicines that cures your problems without any side effects. We will list you the sites that offer the facilities of herbal acne treatment & herbal therapy.
Herbalinfosite.com is your online source for information and resources on natural home remedies. Here you can Look up information on specific herbs, discover remedies for common ailments and learn to make your own soothing oils, infusions, tinctures, and salves. You will also find helpful tips for selecting and storing herbs and information about vitamins and minerals found in common herbs. Herbal are traditional medicinal or folk medicine practices based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbals are also known as botanical medicine, medicinal botany medical herbals, herbal medicine, herb logy, and physiotherapy. Sometimes the scope of herbal medicine is extended to include fungi and bee products, as well as minerals, shells and certain animal parts. If you want to look beautiful, attractive, gorgeous, handsome & dashing than you will get multiple number of websites listed in our directory related to herbal cosmetics, herbal hair color, herbal skin care, herbal conditioners, herbal hair dye, herbal hair growth, etc… If you want to be a fit and healthy person than we have also recommended sites that give information about herbal health products, herbal life diet products, herbal life weight loss, herbal vitamins & herbal doctors. Herbal therapy is useful in curing many treatments for e.g. weight loss, heart attack, surgery, Arthritis, drug interaction etc. Herbal medication & herbal treatments can adversely affect health when mixed with arthritis medications. Always check with your doctor before you add self treatment to that prescribed by your doctor. Herbal shampoos and conditioners provide you with an all-natural organic experience. They are gentle and made with organic and herbal extracts. They are especially beneficial for restoring dry, damaged or chemically treated hair. Herbal tea has been imbibed nearly as long as written history extends. Also known as a tisane or herbal infusion, an herbal tea is simply the combination of boiling water and dried fruit, flower or herb. Documents have been recovered dating back to as early as Ancient Egypt that discusses the enjoyment and uses of herbal tea. Adagio Teas continues to sell the finest loose herbal tea. The latest information on herbs, vitamins and other health supplements and learn how they can help you. Vitamins are a group of organic food substances or nutrients found only in living things, plants and animals. Vitamins are divided into two classes based on their solubility. The fat-soluble vitamins include vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin K. The water-soluble vitamins are folate (folic acid), vitamin B12, biotin, vitamin B6, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). All these and many more information related to herbs only on HERBALINFOSITE.com
If you want any additional information’s which is not mentioned above than please visit our herbal info directory. So go and start browsing the HERBAL INFO directory.
Herbal Skin Care for Business Course
I would like to introduce our newest Herbal and Aromatherapy Program. This program is based on our intensive training sessions for those wanting to own, operate and formulate for an Herbal and Aromatherapy Skin Care Business.
This class was made because of student and friends of Heart of Herbs requesting such a class. We also run this program on-site and after numerous requests from students in other areas in the country wanting a correspondence program for this class because of travel constraints we decided to take the time to put together the Herbal Skin Care for Business Program. Students who have finished this and other Heart of Herbs Programs have gone on to start their own companies and we hope to have a full list online soon, so you can see what other Heart of Herbs students are doing.
The program consists of:
- 300+ pages of herbal skin care business information, industry standards, liability, ethics, marketing, advertising, how to formulate and recipes for over 100 hundred products.
- We will also be including information on herbals for skin care and aromatherapy for skin care.
- Suppliers for base ingredients and bottling resources, packaging, printing etc...
- 3 additional texts, these are industry books.
- 375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols Jeanne Rose
- Business Start Up Text
- Formulation Book- We will be trying to keep the books as up to date with the industry as possible so this and the business text will change with the industry.
Included Supplies for Course ¼ oz bottles unless noted |  | Calendula Petals 1 oz All items come direct from suppliers, so substitutions may occur. |
This class is $450.00
Order the course securely and swiftly using your credit card, through or secure server. We accept VISA, MasterCard, Check or Money Order, we also accept PayPal.
Herbal Skin Care Tips
Here are 22 practical Herbal Tips for Skin Care from the experts! Very easy to use and effective.
1) Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.
2) Cut some beet root into small pieces and grind them. Squeeze juice from beet root and massage to your face for 5 minutes. Shower after 10 minutes with mild soap or gram flour.
3) Mix sandalwood powder with rose water and add 4 to 5 drops of milk in it and apply on to your face and body. Shower after 15 minutes with warm water.
4) Mix honey in water and drink daily in the morning to keep your skin shiny and smooth.
5) Warm honey and mix with lemon juice and apply on to face. Wash after it dry.
6) Mix Turmeric, sandal powder and olive oil and apply to body. Shower after 10 minutes.
7) Massage your skin with milk. Milk has moisturizer, it will keep your skin smooth.
8) Use humidifiers and keep room temperature moderate to keep your skin away from dryness.
9) Hot water blushes your skin and you don't feel fresh unless you have bath with little cold water. If you have shower for a longtime, dead skin will be automatically be removed. Do not rub with towel, be gentle on your skin.
10) Take food which contains more A and C vitamin.
11) Grate carrot and boil. Massage that mixture to body to get fair and smooth skin.
12) For natural bleaching: - mix milk and lemon juice. The
milk will break as soon as you mix the lemon juice in it. Use that mixture to massage on your body. It works as natural bleaching.
13) Mix turmeric and cream on the top of milk, massage that mixture to body.
14) If you go into sun your skin will lost the fair ness. To get your skin color to normal take equal quantities of cucumber juice and tomato juice and apply on to skin. Shower after 10 minutes.
15) Massage mustard oil to your skin for 5 minutes and have shower with gram flour or mild soap.
16) Mix cream on the top of milk and all-purpose flour and apply that paste on to your skin avoid eyes, eyebrows and lips. Shower after 5 minutes. This will make skin smooth.
17) Mix curds (yogurt) with wheat flour and apply to your skin and take shower after 5 minutes.
18) Grind rose petals and mix with cream on the top of milk and apply to your body. Shower after 10 minutes.
19) Scaly skin is a result of fluorine deficiency. Fluorine is the anti-resistant element of the human body, the absence of which creates problems in the blood and spleen. Since cooking and heating foods destroys fluorine, it is better to eat uncooked raw fruits and vegetables. Other foods rich in fluorine are goat milk and cheese, rye flour, avocados, sea plants and cabbage, cream whey and cottage cheese.
20) Wrinkle skin is a result of Sodium deficiency and makes skin sticky. Cucumbers are ideal for combating and preventing sodium deficiency because they are not only high in sodium, but also help in keeping the body cool, a great summer's treat.
21) Skin rashes are the result of silicon deficiency. To avoid pus and rashes, eat plenty of sprouts, alfalfa, barley, tomatoes, spinach, strawberries and figs.
22) Skin eruptions are the result of Chlorophyll. And are found in wheat grass and other green leafy vegetables
Also, I suggest you to visit one of my favorite Herbal Vitamins and Supplements blogs, where You will find more valuble informations about this.
Health Spa Treatments
Health spa treatments can be costly. Have you ever considered creating your own home spa by using lavender and other herbs from your own herb garden? After all of the hours you spent planting and tending to your herb plants, reap another benefit by using your herbs to make herbal cosmetics, herbal teas or herbal medicines and by all means as ingredients for a home spa. Some people have spaghetti herb gardens, or salad gardens even headache gardens, consider this your own Spa Herb Garden!
For very soft touchable skin use Lavender or Calendula leaves and petals. Bruise the leaves and petals and put them into a glass jar. Pour enough olive oil into the jar to cover the herbs. Set the jar on a sunny window and shake everyday for two to three weeks.
Strain the oil through cheese cloth pressing on the solids to remove all essential oils. Reseal the jar and place in a dark place. The herbal oil should last up to one year. This soothing Lavender oil can be applied directly to the skin or used in a bath.
Put lavender flowers and leaves into a warm bath and soak. Or put them in a muslin bag which you will hook over the running water while filling the tub. The Lavender will fill your bathroom with a wonderful scent. Since Lavender is known for its calming effect, what better way to relax after a day of gardening than a long soothing bath filled with Lavender?
Lavender is a natural anti depressant so place bowls of dried lavender around the house. Or since Lavender is known for its calming effect, boil a large pot of water, throw in the lavender, and place a towel over your head as you bend down over the pot. Inhale in the delightful smell and feel its soothing properties from the steam on your skin.
Another lovely way to use Lavender is to sew them into little bags and put them between your pillow and pillow case. The beautiful calming scent will help you sleep.
Calendulas may also be used in the bath. An even better way to use this herb is as an antiseptic. Again, bruise the leaves and flowers and add them to olive oil. It will relieve stings, chapped lips, cuts and burns.
To make you're own spa loofahs plant Luffa aegyptiaea. For a home spa tool grow the plant in full sun in a place where the plant can climb. When you harvest it, soak it in water to soften the brown skin, peel and set out in the sun to dry. Save the seeds for your next years Spa Herb Garden.
Now let's make some refreshing teas using herbs from your herbal garden for use in your mini home spa. Most people look at roses as just beautiful blooms, but rose hips have more vitamin C than oranges. The little round balls in the center of the rose is the hips. Gather them and grind them in a coffee grinder. Steep them in very hot water, not boiling, for about ten minutes and enjoy your fruity tea.
For a calming tea try Chamomile or for a refreshing tea try Lemon balm. All of these herbs can be grown in your own yard and will create a wonderful home health spa experience.
Herbal Skin Care - Herbs for Healing Acne
Herbs have been used for a wide variety of health care remedies since the beginning of time. Using elements that occur naturally can effectively treat acne and other skin conditions. Herbal skin care is affordable, accessible and less like to cause skin irritation and sensitivity than traditional medications. When certain herbs are applied to your skin topically, they can be a healthy alternative solution to prescription medications.
Eucalyptus: This essential oil comes from the eucalyptus tree, which is one of the tallest known trees in the world and can be found in Australia, Africa, North America, India and Southern Europe. Eucalyptus is the most powerful antiseptic in its class and has outstanding astringent qualities, which aid in the treatment of acne-prone skin.
Papaya Enzyme: The papaya is a tropical fruit that has a nutrient-rich enzyme called papin. This enzyme is used to dissolve unwanted proteins and other dead materials on the surface of your skin. The papaya enzyme works to open pores, exfoliate, promote the turnover of skin cells, soften and smooth skin and improve your overall skin tone.
Sage: This silvery-green plant has fragrant leaves and is found growing in the Mediterranean and North America. Sage oil contains chemical substances and other constituents, such as as camphor, cineole, rosmarinic acid, tannins and others. The substances found in sage oil have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral effects, which make it an outstanding medicinal skin treatment.
Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is obtained from the leaves of the native Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree. This oil has natural antibacterial qualities, contains antiseptic compounds and is proven to be a very good skin disinfectant. When used to treat acne, it is just as effective as 5% benzoyl peroxide and less drying. However, the results of treatment with tea tree oil take just a little bit longer to see than with benzoyl peroxide.
Thyme: Thyme is the general name for herbs of the Thymus species, which are native to the western Mediterranean region. The essential thyme oil is located in the small glands on the leaves and contains thymol, linalol and paracymene. Thyme is effective in treating acne-prone skin because of its multiple actions, including antibacterial, antioxidant, antiseptic and astringent.
Witch Hazel: Witch hazel is the common name for a genus of shrubs known as Hamamelis and is rich in natural astringents such as volatile oils and tannins. Witch hazel has antiseptic capabilities that tone the skin and blood vessels, as well as draw out clogged pores.
Exploring holistic remedies can give you clearer, more healthy skin. Incorporating herbal skin care products with natural ingredients into your daily skin care regimen will improve your skin's overall appearance over time.
Herbal Skin Care
Herbal Skin Care. This latest in formation comes to us from the blog.
Natural Remedies & Herbal | Alternative Healing | Acupunture
Friday, March 16, 2007
Seabuckthorn Has Received Considerable Attention Hippophae rhamnoides (Elaeagnaceae), commonly known as seabuckthorn, gets its name from its habit of growing near the sea, and from the possession of many spines or thorns that are reminiscent of some buckthorn species (of the genus Rhamnus).
The genus name Hippophae is classical Latin for "shining horse," a name that was given in ancient times after it was found that feeding the leaves to horses improved their health and made their hair shiny Seabuckthorn grows in various regions of Asia, Europe and North America.
Seabuckthorn is used for preventing soil erosion due to the extensive root system that develops rapidly and can be found on slopes, riverbanks, and seashores. In recent years, the clinical importance of seabuckthorn has receivied considerable attention. Seabuckthorn is used for nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical as well as other applications. Seabuckthorn contains edible berries with exceptionally high contents of nutrients and phytonutrients.
Herbal Skin Care Tips..Ayurved India!
Herbal Tips for Skin Care!
1) Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.
2) Cut some beet root into small pieces and grind them. Squeeze juice from beet root and massage to your face for 5 minutes. Shower after 10 minutes with mild soap or gram flour.
3) Mix sandalwood powder with rose water and add 4 to 5 drops of milk in it and apply on to your face and body. Shower after 15 minutes with warm water.
4) Mix honey in water and drink daily in the morning to keep your skin shiny and smooth.
5) Warm honey and mix with lemon juice and apply on to face. Wash after it dry.
6) Mix Turmeric, sandal powder and olive oil and apply to body. Shower after 10 minutes.
7) Massage your skin with milk. Milk has moisturizer, it will keep your skin smooth.
8) Use humidifiers and keep room temperature moderate to keep your skin away from dryness.
9) Hot water blushes your skin and you don't feel fresh unless you have bath with little cold water. If you have shower for a longtime, dead skin will be automatically be removed. Do not rub with towel, be gentle on your skin.
10) Take food which contains more A and C vitamin.
11) Grate carrot and boil. Massage that mixture to body to get fair and smooth skin.
12) For natural bleaching: - mix milk and lemon juice. The
milk will break as soon as you mix the lemon juice in it. Use that mixture to massage on your body. It works as natural bleaching.
13) Mix turmeric and cream on the top of milk, massage that mixture to body.
14) If you go into sun your skin will lost the fair ness. To get your skin color to normal take equal quantities of cucumber juice and tomato juice and apply on to skin. Shower after 10 minutes.
15) Massage mustard oil to your skin for 5 minutes and have shower with gram flour or mild soap.
16) Mix cream on the top of milk and all-purpose flour and apply that paste on to your skin avoid eyes, eyebrows and lips. Shower after 5 minutes. This will make skin smooth.
17) Mix curds (yogurt) with wheat flour and apply to your skin and take shower after 5 minutes.
18) Grind rose petals and mix with cream on the top of milk and apply to your body. Shower after 10 minutes.
19) Scaly skin is a result of fluorine deficiency. Fluorine is the anti-resistant element of the human body, the absence of which creates problems in the blood and spleen. Since cooking and heating foods destroys fluorine, it is better to eat uncooked raw fruits and vegetables. Other foods rich in fluorine are goat milk and cheese, rye flour, avocados, sea plants and cabbage, cream whey and cottage cheese.
20) Wrinkle skin is a result of Sodium deficiency and makes skin sticky. Cucumbers are ideal for combating and preventing sodium deficiency because they are not only high in sodium, but also help in keeping the body cool, a great summer's treat.
1) Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.
2) Cut some beet root into small pieces and grind them. Squeeze juice from beet root and massage to your face for 5 minutes. Shower after 10 minutes with mild soap or gram flour.
3) Mix sandalwood powder with rose water and add 4 to 5 drops of milk in it and apply on to your face and body. Shower after 15 minutes with warm water.
4) Mix honey in water and drink daily in the morning to keep your skin shiny and smooth.
5) Warm honey and mix with lemon juice and apply on to face. Wash after it dry.
6) Mix Turmeric, sandal powder and olive oil and apply to body. Shower after 10 minutes.
7) Massage your skin with milk. Milk has moisturizer, it will keep your skin smooth.
8) Use humidifiers and keep room temperature moderate to keep your skin away from dryness.
9) Hot water blushes your skin and you don't feel fresh unless you have bath with little cold water. If you have shower for a longtime, dead skin will be automatically be removed. Do not rub with towel, be gentle on your skin.
10) Take food which contains more A and C vitamin.
11) Grate carrot and boil. Massage that mixture to body to get fair and smooth skin.
12) For natural bleaching: - mix milk and lemon juice. The
milk will break as soon as you mix the lemon juice in it. Use that mixture to massage on your body. It works as natural bleaching.
13) Mix turmeric and cream on the top of milk, massage that mixture to body.
14) If you go into sun your skin will lost the fair ness. To get your skin color to normal take equal quantities of cucumber juice and tomato juice and apply on to skin. Shower after 10 minutes.
15) Massage mustard oil to your skin for 5 minutes and have shower with gram flour or mild soap.
16) Mix cream on the top of milk and all-purpose flour and apply that paste on to your skin avoid eyes, eyebrows and lips. Shower after 5 minutes. This will make skin smooth.
17) Mix curds (yogurt) with wheat flour and apply to your skin and take shower after 5 minutes.
18) Grind rose petals and mix with cream on the top of milk and apply to your body. Shower after 10 minutes.
19) Scaly skin is a result of fluorine deficiency. Fluorine is the anti-resistant element of the human body, the absence of which creates problems in the blood and spleen. Since cooking and heating foods destroys fluorine, it is better to eat uncooked raw fruits and vegetables. Other foods rich in fluorine are goat milk and cheese, rye flour, avocados, sea plants and cabbage, cream whey and cottage cheese.
20) Wrinkle skin is a result of Sodium deficiency and makes skin sticky. Cucumbers are ideal for combating and preventing sodium deficiency because they are not only high in sodium, but also help in keeping the body cool, a great summer's treat.
Herbal Skin Care Provides Natural Protection
The idea of using botanicals to help maintain healthy looking skin is not new as herbal skin care is believed to have been in use by ancient Egyptians thousands of years ago. However, the idea of picking up a plant and rubbing all over their face and other areas of the body may not be appealing to everyone. Besides, if they do not know what they are looking for, such as accidentally grabbing a handful of poison ivy, the result can be catastrophic.
It is not the plant that offers herbal skin care its benefits, as it is the oils in specific plants that can offer renewal of the skin. During those first thousand or so years, there were not the additional threats to the skin such as tanning booths and chemical laced cosmetic products and many agree that herbal skin care goes back to the basics of using only natural products instead of those grown in a laboratory.
Replenishing the body's diminishing supply of retinol and collagen to keep the skin smooth and wrinkle free while maintaining its elasticity can best be done by the use of herbal skin care instead of man-made products. Over the years, some of the natural products have been hard to come by and to mass produce the product, experiments were able to reproduce many of them through artificial means.
Great Skin Not Grown In The Lab
While many chemicals have been used to create different hormones and substances produced by the human body, skin is the one thing that cannot be duplicated. Every person must take care of what grows naturally, and by using herbal skin care can provide it with a natural repair mechanism to keep it looking young and healthy.
For many, wrinkles are considered a badge of honor in the aging process, but for others, they want to keep their skin looking as young as they feel. By eating right and exercising they take care of their overall health and simply want the best herbal skin care for their skin that they can find. Moisturizing the skins begins from the inside by keeping the body hydrated, but sometimes exposure to dry climates requires the use of herbal skin care deep moisturizers to replace the moisture deep inside the skin and not just on the outside.
Finding the right herbal skin care product for the right skin type can take some time on a trial and error basis, but many herbalists understand what products work the best in the different situations. Those with exceptionally dry skin may need more natural moisturizers than others, but with age comes the need for some sort of herbal skin care product to help protect what grows naturally.
It is not the plant that offers herbal skin care its benefits, as it is the oils in specific plants that can offer renewal of the skin. During those first thousand or so years, there were not the additional threats to the skin such as tanning booths and chemical laced cosmetic products and many agree that herbal skin care goes back to the basics of using only natural products instead of those grown in a laboratory.
Replenishing the body's diminishing supply of retinol and collagen to keep the skin smooth and wrinkle free while maintaining its elasticity can best be done by the use of herbal skin care instead of man-made products. Over the years, some of the natural products have been hard to come by and to mass produce the product, experiments were able to reproduce many of them through artificial means.
Great Skin Not Grown In The Lab
While many chemicals have been used to create different hormones and substances produced by the human body, skin is the one thing that cannot be duplicated. Every person must take care of what grows naturally, and by using herbal skin care can provide it with a natural repair mechanism to keep it looking young and healthy.
For many, wrinkles are considered a badge of honor in the aging process, but for others, they want to keep their skin looking as young as they feel. By eating right and exercising they take care of their overall health and simply want the best herbal skin care for their skin that they can find. Moisturizing the skins begins from the inside by keeping the body hydrated, but sometimes exposure to dry climates requires the use of herbal skin care deep moisturizers to replace the moisture deep inside the skin and not just on the outside.
Finding the right herbal skin care product for the right skin type can take some time on a trial and error basis, but many herbalists understand what products work the best in the different situations. Those with exceptionally dry skin may need more natural moisturizers than others, but with age comes the need for some sort of herbal skin care product to help protect what grows naturally.
Skin Care Tips According to Your Skin Type
In the previous article, we learned about five different skin types, namely, normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive and a necessity of a proper skin care that would be adjusted for your particular skin type.
Today, read our skin care recommendations that are designed to guide you through a wide sea of various beauty tips and products towards finding what you really need in order to keep your skin smooth, young, and gorgeous.
1. Normal skin, although being the least problematic type, still requires cleaning, nourishing, and moisturizing. In the morning, refresh your skin with rose water or an alcohol-free astringent tonic and moisturize it with a mild, non-greasy cream, preferably made from natural ingredients without petroleum by-products. Use a good quality make-up, but do not overindulge. Before bed, gently wash your face with a mild soap, such as goat milk soap, and put on a bit of an oil-based nourishing cream, paying particular attention to the areas around your eyes. After about 15 minutes, gently pat your skin dry with a napkin. Once a week, use an egg yolk mask, or any other natural and non-drying mask to feed and rejuvenate your face skin. Do not forget to take care about your body, as well. Every day after showering, use a mild moisturizing lotion to keep your body skin supple and healthy.
2. Dry skin requires a more thorough care, since it is prone to flaking, irritating, and fast aging. If your skin is dry, you should use only natural and rich skin-care products, such as undiluted shea butter, extra-virgin coconut oil, or home-made herbal oils. Apply them twice a day and allow some time for your skin to absorb nourishing and moisturizing ingredients from the oil before putting a hypoallergenic make-up on. Try not to use tap water but, instead, clean your facial skin with mild cleansing milks or herbal infusions. With good care, dry skin will always look healthy and smooth.
3. Oily skin requires the opposite approach - instead of putting an emphasis on nourishing, you should focus on removing excess oil from it, hydrating, cleaning enlarged pores, and preventing or treating acne. Wash your skin about 2-3 times a day, but use a mild soap only once a day, because otherwise oil glands will be stimulated to produce even more sebum. Use only non-greasy moisturisers and tone your face often with alcohol-free herbal tonics or ice cubes, which will restore the health and balance of your skin. The best masks for oily skin are those featuring drying and hydrating ingredients, for example, clay, papaya, or yogurt. Apply once a week and make sure to rinse your face thoroughly with cool water after about 20 minutes. In case of acne, remove sugar and other carbohydrates from your diet and make sure not to eat any processed foods.
4. Combination skin may be complicated to manage, because it has both oily and dry areas each requiring different care. The trick is to use oily skin tips for the facial areas of oily skin (usually, on the forehead and nose) and to apply dry skin tips to the areas of dry skin (around the eyes and on the cheeks).
5. Sensitive skin is always very dry and irritated - this is why you should take a very thorough care of it using the above tips for dry skin. Additional hints: watch what you eat and make sure to consume a fair amount of essential fatty acids, organic protein, yogurt, and lacto-fermented fruits and vegetables. Remember that women who eat a vegetarian, or even worse so, a vegan, diet, usually develop very dry, wrinkled, and irritated skin.
Skin Care - Quick Herbal Tips
Down the ages, Indian women have used simple, effective home-made remedies to look after their skin.
Skin Cleanser:
Found in your own kitchen is a simple, chemical free cleanser � good ol� unboiled milk. All you need to do is dip a piece of cotton wool in milk and wipe your face with it. It also cleans unseen dirt and goes down into your pores. Another fine cleanser is almond oil, especially effective in protecting the delicate skin under the eyes.
Skin Moisturizer:
For normal skin care, you can take 1 cup of yogurt, 1 tablespoon orange juice and 1 tablespoon lemon juice and mix it into a paste. Apply it on your face as a mask and keep it on for 15 minutes. Then clean it off with a wet tissue watch your complexion glow. For dry skin, you could use a mixture of cooked oatmeal and honey; it will not only help moisturize the skin but also acts as a good cleansing agent.
Skin Nourishment and Bleach:
For nourishing your face try a protein mask. You can prepare this mask by first soaking 1 tablespoon urad dal and 4 almonds in water overnight and then grinding them into a paste. You can then apply this protein mask to your face and wash it off after half an hour. This exceptional protein mask will not only nourish the skin but also bleach it.
Wrinkle Prevention and Softer Skin:
To prevent wrinkles and soften your skin, you could try pure castor oil; it is known to slow down the aging process of the skin.
Skin Conditioner:
Another simple and excellent skin conditioner that can be made out of 1 tbsp. honey blended with 2 tbsp. cream (of milk). Leave it on for a few minutes and wash it off. It works like magic.
Skin Blemishes:
For skin blemishes, you can try rubbing a raw potato on your face.
Sun-Protection Lotion:
It�s summer time. Time to cool off. So let�s wind up with a good home-made sun-protection lotion. Take cucumber juice and equal amounts of glycerine and rose water and make a concoction. This should be refrigerated. Try it, it�s really cool.
The Indian beauty has a hundred tips up her sleeve, so visit us again for some more beauty secrets next week.
Beauty Tips
We all are creations of beautiful nature. There is no word as ugly in natures' creations. The judgment of grades of beauty lies in the vision of viewer. One looks beautiful and radiant only when his inner beauty surfaces. This inner beauty is gained through yoga, meditation and use of natural beauty enhancers.
For normal skin mix 1 tablespoon orange juice and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a cup of yogurt, to make a paste. Apply it on face as a mask and keep it on for 15 minutes. Then clean it off with a wet tissue. This mask enhances the complexion and glow of face.
Nourishing the skin A protein mask help to nourish your skin. Soak a teaspoon of urad dal and 5-6 almonds overnight. Grind this to a fine paste apply this protein mask on face and wash it off after half an hour. This mask nourishes the facial skin and also enhances the complexion.
Preventing wrinkles :Application of pure castor oil prevents wrinkles and softens the skin. This slows down the aging process also
Home made conditioner: mix one table spoon of honey and 2 table spoon of cream. apply this mixture on face and wash it off after few minutes. It works wonders.
Removing Skin pigmentation and marks:
Rubbing a raw potato on face removes marks and pigments.
Sun-screen Lotion from kitchen:
Prepare a homogenious mixture of cucumber juice , glycerin and rose water .Apply this mixture on face. this mixture can be refrigerated.
Beauty tips:
Grate raw coconut and squeeze milk out of it. Apply this milk over your lips and face. It adds grace and glow to your skin.
Cleansing the skin :
Dip a piece of cotton wool in unboiled milk and wipe on the face with it. It also cleans unseen dirt and goes down to pores.
Skin Moisturizer: Dip a piece of cotton wool in unboiled milk and wipe on the face with it. It also cleans unseen dirt and goes down to pores.
For normal skin mix 1 tablespoon orange juice and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a cup of yogurt, to make a paste. Apply it on face as a mask and keep it on for 15 minutes. Then clean it off with a wet tissue. This mask enhances the complexion and glow of face.
Nourishing the skin A protein mask help to nourish your skin. Soak a teaspoon of urad dal and 5-6 almonds overnight. Grind this to a fine paste apply this protein mask on face and wash it off after half an hour. This mask nourishes the facial skin and also enhances the complexion.
Preventing wrinkles :Application of pure castor oil prevents wrinkles and softens the skin. This slows down the aging process also
Home made conditioner: mix one table spoon of honey and 2 table spoon of cream. apply this mixture on face and wash it off after few minutes. It works wonders.
Removing Skin pigmentation and marks:
Rubbing a raw potato on face removes marks and pigments.
Sun-screen Lotion from kitchen:
Prepare a homogenious mixture of cucumber juice , glycerin and rose water .Apply this mixture on face. this mixture can be refrigerated.
Fundamentals of a healthy skin
Cleansing
All good skincare regimens begins with proper cleansing.
This removes the dirty surface film that the skin picks up from our surroundings, and the more polluted the surroundings, the better the cleansing needs to be.
A good thorough cleansing is absolutely necessary for Herbal Info. To clean the skin, its best to select a gentle hypoallergenic, pH-balanced cream, lotion or soap, designed to help dissolve surface dirt and any makeup.
To remove the buildup of normal dead cells, it is beneficial to regularly exfoliate the skin, with a gentle scrub.
Massage the cleansing cream, like our Herbal Face
Moisturizing
The single disadvantage of cleansing your skin is the simultaneous removal of beneficial oils on your skin. These oils help retain precious moisture and form a barrier between the polluted environment and yourself. This drawback is easily neutralized by using a good moisturizer.
Two types of moisturizers are required:
- A lightweight thin moisturizer for use during the day and underneath makeup
- A heavier more nutritious cream for night-time care.
When applying, dab onto fingers and gently massage it in with a slow circular motion until absorbed.
Protection
The final step for good skin care is protecting ourselves from the environment. The sun emits dangerous ultra-violet rays, which can cause lasting damage to your skin and can cause health problems like skin cancer with continuous exposure.
Whenever outside, even on cloudy or overcast days, use a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF15. If you are unsure of the SPF number, check the container.
Treatments
At times of injury, burns, cuts, allergic skin reactions, eczema, etc. the skin needs extra care to cope with the demands placed on it.
At this time, specialized skin treatment creams and lotions might be needed, like our absolutely wonderful Herbal Healing Cream.
In other cases, as in the rupture of connective tissue, leading to stretch marks you could look at a specialized gel, like our Herbal Stretch Mark Gel.
For specific problems, like baggy puffy eyes, you could also look at a product like our herbal treatment Herbal Eye Gel.
Should you however experience a medical problem, kindly contact a licensed medical practitioner.
Herbal Skin Care Tips
Here are 22 practical Herbal Tips for Skin Care from the experts! Very easy to use and effective.
1) Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.
2) Cut some beet root into small pieces and grind them. Squeeze juice from beet root and massage to your face for 5 minutes. Shower after 10 minutes with mild soap or gram flour.
3) Mix sandalwood powder with rose water and add 4 to 5 drops of milk in it and apply on to your face and body. Shower after 15 minutes with warm water.
4) Mix honey in water and drink daily in the morning to keep your skin shiny and smooth.
5) Warm honey and mix with lemon juice and apply on to face. Wash after it dry.
6) Mix Turmeric, sandal powder and olive oil and apply to body. Shower after 10 minutes.
7) Massage your skin with milk. Milk has moisturizer, it will keep your skin smooth.
8) Use humidifiers and keep room temperature moderate to keep your skin away from dryness.
9) Hot water blushes your skin and you don't feel fresh unless you have bath with little cold water. If you have shower for a longtime, dead skin will be automatically be removed. Do not rub with towel, be gentle on your skin.
10) Take food which contains more A and C vitamin.
11) Grate carrot and boil। Massage that mixture to body to get fair and smooth skin.
12) For natural bleaching: - mix milk and lemon juice. The
milk will break as soon as you mix the lemon juice in it. Use that mixture to massage on your body. It works as natural bleaching.
13) Mix turmeric and cream on the top of milk, massage that mixture to body.
14) If you go into sun your skin will lost the fair ness. To get your skin color to normal take equal quantities of cucumber juice and tomato juice and apply on to skin. Shower after 10 minutes.
15) Massage mustard oil to your skin for 5 minutes and have shower with gram flour or mild soap.
16) Mix cream on the top of milk and all-purpose flour and apply that paste on to your skin avoid eyes, eyebrows and lips. Shower after 5 minutes. This will make skin smooth.
17) Mix curds (yogurt) with wheat flour and apply to your skin and take shower after 5 minutes.
18) Grind rose petals and mix with cream on the top of milk and apply to your body. Shower after 10 minutes.
19) Scaly skin is a result of fluorine deficiency. Fluorine is the anti-resistant element of the human body, the absence of which creates problems in the blood and spleen. Since cooking and heating foods destroys fluorine, it is better to eat uncooked raw fruits and vegetables. Other foods rich in fluorine are goat milk and cheese, rye flour, avocados, sea plants and cabbage, cream whey and cottage cheese.
20) Wrinkle skin is a result of Sodium deficiency and makes skin sticky. Cucumbers are ideal for combating and preventing sodium deficiency because they are not only high in sodium, but also help in keeping the body cool, a great summer's treat.
21) Skin rashes are the result of silicon deficiency. To avoid pus and rashes, eat plenty of sprouts, alfalfa, barley, tomatoes, spinach, strawberries and figs.
22) Skin eruptions are the result of Chlorophyll. And are found in wheat grass and other green leafy vegetables
Herbal Tips for Skin
Skin Cleanser:
Found in your own kitchen knife sets is a simple, chemical free cleanser – good ol’ unboiled milk. All you need to do is dip a piece of cotton wool in milk and wipe your face with it. It also cleans unseen dirt and goes down into your pores. Another fine cleanser is almond oil, especially effective in protecting the delicate skin under the eyes.
Found in your own kitchen knife sets is a simple, chemical free cleanser – good ol’ unboiled milk. All you need to do is dip a piece of cotton wool in milk and wipe your face with it. It also cleans unseen dirt and goes down into your pores. Another fine cleanser is almond oil, especially effective in protecting the delicate skin under the eyes.
Skin Moisturizer:
For normal skin care, you can take 1 cup of yogurt, 1 tablespoon orange juice and 1 tablespoon lemon juice and mix it into a paste. Apply it on your face as a mask and keep it on for 15 minutes. Then clean it off with a wet tissue watch your complexion glow. For dry skin, you could use a mixture of cooked oatmeal and honey; it will not only help moisturize the skin but also acts as a good cleansing agent.
Skin Nourishment and Bleach:
For nourishing your face try a protein mask. You can prepare this mask by first soaking 1 tablespoon urad dal and 4 almonds in water overnight and then grinding them into a paste. You can then apply this protein mask to your face and wash it off after half an hour. This exceptional protein mask will not only nourish the skin but also bleach it.
Wrinkle Prevention and Softer Skin:
To prevent wrinkles and soften your skin, you could try pure castor oil; it is known to slow down the aging process of the skin.
Skin Conditioner:
Another simple and excellent skin conditioner that can be made out of 1 tbsp. honey blended with 2 tbsp. cream (of milk). Leave it on for a few minutes and wash it off. It works like magic.
Skin Blemishes:
For skin blemishes, you can try rubbing a raw potato on your face.
Sun-Protection Lotion:
It’s summer time. Time to cool off. So let’s wind up with a good home-made sun-protection lotion. Take cucumber juice and equal amounts of glycerine and rose water and make a concoction. This should be refrigerated. Try it, it’s really cool.
Simple Herbal Remedies Information
Herbal Remedies Info is your online source for information and resources on natural home remedies. Here you can Look up information on specific herbs, discover remedies for common ailments and learn to make your own soothing oils, infusions, tinctures, and salves. You will also find helpful tips for selecting and storing herbs and information about vitamins and minerals found in common herbs.
Our content is constantly revised and updated so check back regularly for the latest information. Our site contains over 500 pages of content covering all aspects of herbs and herbal remedies. The best way to find the information you are looking for, is to use the Site Search button from the navigation menu which is available from any page. You can also search all our pages using the search box at the top of this page.
Gypsywort
Gypsywort is an herbal plant that but has no culinary purposes at all but rather is used for industrial and medicinal purposes. This plant originated in Europe and Northwest Asia. Gypsywort's most important properties come from the stem and the leaves. These were used for the astringents, sedatives, anxiety, tuberculosis, and heart palpitations.
| Gypsywort | |
 | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Lycopus |
| Species | L. europaeus |
Industrially, Gypsywort was extremely beneficial in making a permanent black dye. Oddly enough that is how it got its name, the Gypsies were said to have stained their skin with this black dye like substance so they would resemble Africans or Egyptians while they were performing their "magic."
Gypsywort is also called Lycopus europaeus; it has no known hazards and usually grows near rivers, streams and ravines. You will likely find this plant from June to September but the seeds are the most ripe between August and October. A unique physical characteristic of this plant is that is has both male and female organs so it self fertile, pollinated by insects and bees. In a survival situation, the root of the Herbal Info could be eaten raw or cooked.
The flowers of this plant are used for astringents and sedatives but also have an iodine property to it that is commonly used for hyperthyroidism. The entire plant has been known to slow and strengthen heart contractions, treat coughs and bleeding from the lungs, and excessive periods, and the leaves are great for cleaning wounds. Heart disturbances and nervousness can be eased by the use of Gypsywort. The part that is rendered for use is the flowering plant itself and the best time to gather these is June - September. It is a sedative, because it reduces the pulse rate in conditions involving an overactive thyroid gland by reducing the activity of iodine. It was once prescribed for hyperthyroidism and related disorders such as Basedow's disease.
Gypsywort can be purchased at your local store or ordered online and does have some outstanding benefits although not much culinary use. It is a very uncommon and not very often spoken about form of herb. Some use it with aromatherapy and a mixture of many other oils and fragrances. Bugleweed is very closely related to Gypsywort and for medicinal purposes the two are very often closely linked to each other.
Phytochemistry and pharmacology
Constituents found in most ginseng species include Herbal Vitamins, polysaccharides, peptides, polyacetylenic alcohols, and fatty acids. Most pharmacological actions are attributed to the ginsenosides that belong to a group of compounds known as steroidal saponins, steroid molecules with attached sugar residues. More than 20 ginsenosides have been isolated.
The pharmacological profile of ginseng is broad and incompletely understood because of the many heterogeneous and sometimes opposing effects of different ginsenosides. The underlying mechanism of action of the ginsenosides appears to be similar to that for steroid hormones. Actions on virtually every organ system have been described.
One of the most promising therapeutic uses of ginseng surrounds the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and blood glucose. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, ginseng lowered postprandial blood glucose compared to placebo when taken 40 minutes before or at the same time as a glucose challenge. In healthy subjects without diabetes mellitus, ginseng lowered postprandial blood glucose compared to placebo only if taken 40 minutes before glucose challenge.
Data from animal studies suggest that ginseng may have beneficial effects in the central nervous system. Herbal Medication prevented scopolamine-induced memory deficits in laboratory animals by increasing central cholinergic activity. They may also protect neurons from ischemic damage and facilitate learning and memory by enhancing nerve growth. The effect of ginseng on pain pathways needs further investigation. Ginsenosides had non-opioid-mediated analgesic properties in laboratory animals, but attenuated the analgesic effects of opiates. Ginsenosides appear to modulate neurotransmission through -aminobutyric acid (GABA), and by inhibiting neurotransmitter reuptake.
The results of investigations of the cardiovascular effects of ginseng are often contradictory, depending on the compounds tested and the organ system in which they are tested. Stimulation of endogenous nitric oxide release has been implicated in the cardiovascular and antioxidant effects of ginsenosides. In humans, normal doses of ginseng did not appear to affect blood pressure and heart rate, although extremely high doses were associated with hypertension. Ginseng may protect against myocardial reperfusion injury. In a preliminary study, cardioplegia solution containing ginseng extract improved post-bypass myocardial function in patients having mitral valve surgery.
Ginsenosides have anticarcinogenic and immunomodulatory effects. Several individual ginsenosides suppressed tumor cell growth, induced Herbal Acne Treatment, regulated programmed cell death, and inhibited metastasis. Results of a cohort study showed that ginseng consumers had a lower risk for several different types of cancer compared to those who did not consume ginseng, suggesting that ginseng may have non-organ-specific anticarcinogenic effects. Ginsenosides also enhanced humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in laboratory animals- and potentiated the response to vaccination in humans.
The pharmacokinetics of ginsenosides Rg1, Re, and Rb2 have been investigated in rabbits. The elimination half-lives of these three ginsenosides ranged from 0.8 hr for ginsenoside Re to 7.4 hr for ginsenoside Rb2. The degree of protein binding may explain the wide variation in half-lives between different ginsenosides.
Herbal Health Information: Bergamot, grapefruit, petitgrain essential oils
Bergamot
Bergamot’s distinctive citrus smell helps lift a blue mood, builds confidence and self-esteem. Coming from the Citrus bergamia tree its oil is mechanically cold-pressed from the fruit’s rind. The finest quality oil however is hand-pressed.
It is believed that Christopher Columbus introduced the fruit to Italy. Originally only found in the Bergamo (northern Italy) area, it is now grown in southern Italy and by the North African coast. Its use was first dated back in 1677 as a German herbal medicine for numerous disorders and diseases. Today it is used to flavor cakes and pastries and gives the flavor and fragrance to Earl Grey tea. Its refreshing aroma found in many perfumes and colognes is always welcome on a hot, sticky day. Emotionally it is extremely useful in lifting spirits, decreasing anxiety and treating depression by calming the nervous system. Finally, it also has antiseptic, antispasmodic and deodorizing properties.
Bergamot is highly photosensitive (increases the skin’s sensitivity to the UV rays in sunlight) and so its use should be avoided before going out into the sun.Grapefruit
Grapefruit as its Latin name, Citrus paradisi suggests has a refreshing, uplifting and cheery smell which makes one think of sunny days and clear blue skies on a paradise island. As with other citrus fruits it comes from a small evergreen tree with never-ending star-shaped flowers with glossy, oval-shaped leaves.
The present day grapefruit is a cross between sweet orange and pomelo (also known as shaddock); an ancient type of grapefruit brought to Spain in the 12th century by Arab traders, from Asia and in the 18th century, to the West Indies by Captain Shaddock. Today there are many varieties of the sweet citrus fruit, including the pink grapefruit grown in Florida. Other major producers of the fruit are California, Israel and Brazil.
The oil is obtained from the fresh peel of the fruit, by means of a process known as cold expression; which involves rupturing the fresh peel and pressing out the essence or zest. This procedure produces a pale yellow or greenish liquid with a sweet, fresh citrus aroma. It can also be obtained through steaming distillation of the peel and fruit pulp; giving a similar chemical composition as the expressed oil with a sweeter and less zingy fragrance.
The expressed oil is a mild photosensitizer, which may result in brown blotches. Therefore, it is advised to avoid direct UV rays (sunlight or sun-beds) for approximately 12 hours after use.
All citrus oils, except Bergamot have a short shelf life and at bottling, a small amount of antioxidant preservative is added to delay the oxidation (the oil chemically combines to oxygen changing its structure). This results due to the oil being exposed to air. Once oxidized there is a higher risk of the oil triggering an allergic skin reaction. Therefore, it should be used within six months of the initial opening.
Grapefruit oil is believed to reduce cellulite and fluid retention, as well as reducing muscle aches and pains when massaged into the affected area. It helps drain toxic waste, however the massage itself also stimulates lymphatic drainage, which also helps the removal of present toxins. Its sweet smell may also be used in skin lotions, hair tonics and bath oils. Sparse use is good for oily skin, scalp conditions and acne since it has a gentle astringent and tonic effect. Finally, its zingy fragrance brings about a feeling of lightness and wellbeing.
Petitgrain
Petitgrain can ease tension, anxiety, mild depression and other stress-related disorders. Being produced by steam distillation of the leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree Citrus aurantium var or Citrus bigaradia. Native to Southeast Asia, the tree now grows throughout the Mediterranean and sub-tropic areas worldwide.
Originally around Grasse, France the oil was produced in distilleries from the unripe oranges when they were the size of cherries (petitgrains which means ‘little grains’). However this proved to be uneconomical and so the oil began being extracted from the leaves and twigs of the orange tree instead.
The pale yellow or amber liquid with its reminiscent aroma of orange blossoms with a bitter, woody-herbaceous undertone is usually perceived as being cooling, relaxing and uplifting. Previously the oil was solely used in perfumery but it has now been found to have properties, which help nervous tension, anxiety, palpitations and mild depression. Working best when a few drops are added to a warm bath or in conjunction with a massage. It also has antiseptic properties.
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