Natural Ingredients for Your Hair Care

Natural Ingredients for Your Hair Care

Henna Powder

Any tips you hear from anybody are suggestive; you can try them, but if they don’t work for you, ditch them!

1. Shea Butter:
Comes from a tree native to Africa which has soothing, moisturizing and protecting effects, also known as Butyrospermum Parkii. It displays a protective role against UV rays because of its cinnamic acid content. Shea Butter returns luster to skin and hair, and also protects the skin and scalp, especially in over-processed and/or heat treated hair.

2. Chamomile:
Is a member of the daisy family and is an herb that purifies, calms and soothes with virtually no adverse effects so it can be used for long periods of time. The active ingredients in chamomile are called essential oils and flavonoids which are good for healing skin and scalp irritations.

3. Sunflower Oil:
Has high amounts of Vitamins A, B, D and E, minerals, lecithin, insulin, and unsaturated fatty acids and is an excellent moisturizer because of its emollients. Emollients are known to soften skin and hair without leaving an oily residue.

4. Avocado Oil:
Is a rich heavy oil, more penetrating than most oils. It is therefore good for dry hair and skin. It is obtained from the pulp of the avocado pear and has a deep green color. It is stable, natural oil, rich in vitamin E. Avocado also contains Vitamins A, B1, B2, D, and Beta carotene. It is classified as monosaturated oil and is best suited for dry hair and skin.

5. Witch Hazel:
Is extracted from the bark and leaves of the Hamamelis tree and is an astringent and gentle cleanser which removes build-up on the hair as well as the scalp; it also helps to fight dandruff.

6. Olive Oil:
Is obtained directly from the olive after it has been harvested. It is made into a paste from which the oil is collected. Olive oil conditions and improves the strength and elasticity of the hair, helping to prevent breakage. It’s also very good for "frizzy" and damaged hair. 

Image source:By I, Alex Ex, CC BY 2.5, $3  Olive oil  https://en.wikipedia.org/

7. Honey:
Naturally attracts and holds moisture. It is also a natural antiseptic and contains antioxidants. Honey is packed with vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, sulphur, iron, zinc and vitamins B1, B2, B3, which aid in hair growth. It can be added to conditioners, rinses and pomades.

8. Aloe Vera:
Known as the true or medicinal aloe, aloe vera is a species of succulent plants now widely used as a moisturizer and can also be used as a gel to re-twist locked hair. Aloe Vera is also used for soothing the skin, and keeping the skin moist while eliminating the risk of flaky scalp in harsh and dry weather.

9. Henna and ayurvedic herbs:
Henna and ayurvedic herbs will strengthen your hair, add gorgeous shine, protect it from the elements, and help it grow stronger, longer and healthier. There will be persons who don’t want color. There are other ayurvedic herbs that are perfect to use for their varying needs and give you all the benefits of using henna.

a. Organic Cassia Obovata: This herb has all the benefits of henna, but it doesn't color dark toned hair. It has a very low yellow dye molecule and it will show on blond or grey hair with a golden tone. It isn’t as long term as henna and should be used every 3-4 weeks. This is a staple ayurvedic herb, as is henna, when recommending herbal hair treatments. This herb and henna can be used with any other herbs. Can be mixed and used within 15 minutes. For golden tones you can allow dye release from 3-4 hours. It will not lighten hair.

b. Organic Amla Powder: This herb is widely use to promote hair growth. It also tones down the red of henna. Some don’t want the amla to affect their color results, so they can use it as a separate hair treatment, especially so if they want to tighten up their curls from the loosening affects of henna. Amla can be added directly to the henna powder or cassia obovata. Can be mixed and used within 15 minutes.

c. Shikakai: It helps strengthen hair from its roots. It is known as a natural hair cleanser and has a very low pH. It won’t strip the hair of its natural oils, and also acts as a detangler. Can be mixed and used within 15 minutes.

d. Brahmi: This herb makes hair denser, long, shiny and dark toned. Controls dandruff, reduces premature grey, reduces the amount of hair hair loss, and strengthens hair at its roots. Can be mixed and used within 15 minutes.

e. Bhringraj: It helps prevent hair loss, stops premature graying, and helps get rid of dandruff. Can be mixed and used in 15 minutes

Hair Care Tips For Any Length and Style

Hair Care Tips For Any Length and Style

Regardless of its length or style, we all want one thing: a healthy, great looking head of hair. But the first step to having healthy, luxurious hair is to know its exact type. Is it oily, dry or normal? It your hair naturally curly or straight? Are you troubled by dandruff? Has your hair been processed in some way? Is it brittle or strong? Knowing your true starting point will allow you to better care for your hair and keep it looking its absolute best.

With short hairstyles, it’s important to protect your hair and your scalp every time you are in the sun. Look for protective styling products, and be sure to wear a hat to avoid sunburn. If your hair is short and curly, you should know that curly hair tends to break easier and needs more moisture than other types of hair.The key to keeping medium-length to long hair beautiful and healthy looking is to protect it from split ends and becoming brittle. The longer hair is, the heavier it is, and as a result, more prone to breakage. If you have long or medium-length hair, never use a rubber band to pull your hair back into a ponytail as they can pull and damage hair. Instead, use a something elastic that is covered in a soft cloth to avoid breaking the delicate hair shafts.

Here are a few simple do’s and don’ts to remember for every length and style of hair :


6 Essential Hair Care Do’s :

- Do gently brush your hair each night before going to bed as it will stimulate blood flow to your scalp and promote healthy hair growth.

- Do be sure to hold the hair dryer at least six to eight inches away from your hair and keep it moving at all times to avoid scorching the hair.

- Do gently wash your hair using a mild shampoo suitable for your type of hair with lukewarm water.

- Do use a conditioner to keep your hair manageable, healthy, and free of tangles.

- Do be sure to drink plenty of water and follow a balanced diet. Many people aren’t aware of the important role that proper nutrition plays regarding healthy hair care. Water is essential to keep your body and hair properly hydrated.

- Do try to avoid touching your hair unnecessarily as the oils from your hands can cause your hair to lose its luster and become dirtier faster.

6 Essential Hair Care Don’ts :

- Don’t brush wet hair, use a comb instead to avoid pulling and risking breakage.

- Don’t blow-dry your hair every day, the constant heat will cause it to become brittle and prone to breakage. Likewise, use your curling iron on the lowest possible setting.

- Don’t over process your hair using strong dyes and chemicals. If you do relax your hair or have it permanently waved, be sure to wait as long as possible in between treatments to avoid over processing and damage.

- Don’t change your hair color to more than three shades, in either direction, lighter or darker, to avoid excessive damage.

- Don’t wash your hair in extra hot water, instead use warm, and use cool water for the final rinse.
- Don’t allow stress to adversely affect your health, including your hair.

Nail Care Tips

Nail Care Tips

The nail is made of a hard protein called keratin. A protein is one of the building blocks which make up the body. The nail care help protect the ends of the fingers and toes from trauma and also help us pick up small objects.

Over the last hundred years, the nails have become more important for cosmetic reasons and less important for protection.

Manicuring is the care of the hands and nails. Basic manicuring should be done once a week.  Nice looking, neat, natural nails require care and proper manicuring. A shortish nail that is straight across the top with rounded edges is the current in style shape.  Other shapes include square, round, and oval.

1. Infections
- you may have a nail fungus infection if your nails go crumbly and whitish/yellowish and separate from the nail bed
- hangnails or loose skin around the sides of your nails should be trimmed with a shape scissor or nail nipper to reduce the risk of skin tearing or infections getting into the skin

2. Basic Nail Care
- Wash hands with mild soap, using a nailbrush.
- Soak the hands in warm water for a few minutes to soften the cuticles (the bits of skin at the bottom of the nails).
- Very gently push back the cuticles if they are long and ragged.
- Trim the nails to the same length, cutting off any snaggy or spiky bits.
- File the ends of the nails to smooth them off.
- If your hands are dry, apply some hand cream (it doesn't have to be the girly stuff that stinks of flowers, lads).
- Try not to bite your nails.

3. Filing Nails:
- file the nail when the free edge is 1/4 th  long (otherwise the nail will weaken)
- file from the corner of the nail towards the center in one direction.
- Should be done whenever necessary (sharp edges, weekly basis)

4. Buffing Nails:
- gives nails a shinier finish
- don't go back and forth to create heat - does damage to the nail
- should not be done all the time

5. Clean Nails:
- clean the nails from oils, lotions, and old polish
- ensure the nails are dry before beginning your new manicure

6. Base Coat:
- the base coat protects the nail from staining and keeps the polish from chipping (so it lasts longer)

7. Applying Polish:
- two thin layers of polish looks better than one thick layer
- apply polish to the sides and finish through the centre to keep a nice finish to the polish
- ensure the polish is thin enough prior to applying to the nail Drying Time:
- allow several minutes for polish to dry before applying the next coat
- drying time allows the next coat to adhere properly to the first coat
- dark shades need more time to dry

8. Top Coat:
- apply to nail once last coat of polish has dried completely

9. Moisturize:
- after nails are completely dry, apply moisturizer to hand and nails especially the cuticles

10. Cuticle Oil:
- massage into the cuticle to moisturize and soften dry spots on the cuticles

11. Bed Time:
- apply cream to nail and hands before going to bed

Taking care of your feet

Taking care of your feet

Foot care is important as foot problems are a common complication of diabetes. Your feet can be affected in two ways. Your blood supply may be affected, resulting in slower healing, and you may also lose some feeling in your feet due to nerve damage.

1. Take care of your diabetes.
 Work with your health care team to keep your blood sugar within a good range.

2. Check your feet every day.
Look at your bare feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots, and swelling.

Use a mirror to check the bottoms of your feet or ask a family member for help if you have trouble seeing.

3. Wash your feet every day.
Wash your feet in warm, not hot, water every day.

Dry your feet well. Be sure to dry between the toes.

4. Keep the skin soft and smooth.
Rub a thin coat of skin lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes.

5. Smooth corns and calluses gently.
If your feet are at low risk for problems, use a pumice stone to smooth corns and calluses.
Don’t use over-the-counter products or sharp objects on corns or calluses .

6 . If you can see and reach your toenails, trim them each week or when needed.
Trim your toenails straight across and file the edges with an emery board or nail file.

7. Wear shoes and socks at all times.
Never walk bare foot .

Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and protect your feet.

Feel inside your shoes before putting them on each time to make sure the lining is smooth and there are no objects inside.

8.  Protect you feet from hot and cold.
Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pave m e n t .

Wear socks at night if your feet get cold.

Don’t test bath water with your feet.

Don’t use hot water bottles or heating pads.

9. Keep the blood flowing to your feet.
Put your feet up when sitting.

Wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and down for 5 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day.

Don’t cross your legs for long periods of time.

Don’t smoke.

10.  Be more active.
Plan your physical activity program with your doctor.

11.  Check with your doctor.
Have your doctor check your bare feet and find out whether you are likely to have serious foot problems. Remember that you may not feel the pain of an injury.

Call your doctor right away if you find a cut, sore, blister, or bruise on your foot that does not begin to heal after one day.

Follow your doctor’s advice about foot care.

12. Get started now.
Begin taking good care of your feet today.

Set a time every day to check your feet.

Tips for daily foot care

*Inspect your feet daily. Carefully look at your feet. Check between your toes and if necessary use a mirror to check underneath your feet .

*Look for swelling, redness, heat that may be a sign of infection .

*Wash feet every day and dry well between the toes .

*Use methylated spirits if there is a lot of moisture between the toes .

*Moisturise dry skin, especially cracked heals (eg Sorbolene cream) but not between the toes .

*Calluses may be treated with careful use of a pumice stone .

Do not use blades or sharp instruments.

Take care of your feet for a lifetime.

Pregnancy Care II

Pregnancy Care II

1. REGIME: The mother should take utmost care during pregnancy as the delicate fetus lies within her stomach. Climbing stairs, repeated bending as well as sitting in difficult postures should be avoided. Jerks can also be harmful and so a pregnant mother should avoid traveling in rickshaws, carriages and two wheeler. It is a wrong conception that a pregnant lady should be taking rest all the time. She has to, like normal times, wake up early and do a little bit of work, take a walk especially two to three hours after lunch  or in the evening. The pregnant woman must wear clothes that are loose and comfortable and which do not exert any kind of pressure on any part of her body.

2. MENTAL STATE: The expectant mother should always be in a healthy state of mind. This is because the negative emotions (like fear, apprehension, worries, grief, anxiety, irritability, etc.) affect not only her own health but also the health of the fetus. During severe depression in the pregnant mother, there is markedly reduced motility of the fetus and sometimes an extension of the gestational age. So an atmosphere of joy
and gaiety should be maintained for the pregnant woman as far as possible. She should spend more time in hobbies like reading good old time stories, knitting, painting, listening to good music, meditating, etc. and should also go for gentle walks and do plenty of mild, non-vigorous exercises.

3. THINGS TO AVOID: Smoking, drinking alcohol and taking any drugs or medications without her doctor's advice is to be strictly avoided. The pregnant woman should avoid undergoing any X-ray, including the dental ones, since they are known to contribute to the development of cancer, not only in the mother, but also in the children in the later years. Also she should avoid any oil massages. The mother-to-be is also advised to avoid excessive use of salt, refined sugar, harmful spices (like white vinegar, black and white pepper and mustard), coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks and food products made from white flour.

4. LABOR:  It is a process through which the product of conception is expelled from the uterus into the outside world. Labor is often preceded by agitation, nervous trembling, lowness of spirits, weepy disposition, etc. The patient may complain of loose stools a day or two before labor, which should not be interfered with. There are intense pains in the abdomen that are associated with passage of water and a slight discharge of reddish mucus called as a "show" that helps further the process of labor. The process of labor may be protracted in women in their first confinement.

Natural childbirth at home or in any familiar surrounding under the assistance of a registered medical practitioner is by far the most effective to help ease the mother during labor. When the expectant mother complains of labor pain, ask her to drink plenty of fluids, urinate at least once every hour or two, apply hot compresses on the lower abdomen to ease the pain, keep taking deep breaths and try to relax. Ask the expectant father to stay by his wife all the time. After delivery the mother should be kept perfectly quiet, both in body and mind and loud noise, strong odors and anything that can excitement her should be avoided. The discharges that take place after confinement are called as "lochia" and they tend to vary from person to person. In some it can be thin and scanty whereas in others it may be profuse and can continue for several weeks. The discharge is initially red in color, but gradually grows lighter, becoming yellowish and then whitish and then it completely ceases. In cases where the discharge continues for too long or is too profuse or if suppressed suddenly, medical assistance is required.

PREGNANCY CARE

PREGNANCY CARE

Source:http://www.usda.gov/oc/photo/02cs2059.htm

The blood of the mother is the sole source of nourishment for the child and so should be kept pure and healthy by taking a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and micronutrients.

The following are some advises regarding the diet and other factors for the pregnant woman that helps to prevent any complications and aids the mother to have a normal delivery of a healthy baby:

1. A strict vegetarian diet is very important to be taken by the mother during the nine months of pregnancy; since it is a good source of minerals, vitamins, trace elements and enzymes which will favorably influence the growth and formation of the fetus. Most vegetables should be eaten raw in the form of a salad. Some vegetables, such as potatoes, yams and green beans can be taken cooked, steamed  or  baked. Vegetables containing an excess of oxalic acid, such as spinach (palak), rhubarb (revandchini) and cabbage should be boiled in water for around five minutes, before eating. The proteins in alfalfa, parsley and potatoes are comparable to the protein in milk in their biological value.

2. Garlic and onions contain sulphur and selenium, very important trace elements for the pregnant woman and so should be included in the daily diet.

3. All grains and seeds are rich sources of vitamins (especially vitamin E and B complex vitamins) and unsaturated fatty seeds and these should be had in the sprouted form since sprouting increases the nutritive value of the seeds. Wheat, mung, beans, alfalfa and soyabeans make excellent sprouts.

4. Soyabeans, buckwheat, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds and peanuts all contain complete proteins of high biological value.

5. Roasted peanuts are taken with jaggery and cow or goat milk.

6. Almonds are of tremendous importance for the development and nourishment of the child's brain. Soak daily about ten almonds overnight in water and then the next day morning peel off the skin and then grind it into a paste with a few drops of water and take it daily, freshly made.

7. Foods rich in iron are very important to be taken daily. The  sources of iron are almonds, apples, apricots, avocados, bajra, bananas, beet root, Bengal gram, black berries, black currants, blackstrap molasses, brewer's yeast, cashewnuts, coriander leaves, drumstick (saijan ki phalli), dry dates, dried plums (also called as prunes), egg  yolk, figs (anjeer), fish, jaggery, jawar, kelp, legumes, lettuce, lintels, liver, meat, methi, nuts, parsley, peaches, pears, pistachios, pumpkins, radish leaves, raisins, rice, sesame seeds, soybeans, spinach (palak), sprouted grains, strawberries, watermelon and whole wheat.

8. Fruits are an excellent source of minerals, vitamins and enzymes and are easily digested and have a cleansing effect on the blood and the digestive tract. Dried fruits should be pre-soaked before eating. Fruits are best eaten for breakfast or as a snack between the meal times.

9. Calcium is another important mineral for a growing fetus. It helps in the development of eyes and the skeletal system and so low-fat milk, cheese and yogurt should be taken daily.

10. Other calcium-rich foods are almonds (unblanched), asparagus, beans, brewer's yeast,

11. Brazil nuts, cereals fortified with calcium, citrus fruits, figs (anjeer), fish (like mackerel, salmon, sardines and shellfish), green leafy vegetables (like blackstrap molasses, broccoli, cabbage, chick-peas, collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, etc.;  except spinach), lime, oats, peanuts, peas, prunes (dried plums), sesame seeds, soybean, sunflower seeds, tofu, wheat and whole-grain cereals.

12. Thyme tea speeds up delivery.