Swathy and Sky

Rice Water for Skin, Hair and Health

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The craze of using rice water is catching up very fast. If you have not yet heard of it, rice water is highly beneficial for certain health issues and also in taking care of the skin and hair. Let us first see the health benefits:

  • instantly energizes the body due to the high concentration of carbohydrates
  • provides instant relief from diarrhea
  • has been used successfully to treat gastroenteritis
  • prevents cancer
  • controls high blood pressure
  • helps in preventing Alzheimer’s disease
  • reduces the body temperature or internal heat of the body
  • prevents constipation
In short, I would say it provides all the health benefits that eating rice would provide. But, more than that, rice water has been used as a face wash and a hair wash.
  • Washing your face with rice water makes your skin very soft and it also helps in improving the complexion
  • Is a great substitute for toner and firms up your skin
  • Helps in reducing the size of the pores on your skin
  • Washing your hair with rice water brings shine in the hair and helps to keep it healthy. Follow up with cold water rinse.
  • Use rice water as part of your face, body and hair masks and scrubs
  • Use rice water for having bath or pour rice water in the tub or bucket
  • Powdered rice grains are also used as body scrub and they make your skin extra soft
How to make rice water?
I have read at many places that the water used to wash rice prior to cooking is rice water. But, that is not the actual rice water. You may collect it but it will not give you the full benefits. Instead, you should boil the rice in more water than usual quantity you use so that the rice does not absorb all the water and strain the extra water. This water is the actual rice water which is full of nutritional benefits. You may drink it or let it cool to use as a face wash or a hair wash. You may even garnish it with various spices and herbs. Read this article for step by step instruction on how to cook rice water.
Watch the video to learn how you can use rice water in various ways. But, make sure you cook the rice water the proper way.

Teeth Grinding: Are you or your child suffering from this habit?

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This is a little out of my way topic. But, I am used to teeth grinding sometimes. And, it increases so much sometimes that I think I’m going to break or chip my teeth. I know that this is a very common symptom which has many causes like Stress, not enough sleep, personality adjustment problems, due to certain medications or even due to an inception of a certain disease. Teeth Grinding is more of a common habit among children and teens and is more intense during night while they are asleep. You should never ignore this trait in your children or you as it can be a symptom for something more serious.
There is one more aspect to teeth grinding which is not often talked about. You or your kid may be having worms in your stomach. The parasites enter the body through different means like food, water, air and stay in the intestines and feed on the food you eat and grow. Sometimes, they can reach to alarming lengths and can be excreted through the feces of the infected person. If you have just begun to grind your teeth, it can be simply cured with a de-worming medication which you can take on the advice of your doctor. Generally, the prescription is two tablets: one at a time and the other tablet to be followed after a week of the first medication. And, if you have worms excreting out of you, you should immediately visit the doctor. In case the teeth grinding does not stop, you should consult a doctor for a thorough check up.

Benefits of Pineapple for Skin

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We have talked about so many fruits which are good for skin. Today, I would be talking about Pineapple. Like papaya, pineapple is great for anti-aging skin care. Following are some tips to use pineapple for your skin:
  • Extract pineapple juice and apply with a cotton ball on your face. Do not let it stay more than 5 minutes. It is rich in Alpha-Hydroxy Acids which slows down the aging process.
  • You can mash a very ripe pineapple and apply it on your face. Same precautions go for it too.You can add honey to pineapple or you can even add any other ingredients you feel like.
  • Cut a slice of pineapple and use it as a loofah to scrub your body while taking a shower.
  • Rub slices of pineapple on rough areas of the skin or on dark spots and blemishes to reduce them. But, always take care to wash off after 5 minutes. If you keep pineapple more than 5 minutes, the acids in the fruit would burn your skin.
  • Applying pineapple is one of the best home remedies for wrinkles, moles and warts.
  • Drink pineapple juice as frequently as possible or eat pineapple everyday. It is as good for health as much for skin. It helps with heart and kidney problems, has protein digesting enzyme, has proved beneficial for women suffering from irregular and painful periods and is an effective remedy for sore throats and colds.