Swathy and Sky

Benefits of Neem leaves

· · 306 Comments

Today, I would be sharing with you some home remedies which use neem leaves. Neem is the best natural medicine available. It can take care of things from skin disorders to health problems. We will talk about the beauty aspects of neem.

  • I know this one is the most difficult. Chew everyday 2-3 leaves of Neem. I know it sounds disgusting. Believe me, it tastes really horrible. I have done it. At last, I could not bear to chew so I started swallowing the leaves. Wash them properly before in taking them. Do not boil them. A help would be take them with honey or jaggery. And, follow it up with a glass of water. Do not worry if you vomit in the starting days. Your body and taste buds will adapt gradually to it. And, the results are too good to ignore. In take of neem leaves would clean your system internally, improve the body metabolism and toxins elimination process. It would clean your blood of impurities and as a result, give you a clear skin. It even helps you get rid of constipation and improves your immune system.
  • You can boil neem leaves in water and pour the water in your bath tub or use it for bathing. It would get rid of all skin disorders gradually. It helps in getting rid of bacteria at private parts and even the repelling body odor.
  • If you get any skin allergy, boil the neem leaves and apply the water on the allergy after letting it cool. Chilled will work even better. It will soothe your skin. And, the allergy will subside in a day or two. Last September, I had got this severe allergy which my dermatologist could not even diagnose. It had subsided with application of neem water.You can even apply neem paste on your allergies. I think it should be more effective.
  • You can store the neem water in small batches and use it to make face packs. It would be great help with pimples and acne.
  • If you get hold of neem oil, it treats acne really quick. Applying neem oil keeps your skin safe from any bacteria and fungal infection.
  • Of course, I forget to mention. Chewing neem leaves would help with cleaning your teeth also. And, just in case, you are thinking that you can substitute neem leaves with neem water. Do not do that. Because, when you boil neem leaves, a strange pungent odor comes which will repel you from drinking the water. Surely, you would even lose you apetite, the odor is that strong.
  • You can make a neem face pack by grinding the neem leaves with some water. It is a great face mask for anti-bacterial purposes. It heals acne really quick.
  • In case of any nicks and cuts, injuries and skin burns, you can apply neem oil, neem water or neem leaves paste over it. It gives great relief.
  • Neem can also be a part of the refreshing face spray.
  • Dry the neem leaves well under sun and powder them. Make small pouches containing the powder and put several of these pouches in your cupboards. Your cupboards would be free of moth infestation. And, you do not have to bother with changing the pouches everyday. They will work up to an year. You can replace them again after an year. You may put your favorite essential oil in the neem leaves powder to impart a pleasant fragrance to your cupboards and clothes.

Are your salons hygienic enough?

· · 1 Comment

Today, I would like to share with you a new article I read few days back. It talks about hygiene at salons. How much do we know about the cleanliness of the salons? Every thing that glitters is not gold. This cliche applies to the cleanliness of the salons too. Yes, we all go to the high class ones present at some posh area of the city and which charges accordingly for the services. But, what do we know about the lurking bacterias present in the wax used or the hair and skin tools.

The article says specifically that the wax should never be left open to air. It can attract a lot of bacteria which can enter during the waxing procedure. I read it after my visit to the salon and I remember distinctly that the utensil containing wax had been left open. Moreover, the hygiene practiced by the therapist. What if she has some bacteria on her hands. We all know that everyone is not used to the too hot wax temperatures on the body and everyone’s body has a different adaptability. If you find that a therapist is not doing her services according to your comfort, immediately request a change. Or, better, never go back to the salon. It has happened with me and believe me, that shows its effect later. And, I am sure, many people would have faced this.
Many of the tools used are not disposable in the salons like the wash basins, hair combs and brushes, manicure and pedicure sets. And, God knows, how many times they have been used on what kind of people. So, prefer to carry your set of tools with you. Of course, you can not carry a wash basin. I am talking about manicure and pedicure sets and the hair combs and brushes and anything else according to the service you are getting done like a blackhead remover for a facial. The article stresses on the fact that maximum brunt is born by the people who get manicures and pedicures.

“A previous client could have had a wart or fungal infection and if the tools are not washed properly, the infection can get transferred,”

And, the best way to judge the cleanliness of the salon can be to have a look at the bathroom. So, next time you visit a salon, do not forget to use the bathroom and inspect it closely. After all, its going to be you who will suffer for any misgivings of the salon.

Eye Care: Home Remedies

· · 8 Comments

Last time, I talked about eye care. Today, I would like to talk to you about some home remedies which can help us combat problems like dark circles, puffy eyes and wrinkles.

Dark Circles. 
  • Place chilled slices of cucumber or Apple on your eyes and relax for 10-15 minutes. Do this daily and you will see results in a week or two.
  • Apply chilled tea bags or cotton balls to your eyes. They also work in same way.
  • Place chilled inverted tea spoons on your eyes.
  • Saturate cotton balls with chilled milk and place them on your eyes. Milk provides relief to your eyes, helps in lightening the color and cleanses the eye area gently.
  • Apply herbal tea (green tea preferably) on your eye area with cotton balls. This would also clean your eyes.
Puffy Eyes.
  • Apply warm tea bags on your eyes.
  • Put a slice of freshly cut fig on your eye bags and see them disappear magically.
  • Slice of potato also works beautifully on puffy eyes.
  • Cold compresses are good.
Wrinkles.
  • Put a thin layer of egg white under your eyes to remove the wrinkles.
  • Pure castor oil prevents formation of wrinkles.
  • Massage pure coconut oil gently on the area having wrinkles at bed time.
  • Mix turmeric with sugarcane juice and apply to prevent wrinkles and slow aging.
  • Rub a slice of pineapple or green apple on your wrinkles.
  • Mix lemon juice with honey and apply several times a day to fade away wrinkles.
Other home remedies.