History

Do It Yourself

Articles

Comments

Awards

Gallery viewing

Plantology Workshops with Schools

Plantology Workshops

Article
Femina Beauty (May,2006)

                                                  GARDEN BEAUTY


Make your own therapeutic solutions.                                                        

Radhika Anand tells you about the uses of plants from your own garden. 

Of the vast range of  beauty products available today, many are over packaged, using chemical preservatives and produced through exploitation and cruelty to animals.  If you have the time, it is  enjoyable and reassuring to be able to prepare simple cosmetics from the herbs in your own garden or kitchen; they have a lovely, gentle fragrance.  Using pure, fresh and therapeutic ingredients, you know exactly what has gone into making them.  In mixing your own herbal beauty products, you follow a tradition that goes back to the time of the Egyptian Pharaohs.

HERBS

TURMERIC

An indispensable ingredient of the Indian kitchen, turmeric is a rhizomatous plant, widely grown in India and used for culinary and medicinal purposes.  Mix 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric in one cup of wrm milk and drink for overall health.  For dull and lifeless skin, mix one teaspoon of 'besan' (gram flour) and one teaspoon cream, make a paste and apply as 'ubtan' before taking a bath.  Do not use soap after this.

SAGE

Sage is a small plant about 60 centimetres in height having woody stems and grayish green leaves.  It is known to be an anti-aging herb.  

HOLY BASIL

'Tulsi' is a very important plant with many medicinal uses.  It purifies the air and increases purity of mind.  'Tulsi' also promotes longevity, so a few leaves should be eaten throughout the year.

ALOE VERA

Aloe Vera, a succulent plant has high medicinal value.  It tastes very bitter but after some time the taste turns sweet.  The juice, powder and gel of Aloe Vera are used to treat many kind of disorders.

Aloe is the best home remedy for burns, sunburns, boils etc.  Simply cut off a piece of a leaf, squeeze the juice and apply it externally.  It can be grown in a greenhouse or on a windowsill.

BRAHMI

Brahmi is a tiny creeper, which grows like a weed hidden in the moist areas around riverbanks and ponds.  It is an excellent remedy for improving memory and for promoting sound sleep.  It also purifies the blood.  Taken with milk, it is helpful in promoting sound sleep and reduces tension and stress related disorders.

PARSLEY

Parsley is a perennial herb with dark green shiny curled leaves.  It is rich in ascorbic acid and a good blood cleaner.  Mild astringent such as infusions of parsley can be splashed and patted on to the face to leave it feeling clean and fresh.

MARGOSA

Better known as neem is a big tree and a known air purifier and plant of great medicinal value.  The leaves are used for curing dandruff and skin ailments.  For skin problems soak a bunch of Neem leaves in a bucket of water, keep in the sun for a few hours and use this water for bathing.

CURRY LEAVES

The curry leaf tree is a deciduous tree, smaller than the neem in size.  It is a herbal tonic.  For premature graying of hair curry leaf chutney should be eaten everyday.  Char a handful of curry leaves in 25 ml coconut oil.  Cool, strain and massage on the scalp.  A good remedy to stop graying of hair.

ROSEMARY

A classic herb to use is rosemary especially to give a lovely sheen to dark hair.  Mild astringent such as infusion of rosemary can be splashed and patted on to the face to leave it feeling clean and fresh.

HENNA

Probably the oldest hair dye of all is henna, known to have been used by the ancient Egyptians, and in the following centuries, throughout the East, India and the Arabic world.  It has gained much religious and mystical significance, its vivid red colour representing the fire and blood of the earth.  Henna is painted on to the hands, feet and nails in intricate patterns similar to the paisley swirls of printed cloth, at times of festivity, for example marriage ceremonies.  Henna colours the hair a rich orange brown, giving red highlights to black or dark brown hair, but being too orange for those with fair skin.  Since henna is not only a hair colourant, but also and excellent conditioner, people with lighter coloured hair can still benefit from its use.

INDIAN GOOSEBERRY

Also known as Emblic Myrobalan 'aoula' is a fruit which is a storehouse of vitamin C.  It imparts youthfulness.  Charred in coconut oil, it is good for premature graying hair.

MARIGOLD

Minor burns or in the pain of sunburn this herb is very useful.  Marigold petals, applied either as a compress or poultice or the soothing homeopathic calendula cream also made from marigold.  Marigold helps in healing skin problems and is also very effective as a skin healer.

CHAMOMILE 

Classic herb to use for fair hair.  Chamomile is the good tonic herb to use for dry or sun-damaged fair hair.  Springs of the fresh herb can be picked from the garden and hung in small bunches from the hot tap so that the falling water extracts their scents as it enters the bath.  Mild astringent such as infusion of chamomile can be splashed and patted on to the face to leave it feeling clean and fresh.