Castor oil is great for thickening and regrowing hair, eyelashes and eyebrows

Castor oil is often overlooked for its benefits for the skin and hair because of its extremely thick and sticky consistency. However, if you’re looking for a cheap, natural remedy for several common skin and hair complaints, then castor oil is definitely worth your time.

Castor oil for regrowing and thickening hair, eyelashes and eyebrows

I first stumbled on castor oil as a remedy for regrowing thin eyebrows. I had over-plucked my brows back in the nineties when it was the hip thing to have pencil thin brows, and they never did quite recover. It became necessary for me to pencil in the “bald” spots and I missed the natural look of real hair where these spots were missing.

I read about castor oil as a remedy for thinning brows and hair, and thought I’d try it. I bought a hexane free, organic and cold pressed castor oil and started applying it to my eyebrows every night after washing my face. After about three months, I noticed my brows were noticeably thicker (and they seemed to be growing in darker as well), and attributed it to the nightly application of castor oil.

I’m not the only one that this has worked for. So, why would castor oil help you regrow hair – both on your head and the other two important places, the eyebrows and the eyelashes.

Castor oil is high in ricinoleic acid. This acid is a very effective natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent. This can help keep any fungus or bacteria from inhibiting hair growth. Since the oil is also very thick, it may help to prevent hair loss simply by helping to coat the hair and protect it from falling out.

Castor oil is also high in omega 9 fatty acids, which are nourishing to both the hair and the follicle, as well as the surrounding skin. Castor oil has a unique ability to be deeply penetrating, and this helps it to deliver its nourishment deeply into the pores and the follicles that produce hair.

It also has a high gloss, so it lends a lush glossiness and shine to the hair. A little goes a long way, and it is best to only add a tiny bit to the very ends of your hair instead of putting it up near the scalp if you’re just looking for a natural hair smoother.

Simply put about two drops on your hands and rub, then smooth through the ends. If you use too much, there is a fine line between subtle shine and a heavy greasiness so go very light until you figure out the amount that works right for your hair type.

If you’re looking to regrow the hair on your head, you can use castor oil as a scalp treatment. However it can be tricky to get on the scalp without thinning it out with a lighter oil. You can add some melted coconut oil, apricot kernel oil or another lighter oil to help get it spreadable enough.

If you’re simply looking to help thicken hair that is thinning at the edges of your hairline, you can use pure castor oil, with a light hand of course. Another use is to apply the oil to eyelashes to help thicken and strengthen them, as well as to help prevent thinning and shedding.

Castor oil for scar tissue reduction and shiny, smooth lips

Many attest to the wonders castor oil offers for keloid types of scars and other scars that involve a lot of hardened scar tissue. This is presumably due to its ability for deep penetration through multiple skin layers.

Because castor oil softens the skin so much, the thought is that this softening helps to break down deep scar tissue so it may be smoothed out. In addition, castor oil has shown promise as a white blood cell stimulating agent. Studies have also shown that castor bean oil helps reduce the inflammatory response in subcutaneous tissue. This may be why it seems to speed wound healing, and may also contribute to its ability to reduce scarring more quickly.

Castor oil is also excellent for the lips. Our lips needs constant protection against the elements. Although our lips regenerate and recover quickly, they also dry out and begin to peel when they are dehydrated.

Castor oil not only smooths the lips with fatty acids, but it also helps protect them due to its naturally thick and immovable nature. In other words, it doesn’t budge without being wiped off. It also imparts a natural shine to the lips, which makes it ideal for both improving the appearance and health of the lips.

Danna Norek is the founder of AuraSensory.com, which offers a line of natural body, skin and hair care products. The Herb Mint Citrus lip balm uses castor oil as one of the primary ingredients to add shine, moisture and protection to the lips (all naturally flavored). Line also includes a Natural Shine Enhancing Shampoo (sulfate free), Deep Hydration Conditioner, natural deodorant and a popular MSM and Vitamin C Face Cream.

Sources for this article include: http://science.naturalnews.com/2010/2015454_Subcutaneous_tissue_reaction_to_castor_oil_bean_and_calcium_hydroxide.html

Apple Cider Vinegar Dosage for Optimum Health Benefits

Apple cider vinegar, a type of vinegar made from apples or cider, has a reputation for being beneficial to the health in numerous ways. But since it is a remedy for various health conditions, therefore it must be taken in the appropriate amount. In this article, we shall discuss the recommended apple cider vinegar dosage for optimum health benefits.

Apple cider vinegar in its raw and unfiltered form contains beneficial bacteria known as probiotics. These bacteria are advantageous to the gut environment in the human body. They can be helpful to treat gastrointestinal issues and boost the immune system. Comparatively, raw apple cider vinegar has more nutrient content than the pasteurized apple cider vinegar. This is because during the pasteurization process, a lot of the nutritious bulk of the living microbes- yeast and probiotic, get eliminated.

In spite of being a popular traditional remedy, the health claims of apple cider vinegar are yet to receive medical science support. However, people still believe in the potency of apple cider vinegar while doctors suppose that its effectiveness could be a placebo effect.

Apple cider vinegar dosage

Apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature. It contains high amounts of acetic acid, which is linked to aiding and benefiting different health conditions and ailments. People with acute acne, diabetes, high blood pressure, and weight issues take apple cider vinegar as a complementary remedy.

Now, apple cider vinegar isn’t a doctor prescribed medication and therefore it is difficult to estimate the correct effective dosage of apple cider vinegar. However, it is crucial to know how much of apple cider vinegar appropriate to take. People who vouch for the efficacy of apple cider vinegar usually take 1 or 2 tablespoons of it diluted with a glass of 8oz water up to three times a day on an empty stomach. Avoid taking apple cider vinegar directly as it is inherently acerbic and always remember to rinse your mouth with water after drinking cider vinegar. Otherwise, the enamel of your teeth could get eroded by the acidic nature of apple cider vinegar.

To treat nasty skin conditions like acne, eczema, etc. you can directly apply it o the affected area with a cotton dab.

Apple cider vinegar and baking soda

The constitutional acidity of apple cider vinegar may not go well with people with acute gastrointestinal problems. Therefore, to reduce the acidity baking soda is combined with apple cider vinegar. According to the American Diabetes Association, the concoction of apple cider vinegar and baking soda could be used to treat diabetes as it can possibly lower glucose level up to 20 percent when taken with a high carbohydrate meal.

You can quickly prepare this tonic of apple cider vinegar and baking soda. Simply add two tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar in a glass. Put 1/8 tablespoon of baking soda followed by water. Drink it immediately on an empty stomach.

The tonic of apple cider vinegar and baking soda helps to alkalize the body. As we know, an acidic body is conducive to many health problems; hence to kill pathogens and inhibit the growth of diseases it is necessary to maintain our body’s pH scale. And this could be easily done by drinking apple cider vinegar and baking soda water regularly.

Three health benefits of apple cider vinegar

#1 Treats diabetes: Apple cider vinegar has the potential to treat type 2 diabetes, which is related to insulin function in the bloodstream. Medical researchers have found that apple cider vinegar is quite effective in controlling blood sugar levels. It can significantly influence our body’s response to sugar and improves insulin sensitivity. It is found that during a high-carb meal, apple cider vinegar cam improves insulin sensitivity by 19-34%, when eating 50 grams of white bread, it can reduce blood sugar by 34%, and taking 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before sleeping reduces fasting blood sugars by 4%.

#2 Controls blood pressure: According to Brenda Skidmore, Holistic Health Expert at Disabled World, apple cider vinegar for blood pressure control is a reliable remedy. High pressure is a common condition in which the pressure of blood against the artery walls is remarkably high. The abnormality in the pressure of blood imminently leads to coronary and heart problems. Apple cider vinegar helps in balancing the body’s pH level. Its acidic nature can erode fat and phlegm depositions in the body and thereby aid in better blood circulation and lower pressure against the artery walls. Apple cider vinegar is also helpful in reducing bad cholesterol which has a positive effect on blood pressure.

#3 Aids weight loss: Apple cider vinegar for weight loss is a rather inconclusive subject. Yes, it can aid in weight loss to a certain effect but to believe that apple cider vinegar will certainly cause weight loss is a questionable claim. Before a high-carb meal, drinking apple cider vinegar will lower glucose level in the blood by blocking the digestion of starch. This will result in a reduction of calorie obtained from the food. Additionally, apple cider vinegar also lowers blood triglycerides and provides a sense of fullness, thereby reducing our food intakes. In this way, apple cider vinegar can aid in weight loss.

Apple cider vinegar has a good nutrient profile that benefits the health in various ways. It is low in sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat, and a very good source of manganese and potassium. Yet, its acetic acid content makes it a tad bit dicey. It could erode the teeth enamel, irritate the throat, and interfere with blood thinning medications. Although two tablespoons of it diluted with 8 oz of water could hardly do any damage, it is advisable to consult with a physician before consuming apple cider vinegar to avoid side effects of drinking too much apple cider vinegar.

3 Miracle Ingredients You Need to Detox Your Skin

-Pollution and dirt from the environment are clogging your pores and damaging your skin;

-Both sun exposure and free radical are big causes of skin damage;

-Toxins from the foods you eat are harming and causing your complexion to suffer;

-The chemicals in some beauty products are causing red, irritated skin and allergies;

-Smoking, as well as other bad habits, are also ruining your skin.

An unhealthy skin will result in wrinkles, acne, pimples, redness and even skin cancer. So it’s time to learn what you can do to avoid the damages to your skin and protect this largest organ in your body properly.

Now you know the importance of detox your skin, but how? A few changes to your skincare routine, life habits and diet may help improve the look of your skin.

Increase the intake of organic vegetables, fruits and drink enough water will help your body detox the toxic chemicals that may result in unhealthy skin. And there are lots of natural ingredients that clear your skin from the inside out.

1-Lemon Juice

Lemon juice helps your liver detox all the organs in your body, including skin. Simply mixed lemon juice with water and drink a cup every day, you will notice the differences in just a few days: fewer wrinkles, less dark or brown spots and it helps with both dry and oily skin types.

Natural Ways to Use Lemon Juice For Skin

Lemon juice + Honey + Aloe Face Wash

Make your face wash by mixing lemon juice, aloe, honey, and water. Wash your face with it every morning.

Natural Lemon Mask

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon powdered milk

1 teaspoon raw honey

A few drops of essential oil that you like

Mix them together and put this mask on your face, wash it off after half an hour.

Homemade Lemon Juice Moisture Cream

Mix equal parts of lemon juice, honey and olive oil, use the mixture on the dry areas on your face and let it stay for 15 minutes before washing off.

2-Pineapple

Pineapple has great anti-inflammatory properties, it makes your skin looks clearer by decreasing the infections and removing toxins from the bloodstream. Pineapple is also a good source of vitamin C, which is an effective acne treatment.

Pineapple Juice Face Wash

Apply pineapple juice onto your face and let it dry, wash it off with cold water. Do it regularly will make your skin clear.

Ripe Pineapple Facial Mask

Mash a ripe pineapple, mix raw honey within and apply it on your face. It makes a simple but very effective facial mask to improve your skin condition.

Pineapple Slices

Rub pineapple slices onto the acne, pimples, dark spots and blemishes to cure them. Keep in mind of that wash it off after 5 minutes, or the acids in pineapple may burn your skin.

3-Turmeric

Turmeric has been widely used as a natural remedy for treating skin problems, this miracle spice contains curcumin, which cleanses your blood, increases circulation and has great anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric also has antibacterial properties, thus helping reduce acne and pimples.

Anti-wrinkle Facial Mask

Mix turmeric powder, rice powder and tomato juice to get a paste, apply it onto your face, it will help peel off the dead skin cells and reduce wrinkles.

Oil-control Mask

Mix sandalwood powder, turmeric powder and orange juice to make a paste, apply it onto your face ad wash it off after 10-15 minutes. This mask works effectively for oily skin.

Turmeric + Lemon Juice + Cucumber Juice

This mask made with turmeric powder, lemon juice and cucumber juice works well to reduce skin tanning and pigmentation. Apply the mask on the affected areas, and rinse off with warm water after 20 minutes.

Sources: everydayhealth.com, mybeautynaturally.com, med-health.net

One cup wonder: How to reuse old coffee grounds

Your cup of joe can do more than perk you up in the morning. From exfoliating your face to removing dirt from tiles, used coffee grounds are useful in more ways than one.

For your skin and body:

• Easy Exfoliant – Combine used coffee grounds with equal parts all-natural oil (we recommend using either olive oil or coconut oil) to create an affordable exfoliant.
• Under-Eye Puffiness Remover – If you’ve got a bad case of under-eye puffiness then coffee grounds can take care of that. Mix the grounds with water and then smear the paste under your eyes. Leave on for 15 minutes and then rinse.
• Cellulite Combatant – More than just removing puffiness, coffee grounds can also be used on cellulite. Rub a mixture of warm water or coconut oil and grounds onto the affected areas and then rinse. Do this everyday for two to four weeks.
• Hair Care – Massage a handful of used coffee grounds into your hair to remove product build-up. The grounds will remove residue without harming your hair.

For your home:

• Bye Bye Dirt – Coffee grounds mixed with soapy water is an inexpensive way to clear away dirt from tiles, pans, grills and kitchen counters.
• Furniture Fixer – Scratches on your furniture? Make a blend of grounds with ¼-cup vinegar and ¼-cup warm water and then set aside for an hour. Use a rag or cotton bud to rub the paste onto the scratched surface.
• Banish Bad Smell – Place a container of used grounds in the back of your refrigerator to get rid of those awful odors. You can also rub grounds on your hands after chopping onions to neutralize the smell.
• Add Some Flavor – Give your brownies that extra punch by replacing milk with used coffee grounds. They also give meat an added dash of flavor when used as tenderizer or seasoning.
• Pet Protector – If your dog or cat has fleas, then a coffee ground rub after rinsing off their shampoo will take care of the pests in their fur.

For your garden:

• Compost and Fertilizer – Used coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, making them ideal for composting and fertilizing. Add one-part old brewed grounds—they need time to break down, so fresh grounds won’t do—to a compost pile of one-part grass clippings and one-part leaves. You can also combine the grounds to the soil of acid-loving plants like tomatoes and roses.
• Pest Prevention – Used coffee grounds are a great alternative to keep your garden safe. Sprinkle grounds around your plants to protect them from slugs, ants, and snails.
• Color Changer – You can alter the color of your hydrangeas with coffee grounds. Adding grounds into the plant soil lowers the pH level and produces hydrangeas with a brighter blue hue.
• Carrot Power – Before sowing carrot seeds, mix them with old, used coffee grounds. Not only will your carrots come out bigger and better, but they’ll be easier to sow.

For your hobbies:

• Simple Sepia – If you like to paint, then mixing coffee grounds with water makes it easier to create sepia-toned paintings.
• New Old Wood – Place one steel wool pad and one tablespoon of coffee grounds in a jar and then fill it up with white vinegar. Set the jar aside for a day and then remove the steel wool while wearing gloves. Rub the wool over wood, wait for it to dry and then repeat to give your wood a silvery glaze.

Sources:

DailyMail.co.uk

TheKitchn.com

NaturalNewsBlogs.com

NaturalLivingIdeas.com

How To Get Rid Of Blackheads And Whiteheads Naturally

Maintaining a clear and beautiful skin, takes time, consistency and effort. Dermatologist may recommend lots of products, but some of them can be expensive and may actually take a long time to work. You can, however, incorporate some home remedies for blackheads and whiteheads into your daily beauty regimen and in a few weeks, you will experience a drastic reduction or even total elimination of the problem.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is an effective blackhead and whitehead remover. Apply a thin paste to your infected areas and let it sit on your face for at least 25 minutes. You will probably feel a burning sensation when you apply the toothpaste, but this is normal and will pass. Once you remove the toothpaste, the top of your blackheads and whiteheads will disappear, but you still need to thoroughly wash your face to remove the buildup underneath. Repeat this home remedy every other day for two weeks.

Tomato

Tomatoes have natural antiseptic properties that dry up whiteheads and blackheads. Peel and mash a small tomato. Apply the tomato pulp to your blackheads and whiteheads before going to bed. Leave the tomato pulp on your face while you sleep and then wash your face in warm water in the morning.

Lemon

Wash your face in warm water. Then, squeeze the juice of one lemon into a bowl. Add in a pinch of salt and stir the mixture. Apply the mixture to your blackheads and whiteheads. Leave the mixture on for approximately 20 minutes and then wash your face with warm water again.

Lime

You can also use equal parts of lime juice and cinnamon powder and apply this mixture to blackheads. Leave it on overnight and rinse it off in the morning.

Cornstarch

Mix about a three-to-one cornstarch to vinegar ratio into a paste. Apply it to your problem areas and let sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Remove the paste with warm water and a washcloth.

Yogurt

Mix three tablespoons of plain yogurt with two tablespoons of oatmeal. Add one teaspoon of olive oil and one tablespoon of lemon juice to the mixture. Stir the mixture thoroughly and apply it to the effective area of the face. Let the mixture sit for five to seven minutes then rinse off with cold water.

Almond or Oatmeal

Mix either oatmeal or almond powder with just enough rose water to make a spreadable paste. Apply it to your problem areas with your fingertips first and then apply it to the rest of your face. Let it set for about 15 minutes and then rinse your face with cold water.

Rice

Soak rice in milk for 5 hours and then grind this in a blender until it is paste-like in consistency. Use the paste as a scrub on affected areas of the body.

Potatoes

Grate raw potatoes and then rub the area with the mixture. Wash it off after 15 minutes.

Fenugreek Leaves

Crush some fenugreek leaves and mix with water to form a paste. Put this on the face for 15 minutes and then remove it. Do this every night to keep your face free of blackheads.

Coriander Leaves

Mix some coriander leaves and a little turmeric powder with water and form a paste. Use this as a mask to eliminate blackheads.

Oatmeal

Grind oatmeal into a powder in a blender and then add some rose water. Use this on affected areas for 15 minutes and then wash it off with cold water.

Baking Soda

Prepare a mixture of equal parts of baking soda and water and rub it onto your face or other body areas prone to blackheads. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.

Honey is also good for removing blackheads. Spread honey on the affected area and remove it after 15 minutes. Remember -Be gentle to your skin. Never pinch, scrape, poke, press, or squeeze too hard!

Source:

fhfn.org