How To Make Sugandhi Utane At Home | Ingredients & Uses
Making Sugandhi Utne At Home – Recipe and Ingredients
Sugandhi Utne is a herbal bath powder that is prepared by mixing several herbs. It is used as ubtan while bathing. It makes the skin free of irritation, acne / pimples and leaves the skin youthful, supple, radiant and flawless.
Use of Sungandhi Utne
Sugandhi Utane or sugandhi Utne is the fragrant therapeutic herbal bath powder that is used in the tradition Royal bath ” Abhayang Snan”.
Abhayang Snan is a bathing ritual performed early morning on Narak Chaturdashi. This ritual includes a full body oil massage followed by a holy bath. In Indian state of Maharashtra a luxurious homemade herbal bath powder is used in place of soap. This fragrant homemade bath powder is called ” Sugandhi Utane”.
Traditionally used ingredients in making Sugandhi Utane
Masoor Dal Powder
Grind Red Lentils to make fine powder
Besan
You can use the regular gram flour that you may be having at home or buy Besan from any grocery / provision store
Turmeric Powder
Crush dried Turmeric root in a mortar and pestle and then grind to fine powder in a mixer grinder)
Amla Powder (Indian Gooseberry Powder)
Buy from a trusted Ayurvedic shop as adulteration is a common problem in powdered herbs / jadi bootis. You can also buy from a good brand that sells online. Amla powder is rich in Vitamin C and has an important role to play in any homemade face / hair mask. Sugandhi utane is not an exception
Vacha Powder
Vacha is the Calamus Root in powdered form. It helps in keeping the skin pimples and acne free.
Anantmool Powder (White Sariva)
It has Anti-oxidant, Anti-microbial and Anti-bacterial properties. Anantmool Churna (powder) helps in dealing with several skin related problems.
Babchi Powder
It helps in reducing pigmentation and brightening the skin. It boost collagen in the skin and makes it even and plump. Babchi powder is derived from the seed of babchi plant.
Nagarmotha ( Nut Grass)
It is known for its fragrance and is thus used in incense making and perfumes. Adding this to the Sugandhi Utane will make the utane fragrant. It is said that the royal princesses used Nut grass in their bathing routine as it imparts glow to the skin and also prevented body odor. That is exactly what it does to your skin when added in the Sugarndhi Utane or any other homemade ubtan.
Rose Petal Powder
Rose petal powder is an anti-oxidant and a natural coolant. It helps in keeping away skin problems like eczema, irritation, acne etc. It is a natural coolant thus it is very soothing for skin .
Rose petal powder is also an essential ingredient of another traditional bath powder i.e Chiksa Powder. It is a herbal bridal Ubtan that a bride to be uses to get radiant flawless skin.
Jatamasi (Spikenard)
This Himalayan herb is an excellent cleanser. It is a wonderful remedy for those whose skin gets exposed to dirt and pollution daily. It fights the free radicals and prevent skin damage. Jatamasi also stimulates collagen production and helps in reducing wrinkles and fine lines, leaving the skin youthful and radiant. Its Sanskrit name is “Kantiprada” which means something that imparts radiance.
Jatamasi is also mentioned in The Holy Bible, the ointment that ‘Mary of Bethany’ used to anoint Jesus’s feet was made from spikenard or Jatamasi.
Kachur (White Turmeric Powder)
Imparts fragrance to the Sugandhi Utane.
Khas (Vetiver in English)
Vetiver root powder helps retain moisture in the skin thus preventing excessive dryness. It also maintain oil balance of the skin. It have soothing and calmin effect as well, thus it is use
How To Make The Traditional Luxury Herbal Bath Powder – Sugandhi Utne At Home
Ingredients For Sugandhi Utne
Red Lentil Powder – 4 tsp
Gram Flour – 4 tsp
Turmeric Powder 2 tsp
Babchi Powder – 2 tsp
Vetiver Root Powder – 2 tsp
Vacha Powder – 2 tsp
Amla Powder – 2 tsp
Nagarmotha Powder – 2 tsp
Kachur Powder – 2tsp
Anantmool Churna – 2 tsp
Jatamasi Power – 2 tsp
Rose Petal Powder – 2tsp
Method To Make the utne
Combine all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
Mix everything well
Sift the powder to remove coarse particles from the sugandhi utne.
Store in and air tight jar. Keep it away from moisture to increase the shelf life.
Homemade Wheatgerm Face Mask Recipes For Glowing Skin
Wheatgerm face mask shows good results when used for skin brightening and in improving skin texture by fighting the free radicals. Wheatgerm is the reproductive part of the wheat kernel that germinates and grows into a new plant. Wheat germ or wheatgerm has high nutrition count as it is the source of several essential nutrients, including vitamin E, folic acid, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, and magnesium, as well as essential fatty acids. Homemade face masks made with natural ingredients are better alternatives for expensive products.
Benefits of Wheatgerm for skin
Improves the texture of the skin eliminating the free radicals
Brightens the skin and makes it spotless
Heals dry and cracked skin
Has anti-aging properties
Reduces the appearance of acne scars
How To Use Wheatgerm in Face Mask
Wheatgerm can be used in powdered for or in form of oil. Both Wheatgerm powder and Wheatgerm oil are very effective on skin problems like scars, wrinkles, dry cracked skin etc.
Wheatgerm oil is extracted from wheat kernel and it is high in Vitamin E.
Homemade Wheatgerm Face Mask
Take raw wheat germ powder and water in equal parts.
Beat this mixture of wheat germ powder and water until the germ becomes soft and dilutes in water,
Add one tsp egg yolk .
Mix all the three ingredients till you get smooth mixture. Apply this mixture on the face.
Make sure the skin in covered evenly and completely. ‘
Let the mask sit for about 15-20 minutes. Remove the mask using a sponge soaked in lukewarm water.
Once the face mask is completely removed rinse your face with fresh cool water.
Use only raw wheat germ for this homemade face pack.
Wheat Germ Face Mask For Dry Skin
Take 1 tablespoon of Wheatgerm powder.
Mix it with 1/2 tsp of raw honey
Mix well to form a thick paste.
Apply it on the face and keep it for 10-15 minutes, then wash it off.
Using Raw honey in this face mask will show better results.
Wheatgerm Oil and Carrot Face Mask
Take 2 inch piece of fresh Carrot
Crush the Carrot to make a fine paste
Add 1 tsp of Wheatgerm oil
Mix Well and apply it all over the face, protecting your eyes.
Keep for 15-20 minutes and rinse off, you will discover a bright, fresh and glowing skin after washing your face.
Brightening Wheat Germ Oil Face Mask
Take 1 tsp of Shea Butter
1 tsp of Aloevera juice
1/4th tsp of Jojoba Oil
1/4th tsp of Wheatgerm Oil
- Apply a thin and even layer of the mask on the face.
- Check for sensitivity of your skin if you skin doesn’t show any allergy, itchiness and redness.
- Leave the mask on for 5 – 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with normal water.
Note:
- Avoid direct contact with the eyes.
- Keep out of reach of children.
Packed with several vitamins and minerals, wheatgerm can prove to be a revolutionary ingredient in beauty and skin care products.
5 Best Natural Homemade Substitutes for Beauty Products for Daily Use
It is everyone’s desire to look and feel beautiful. Although the meaning of being beautiful is a matter of personal perception. Some believe in the inner beauty i.e beauty of soul and many believe in the external beauty. I feel you need both where inner beauty gives you a peaceful self the outer beauty gives you the confidence to survive and thrive in the modern world. The market today is flooding with beauty products that are labelled vividly. With increase in awareness about excessive use of chemicals and their side effects words like herbal, Ayurvedic, Paraben free, sulphate free, Natural Extracts, Organic and nonetheless Homemade is what people are attracted to. If these words really intrigues you then you must certainly try to make your own beauty products. Instead of getting yourself a storeboug ht homemade beauty products why not make your beauty products at home.
Homemade Beauty Products To Substitute The Store Bought Ones:
Natural Blackhead Remover
Blackheads is a tiny plug made due to accumulation of excess sebum in the hair follicle. It oxidizes and turns black/ dark in color. Blackheads are easy to remove and they can be removed with simple home remedies. While it is easy to remove blackheads at home you do need to be careful that you don’t damage your skin. To ward off blackheads you can either use a scrub or a peel of mask. Best ingredients to use in your Blackhead remover scrub are Honey, Oatmeal, Clay, Papaya
like consistency and then apply on your face. You can also combine cinnamon with honey to form a paste. Other options include cooked oatmeal, lemon juice, honey, turmeric and egg whites. Rinse your face after about fifteen minutes of application. Repeat use once or twice a week to remove debris from pores.
You can also make use of charcoal masks or take charcoal tablets to trap toxins in the body and reduce the risk of subsequent blackheads.
Face Pack For Glowing Skin
Face pack for glowing skin will help improve uneven skin tone and make your skin glow. There are different kinds of face packs, some of which include:
Gram flour + Turmeric Powder + Cow’s milk Raw
Papaya + Bentonite Clay + AloeVera gel + Almond Meal + Rosewater
Tomato Pulp+ Chiksa Powder
Masoora Dal (Orange Lentil) powder + Orange Peel powder + Turmeric + Honey + Rosewater
Mashed Banana + Honey + Curd
Choose a pack considering your skin type, allergies etc . Mix the ingredients and form a paste, apply it on your face and let it sit for 10 – 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
Natural Teeth Whitener
Apart from brushing after eating, there are other natural ways you can use to whiten your teeth, some of which include:
Activated Organic Charcoal Powder + Cinnamon Powder
Coconut oil pulling
Activated charcoal tablet
Lemon or orange peels
Apple cider vinegar
Strawberries and healthy foods
Natural teeth whitening can be tricky as there are not many trustworthy commonly known remedies. Most popular remedies for natural teeth whitening mostly involve Baking Soda, and internet is flooding with articles teaching you how to use baking soda for teeth whitening, but excessive use of baking soda may lead to enamel damage.
Homemade Natural Perfume
Homemade perfume may come as a surprise as it is not very popular among the DIY buffs. But it is possible to make your own perfume at home all thanks to the essentials oils. The trick that works is to make effective use of essential oils. The basic ingredients for a simple yet fragrant homemade perfume will require glycerin, essential oil and filtered water, ingredients are required you to be mixed in adequate quantities and transferred to a spray bottle.
Try out the Homemade Woodland perfume Using Essential Oils
Things You Will Need
Organic Fir Needle essential oil, two drops
Organic Cedarwood essential oil, two drops
Organic Vetiver essential oil, one drop
Organic Bergamot essential oil, one drop
Organic jojoba oil (Carrier Oil) 1/4 Cup
Simply drip all the essential oils into a bottle, mix, and then add the jojoba oil and mix again. You can adjust the measurements to suit your need. Apply this perfume behind your ear, a drop on your neck using a cotton bud.
Charcoal Face Cleanser
Charcoal face cleansers will help pull out impurities on the face naturally. Many face cleaners out there contain harsh chemicals that can damage your skin in the long run. However, with a charcoal face cleanser, you can worry less about that. Activated charcoal is made from carbon-infused with oxygen, and it helps to tighten the pores and smoothen the skin. It also eliminates harmful effects and irritations on the skin.
Homemade Charcoal Cleansing Face Mask
Things You Need
Orange Peel Powder 1 tsp
Sandal Wood Powder 1/2 tsp
Fuller’s Earth 1 tbsp
Aloe Vera Powder 1/2 tsp
Charcoal Tablets 2
Method : Mix all the ingredients and transfer to an air tight container. Keep it away from moisture to increase shelf life of the product.
How To Use
Take 1 tsp of the face mask and mix with clean water to form a paste. Apply a thin layer of the paste all over your face and neck. Allow it to dry and then rinse it off.
Conclusion
Now is the time to substitute your beauty products for daily use with organic products, to reduce your risk of potential side effects. The above homemade examples are just a few ways to get started. The all natural and holistic lifestyle is a long and pleasant journey. Start by making simple products like homemade face mask and Homemade Ubtans, once you get your hands on it you may start getting fancier and try your hands on Homemade Scrubs and Shampoos.
Activated Charcoal is known for its detoxifying properties, it is capable of attracting all the impurities and toxins towards it. This is why it has made a place for itself in the beauty products industry. It is however important to understand that activated charcoal does interfere with the absorption of anything that comes to its contact, and that includes medicines too. If you are on medication for any medical condition you must consult your medical practitioner before using Activated Charcoal, be it internally or externally.
Disclaimer : Recipes shared here are purely for information purpose only.This information is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease, please consult an expert before use.
Homemade Herbal Anti-Dandruff Hair Pack Powder
Among the various hair problems that one faces, danduff is the most embarrassing one. White flakes falling off from the scalp are often spotted on victim’s shoulders. There are several factors can be held responsible for causing Dandruff. Stress, residues of cosmetic hair products, excessively dry skin etc. are a few to name.
How to Deal With Dandruff Naturally
When you find yourself suffering from dandruff, you must immediately become proactive and start taking measures that will stop the worsening of the condition.
- Wash your hair regularly (or more frequently)
- Start oiling your hair if you are not doing it
- Check your daily routine, sleep timely and sufficiently
- Avoid Stress
- Prepare this anti-dandruff hair pack and start using it right away
If the cause of dandfruff is only on the scalp like dryness of skin and poor scalp hygine, it can be treated with herbal remedies, but if the dandruff is occuring as a result of some underlying skin condition like eczema or Psoriasis, treating the causative factor is the ideal mode of treatement.
Herbal and Natural Remedies for Dandruff Treatment
The natural remedies usually involve the use of following
Herbal / Ayurvedic Hair Oils
Herbal Hair Packs
Natural Hair wash Powders
How To Make Herbal Anti-dandruff Hair Pack Powder
Bhringraj Powder – 100 gms
Neem Leaves Powder – 30 gms
Amla Powder – 50 gms
Hibiscus Flowers 4-5, if you dont have fresh Hibiscus flower petal you can also use Hibiscus powder but it should be pure.
If you are using all the ingredients in powdered form you can just mix everything together and store in an airtight jar. Keep this away from moisture.
For using fresh Hibiscus flowers you can grind the petals in a mortar and pestle and add it into the hair pack right before the application.
Benefits of Using This Homemade Anti-dandruff Hair Pack
Bhringraja: Eclipta Alba as it is Botanically referred, is called False Daisy in English and Bhringaraja in Sanskrit. It has been used in various Ayurvedic formulations that used in a treating a wide range of hair related problems like Hair loss, thinning of hair and dandruff. Bhrigraja is also used in treating severe hair conditions like Alopecia.
Neem Leaves : While Neem bark is an excellent remedy for Acne, Neem Leaves on the other hand have proven microbial properties that helps in getting rid of dandruff.
Amla : This indeed is a wonderberry, Indian Gooseberry as it is called in English and Amalaki in Sanskrit is extensively used in Ayurveda for curing a variety of Diseases. It is the richest source of Vitamin C and also a good source of Vitamin A. It is also a vital ingredient in several Ayurvedic Keshkalps. Amla is one of the three ingredients in Triphala. Amla fruit is dried and ground to fine powder (traditionally pounded) and is then incororated in Hair Oils, Hair masks and Natural shampoos. It is used for preventing premature greying of hair and as an anti dandruff ingredient in hair products.
Hibiscus Flowers have properties that are effective in dealing with dandruff and dryness of scalp.
Try this simple hair pack if you are combating dandruff, if you are allergic to any ingredient used in this herbal powder just avoid the ingredients.
Homemade Ayurvedic Herbal Bath Powder : Snan Ubtan
India is a country that boasts on its rituals, culture, traditions and customs. We have a rich cultural and traditional heritage in almost all the aspects of human life, beauty being one of it. We love ubtans and oils, all homemade running down from generations and passed on to the genext. Be it Haldi ceremony during wedding when we apply Haldi Ubtan for bride and groom, or Abhayang Snan done one day before the grand festival Di
wali, on the day of Narakchaturdashi, we cherish our traditions. Ayurvedic herbal bath powder, ubtan and homemade oils were the daily requirements in Royal India but today its glory is fading, the major reason being the shortage of time in our daily schedules.
Homemade Ubtans, Oils, Keshkalps (Hair packs) and bath powders are prepared and used in Indian homes since time immemorial, although the busy and competitive life of present day has changed the scenario and such things have now been reserved only for festivities and ceremonies yet the rituals are still alive and celebrated time and again with full zest.
Homemade Indian Herbal Bath Powder (Utne / Ubtan)
This recipe may resemble the “Sugandhi Utane“, the herbal Bath Powder applied before Abhayang Snan, but I do not claim it to be authentic, I am still searching for the authentic recipe and once I succeed in finding the traditional Sugandhi Utane (Ubtan) recipe, I will post it here. For now this recipe is given by an acquaintance, its an amazing bath powder that is nothing less than a treat for the skin.
“Utane” as its called in marathi or “Ubtan” in Hindi is a combination of herbs and spices that cleanses and nourishes the skin leaving it radiant and smooth. It is mixed with fragrant oils,rose water or milk and applied all over the body. You do not need any soap with this, the herbal bath powder is just enough to clean and enrich your skin.
The Ingredients
Red Lentil Flour (Moong Dal powder / ata) 250gms
Sandal Wood Powder (Chandan Powder) 25 gms
Turmeric Powder (Ambe Haldi Powder) 5 gms
Camphor (Kaphoor ) 5 gms
Manjishtha Powder 25 gms
Orange Peel Powder 100 gms
Rose Petals Crushed 1 tbsp
Khas (Vetiver) 10 gms
How To Prepare
Mix all the ingredients and store in an airtight jar.
To use this fragrant bath powder, mix the ubtan with water or Rose water and apply all over the body, leaving the parts where the skin is too delicate and sensitive.
Gently scrub this ubtan on the skin, this will exfoliate and clean the skin. Rinse off with warm water. Now massage your skin with an aromatic / fragrant herbal oil. Use a natural soap for bathing, this will help removing the oil. If you are not going in for the oil massage, soap is not required while bathing as the Bath Powder works well all by itself.
Benefits Of Using Natural Homemade Herbal Bath Powder – Ubtan on Skin
Masoor dal is known for its skin brightening properties, Camphor and Vetiver adds fragrance and soothing effect. Vetiver also helps is reducing the appearance of dark spots and will also deals acne due to its antiseptic properties. Rose petals makes the bestows glow to the skin, Orange Peel powder removes spots and provides even tone to the skin.
The biggest plus point of using a bath powder is that it does not strip off the natural oils from your skin, thus leaving it supple.
Overall this herbal bath powder is quite therapeautic for the skin as well as the mind. The fragnaces removes negativity and relaxes the mind, and the other ingredients provides deep pore cleansing and exfoliation to the skin leaving it smooth, glossy and fresh.
If all the ingredients of this bath powder are not available to you, try the Masoor dal Ubtan it simple and has less ingredients, but an effective brightening mask.