Homemade Mustard Face Mask For Flawless Skin
With the enormous growth of cosmetic beauty products in the past two decades, the charm of our traditional heritage “Ubtan” faded. It is only in the past few years we started to realize the the disadvantages of using the chemical loaded products we have been using on our skin. Ubtans and Homemade face masks are an indispensable part of our history and culture. Today I am sharing natural facial masks made with Mustard. These mustard powder ubtans and face masks for glowing skin work wonderfully on skin.
Benefits of Mustard For Skin
The most common form of using mustard on skin and hair is the oil which is extracted from the seeds.
Mustard Seeds are packed with oil that is know to be good anti-inflammtory oil.
Homemade Mustard Powder Face Mask #1
Mustard Seed Powder 1/2 tsp
1 tsp of Bengal gram flour ( besan )
Sesame oil 1/2 tsp
Water 1 tsp (or as needed)
How to Make and Use
Take the ingredients in a bowl and mix everything well to make a fine paste.
Apply this On application mild itching might happen which is normal, but if the skin feels burning sensation after applying this mustard face pack just wash your face immediately.
The phenolic compounds present in Sesame oil give it its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin E is the nutrient contained in Sesame oil it can potentially protect the skin from the damage caused by pollution, and toxins and even from UV rays.
This mustard powder mask will rejuvenate the skin, repair damage and will also fade away fine lines . It is also hydrating and nourishing mask that makes the skin flawless and supple.
Mustard and Rice Face Mask For Youthful Skin #2
While the mustard powder will make the skin flawless and supple due to its antioxidant properties Rice powder (flour) will brighten up the skin and prevent signs of aging.
Like how here in India we use Gram Flour as a common base of our face masks, Japanese women use Rice extensively in their skin care regime. In Japanese Skin care Rice is used in form of Rice water, Rice flour and boiled Rice.
Rice is incorporated in face masks and body scrubs as well.
Rice Flour 1 tsp
Mustard Seed Powder 1/2 tsp
Honey 1/2 tsp
How To Use
Mix all the ingredients and apply the face mask on face and neck except eyes and mouth. Leave it for 15 minutes.
Gently wash it off with lukewarm water
Apply this homemade Rice and mustard powder face 2 times in a week to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.
Mustard Seed Ubtan For Glowing Skin #3
This last skin care recipe with Mustard powder is an Ubtan. Ubtan is a traditionally used in India as an exfoliant as well as a mask.
I have shared several recipes of Ubtans on this website. You can check them also.
How to make The Sarson (Mustard ) Ubtan
2 tsp Fullers Earth (Multani Mitti)
1 tsp Gram Flour
1 tsp Mustard Seed Powder
Pinch of Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Mustard Oil
Water to make the paste
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and water to get a smooth thick consistency. It should not be too runny as it will start dripping after applying on the face. A thick lump-free paste is what you are looking for.
How To Apply
Apply the face mask on the face and leave it for 15 minutes. When the face mask becomes dry, wet your hands and scrub the face gently to remove tha mask.
Do not apply too much pressure while scrubbing as it may cause redness and burning sensation on the skin.
This Mustard Powder Ubtan can be used once in a week along with any one of the above two face masks being applied twice a week.
Mustard And Aloevera Face Mask #4
Mustartd Powder is pungent in nature, it may cause tingling in the skin on application. This can be addressed using this Aloevera gel Mustard Seed face mask. Aloevera will have a cooling effect on the skin and will also impart all of its benefits to the the skin. Rashes, blesmishes, tan, wrinkles and fine lines all these skin issues can be countered using this homemade face pack.
Aloevera Gel 1 tsp
Mustard Seed Powder 1/2 tsp
Organic Raw Honey 1/2 tsp
you will want to combine all the ingredients in bowl and mix it well. Apply the face mask thus prepare on your face and neck and relax for 2 minutes. Rinse it off and pat dry your face. You will see a fresh glow on your skin. you can apply this Aloevera mustard face pack 2-3 times a week. Rest of the days you can skip the mustard seed powder and use a mask prepared with Raw honey and Aloevera gel.
Indian Spices Name in Hindi and English with Photos
No cuisine is complete without spices.Indian food is a celebration of spices, from curries to Biryani, from Pulao to Daal spice are the most important ingredient in any recipe. We even use spices in Desserts. Now this lockdown due to covid19 has given a boost to everyone culinary desired. Every one has been trying new recipes they get online. So if you have been findining difficulty understanding the spices listed in the recipe you just downloaded. Here is a list of spices names in Hindi and English
Star Anise | चक्रफूल | Aromatic spice used in Rice dishes and masala powders | |
Holy Basil | तुलसी | | Medicinal use in Ayurveda, herbal tea |
Bay Leaf | तेजपत्ता | Aromatic spice in several veg and non veg dishes, used both fresh and dried. | |
Caraway | विलायती जीरा | | used specifically in Biryani and in certain cake recipes |
Cardamom | इलायची | | used in veg and non veg rice and curry dishes, it has a great prominence in Indian sweets |
Cayenne | लाल मिर्ची का एक प्रकार | | used in powdered form, it is not a typical Indian spice |
Celery Seed | अजमोद | | used in recipes adapted from foreign cuisines |
Chili Powder | लाल मिर्च पाउडर | used in powdered form, in everyday India cooking | |
Carom Seeds | अजवाइन | ||
Garlic Chives | लहसुन के पत्ते | Leaves are used in curries and daal recipes | |
Asafoetida | हींग | ||
Cinnamon | दालचीनी | used both is stick and powdered form in curries, pulaos, weight loss recipes, Immunity booster recipes, in baking | |
Clove | लौंग | Clove is known for its medicinal properties. Its is used as whole spice as well as in powdered form in many spice mixes | |
Coriander | धनिया | It is an every day spice in any Indian kitchen | |
Cilantro | |||
Cumin | जीरा | Used whole in tempering and powdered form in many recipes | |
Curry Leaves | कढ़ी पत्ते | Majorly used in Southern India. A must have for tempering daal, saambar and Rasam | |
Dill | सोवा | ||
Fennel | सौंफ | Used whole in several recipes in moderation due to its over powering flavor and aroma. Its is part of famous whole spice mix called panch foran. It is also a mouth freshener | |
Fenugreek Seed | मेथी दाना, मेथरे | This is another ingredient of panch foran. Also used in hair packs for hair growth | |
Garlic | लहसुन | used in whole, crushed, minced and ground forms. It is also used in dried powdered form | |
Ginger | अदरक | used fresh, dried or ground. Powder is Called Sonth is a very popular spice in kashmiri cuisine | |
Mace | जावित्री | spice used whole / powdered, features in the famous Biryani Masala | |
Marjoram | मरवा, मरुवा | herb | |
Mint | पुदीना | herb used fresh or dried | |
Mustard Seed | सरसो , राई | small seeds used in tempering and ground in spice mix | |
Nutmeg | जायफल | Whole spice, mostly used as ground spice | |
Paprika | लाल शिमला मिर्च का पाउडर | used in Powdered form | |
Black Pepper: | काली मिर्च | used both whole and powdered | |
Poppy Seeds | खसखस | dried granules Used in curries | |
Saffron | केसर | red threads , used as an aromatic and for adding color esp in Biryani and Flavored milk | |
Stone Flower | छरीला, पत्थरफूल, दगड फूल | Used in spice powder mix, amazing when added to Pulao | |
Turmeric | हल्दी | Used in powdered form, Raw, dried |
Six Essential Tips for A Heart-Healthy Lifestyle
It’s all a matter of the heart, but, in the end, it’s your heart that truly matters. Knowing what’s good for your heart is basically the first step to living a disease-free life.
According to a survey performed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in association with the American Cardiovascular Association, nearly 610,000 individuals die each year due to heart disease ranging from atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, and heart failure.
As a result, the Health Authorities have posted numerous guidelines regarding what an individual should do to take care of his or her heart. Physical exercises and dieting are among the most popular pieces of advice given away freely by physicians all over the country, but there are other things you could try in order to have a healthy heart.
We only have one heart, so we must do our best to treat it well. Here are a couple of tips and tricks for a healthy heart.
Be Sure toGet Plenty of Sleep
Sleeping has always been an important issue when talking about cardiovascular diseases. Also, the act of sleep doesn’t just affect the way your blood pump works, but it also accounts for other functions.
Did you know that during the REM sleep cycle, which is also called deep sleep, your body conducts major cellular repairs? Moreover, during your sleep cycles, your body automatically regulates the blood pressure.
Although everyone is different when it comes to sleeping habits, the medical specialists have agreed that a healthy individual needs at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Sleep deprivation (not getting enough sleep) can have a massive psychological and physiological impact on our bodies.
According to a study published by the University of Chicago in 2008, sleep deprivation is intimately related to hypertension. So, the bottom line idea is that if you don’t get much sleep, it will be increasingly harder for your heart to manage the blood flow.
The best piece of advice any physician can give you is to get plenty of rest.
Stop Smoking
Smoking is widely considered one of the most damaging heart stressor out there. If you plan on keeping your heart as fit as a fiddle, then you must know that smoking is a big no-no. The compounds found in cigarette smoke like benzene can damage both your heart and your lungs.
The act of smoking ups the risk of some of the most severe cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, and atrial fibrillation. Furthermore, smoking can also increase the likelihood of potentially fatal heart strokes.
Thus, if you care about the health of your heart, you should think about quitting. If you can’t do it on your own, you can always seek your doctor’s opinion or use medical devices like lozenges, nicotine patches or nicotine gum.
Alternatively, if you do suffer from one of the medical conditions mentioned above, you should definitelyseek medical advicein your area, to manage your disease.
Sexual Activity
Get to play around with your significant other some more. Sexual activity, apart from burning away those extra calories, can also help maintain the health of your heart and actively protects you against cardiovascular diseases.
Sex is also a good painkiller and a muscle relaxant. A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology stated that men and women who engage in sexual activities at least two times per week have a lesser chance of developing a cardiovascular disease.
Squeeze in Some Omega-3 Fatty Acids
For a healthy heart, you should also get plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids. What is Omega-3? According to the medical literature, Omega-3 fatty acids are a class of unsaturated fat (the good type of fat), that actively contribute to our body’s welfare. Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial in the fight against cholesterol.
Moreover, Omega-3 reduces the risk of plaque formation and stroke. Fish is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, and doctors recommend at least two servings of fish per week. Alternatively, you could try some Omega-3 table supplements.
Plenty of Exercise
To be truly healthy, you must stay fit, and to stay fit, you must do plenty of physical exercises. Exercising is, without a doubt, a very crucial aspect. Not only can exercising keep us in shape and burn away the extra calories, but it can prevent many diseases, heart-related conditions included.
Exercising doesn’t necessarily refer to hitting the gym five times a week. Keep in mind that you don’t have to make some inhuman effort just to stay healthy and in shape. Take a 30-minute walk after lunch, or go for a brisk walk during the evening.
You can always add some cardio exercises in the morning, like running around the block for half an hour, and maybe a couple of stretches. Riding the bicycle is also considered a good exercise for the cardiovascular system.
No Salt
We all like our food well-seasoned. This means that besides spices, we also use a lot of salt. A pinch of salt now and then is no big deal, but seasoning every food you have with a large quantity of salt is a big problem.
Each year, excess sodium accounts for many cardiovascular diseases like coronary disease, hypertension and heart stroke. The best way to go is to eliminate salt altogether or use other spices and ingredients in order toadd flavor to your food.
For example, if you like your dishes well-salted, you can try to swap salt with anchovy fillets. You’ll get the same taste and some extra smokiness on top.
Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll have no reasons to visit a cardiologist anytime soon.
DIY Fenugreek Hair Pack for Effective Hair growth
Hair needs to be taken proper care of for it to stay healthy. And for proper care, one needs to understand his/her hair properly and use the right treatment packs for its well-being. There are several wonder ingredients available right in our kitchen that have proven to be more effective against general hair problems like hair loss, acne, dandruff and hair breakage than the pricey chemical stuff.
Using fenugreek (Methi seed in Hindi) for hair has existed since the time of our forefathers and you would have your grandma suggest it quite a lot of times. Of course, we probably never understood the gravity of the situation then. Alas! It still isn’t too late. Fenugreek has been tried, tested and proven to offer a myriad of solutions to your everyday hair problem struggles, chief of them all being hair loss (everyone’s nightmare!) and re-growth. These are easily found in your pantry or at the max you will have to reach an Indian grocery store and it won’t even cost that much!
How does fenugreek aid hair growth?
Hair is basically made of a protein, keratin and hair requires a generous amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals like iron, potassium and sulfur for its proper growth and fenugreek/ fenugreek seeds has these aplenty in addition to possessing medicinal properties, nicotinic acid and lecithin which are all good fodder for your hair follicles to feed on. These treat your follicles and are extremely effective in strengthening of hair which in turn prevents hair breakage and causes an increase in hair volume due new hair growth. Additionally, a hormone antecedent, diosgenin present in fenugreek seed exhibits estrogen like properties and is extremely helpful in hair growth. Estrogen is a wonder hormone that helps greatly in hair growth, the reason why pregnant women seem to have been exempted from hair loss problems, for a short while. Fenugreek seeds also possess moisturizing properties that bring shine, luster and bounce to your hair.
How to use Methi Seeds For Hair Care?
Fenugreek can be used alone or in combination with other ingredients, also easily available in your pantry like lemon juice, coconut oil, curd, coconut milk etc. Read on for tips on how to use the wonder ingredient for the betterment of your hair.
1. Soak 1/4th cup of fenugreek seeds in a cup of water and leave it overnight. The next day, use the soaked water to rinse your hair once and let it stay. After an hour, wash using lukewarm water. This helps in growth of hair in the long run as shown in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
2. Alternately, soak the fenugreek seeds well overnight and grind them into a paste the next day. To this paste, add coconut milk/ coconut oil/ olive oil and mix well and apply to your scalp and leave for 30 minutes before washing off with a mild shampoo or just water. You can also use powdered fenugreek seeds instead of soaked fenugreek paste. This helps in attaining the benefits of both coconut oil and the fenugreek seeds and also aids in preventing hair loss and curing areas with damaged hair.
3. Fine, smooth paste made from overnight soaked fenugreek seeds mixed with one tablespoon of lemon juice when applied to your hair proves effective against dandruff.
No medicine shows these instant effects. For you to be able to reap the effects of your hard work, you would have to follow a strict routine. Use fenugreek seeds for your hair for at least a month or 6-8 weeks to be able to see results. You’ll see a visible change in the way your hair looks and feels!
Harmful Effects Of Sugar On Human Health
Modern diet includes a single worst ingredient, added sugar. It has a negative impact on body metabolism which can cause various health conditions. There are a wide range of reasons responsible for avoiding added sugar. Sugar impairs normal mineral absorption in the body. It suppresses the immune system and can predispose to juvenile delinquency in children. It is an addictive substance that can cause, aggravate and worsen both physical and psychological disorders. Some harmful effects of sugar on health are shared in this article.
Excess Sugar Causes health conditions in children
Sugar increases the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body that have a potential to damage tissues and cells. Children should refrain from consuming certain foods that contain added sugars such as soda, sweetened juices, and confectioneries. The added sugar in beverages like the soda can make children consume less milk. Some children tend to develop an inability to concentrate, anxiety, eczema, hyperactivity, and crankiness. It can make children develop high levels of adrenaline. School children can develop learning disorders.
Effects of Sugar Consumption on Patients Taking Medicines
Sugar heightens the insulin and glucose response and drops down these hormones to fasting levels in case of subjects that take oral contraceptive pills. It significantly raises triglyceride levels and fasting glucose levels in diabetic patients. Sugar reduces the levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL or good cholesterol) in heart patients. It has been researched that sugar raises the blood glucose levels more than the level of complex carbohydrates in a glucose tolerance test.
Bad Effects of Sugar on skin -Premature Ageing
It can make the skin lose its normal tissue function and elasticity. It causes hormonal imbalance, releases free radicals and contributes to oxidative stress thus triggering loss of cell integrity. This process causes premature aging. It alters the collagen fibers in the skin and can cause wrinkle formation.
Triggers wide range of health conditions
Sugar can cause ovarian cancer, acidic digestive tract, chromium deficiency, hypoglycemia and copper deficiency. It impairs the absorption of magnesium and calcium in the body. It can cause age-related macular degeneration among elderly. It can cause pancreatic cancer, dyspepsia (indigestion), gout, gastric cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, trigger blood clot formation, lower learning ability and kidney stones. Major triggering agent of psychological disorders Sugar significantly elevates the neurotransmitter levels such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These brain chemicals are important in undertaking normal brain function and in maintaining mental stability. Neurochemical imbalance can trigger anxiety, panic attacks, alcoholism, stress related disorders, and depression. This addictive substance stimulates the reward area in the brain and can trigger excessive eating pattern in obese individuals. It is as intoxicating as alcohol. It compromises emotional stability and lead to psychological manifestations. It aggravates the symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADD) in children.
Contributes to long list of ailments
Sugar can cause dental caries (tooth decay), obesity, appendicitis, hemorrhoids, gastric or duodenal ulcers, varicose veins, arthritis, emphysema, heart disease, atherosclerosis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, gallstones, osteoporosis, cataract, diabetes, circulatory disorders, low levels of vitamin E, increases low-density lipoproteins (LDL or bad cholesterol) levels, myopia (nearsightedness), constipation, constriction of capillary lining, migraines and a range of headaches.
Predisposes to infection
Sugar promotes uncontrolled growth of yeast infections, especially associated with Candida Albicans. It causes periodontal diseases by promoting gum tissue recession and bacterial colonization. It increases the acidity of saliva, predisposing to a range ofdental complications. It causes food allergies, and pregnant women can develop toxemia. It slows down the body’s defensive function against viral and bacterial infections.
Hinders body metabolism
It hampers the normal absorption of proteins, alters the structure of the protein and can impair the structure of DNA. It alters the normal physiological homeostasis and interferes with the normal function of vital organs in the body. It decreases the ability of enzymes to perform the normal function and can cause metabolic conditions. It increases fluid retention in the body, increases renal pathology and damages the pancreas. It impairs the normal function of blood proteins such as albumin and lipoproteins, which can alter fat and cholesterol metabolism. It causes salt and water retention and can cause edema.
Triggers gastrointestinal manifestations
It combines with a digestive enzyme called phosphatase and impairs normal digestion. It slows down the food movement in the gastrointestinal tract triggering constipation. Patients with functional bowel disease frequently develop sugar malabsorption. It increases the bacterial enzymes in the colon and bile acid levels in stool. This can increase cancer producing chemicals in the body, triggering biliary tract cancer and colon cancer. It is a known risk factor for gallbladder cancer.
Causes hormonal imbalance
It decreases insulin sensitivity and growth hormone levels in the human body. It increases naturally occurring male estrogen- estradiol levels in men. It aggravates the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in women. Women should avoid sugar during pregnancy and lactation as it disturbs muscle formation in a developing offspring and can cause neural tube defects.
In conclusion, added sugar should be avoided by incorporating a healthy lifestyle that contributes to body fitness.