Home Remedies for Headache Treatment

Headaches, including migraines, are extremely common. Because headaches can stem from a variety of causes, some headache sufferers seek treatment on a near-daily basis. Fortunately, there are several home-remedy treatments that can help alleviate migraine pain and other types of headaches. Read on to discover which headache remedies you may already have at home.

Headache Home Remedy: Lavender Oil

Not only does lavender smell great — it’s also a useful home remedy for headaches and migraine pain. Lavender oil can be either inhaled or applied topically. Two to four drops for every two to three cups of boiling water are recommended when inhaling lavender-oil vapors as a headache treatment. Unlike many medicinal oils, this home remedy can also be safely applied externally without the need to dilute it. Lavender oil should not be taken orally.

Headache Home Remedy: Peppermint Oil

Peppermint is a soothing home remedy that has been shown to benefit tension headaches. This fresh-smelling oil has vaso-constricting and vaso-dilating properties, which help control blood flow in the body. Headaches and migraine pain are often due to poor blood flow, and peppermint oil helps to open and close the vessels that promote flow. Peppermint home remedies also open up the sinuses so that more oxygen can get into the bloodstream

Headache Home Remedy: Basil Oil

Basil, the strong-scented herb used as a topping for pizzas and pastas, certainly tastes and smells good. And for people in need of a natural headache treatment, the oil derived from basil plants can also be a useful home remedy. Basil works as a muscle relaxant, so it is especially helpful for headaches caused by tension and tight muscles.

Headache Home Remedy: Diet Fixes

One of the most useful home remedies for reducing headaches and migraine paininvolves making changes to your diet. Certain foods have been shown to affect the frequency and severity of headaches and migraine pain, including dairy; chocolate; peanut butter; certain fruits, such as avocado, banana, and citrus; onions; meats with nitrates, such as bacon and hot dogs; foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG); foods containing tyramine, an amino acid found in red wine; and foods that are fermented or pickled. Keep track of these trigger foods and your reaction to them with a food diary.

Headache Home Remedy: DIY Scalp Massage

Do-it-yourself scalp massages can be an effective way to alleviate migraine pain, and they feel great. Researchers in Brazil showed that massaging the greater occipital nerve — the area in the back of the head, at the base of the skull — reduces migraine pain. Massage in general has been identified as a useful home remedy for headaches, especially reflexology (massaging reflex points on the hands and feet).

Headache Home Remedy: Feverfew

Feverfew, as its name suggests, is used to treat fever, but it’s most commonly known as an herbal headache treatment. This home remedy became popular in the 1980s, when a landmark study in Great Britain showed that 70 percent of participants had less migraine pain after taking feverfew daily. Since then, more studies have demonstrated feverfew’s benefit in preventing and treating migraine pain. One study showed improvement in migraine pain among people who took daily feverfew in combination with white willow, another herbal home remedy, which contains properties similar to aspirin.

Headache Home Remedy: Flaxseed

Some headaches are caused by inflammation, which can be reduced by consuming omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed can help provide headache relief because it’s rich in omega-3s. Flaxseed can be used as a home remedy in several forms, including as an oil and ground or whole seeds.

Headache Home Remedy: Buckwheat

Buckwheat’s usefulness as a home remedy for headaches and migraine pain comes from a flavonoid known as rutin. Flavonoids are phytochemicals, which are found in plants, and have been shown to contain antioxidant properties, which counteract damage to cells. In addition, researchers in Taiwan have demonstrated the effects of flavonoids on inflammation, a common cause of headaches.

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2 Simple Pimple Treatments For Oily Skin

What are Pimples?

Pimples are caused by clogged pores, and the sebum secretions of oily skin. Oily skin type is especially infamous for pimples. The oil glands of this skin type is extra active and always secrete excessive oil. If we leave this skin type without proper cleaning, the probability of the occurrence of pimples, acne and black heads increases multifold.

The oil secreted by the skin glands will easily attracts dust from atmosphere. The clogging of pores by this dust is the main reason for pimples. So, regular cleansing, toning and moisturising of face with proper products helps in getting rid of Pimples.

A proper regime of exfoliation, moisturization, hydration and revitalization is important for the oily skin type as well as a proper solution for pimple treatment.

Keeping the skin away from the polluted environment, oily and less quality make up also will help you keep the skin free of pimples and other skin related diseases or infections.

Pimple Treatment For Oily Skin:

Here are some techniques of pimple treatment for oily skin at home:

1. Lemon Juice and Honey Mix:

 

Lemon is the best home remedy for oily skin. Lemon Juice contains Citric acid which can neutralise and control the oil secretion of oily skin. It has the capacity to reduce pimples effectively. The acid quite well works to kill the harmful acne causing bacteria along with reducing the scars.

Honey has antibacterial properties and it can restore the moisture balance of the skin well. Honey gives a natural glowing skin and also helps in the pimple reduction.

How to:

• Squeeze 1 spoonful fresh Lemon juice and take the same amount of Honey in a clean bowl. Mix them well. You will get a thick liquid paste like pack now.

• Apply it all over the face and neck after cleansing the face properly.

• Use a cotton ball to apply this mixture all over the face.

• Leave the mixture on the face for 15 to 20 minutes.

• After 15 minutes, wash it off with cold water.

You can notice immediate pimple reduction and a bright glow on your face. Also this treatment helps to fade away the pimple marks too. This is very simple and effective pimple treatment for oily skin. By doing this pimple treatment regularly, you can help keep the pimples at bay. After that you can do this weekly twice.

2. Besan and Curd Face Pack:

 

Besan is known as Bengal gram or dal flour, and it is available easily in our Indian kitchens. The same holds true for Curd as well. So, we don’t need to rush to a beauty store to get these beauty items. Besan is rich in proteins and vitamins, and curd is rich in vitamin A and C. Curd can keep the skin soft and supple by moisturising it properly. At the same time Besan takes out the extra greasiness of the oily skin. Another of the effective choices in the oily skin pimples treatment at home.

How to:

• Take 2 teaspoons of Besan and one teaspoon of curd. Mix this mixture with a spoon well in a clean bowl to make a thick paste.

• To this thick paste, add two drops of Lemon and a pinch of Turmeric powder.

• Mix it well to make a mixture and then apply this paste evenly on your cleansed face and neck. This face pack may take some time to dry.

• After 20 minutes to 30 minutes, apply warm water on the dried face pack to make it loose.

• Now rub gently to remove the face pack from the face and neck. By rubbing like this, your skin’s dead cells will be removed. Then splash cold water to remove the rest of the face pack.Ingredients such as Turmeric and Honey are known as antiseptic ingredients. They help calm and revitalize the skin. Turmeric also helps in fading the tan or discoloration of the skin. Its yellow tint helps the skin glow, while protecting it from the harmful sun rays.Curds especially the sour curds are known to contain properties that kill the acne causing bacterias instantly.

Repeat this  treatment for oily skin weekly twice initially. After pimples are controlled, you can do this once every 15 days.

Best Stomach Weight Loss Exercises:

Best Stomach Weight Loss Exercises:

1. Crunches:

Nothing burns belly fat faster than crunches! Crunches occupy the number one position when it comes to fat-burning exercises. Now, it’s time that you start with this abs crunching exercise. Follow the steps mentioned below.

 

• Lie down flat on a mat with your knees bent and feet on the ground. Alternatively, you can also lift your legs off the floor at a 90 degrees angle. (See picture).
• Now lift your hands and place them behind your head or keep them crossed on your chest.
• Inhale deeply and as you lift your upper torso off the floor, exhale.
• Again inhale as you get back down and exhale as you come up.
• Do this for 10 times as a beginner.

Repeat another 2-3 sets.

One small tip:

As you lift your torso, do not sit up straight. You should be at a 30-40 degrees angle off the ground. Thus, you’ll feel pressure on your abdominal muscles.

2. Twist Crunches:

 

Once you get used to the regular crunches, modify the basic crunch to get an even more effective tummy exercise!

• Lie down on the floor with your hands behind your head.
• Now bend your knees as you would do in crunches, keeping your feet on the floor.
• As in a crunch, you would have lifted your upper torso; in twist crunches you just have to lift your right shoulder towards the left, keeping your left torso on the ground.
• Again alternatively, lift your left shoulder towards the right, keeping your right torso on the ground.
• Repeat for another 10 times.

3. Side Crunch:

 

This is same as the twist crunch exercise. The only thing that you need to do is tilt your legs to the same side simultaneously with your shoulders. The side crunch focuses on the muscles on your sides.

4. Reverse Crunches:

Now it’s time to do reverse crunches. This is another best exercise to lose stomach fat.

 

Image: Shutterstock

This is same as the twist crunch exercise. The only thing that you need to do is tilt your legs behind simultaneously with your shoulders. The side crunch focuses on the muscles on your sides.

5. Vertical Leg Crunch:

 

• Lie flat on the floor or on the mat with your legs extended upwards towards the ceiling and one knee crossed over the other.
• Now that you have positioned your body perfectly, do the same as you would have done in case of crunches. That is, breathe in and lift your upper body from the floor towards the pelvis.
• Now breathe out slowly. As you bring yourself down, breathe in again and exhale as you go up.
• Do 12-16 crunches for up to 3 sets at a go.
  

6. Bicycle Exercise:

No, you don’t need a bicycle for this. Thinking how? We’ll tell you.

 

• Lie on the floor and keep your hands either by your side or behind your head as we do in crunches.
• Now lift both your legs off the ground and bend them at the knees.
• Bring your right knee close to your chest, keeping your left leg out.
• Now take your right leg out and bring your left leg close to your chest.
• Alternate bending your knees this way as if you are paddling a bicycle.
  

7. Lunge Twist:

This is a beginners’ workout for beginners who want to reduce belly fat quickly.

 

• Stand with your legs hip width apart. Keep your knees slightly bent.
• Lift both your hands in front of you aligning them with your shoulders and parallel to the ground.
• Lunge forward as shown in the picture. Take a big step forward with your right leg and sit down as if on a chair so that your knees are at a 90 degrees angle from the floor. The left leg should be positioned backwards supported by the toes.
• The spine should be kept straight. Don’t bend your spine forward. That is incorrect way of performing lunges.
• First twist your torso to the right and then to the left. Twist just the torso, not your legs.

Continue repeating this for 16 times.

8. Rolling Plank Exercise:

 

The rolling plank trains the muscles around your abdomen, hip and lower back.

• Position yourself on the floor with your knees and elbows resting on the ground.
• Keep your neck aligned with your spine. Look forward.
• Lift the knees up and support your legs on the toes.
• Contract your knees and keep breathing normally. This is the plank pose. Stay in this posture for 30 seconds.

Now start moving to and fro for the next 30 seconds. This is the rolling plank exercise.

• Lie down on the floor sideways.
• Support yourself on your right elbow and right leg. Your elbow should be perpendicular to the shoulder and the left leg should be above the right leg, keeping them together.
• Keep your knees straight. Your hips should not be touching the ground.
• Hold this position for 30 seconds. Once you get comfortable, you may hold this for 1-2 minutes.
• Repeat with your other side too.

While in this position you may also lift the leg placed on top and bring it back again. This makes the exercise more effective. In that case, it works not only for your abs but also for the thighs and hips.

10. The Stomach Vacuum:

 

Image: Shutterstock

Stomach vacuum exercises are low-impact exercises that place greater emphasis on breathing instead of increasing your heart rate.

a. This is similar to what we call the cat stretch pose. This is also known as the four-point, transverse-abdominal stomach vacuum. Follow the steps mentioned below to do this exercise for reducing belly fat:

• Come down on the ground to sit on all fours, supporting your body on your hands and knees.
• Now inhale deeply and loosen your abdomen.
• As you exhale the breath, tighten the abdomen muscles.
• Hold this abdomen contraction for 15-30 seconds.

Repeat the process again.

Another type of stomach vacuum exercise is elevators. Here’s how to do it:

• Sit on a chair. Imagine your belly to be an elevator that’s moving up.
• Now inhale deeply using only your nose and think that it’s the 1st floor.
• Breathe out using your mouth and simultaneously push your belly towards your spine, imagining that you are going up to the 5th floor.
• Breathe out fast 5 more times, squeezing your abs every time you exhale the air.
• Repeat the same steps another 5 times.

c. You can try standing pelvic tilts. This is another form of stomach vacuum exercise.

• Stand with your legs hip width apart and bend your knees slightly.
• Inhale deeply through your nose and push your belly inwards towards your spine, and at the same time roll your hips out in front.

Do 5-6 sets of this exercise.

11. Captain’s Chair:

 

All you need to do this exercise is a chair.

• Sit on the chair with your spine straight and shoulders relaxed.
• Keep both hands beside you with your palms by the side of your hips, facing downward.
• Inhale deeply.
• Now as you exhale, bring both your legs upwards such that your knees are close to your chest. Hold for 5 seconds. Don’t bend forward and arch your back.
• Bring down your leg slowly and repeat again.

12. Bending Side to Side:

This is the best workout to slim down your waist. This is yet another perfect exercise for reducing belly fat!

 

Image: Shutterstock

• Stand erect with your feet together. Raise your hands above your head as in a ‘namaste’.
• Now keeping your legs grounded, bend your body to the right as much as possible till you feel a strain on your left waist. Stay for 15 seconds.
• Return back to the original position.
• Now bend left. Retain this position for another 15 seconds.

Slowly, you may increase the holding time to 30 seconds.

Cardio Exercises:

 

Cardio is one of the most effective ways to burn calories and shed unwanted flab from your body. Cardio exercises are immensely helpful for reducing belly fat. At the same time, doing cardio on a regular basis will offer you with other health benefits such as reduction of stress, an increase in your lung capacity, better sleep and a sense of overall well-being.

13. Walking:

One of the very first cardio exercises to reduce belly fat is walking. Surprised? Do you think it’s too simple to be effective? Well then, you should know that walking is a great and effective way to burn away that ugly belly fat. In fact, it is an excellent fat burner for your entire body. If you follow a healthy diet along with walking at a steady pace for 30-45 minutes for at least 4-5 days every week, you will witness a gradual change in your weight. This low-impact exercise increases your metabolism as well as your heart rate. A heightened metabolic rate will burn away calories at a faster pace, thus helping to eliminate the fat accumulated around your belly. In fact, walking has a decreased risk of injuries and is considered to be a good workout for beginners.

14. Running:

You have to prevent your body from getting used to any fixed workout routine. Hence, you can switch occasionally. Try running for a change. It is an effective way to keep your heart rate up, burn calories and lose belly fat.

15. Jogging:

If you don’t like running, try jogging instead. Research suggests that jogging is more effective at breaking down unwanted fat when compared to weightlifting. This is a form of aerobic exercise that is extremely useful for fighting obesity and staying fit.

16. Cycling:

This is another kind of effective cardio exercise that helps you to shed belly fat by burning calories. Ensure that your heart rate goes up while you are cycling.

17. Swimming:

With swimming you get cardio, weight loss and toning at the same time! The strokes that you choose should be up-tempo and strenuous in order to help you burn more calories. You can start with swimming 1-2 times every week.

You can follow these effective and simple exercises to reduce belly fat. You can easily do most of these exercises at home without the help of any personal trainer. All you need is determination and a lot of stamina. Reducing tummy fat is no longer an elusive dream!

Herbal remedies to get rid of pimples

It is surprising how certain things happen at the exact time when you wish to avoid them the most. A guest turning up on your doorstep just as you are about to go out shopping, a power failure as the movie on TV reaches its climax and yes, the bane of most teenagers – an outbreak of pimples a day or two before the college fest or a cousin’s wedding when you wanted to look your best. There may be nothing much you can immediately do about the first two events but getting rid of pimples is definitely in your control. By using a few simple ingredients that are commonly found in most kitchens, it is possible to find a quick fix for those ungainly pimples on your face.

 Cinnamon and Honey

Cinnamon is a common spice and flavouring agent but the essential oil it contains also has strong anti-microbial properties. The water activity of honey is very low and this means that it does not contain a lot of moisture which can promote the growth of microorganisms. Considering that pimples often arise from an infection within the pores of the skin, combining cinnamon with honey is an effective remedy.

 Health.india.com tip: Mix a little cinnamon powder with a little honey to make a paste; avoid adding water because it will destroy the action of honey. Dab a little of the paste on each pimple and allow to remain overnight; wash off with lukewarm water the next morning. Repeat for a few days if necessary.

 Lemon juice

Lemons contain vitamin C and phytonutrients called flavonoids that have a strong antioxidant as well as antibiotic action. Free radicals generated during the metabolic reactions within the body can damage the healthy cells of the body, causing inflammation and swelling. The antioxidants in lemonrestrict the action of these free radicals and this makes lemon juice an excellent remedy for pimples.

 Health.india.com tip: Squeeze out the juice from a freshly-cut lemon and dab a little directly on to the pimple. Leave on overnight and wash the next morning.

 Mix a tablespoon of groundnut oil into an equal quantity of freshly squeezed lime juice and apply over the entire face; this provides long-term preventive action against blackheads that may later turn into pimples.

 A word of caution regarding lime juice – it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and therefore, do not venture out in the sun when you have applied it to your face.

 Tomato Pulp

Tomatoes are acidic in nature and applying their pulp to the pimple causes the skin to dry and the pores of the skin in the region get tightened. This means there is a lesser chance of oil leaking from the pores to cause pimples. Tomato is also rich in antioxidants and applying the pulp to the face reduces inflammation and damage of the skin.

Health.india.com tip: Cut a tomato in half, squeeze out a little of the pulp or the juice and apply on the pimple. If this causes you pain or drying of the skin, dilute the tomato pulp with a little water and use. Do not do this more than once or twice a day because it may lead to excessive drying of the skin which can be quite painful.

 Garlic

Garlic is one the wonder foods of India that has remarkable medicinal properties ranging from digestive and antibiotic action to fighting against high cholesterol levels. Garlic is also said to have the action of cleansing toxins from the blood, resulting in blemish-free, glowing skin free from pimples.

 Health.india.com tip: Remove the outer skin of garlic and rub a single clove on the problem spot where the pimple has sprouted to see immediate results.

 Grind a few cloves of garlic, mix with a little curd and use this face pack on the area where you see the pimples.

 Turmeric

Remember how your grandmother always insisted on sprinkling a little turmeric on your wounds saying it would help it heal? Well, medical researchers are now finding that turmeric contains ingredients that make it a powerful antimicrobial. No wonder then that women in India have always been using turmeric paste claiming it keeps their skin healthy and glowing. Although you can apply turmeric paste directly to skin, consuming it with a little warm milk is also said to be an effective remedy for flawless skin.

 Health.india.com tip: Mix a little turmeric powder with a little coconut oil and apply directly onto the pimples at night; next morning, wash your face with water to remove the paste. 

Dry a few neem leaves in the sun and grind to a fine powder. Mix equal quantities of this powder, turmeric powder and a little rose water to form a paste. Apply this to the pimples, leave it on for around 20 minutes or so and then wash your face. You could also substitute sandalwood powder for neem powder – this remedy works equally well for acne.

 Fenugreek

Fenugreek or methi has multiple benefits – not only is it helpful with keeping blood glucose levels low in diabetics, it also helps to treat remove blackhead and prevent pimples from erupting. For skin application, it is best to use the leaves of the methi plant rather than the seeds.

Health.india/pak.com tip:Grind a few leaves of methi with a little water to make a smooth paste. At night, apply this paste to the area of the face that shows evidence of blackheads and wash off with warm water the next morning.

For most teenagers, pimples are a natural result of the fluctuating hormonal levels during puberty that stimulate the sebaceous glands to work overtime. The excess sebum combines with dead cells in the outermost layer of the skin and bacteria to clog the skin pores, leading to pimples. It may also be a result of oily skin or something that runs in the family. Whatever the cause, it is important to remember that scratching or popping pimples and using certain artificial ingredients on the face you do not know much about can cause the problem to aggravate. Rather, use simple herbal remedies to keep your skin healthy and pimple-free.

Home remedies for every skincare problem

These days, more and more companies are coming out with products that claim to solve all your beauty woes. While some of these products may actually work, they can be harmful for your skin  in the long run. In this mega guide, we give you home remedies for common skin problems like pimples, acne scars, dark spots, tanning and more.

Home remedies to fight pimples

By using a few simple ingredients that are commonly found in most kitchens, it is possible to find a quick-fix for those unsightly pimples on your face.

Cinnamon and Honey

Cinnamon is a common spice and flavouring agent but the essential oil it contains also has strong anti-microbial properties. The water activity of honey is very low and this means that it does not contain a lot of moisture which can promote the growth of microorganisms. Considering that pimples often arise from an infection within the pores of the skin, combining cinnamon with honey is an effective remedy.

Mix a little cinnamon powder with a little honey to make a paste; avoid adding water because it will destroy the action of honey. Dab a little of the paste on each pimple and allow to remain overnight; wash off with lukewarm water the next morning. Repeat for a few days if necessary.

Lemon juice

Lemons contain vitamin C and phytonutrients called flavonoids that have a strong antioxidant as well as antibiotic action. Free radicals generated during the metabolic reactions within the body can damage the healthy cells of the body, causing inflammation and swelling. The antioxidants in lemonrestrict the action of these free radicals and this makes lemon juice an excellent remedy for pimples.

Squeeze out the juice from a freshly-cut lemon and dab a little directly on to the pimple. Leave on overnight and wash the next morning.

Mix a tablespoon of groundnut oil into an equal quantity of freshly squeezed lime juice and apply over the entire face; this provides long-term preventive action against blackheads that may later turn into pimples.

A word of caution regarding lime juice – it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and therefore, do not venture out in the sun when you have applied it to your face.

Tomato Pulp

Tomatoes are acidic in nature and applying their pulp to the pimple causes the skin to dry and the pores of the skin in the region get tightened. This means there is a lesser chance of oil leaking from the pores to cause pimples. Tomato is also rich in antioxidants and applying the pulp to the face reduces inflammation and damage of the skin.

Cut a tomato in half, squeeze out a little of the pulp or the juice and apply on the pimple. If this causes you pain or drying of the skin, dilute the tomato pulp with a little water and use. Do not do this more than once or twice a day because it may lead to excessive drying of the skin which can be quite painful.

Turmeric

Remember how your grandmother always insisted on sprinkling a little turmeric on your wounds saying it would help it heal? Well, medical researchers are now finding that turmeric contains ingredients that make it a powerful antimicrobial. No wonder then that women in India have always been using turmeric paste claiming it keeps their skin healthy and glowing. Although you can apply turmeric paste directly to skin, consuming it with a little warm milk is also said to be an effective remedy for flawless skin.

• Mix a little turmeric powder with a little coconut oil and apply directly onto the pimples at night; next morning, wash your face with water to remove the paste. 
• Dry a few neem leaves in the sun and grind to a fine powder. Mix equal quantities of this powder, turmeric powder and a little rose water to form a paste. Apply this to the pimples, leave it on for around 20 minutes or so and then wash your face. You could also substitute sandalwood powder for neem powder – this remedy works equally well for acne.

Home remedies to beat acne scars

A pimple arises due to some sort of skin damage; during the healing process, the body creates new skin cells and collagen fibers – this repair process leads to the formation of the acne scars. When it comes to reducing acne marks, it is important to remember this because whatever the form of treatment you use, the scars won’t really go away – its only their color, size and appearance that can be modified so as to render them undetectable. Here are a few home remedies you can try to lighten the acne scars.

Sandalwood water

According to Ayurveda, sandalwood or chandan is highly effective as a soothing and cooling agent, making it ideal to deal with skin problems. For use against acne scars, simply soak a piece of sandalwood in water for a few hours. Remove the wood, dry and store for reuse. Using a small ball of cotton, smear the sandalwood water slowly on the parts of the skin that has acne scars. Repeat every day for about a week and you are sure to notice a marked difference in your facial appearance.

Another way of using sandalwood is to rub a piece of sandalwood on a wooden base with a little rosewater to get a paste. Apply a small quantity of this paste on the acne scar and leave it on overnight. Wash the next morning with cold water.

Fenugreek extract

Add a few seeds of fenugreek (methi) into a little water; boil for about 10-15 minutes. Allow the liquid to cool, strain out the seeds and using a cotton ball, apply the water to the acne scars. Do this regularly for about a week and you will see a reduction in the intensity of the scars’ appearance.

Neem leaves

Neem contains alkaloids that give it distinct antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. This makes it effective against a wide range of skin problems right from acne and eczema to ringworm because it also has the property of cleansing the body of toxins. For action against acne scars, place a neem leaf directly on the affected area for some time; do this regularly to see good results.

Apple cider vinegar

Vinegar has the property of scraping off the old cells on the surface of the skin and this peeling action along with its antiseptic property makes it useful against acne scars. However, a direct application of vinegar may damage sensitive skin; so make sure you dilute it with a little water and apply this apple cider vinegar solution to the scars using a cotton ball.

Along with the use of these home remedies, it is important to take steps to prevent new pimples from erupting. Stress tends to cause hormonal changes that can worsen acne; so use deep breathing exercises and meditation to keep stress away. Cut down on your use of oil-based cosmetics such as moisturizers and make-up and even hair products; this will reduce the blocking of the pores in the skin and reduce your chances of an acne outbreak. While there is nothing you can do about the appearance of acne prior to or during the menstruation period, you can certainly avoid it getting worse by keeping your face clean and free from oil and adopting a ‘no touching or breaking pimples’ policy. 

Home remedies to get rid of unwanted facial hair

Ask women what they find embarrassing about their face and quite a few will reveal it is the facial hair that they need to constantly battle with. While we all have a little hair on the face, there may be times when there is a sudden spurt of growth due to various reasons and this excessive hair growth is called hirsutism. The most common reason is generally a hormonal imbalance because it is the levels of oestrogen that determine hair growth. Unfortunately, hirsutism is a long-term problem and while you may opt for bleaching, waxing or shaving, they cannot provide a permanent cure. Here are a few home remedies that can help you deal with this problem without resorting to the use of chemicals.

Gram flour

Traditionally, women in many Indian homes regularly used a face pack made by mixing gram flour orbesan with turmeric. This was said to have the ability to remove the excess hair on the face, particularly around the mouth and chin.

Mix equal amounts of besan and turmeric and add a little water to make a thick paste. Apply to the problematic part of the face, leave on until it dries totally and then dip a cloth in warm water and use to rub off this face mask – you will find that along with the besan mixture, the strands of hair are also removed.

Alternatively, mix in a little curd or cream (malaai) to the besan-turmeric paste and apply for an equally effective hair removal remedy.

Sugar mix

With a home-made wax-like substance, it is possible to remove facial hair quite effectively; however, you need to be prepared for the process to get a little messy and maybe even painful when compared to the turmeric or besan face pack. The molten sugar in this recipe provides the stickiness; honey and lemon act as bleach as well as help to soothe the skin.

Take about a tablespoon of sugar in a vessel, add in a teaspoon of honey and a few drops of lemon juice; heat this lightly or microwave for about 3 minutes and mix to get a smooth paste. When the paste is still slightly warm, apply it to the part of the face from where you need to pluck the hair. Cover the area with a strip of cloth and immediately pull the cloth in the direction opposite to that in which the hair is growing.

Egg mask

Yet another remedy that works to pull off the hair in an action similar to waxing is the egg mask. This is quite easy to try at home because all ingredients are easily available.

Take the white of one egg, add in 1 tablespoon of sugar and half a tablespoon of corn flour. Beat to make a smooth paste and apply this to the portion of your face that has unwanted hair. Once it dries, it will take on the appearance of a thin mask covering your face; all you have to do is pull it off firmly and the hair will get pulled out, too.

When it comes to these home remedies for getting rid of unwanted hair, it is not that it will give you magical results overnight. Often, you have to keep repeating the treatment at regular intervals to see a difference that is noticeable. If you do not find relief even after trying these remedies on a regular basis, it is best to consult a doctor to find out if there is some other underlying medical problem that is causing the excessive growth of hair.

Home remedies to lighten stretch marks

If you’ve noticed unusual whitish and unsightly marks on the abdomen, upper arms, breasts, buttocks or legs, you probably have developed what is commonly referred to as stretch marks. These marks are most often a result of a sudden change – either an increase or a decrease – in body weight.

Therefore, they are usually observed after pregnancy, or in teenagers who undergo the spurt in growth because of the hormonal changes associated with adolescence. These stretch marks are difficult to totally obliterate; however, there are some home remedies for lightening them so that they don’t appear as prominent.

Lemon juice

With its acidic nature and natural bleaching properties, lemon juice is one of the most effective remedies to lighten stretch marks. Simply cut a lemon, squeeze out the fresh juice and rub it gently onto the affected skin. Keep for about 10 minutes and then rinse off with a little warm water. Repeat a few times each day to see better results. 

Vegetable oil massage

Traditionally, in many parts of India, during the first few months following childbirth, the mother is given an oil bath – that is, coconut oil or castor oil is massaged onto the entire body as well as the scalp and this is followed by a bath with hot water. Quite a few modern-day beauty treatment centers make use of the wisdom of this ancient custom. Vegetable oils such as coconut oil, castor oil and even olive oil have the property of moisturising skin and smoothing out the wrinkles. Both these actions ensure that these oils are equally good for getting rid of stretch marks.

Warm a little olive oil and massage it deep into the affected skin before going to bed. Rinse the next morning with a little warm water and a mild soap if necessary. Or, you could try a mix of olive oil and coconut oil, too. When it comes to castor oil, the best way is to rub slightly warmed castor oil directly onto the affected skin and then wrap a cloth dipped in hot (but not uncomfortably so) water around the area. Or,you could wrap a plastic sheet over the skin where you have rubbed in the oil and use a hot water bag over this area – the warmth allows the pores in the skin to open up and absorb the oil better. 

Egg white

The white of the egg is rich in protein and this is useful in dealing with stretch marks. Collect the whites from two eggs, whip gently and apply as a thick layer onto the marks. Once the egg pack has totally dried, rinse it out with water and then moisturise the area by applying some olive oil. 

Home remedies to remove tan and dark spots

We love naturally dark skin. However, at times, prolonged exposure to bright sunlight or polluted air, ageing or hormonal fluctuations may cause patchy skin darkening making your skin look unhealthy. While cosmetic treatment is a probable option, it is generally not recommended except in a few extreme cases; by the regular use of a few simple home remedies, you can deal with darkened skin in the comfort of your home. 

Lemon Juice

One of the simplest and safest bleaching agents you will find, lemon juice can work wonders for darkened skin. The ascorbic acid or vitamin C present in lime juice acts as an antioxidant and this action helps to lighten the colour of the skin. All you need to do is squeeze the juice from half a lemon and apply this with a cotton ball onto the area where the skin has darkened. Or you could even directly rub a cut lemon over the affected area to allow the juice to stick to the skin.

Leave on for at least an hour and then wash with water. But make sure you avoid exposure to sunlight when you have applied the lemon juice onto your skin or your skin will only get darker than before.

Besides using lemon juice alone, you could also try combining it with turmeric powder or tomato juice. Mix about 3 teaspoons of lemon juice with 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder; apply this paste and leave it on for half an hour; then wash with water. Or make a puree from 2 medium-sized tomatoes and mix this with 4 tablespoons of lemon juice and apply this to darkened skin for about 20 minutes. 

Milk

Milk contains a compound called lactic acid and this has been found to help with lightening the colour of skin. Use a cotton ball to apply a little raw milk to the darkened skin; allow to dry and leave it on overnight; wash the next morning with a little warm water. 

Yoghurt 

Since it is made of milk, yogurt also contains lactic acid and this gives it bleaching properties. You can also add in a little lemon juice and some oatmeal into the yogurt to make a thick paste and apply to the darkened skin. According to Ayurveda, the regular application of buttermilk (the thin liquid left behind after removing the cream from milk in the form of butter) on darkened skin can help keep the skin cool and refresh it. 

Honey

When honey is applied to the face either alone or in combination with ingredients such as lemon juice and olive oil, it helps to remove the layer of dead cells on the outermost layer of skin. As a result, your skin appears brighter and fresh than before. Besides, honey also contains enzymes that help to make the skin soft and glowing. If you have sensitive skin and want to try honey on your face, make sure you try it out elsewhere – say on the arm – and check how your body reacts to it before applying it to your face.

Even better than using honey alone is to combine it with an equal quantity of lemon juice and milk powder and a little paste obtained from soaked almonds. 

Home remedies to treat burn marks

When the skin gets burnt, it often leads to scarring of that area which can be very displeasing to look at. The burn itself is a painful memory to erase and the burn scar is a constant reminder of it. Here are some effective home remedies using traditional Indian herbs to get rid of burn scars by Dr Uma Singh, medical director of Nomarks (Ozone Ayurvedics).

Almond oil

A good way to remove scars at home is to gently massage the scar with almond oil. Massaging the scar twice a day will help to progressively reduce the scar.

Methi seeds

Fenugreek seeds also help in getting rid of scars. Soak the fenugreek seeds in water overnight and grind it into a fine paste. Now apply this mixture gently on to the burn marks and leave it on. Once the paste has dried completely, you can wash it off with water. Apply this paste regularly to remove the scars. Cold water with turmeric also has antiseptic properties which work well on burnt skin.

Cotton-ash paste

The India Yunani Cotton-Ash Paste burn remedy has been used for centuries to treat even severe burns. Take a large piece of cotton wool (or any kind of pure, white cotton fabric) and burn it (perhaps in a metal pot). Use the ash of the burned cotton and mix with olive oil to get a thick paste. Spread this black paste on the burnt skin and cover with a cling film. Reportedly, the pain disappears in seconds and even the accompanied shock reduces in severity. If the pain is back, refresh it and use fresh paste on the wound. Use the paste for a week or so, depending on the severity of the burns.

Potato peels

Another age-old remedy is potato peels. They provide moisture and they also have anti-bacterial properties that help in healing. Doctors have found that potato peel bandages work better for minor burns than conventional dressings.