Ingredients to make this Herbal Bathing Powder for Summer:
Sandalwood powder(purchase pure sandalwood powder)
Tulsi powder
Neem powder
Liquorice powder
Turmeric powder
Rose petal powder
Gram Flour
Rosewater
Method:
1. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly except for the gram flour and rosewater.
2. Before bathing, mix 2 to 3 teaspoons of herbal bathing powder and 5 to 6 tablespoons of gram flour with rose water to form a smooth paste. You can change the ratio because the paste must cover your body, however, the gram flour makes the base of this herbal powder, thus, must be in greater quantity than the other ingredients.
3. Apply the paste to your body. Keep it on your body for 10 minutes, then shower it off. The bathroom floor might get stained after you wash it off so remember to clean your bathroom thoroughly after bathing.
Use it regularly.
This natural bathing powder is best used in summer because the ingredients have cooling properties.
Gram Flour is used as a scrub. Turmeric is nature’s most potent antibiotic and rose has soothing properties. Also, please do not use these powders if you are allergic to them or have a medical condition that can be aggravated by the powders.
I found this recipe in a book on Herbs. The cover page was torn off thus, I don’t know the name of the book. Here it is Ingredients 450 ml Honey 4 litres water 450 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice 450 ml freshly squeezed lime juice 1.5 kg sliced strawberries 3 tablespoons rosemary leaves
Preparation Pour the honey, 1 litre of water, and an eighth of the lemon juice, and throw in the rosemary leaves into a saucepan. Bring to a boil while stirring till the honey dissolves. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Strain into a large bowl or punch bowl. Press the strawberries through a fine sieve into the bowl. Add the remaining water, lime juice, and lemon juice. Stir gently. Add the ice cubes 5 minutes before serving. Hope you enjoy the Punch. Fresh Rosemaries are difficult to come by in Chennai, India. Please do try this recipe and let me know.
Herbal Tea is a bit of a misnomer because these beverages do not contain the leaves or leaf buds of tea plants. Herbal teas are blends or infusions of dried fruits, flowers, spices or herbs in water. In my opinion, the three healthy herbal teas are: 1) Ginger Tea: Ginger Root Tea is brewed in the Winter and helps fight colds, coughs etc. To make this Tea all one needs to do is to simmer the Ginger Root in water for ten minutes, some say 5 minutes should suffice. Ginger is known to boost the immune system and combat inflammation. It helps fight nausea and is used to treat gastrointestinal function. 2)Chamomile tea: Chamomile is a herb taken from the flowers of the Asteraceae plant family. Chamomile Tea is made by infusing the flowers in water for 5 minutes. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety effects. It also contains bioactive phytochemicals -flavonoids- that function as antioxidants. 3)Hibiscus Tea: Dried calyces are used to make Hibiscus Tea. Steep the calyces for 5 minutes in boiling water. This tea is known to have antiviral and cardiovascular benefits due to the presence of antioxidant “anthocyanins”.Hibiscus tea lowers BP(Blood Pressure). Health Warning: You may be allergic to these compounds. Do not consume these compounds if you are allergic to them. Also, if you are on medication, please inform your health practitioner that you consume these teas.
Gram Flour or besan acts as the base and scrub. It is also good natural bleach, which reduces tan.
Add a pinch of Sandal Wood Powder. You must use pure sandalwood powder, which is very expensive. Sandalwood has astringent, antiseptic, antimicrobial, anti-ageing and disinfectant properties.
Then, add a pinch of turmeric. Turmeric is nature’s most potent antibiotic.
To complete the paste, add rosewater or water. Apply to your face or affected areas for 20 minutes, then wash.
Below are a few pictures of my home herbal natural remedy(paste) for blackhead made up of besan, sandalwood powder, turmeric powder, and in this case Rosewater.
Tree Tea Oil:
Another home remedy for a blackhead is Tree Tea Oil. Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained from the ends of branches and leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree belonging to the family Myrtaceae. Tea tree oil has antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties that help fight bacteria, viruses, and free radicals.
Mix equal parts of tree tea oil with distilled water, apply to the acne affected part of the skin and wash with cold water after 3 hours.
Blackheads are part of adolescence. In the rare event, it strikes you later on in life, there are home remedies to help control blackheads.
Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice. Good quality Saffron can fetch USD 5000/ pound!.
In India, Saffron is grown only in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Production is limited to four districts of the Union Territory, viz Pulwama, Budgam, Srinagar, and Kishtwar. Out of these districts, Pulwana or Pampore – also called the Saffron town – accounts for 86% of saffron produced, with 3200 hectares under Saffron farming.
What is Saffron?.
Saffron is a perennial herb belonging to the Iridaceae family. The saffron you buy at stores is the style – a thread, which is harvested from the Crocus sativus flower. During harvest, the crimson stigma and styles, that is also called thread are harvested and dried.
The yield of dried spice from fresh Saffron is only 13g/kg. Saffron sold at stores looks like this:
Saffron
Compounds in Saffron:
Saffron contains crocin (gives Saffron’s colour), picrocrocin ( gives Saffron’s bitter taste), and safranal ( adds to the flavour).
Saffron and Jammu and Kashmir:
Jammu and Kashmir is the only Saffron producing state in India where it is grown at an altitude of 1500- 2000 metres in well-drained karewa soil(lacustrine deposits in the Kashmir valley). Jammu and Kashmir saffron is known for its intense natural red colour and longer, thicker stigmas. Saffron is widely and liberally used in traditional Kashmiri cuisine and is part of the culture of the state.
Geographical Indication tag:
In 2020, Jammu and Kasmir Saffron was awarded the GI tag. By awarding the GI tag to Jammu and Kashmir saffron, it will stop Iranian saffron from being sold as Kasmir Saffron
Multani Mitti is a clay material used extensively in the Indian sub-continent as a herbal beauty treatment. In English, it is called Fuller’s Earth because it was formerly used to process wool. Fuller’s Earth is the best natural bleaching product In the Indian sub-continent, it is called Multani Mitti because the ingredient was produced in the city of Multan. Uses of Multani Mitti: Controls Acne: Multani Mitti helps control acne. The magnesium chloride and calcium bentonite present in Multani Mitti rids the skin of acne. It has a plethora of anti-acne properties: (i)Multani Mitti has a cooling effect on the skin and helps reduce inflammation (ii)Multani Mitti removes dead skin, sweat and other impurities from the skin. (iii)Multani Mitti eliminates blackheads, whiteheads. The other uses of Multani Mitti: (i)Excellent in exfoliation. (ii)Multani Mitti has anti-tanning properties that give an even-toned radiant skin. (iii)Multani Mitti helps control sunburn. (iv)Multani Mitti’s oil-absorbing properties remove dark spots. How to apply and use Multani Mitti?. Many companies sell Multani Mitti. I use Himalaya’s Multani Mitti. First, I clean my face with astringent, after which I apply Multani Mitti on my face. I leave it on my face for 20 minutes before washing it off.
Aunty Minty is cool and fresh. She cures indigestion and heals sunburn.
The ubiquitous Mint has many wonderful qualities. One of the chemicals of mint – menthol chemical sends a message to the brain that it’s consuming something cold, triggering a chilly sensation that gives the effect that the herb is cooling the mouth.
Mint is widely used in cooking.
In India, it is called Pudina. A famous Indian mint-based dish is Mint Chutney.
Recipe:
This spicy green coloured chutney includes fresh mint (only leaves), coriander leaves, ginger and green chillies. A bit of ground cumin(if you wish) and salt.
Mint Chutney
Add a few teaspoons of lemon juice as it preserves the green colour of the chutney. Water is added to blend (I have heard of people adding some sugar). Throw the ingredients into the blender and Voila you have Mint Chutney.
Mint Chutney is used as ketchup with Indian savouries and snacks and can be made into a sandwich – I have tried it.
Mint of some variety has been used for centuries in Herbalism and in Cooking. There is a debate as to when humans started using Mint.
According to Julia Lawless the author of The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, there is evidence of the use of Peppermint(Mentha Piperita) in Ancient Egyptian tombs. In another book on Aromatherapy, this one written by Patricia Davis called Aromatherapy: An A -Z mentions that Peppermint was used by both the Romans and the Egyptians. Things start getting complicated when another renowned author on aromatherapy – Marina Heilmeyer – wrote in her book, Ancient Herbs, that peppermint was not in existence until 1696. According to Marina Heilmeyer peppermint was created as a result of the cross-hybridization of horsemint (Mentha longifolia)and watermint (Mentha aquatica). Whatever the actual facts are, it is clear that some form or type of Mint has been in use since the time of the Ancient Egyptians.
Peppermint:
The primary potency of Peppermint comes from its essential oil which is readily available at any good herbal store.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Some of the ingredients found in peppermint(and its oil)- in addition to menthol- are Menthofuron and Menthone. These components or chemicals assist in digestion, have a strong antiseptic, anti-viral action.
Peppermint oil is used in aromatherapy to cure acne, dermatitis, asthma, bronchitis, digestive problems, colds, headaches and fatigue.
Peppermint stimulates circulation and soothes the nerves.
A recipe to cure indigestion.
Put two drops of Peppermint Essential Oil in half glass of water. Sip this over a 5 minute period.
A Peppermint infusion can be used to wash or bathe in.
To make this infusion use 2 to 5 drops of Peppermint Essential oil in 1/4 cup of dilution material. This infusion can be used to cure sunburn by adding this infusion to a bath.
You can freshen up your room by putting a few drops of peppermint essential oil in a diffuser and let the vapour linger over you.
Sukku Coffee or Sukku Malli Coffee or Chukku Coffee is a herbal decoction used to treat several ailments such as cough, cold, indigestion. It has anti-inflammatory properties as well. The main ingredients of this coffee are eponymous sukku – dry ginger and malli – coriander seeds. How to make the Coffee?. The Powder: Dry ginger: ½ cup Coriander seeds: 1/4 cup Peppercorns: 1 tsp Cumin: ½ tsp. Dry roast the coriander seeds, peppercorns, and cumin. Let the mixture cool, then, add the dry ginger to the mixture and grind to a fine powder. Store the Powder in an airtight container. To Make the Coffee add two spoons of this powder to two cups of water. Boil. Strain the mixture and add honey(or sugar). Enjoy your Sukku Coffee!.
The sweet scent of Lavender is the most luscious in the world.
Humans have used Lavender in some form for centuries. Lavender’s essential oil is used in aromatherapy to relieve stress and anxiety. The sense of smell is processed in the Limbic system of the brain – the centre of emotion. Provided you are not allergic to Lavender essential oil and Lavender, adding a few drops of Lavender to a diffuser and inhaling its fumes should relax and soothe you. Lavender has varied uses in the cosmetic industry where its sweet, herbal aroma enhances a perfume.
Lavender adds a distinctive sweetness to dishes. Ursolic acid, a nutrient, in Lavender is thought to have anti-carcinogenic qualities and helps burn calories.
Sprinkle some dry culinary lavender flowers on Greek Yogurt.
Lavender flowers yield abundant nectar, from which bees produce high-quality monofloral honey.
Include Lavender in your garden. Lavender helps in pollination because its flowers provide abundant pollen and nectar. It will also add colour, texture, and scent to your garden.
Lemongrass is a plant in the grass family, cultivated for medicinal and culinary use because of its smell.
Smell: Lemongrass gives off the purest lemon smell with a tinge of grass and earthiness. If you enjoy lemon scent, I would strongly recommend burning pure lemongrass essential oil in a diffuser. It will soothe and relax you. Taste: Lemongrass tastes like lemon and lemon mint. It does not have the bitterness of the lemon. Uses: In Vodoo, it is the main ingredient of van van oil – used to conjure. It is extensively used in cooking, where it adds a lovely lemon tangy taste to stews, curries, and soups. I add lemongrass to my black tea. Lemongrass is an outdoors plant(Plant Hardiness zone 10 and 11). One can make a lawn out of lemongrass. It will make a lovely lawn because it is tall grass growing up to five feet with a four-foot spread. A feature of this grass is that multiple stalks emerge from the same base. Its lovely tall straight arching leaves will add colour and texture to the garden and make your lawn stand out from other lawns.
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