PULSES

Bengal Gram (channa)

The flour of the unroasted Bengal bram (besan) is a very effective cleansing agent and its regular use, as a cosmetic, bleaches the skin. In allergic skin diseases like eczema, contact dermatitis and scabies. Washing with this flour will bring about good results. This is a also useful where pimples are concerned. The flour should be mixed with curd to make a paste. This paste should be applied to the face and washed off after sometime. Washing the hair with Bengal gram flour keeps it clean, soft and free from hair diseases.

Potato (alu)

The juice of raw potatoes has also proved very valuable in cleaning skin blemishes. This cleansing results from the high content of potassium, sulphur. phosphorus and chlorine in the potato. These elements are, however, of value only when the potato is raw as in this state they are composed of live organic atoms. In the cooked state, they are converted into inorganic atoms and are of little value cosmetically.

The juicy pulp of the shredded raw potatoes can also be applied as a poultice in clearing the ageing appearance of the skin. Before going to bed, it may be rubbed on the face and other portions on the body, that have wrinkles. It will help 'melt' the wrinkles, banish age spots and clear the skin. The enzymes in raw potato pulp, combined with the vitamin C and the natural starch, help create a skin food that nourishes the starved cellular tissues of the skin. Furthermore, the alkaline juices of the potato promotes an antiseptic action that gives a glowing look of youth. Much of the decaying skin is sloughed off by the acidec portion of the pulp.

Mint (pudina)

Application of fresh mint juice over the face every night cures pimples and prevents dryness of the skin. The juice is also applied over insect stings, eczema, scabies and contact dermatitis.


Tomato (tamatar)

Tomato as an external application can be used as a cosmetic. Its pulp should be applied liberally on the face and left there for an hour and will give one a good complexion and remove ugly looking pimples in a short time.

Lettuce (Salad -ka- patta)

This salad vegetable is useful in preventing hair loss through deficiencies. A mixture of lettuce and spinach juice is said to help the growth of hair if drunk to the extent of half a litre a day.

Garlic (lasoon)

Garlic has been used successfully for a variety of skin disorders. Pimples disappear without leaving a scar when rubbed with raw garlic several times a day. Even very persistent form of ance, suffered by some adults, has also been healed with garlic. The exeternal use of garlic helps to clear spots on the skin, pimples and boils. The process is further helped by taking the garlic internally to purify the blood stream for a long-term clearance of the skin. A regular course of three garlic capsules per day should help to clear minor skin infections quickly. Garlic rubbed over ringworm, gives releif.

Fenugreek (methi)

A paste of the fresh leaves applied over the scalp regularly, before taking bath, lengthens the hair, preserves its natural colour and keeps it silky soft. A paste of the fresh leaves, applied on the face every night before going to bed and washed off with warm water, prevents pimples, blackheads, dryness of the face, and wrinkles. it improves the complexion and makes one look years younger.
Drumstick (sanjana)

Fresh leaf - juice applied with lime juice is useful in the treatment of pimples, blackheads and keeps one's face fresh.

Curry Leaves (kurry patta)

Liberal intake of curry leaves is considered beneficial in preventing the premature greying of hair. These leaves give vitality and strength to hair roots. New hair roots that grow are healthier with normal pigment. The leaves can be used in the form of a chutney or they may be squeezed in buttermilk or lassi.

Cucumber (khira)

Grated cucumber applied over the face, eyes and neck for 15 to 20 minutes has been found effective as a beauty aid and is the best tonic for the skin of the face. Its regular use prevents pimples blackheads, wrinkles and dryness of the face. Cucumber juice promotes hair growth due to its high silicon and sulphur contents, particularly when mixed with carrot, lettuce and spinach jice.

Coriander (dhania)

A teaspoon of coriander juice, mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder, is an effective remedy for pimples, blackheads and dry skin. The mixture should be applied to the face after thoroughly washing it, every night before retiring.

Ash Gourd (safed petha)

The peel and seeds of the ash gourd, boiled in coconut oil, are useful in hair disorders. They lengthen the hair disorders. They lengthen the hair, prevent dandruff and dryness of the scalp.











Beet (chukandar)

A decoction of beets mixed with a little vinegar can be used externally to cleance sculf and dandruff from the head. For dandruff, the beet water should also be massaged into the scalp every night.

Amaranth (chaulai-ka-saag)

This vegetable is useful in hair disorders. Application of the fresh leaf juice helps the growth of the hair and keeps it soft. it also helps the hair to retain its black colour and prevents premature greying. The juice applid over the face with a pinch of turmeric powder bleaches the skin, prevents it from dryness and wrinkles, cures pimples and makes one look fresh. This juice, mixed with milk and lime huice,acts as an effective skin tonic to increase and retain the beauty of the skin. It should be delicately massaged over the face and neck for half and hour and washed with lukewarm water every night before going to bed.

Peach (arhu)

The skin of the peach is useful in improving the complexion. 'A complexion like peaches' is a common expression. The inside of peach peeling should be gently massaged on the face every night for a few minutes. The moisture should not be rubbed off. This will cleanse the skin thoroughly and free the pores. It also has a gentle astringent action and tightens the muscles of the face slightly, thus preventing sagging tissues.

Papaya (papita)

The juice of the raw papaya, being an irritant, can be applied to swellings to prevent suppuration. It can also be applied beneficially to corns, warts, pimples and horny excrescences of the skin. The juice as a cosmetic, removes freckles and makes the skin smooth and delicate. A paste of the of the papaya seeds is applied in skin diseases like ringworm.

Musk Melon

The vitamin A and C contents of this fruit help rejuvenate internal and external skin tissues. Vitamin C in particular produces collagen, a natural cementing material that holds body cells together, strengthens the walls of the blood vessels in the digestive system and helps in healing the worn out cells and tissues.

Lime (nimbu)

This fruit can also be used as a beauty aid. A fresh lime may be squeezed in a glass of boiled, whole milk. A teaspoon of glycerine may be added to it. It should be left for half an hour and then applied on the face, hands and feet before retiring at night. This will help one to look young and beautiful. The application can also cure pimples, cracked so les and palms, dryness of the face and hands, and protect the face from hot and cold winds and sun - burn. Massaging the scalp with a few drops oflime juice mixed with amla juice every night before going to bed, stops the falling of hair, lengthens it and prevents hair from premature greying. It also cures dandruff.

Lemon(bara nimbu)

This fruit is regarded as a youth restorative. It helps cleanse blemished skin. the juice should be soakd into the skin. allowing it to remain overnight. Dry or scaly skin can be rubbed with the peel of a lemon. This will restore the skin to softness. Lemon juice can also help brighten the hair. Strained fresh juice of this fruit should be mixed with cool water and used to wash the the hair for this purpose. Rough elbows can also be softened by rubbing the area with the cut side of a lemon.

Indian Gooseberry (amla)

Indian goosberry is an accepted hair tonic in traditional recipes for enriching hair grow and hair pigmentation. The fruit, cut into pieces, in dried preferably in the shade. These pieces are boiled in coconut oil till the solid mass becomes like charred dust. This darkish oil is an excellent oil to prevent greying. The water in which dried amla pieces are soaked overnight is also nourishing to the hair. This water should be used for the last rinse while washing the hair.

Custard Apple (sitaphal)

The seeds of the custard apple have detergent properties. Their power is used to kill lice and prevent dandruff. This powder also serves as a goods hair wash when mixed with bengal gram flour (besan)

Natural Foods As Beauty Aids

There is a wide range of natural foods fruits, vegetables, pulses, nuts, seeds, honey and milk and other products which are of great cosmetic value. They can be benefically used as beauty aids. Some of the important foodstuffs which can be used in this manner are described herein in brief.

FRUITS

Apple (Seb) : Apple is one of the best fruits to tone a weak and run down condition of the human system. Its regular consumption with milk promotes health and youthfulness and helps build beautiful and bright skin.

Apple is also valuable in keeping teeth in good condition and good teeth are an important part of one's health and appearance. Tooth decay can be prevented by regular consumption of this fruit as it possesses a mouth cleaning property. Taken after meals, it has the same effect as a tooth brush in cleaning the teeth. In addition, the acid contents of the apple promote the flow of saliva in the mouth and exerts influence upon the germs.

Trikonasana (Triangle pose)

Stand, erect, with your legs apart. Stretch your arms up to shoulder level. Bend your trunk forward and twist to the left, looking upwards and keeping your left arm raised at an angle of 90. Place your right palm on your left foot without bending the knees. Maintain this pose for a few seconds. Then straighten and return to the normal position. Repeat the procedure on the other side. Trikonasana is an all-round stretching exercise. It takes the spinal column flexible and helps reduse the fat on the lateral sides of the body. Besides, it stimulates the adrenal glands and tones the abdominal and pelvic argans.

Dhanurasana (Bow pose)

Lie on your stomach with your chin resting on the ground, arms extended alongside the body with the legs straight. Bend your legs back towards the hips, bring them forward and grasp your ankles. Inhale and raise your thighs, chest and head at the body shoulder rest mainly on the navel region. Therefore, arch your spine as much as possible. Exhale and return slowly to the straight position, by recersing the procedure. Dhanurasana provides good exercise for the arms, shoulders, legs, ankles, back and neck. It also strengthens the spine.

Shalabhasana (Locust pose)

Lie flat on your stomach, with your legs stretched out straight, feet together, chin and nose resting on the ground, looking straight ahead. Move your arms under the body, keeping them straight, fold your hands into fists and place them close to the things. Now, raise your legs up keeping them straight together and stretching them as far back as possible without bending your knees and toes. Hold this position for a few seconds and repeat four or five times. This asama strengthens the whole body especially the waist, chest, back and neck.

Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)

Lie on your stormach with your legs straight feet together, toes pointing backwards. Rest your forehead and nose on the ground. Place your palms below the shoulders and your arms by the side of the chest. Inhale and slowly raise your head, neck, chest and upper abdomen from the navel up. Bend your spine back and arch your back as far as you can, looking upwards. Maintain this position and hold your breath for a few seconds. Exhale, and slowly return to the original position. This asana removes weakness of the abdomen and tones upthe reproductive system in women. It exercises the veetebrae, back muscles and the spine.

Halasana (Plough pose)

Lie flat on your back with legs and feet together, arms by your side with fists closed near your thigh, keeping your legs straight slowly raise them to angles of 30, 60 and 90 pausing slightly at each point. Gradually, raise your legs above your head without bending your knees and then move them behind until they touch the floor. Stretch your legs as far as possible so that your chin presses tightly against the chest while your arms remain on the floor as in the original position. Hold the pose from between 10 seconds to three minutes, breathing normally. To return to the starting position, slowly reverse the procedure.

This asana releive tension in the back, neck and legs.

Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand pose)

In sanskirt, "sarva" means whole and "anga" means limb. Almost all parts of the body are involved in and benefit from this asana. Lie flat on your back with your arms by the side, palms turned down. Bring your legs up slowly to a 90 angle and then rainse the rest of the body by pushing the legs up and resting their weight on the arms. Fix your chin in the jugular notch, and use your arms and hands to support the body at the hip region.The weight of the body should rest on your head, back and shoulders, your arms being used merely for balance. The trunk and legs should in a straight line. The body, legs, hips and trunk should be kept as verticle as possible. Focus your eyes on your big toes. Press your chin against your chest. Hold the pose for one to three minutes. Return to the starting position slowly reversing the procedure.


Sarvangasana stimulates the thyroid and para-thyroid glands, influences the brain and strengthens the mind.

. Vajrasana

(Pelvic Pose): Sit erect and stretch out your legs. Fold your legs back, placing feet on the sides of the buttocks with the soles facing back and upwards. Rest your buttocks on the floor between your heels. The toes of both feet should touch. Now, place your hands on your knees and keep the spine, neck and head straight. This asana can be performed even after meals. It improves digestion and is beneficial in case of stiffness of the legs. It strengthens the hips, thighs, knees, calves, ankles and toes.

2. Yogamudra:

Sit erect in padmasana (Lotus posture). Fold your hands begind your back, holding your left wrist with the right hand. Take a deep breath. While exhaling, bend forward slowly keeping your hands on your back. Bring your face downwards until your nose and forehead touch the floor. While inhaling, slowly rise back to the upright position. The practise of this asana tones the nervous system, builds up powerful abdominal nad strengthens the pelvic organs. It helps pep up digestion, boosts the appetite and removes constipation.

1. Shavasana

(Dead body pose) Lie flat on your back, feet comfortably apart, arms and hands extended about six inches from the body, palms upwards and fingers half-folded, Close your eyes. Begin by consciously and gradually relaxing every partand each muscle of the body-feet, legs, calves, knees, thighs, abdomen, hips, back, hands, arms, chest, shoulders, neck, head and face, Relax completely feelings as if your whole body is lifeless. Now concentrate on breathing rhythmically, asslowly and effortlessly as possible.

This creates a state of complete relaxation. Remain motionless in this position, relinquishing all resposibilities and worries for 10 to 15 minutes. Discontinue the xercise when your legs grow numb. This asana relaxes be perfomed at the beginning and at the end of the daily round of yogic asanas.