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.