Herbs as Beauty Aids

It is generally believed that the use of cosmetics originated in China over 4,000 years ago. A lot of general information on herbs and their uses was gathered and recorded in the forst "Herbal" by the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung, in 3000 B.C. The earliest evidence of cosmetics, however, comes from Egypt. There it was costomary to bury, along with the mummyfied bodies of pharaohs and their consorts, samples of the comforts and luxuries available to them in their earthly lifetime, for use in their after-life.

Early experiments in the field of herbal cosmetics were carried out by Galan, a Greek physician who lived in the second century A.D He discovered that vegetable oil could be mixed with water and melted beeswax, and that the resulting cream when smoothed on the skin. was cool and soothing; not only did the skin become soft but it also become supple. He said, thus, discovered what we know today as "cold cream".

much progress has been made in herbal cosmetics, since Galan's time. Today there are a wide range of natural herbs which are of great cosmetic value. They can be beneficially used as beauty aids. Some of the important herbs which can be used in this manner are described here in brief.

Curd (dahi)

Curd is considered one of the best aids to natural goods looks. It supplies the nerves and the skin with healthy ingredients and counteracts the ill effects of exposure to the scorching sun. The bacteria in curd make the skin soft and glowing. Curd mixed with orange or lemon juice is a good face cleanser. It supplies moisture to the skin and fruit juice provides the essential vitamin C. One spoonful of juice should be mixed in one cup of curd. This should be applied to the face and neck and allowed to dry for 15 minutes. It should then be wiped off with a soft tissue and washed with water. A mixture of oatmeal flour and yaghurt has been found effective in making the skin brighter and softer. This mixture should be kept on the face for 15 to 20 minutes and then washed off with warm water. For pimples, paste of curd and bengal gram flour (besan) should be applied on the face and then washed off. Curd is also considered valuable in conditioning the hair. It makes the hair soft, healthy and strong. Curd should be massaged right into the scalp and then washed off. Dandruff can be removed by massaging one's hair for half an hour with curd which been kept in the open for these days.

Curd is considered one of the best aids to natural goods looks. It supplies the nerves and the skin with healthy ingredients and counteracts the ill effects of exposure to the scorching sun. The bacteria in curd make the skin soft and glowing. Curd mixed with orange or lemon juice is a good face cleanser. It supplies moisture to the skin and fruit juice provides the essential vitamin C. One spoonful of juice should be mixed in one cup of curd. This should be applied to the face and neck and allowed to dry for 15 minutes. It should then be wiped off with a soft tissue and washed with water.

A mixture of oatmeal flour and yaghurt has been found effective in making the skin brighter and softer. This mixture should be kept on the face for 15 to 20 minutes and then washed off with warm water. For pimples, paste of curd and bengal gram flour (besan) should be applied on the face and then washed off.

Curd is also considered valuable in conditioning the hair. It makes the hair soft, healthy and strong. Curd should be massaged right into the scalp and then washed off. Dandruff can be removed by massaging one's hair for half an hour with curd which been kept in the open for these days.