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.