5 Ancient beauty remedies from India to swear by for healthy skin

thama

03 Apr 2018

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Bhumi Amla
Also known as Phyllanthus Niruri or Gale of the Wind, Bhumi Amla is a common tropical plant that grows in places so unusual (like floor cracks) that you’ve probably never even noticed them or never though that they could be a herb. Yes, you heard us right. You can even find them easily in coastal areas. This underrated herb is capable of healing wounds, fading scars and giving you an overall glowing skin. Because of its antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory properties, Bhumi Amla also prevents pimples and pus buildup.

How to use: Bhumi Amla is edible but can also be made into a paste and applied directly on the skin. You can either add a pinch of turmeric powder into the paste or use it on its own.

Other benefits: Swollen breasts, spasms, Syphilis.

Photo: @gsmangel (Instagram)
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Rakta Chandan
Rakta Chandan means “red sandalwood”. Even though it falls under the sandalwood family, Rakta Chandan is easily distinguishable from its cousins, white sandalwood and yellow sandalwood for very obvious reasons. And unlike the latter which are more common, this one does not have the fragrance that’s typical to a sandal wood. The tree also takes way longer to grow and is rarer than the other two. If you ever find Rakta Chandan powder though, do buy and use it as a face mask. You’ll be surprised to see how effective it is at getting rid of acne and improving your skin complexion. Remember, genuine sandalwood can be costly so don’t fall for fake products.

How to use: Add some lukewarm boiled water or genuine rose water until you get a paste consistency. Simply apply on your skin and body with your clean hands.

Other benefits: Digestion, colds and asthma.

Photo: @sunrisebotanics (Instagram)
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Amba Haldi
Haldi, or turmeric, is widely known for its antiseptic properties and benefits for the skin but how many of you have heard of Amba Haldi (also known as white turmeric)? Like its yellow counterpart, Amba Haldi is both anti-bacterial and helpful at healing wounds and diminishing scars. But we think that this is a better option because it doesn’t stain your skin.

How to use: You can either apply it on its own as a paste or mix it with aloe vera.

Other benefits: Flatulence, digestion, throat infection

Photo: @farmtoplatediaries (Instagram)
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Kumkumadi Oil
Made of 16 herbs like turmeric, sandalwood and saffron, this oil can really help fix problematic skin - from black spots, acne, scars to hyperpigmentation and even dark circles. Moreover, Kumkumadi oil can also be used as a moisturiser for those of you with dry, flaky skin but should only be taken in small amounts if your skin is oily.

How to use: After washing your hands and face, pour a few drops of the oil on your hand and apply it directly on the skin.

Other benefits: Sunscreen and acne prevention.

Photo: @huesofme (Instagram)
5/5
Shilajit
Largely native to the Himalayas, Shilajit (mineral pitch) is considered to be one of the oldest and most potent medicines in the world - not only for good skin, but also for a plethora of other health conditions. Unlike the other remedies in this list, this one is a type of black-coloured resin that originates from old decomposed matter deep in the Earth’s surface so one knows exactly what it is made of – but it’s definitely beneficial for you! Experts say that since Shilajit is naturally waxy, you should try your best to skip the powdered ones. With regular use, you will notice scars, blemishes, hyperpigmentation and wrinkles magically fade away.

How to use: You can either combine Shilajit with boiled water, olive oil, milk or honey before applying it on your skin. Keep in mind that you must never mix this resin with chlorinated water.

Other benefits: Blood cleansing, emotional well-being and hormone balancing

Photo: Natural Shilajit Resin

These natural medicines will work wonders for you.

It is no secret that ancient beauty methods have untold benefits for our skin. They have been tried and tested from time immemorial, and have proven to be reliable. Not only are most of them inexpensive alternatives to products that can burn a hole in our pockets, they also hardly cause any adverse effects in our body – unless taken in extremely large quantities or in bad combinations, of course.

We’ve all heard of plants like Tulsi (Holy Basil), aloe vera, turmeric, sandalwood and saffron that promise problem-free, glowing skin. In fact, these are probably the ingredients you’d reach out for to make a face mask at home. However, let us tell you that they’re not the only ones that can help you get rid of your troubling skin issues. Check out these 5 ancient Indian remedies you’ve probably never have heard of for healthy skin.

Thamayanthy

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