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Unwanted hair growth in women is known as Hirsutism. It is quite embarrassing for most women to have hair on face. Experts say excess male hormones called androgens leads to this condition.

Laser and other expensive treatments are available to remove unwanted facial hair, nature lovers recommend to try home available remedies. As they provide permanent results without any side-effects.

Based on a research we can say that lavender oil and tea tree oil can be used to remove facial hair. Renae a blogger who has struggled with unwanted facial hair says that lavender and tea tree oil has shown positive results in reducing mild hirsutism. If you’ve mild hair over your face try this home remedies to reduce their growth. She also tells that it took several weeks to see positive results, but she still recommends it.

There are many ways with which you can remove facial hair like shaving, pulling hair, Epilator, dyeing, chemical depilatory, waxing, threading, trimming, laser, electrolysis and oral contraceptives. But, these methods are either expensive or cause pain.

Unlike above mentioned ways, natural remedies take time but come with no or less side-effects. When you topically apply these natural oils, you don’t have to use moisturizer or cosmetic creams for your skin. These oils are filled with vitamins and nutrients that can enhance cell regeneration and make your skin supple.

Lavender Oil and Tea Tree Oil for Facial Hair

lavender oil and tea tree oil for facial hair

Tea tree oil is an essential oil extracted from a plant in Australia. Prominent nutrients in tea tree oil can aid to soothe minor burns, treat acne, remove skin tags, treat jock itch and other chronic skin conditions. Due to its higher concentration, tea tree oil is not recommended to use internally.

Lavender oil on other hand is extracted from blue aromatic flowers of lavender plant. It is renowned for its relaxing and calming aromatic effect. It can fight fungal infection and reduce migraine headache.

Combine these two natural oils and apply it over prewashed face. If you’ve sensitive skin, it’s recommended to dilute lavender oil with some water.

Add 1 tbsp of lavender oil to 4-6 drops of tea tree oil. Use cotton ball to apply this lotion over face. These oils have anti-androgen effect, which is how it helps to reduce hair growth.

The study was carried on a group of women affected with mild hirsutism. 12 members of one group (A) are treated with lavender and tea tree oil spray. The second group of 12 women (B) was given placebo twice per day for 3 months. After 3 months hormone evaluation and hair growth measuring were taken.

Though no hormonal difference was found in two groups, significant decrease of hair growth was found in group A. So the result shows that lavender oil and tea tree oil can reduce facial hair, it is now represented as economically safe to use over skin.

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Natural Resource

7 Benefits of Lemongrass for Skin

ByMoin Nex

I always had a quest for natural homemade food, as they aren’t processed and are filled with nutrients. Unfortunately, we seldom have such nutritious diet in metro cities. However, I do visit my grandmother to fill myself with some vitamin rich things.

Enough about food; your skin also needs natural ingredients for its effective functioning. There are bunch of innate ingredients that can tone your skin and bring lost brightness to it. Lemongrass is one simple yet potent ingredient that can improve your physical appearance.

Lemongrass for skin has abundant benefits because of its rich nutritional profile. Some of the notable elements include myrcene, terpineol, methyl heptenone, limonene and vitamin C. Before dwelling into benefits of this herb, let me put down few points on lemongrass.

lemongrass benefits for skin

Native to India and Sri Lanka, lemongrass is tall with jagged and sharp edges. You’ll love its aroma, which is identical to lemon. Interestingly, you can use lemongrass herb in salads, meats and sauce. Internal consumption of this herb will improve your overall health. Have lemongrass tea regularly to treat chronic skin ailments.

Benefits of Lemongrass for Skin

This perennial grass can be used to exfoliate your skin and remove impurities accumulated over it. Though it has less potent when compared to lemon juice, Western world considered this herb as an ingredient in cosmetic creams.
Like lemon juice, astringent properties in this herb will tighten your skin pores. It also clears dead cells and sebum blocked in pores.
Study concludes that lemongrass essential oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal activity. These properties reduce acne blemishes and fungal infection. A compound limonene is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity.
Antibacterial properties treat acne and other bacterial infection on the skin.
Antiseptic properties will fasten the healing process of minor burns and injuries.
Before apply your natural moisturizing agents, beauty experts recommend to use lemongrass. Its astringent activity clears impurities and reduces skin pores.
Vitamin C can improve overall functioning of the skin and reduce aging wrinkles.
Assorted nutrients in lemongrass enhance collagen production and improve elasticity of the skin.
Use lemongrass as room spray to destroy insects and mosquitoes.

Also read: Lemongrass oil for acne

How to Use Lemongrass on Skin?

Most people prefer store brought lemongrass essential oil to topically apply over the face. If you’re adventurous and want to try to make your own herbal oil at home, check out below.

Normally this herbal oil is prepared by steam distillation. To prepare it at home, you’ve to infuse carrier oil with lemongrass.

Lemongrass stalk – 4 to 6
Cheesecloth to strain the oil
Mortar and pestle
Carrier oil -(Olive oil)
A glass container

Crush lemongrass leaves and drop in the container filled with carrier oil. Leave it for a couple of days and strain the oil using cheesecloth.

You can repeat the process to release oil in lemongrass leaves. As it is very strong you’re advised to blend it with other carrier oil.

Before using lemongrass for skin, it’s recommended to patch test to prevent allergic reaction. To apply this herbal oil over the face, wash your face or cleanse it. Pat dry with soft cloth and evenly apply this herbal oil. After 15-20 minutes you can rinse it off.

Blend with jojoba oil or almond oil to massage and relax your skin. Excellent aroma residing in lemongrass can be used in aromatherapy.

Note: Experts stop children, diabetic patients and pregnant women from using lemongrass essential oil. If you see experience allergy symptom like rashes, burning sensation or irritation consult your dermatologist immediately.

Image source: 1, 2

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Natural Resource

Turmeric and Yogurt Face Mask Benefits

ByMoin Nex

Are you among those who love their skin?

You might think it’s a weird question, but most of them including few among you love to have chemical ingredient creams over their face instead of natural remedies that has rich nutritional value.

Your skin loves natural ingredients, as they provide vitamins and minerals needed for its healthy functioning. Whereas, you’re cosmetic products strip natural oil surrounding the skin. Apparently your skin likes to have home available natural ingredients, but you serve them pricey refined creams.

Natural ingredients like turmeric and yogurt can make your skin free from impurities and guard it from harmful UV rays. Excellent thing is, it’s inexpensive and you don’t have to rush to a beauty spa. Regular use of these affordable ingredients will make you look young and attractive all the time.

Benefits of Turmeric and Yogurt for Skin

Turmeric has got vital role for minor injuries and burns in India. It is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic activity that can soothe your skin and reduce acne inflammation. Curcumin is the compound that exhibits antioxidant and other assorted properties in turmeric.

Indians topically apply turmeric powder as a ritual. Below are some benefits of turmeric for skin.

Fade acne scars
Remove wrinkles
Treat acne
Fade stretch marks
Enhance healing of minor burns and injuries
Helps to remove unwanted facial hair
Soothes your cracked heels

Also read: Turmeric face mask for acne

Take it as a breakfast or apply it over your skin, either way yogurt can benefit you. Lactic acid and alpha hydroxy acid in yogurt can remove dead cells over your skin. Without ado let’s check the benefits of yogurt for skin.

Antibacterial and anti-fungal properties residing in yogurt can restrain acne causing bacteria and effectively treat acne blemishes.
As mentioned above, acids in yogurt can hydrate your dry and dull skin. When your skin becomes dry, it can’t fight to restrict bacterial invasion. Natural moisturizers can successfully bring back the lost moisture to your skin.
Zinc in yogurt helps to soothe minor sunburns.
Bleaching power housed in this innate remedy can help you to get rid of hyperpigmentation.
Assorted properties in yogurt can effectively reduce aging wrinkles and make your skin supple.

Also read: Honey and Yogurt face mask

How to Use Yogurt and Turmeric Face Mask?

turmeric and honey face pack for glowing skin

You don’t have to blend them to reap their benefits for skin. But, to make the face mask more effective beauty experts recommend mixing innate ingredients with each other.

Both turmeric and yogurt can make your skin glow and keep skin ailments at bay.

Take 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a clean bowl.
Mix 2-3 teaspoons of plain yogurt to it thoroughly.
Mean while wash your face and pat dry with soft cloth.
You can add 1 tbsp of yogurt if needed to form thick paste like consistency.
Apply the mask evenly all over the face and leave it to dry naturally.
Rinse it off after 15-20 minutes.

I’d like to add my favorite home remedy honey to it.

Extolling benefits of honey are documented in religious scriptures. It bagged exceptional varied properties like anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiseptic activity. These agents will thwart bacteria and enhance cell regeneration to bring back your skin to life.

Add 1 tbsp of raw honey to above mask and it will turn into an effective acne remedy. While applying the mask, make sure you avoid sensitive areas like eyes and inside nostrils.

Though the mask looks delicious, don’t lick it.

Must read: Turmeric and honey for glowing skin

Yes, you’re busy and can’t apply this face mask daily. Try this weekly or biweekly to see positive results.

Turmeric may leave yellow stains over your face. Don’t worry, apply moisturizer or wash it twice to fade the yellow stain.

Turmeric yogurt and avocado face mask

Antioxidants in avocado thwart free radicals and its vitamin C improves elasticity of the skin. Fatty acids residing in this fruit can hydrate your dry skin.

Blend 1 table spoon of mashed avocado with 1 teaspoon of yogurt and 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder.
Wash your face thoroughly and apply the face mask evenly.
You can apply it around the neck and over forehead.

Lemon juice yogurt and turmeric face mask

If you’ve oily skin add few lemon drops to the face mask. Acidic nature of lemon lightens dark spots and treats acne. Regular use can lighten the appearance of acne scars.

Optionally, apply natural moisturizer after using this face mask.

turmeric and yogurt face mask

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Natural Resource

7 Rosehip Oil Benefits for Skin

ByMoin Nex

rosehip oil benefits for skin

Among all flowers roses are instinctively related to beauty and love. Naturally they are packed with a bunch of nutrients that can nourish your skin and enhance its texture. Most of us are aware of rosewater, which can effectively treat acne and remove impurities from your face.

Likewise, rosehip, the round shaped portion below rose petals is renowned for vitamin C, fatty acids and antioxidant agents. Fresh rosehip oil has abundant benefits for your skin. Ailments like eczema, psoriasis, acne, wrinkles and stretch marks can be treated using this natural oil extracted from the seeds of rosehip.

It’s not the first time we’re using it for skin. Benefits of rosehip for skin are known from ancient times. Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi says that rosehip oil has been used by ancient Egyptians, Mayans and Native Americans. Enticing uses of rosehip for skin made beauty industries to replace their chemical ingredients with this natural oil. Check out your cosmetic cream ingredients list, sure you’ll find rosehip seed oil.

Unlike other heavier oils rosehip seed oil is light and non-greasy. Before you start slathering rosehip oil over your face, let’s check out its nutritional benefits.

Rosehip Oil Benefits for Skin

With growing traffic, pollution around us is increasing. Because face is the most exposed part of our body, all pollutants and impurities settle over it. If you don’t take action to wipe them off the skin, along with million dead cells shed by your skin they block skin pores and dark spots appears.

Unlike cosmetic creams, natural ingredients like rosehip oil penetrate deep into the skin and enhance is functioning.

1. Hydrates your skin

Unlike other oils like jojoba oil and shea butter, rosehip oil is easily absorbed by your skin. You’ll not feel greasiness over the skin; it penetrates deep into your skin and stimulates cell regeneration.

It makes your skin healthier, young and well hydrated. A moisturized skin can guard you from bacterial and fungal infection. Most chronic skin diseases are triggered by dry skin. So add this to your beauty regimen and use it twice in a week.

2. Enhance healing

Injuries and wounds are common, antiseptic properties of this oil can enhance fast healing and avoid infectious germs from the injuries.

Essential fatty acids housed in rosehip oil can boost cell regeneration and lighten the appearance of scars. You can topically use this innate ingredient to fade acne scars. However, it’s not recommend for treating acne. (Read below to know more)

3. Acne (Only for dry skin)

Experts say that inflammation is the main cause of acne blemishes. Excess production of sebum gets blocked with dead cells and impurities to form blackheads or acne.

Anti-inflammatory activity of this oil reduces acne inflammation and antibacterial agents can thwart P.acnes. Anyhow, experts don’t recommend this oil for acne. As its rich concentration may increase acne break outs and worsen the condition.

However, you can use rosehip oil for acne scars. When you see all acne blemishes are treated, apply this oil regularly to fade scars. People with extreme dry skin can use this oil topically for acne, but need to consult dermatologist before applying it.

Also read: How to Use Cinnamon and Honey for Treating Acne?

4. Fade wrinkles

Elasticity of your skin fails to form wrinkles or fine lines over your face. It’s a cosmetic concern. Cosmetic creams can’t prevent aging wrinkles effectively, as they are filled with chemicals that can strip natural oil guarding your skin.

Fresh rosehip has rich vitamin C packed in it. Anyhow, drying them will decrease vitamin C quantity. Other nutrients like vitamin A and vitamin E along with C exfoliate impurities and dead cells from your face, stimulate cell regeneration and increase collagen production.

Collagen is mainly responsible for skin’s elasticity. When these vitamins and nutrients improve health functioning of your skin, wrinkles and fine lines fade slowly.

5. Fight free radicals

As you’re exposed to UV rays and impurities, free radicals are formed which damage cell membrane to trigger various skin ailments. Antioxidant activity of rosehip oil can effectively restrain free radicals and prevent cell damage.

6. Treats minor burns

Essential fatty acids residing in this oil hydrate the skin and fasten the healing process around the burns. Vitamin A boosts healing process and increases cell regeneration. Consult physician for major burns.

7. Tones your skin

Along with all above listed properties, astringent agents in rosehip oil tighten the skin pores and hydrate it, making it look young and bright. Like rose petals, rosehip oil application will relax and soothe your skin. You’re going to love its aroma.

You can get rosehip oil from local drug store. Take few drops of rosehip oil in your clean hands and apply topically over prewashed face or skin. Assorted properties in this oil can protect you from UV rays.

To reap rosehip oil benefits for skin blend it with 1-2 table spoon of coconut oil and 2 drops of lavender oil to 1/2 tbsp of rosehip oil.

Overview:

Exceptional properties like antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antioxidant agents are packed in this oil. But, experts condemned its use for treating acne blemishes. Anyhow, people with dry skin can try this oil and you can consider it as after acne treatment to fade acne scars.

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rosehip oil benefits for face

Natural Resource

7 Benefits of Horsetail for Skin

ByMoin Nex

Herbs has got prominent role in healing skin ailments and for medicinal purpose. Horsetail, also known as shave grass or Equisetum arvense is one among the herbal remedies used by ancient people to treat health and skin issues.

It grows in moist and sand soil temperature, like North America, Asia and Europe. It’s named horsetail because of its stems, which resembles like the tail of horse.

Horsetail for skin has abundant benefits because of its assorted nutritional profile. Unlike other plants, this herb has high concentration of silica that can improve your overall health including skin, hair and bones.

The Greek physician Galenus is the first person to recommend horsetail to treat skin inflammation, ulcers, wounds and ruptures. Chinese documented its medicinal properties in their historical medical scriptures. They used it to cure cool fever, eye inflammation, flu, swelling and hemorrhoids.

Benefits of Horsetail for Skin

horsetail for skin

As mentioned above, horsetail is packed with silicon, which has a healthy contribution in strengthening, skin, hair, building connective tissues and bones.

Do you know? Your skin shed millions of dead cells every day, along with other impurities it gets accumulate over your face causing dark spots on various places. Natural remedies like horsetail have antioxidant agents that can thwart free radicals and also wipe impurities off the skin.

Enhances Collagen Production: Collagen is mainly made of silicon. If you’ve enough silicon in your body, then your skin looks much younger. Not just skin, collagen accounts for hair, teeth and bone functioning. It increases elasticity of your skin and locks moisture.
Astringent: This property removes impurities and excess oil left over in the skin pores. Most astringents can stop bacterial infection, so it can effectively reduce acne blemishes. Astringent is renowned for cleansing and shrinking skin pores.
Hydrates the Skin: Most chronic skin diseases are triggered due to dry skin. Topically applying horsetail for skin can promote collagen production, which makes your skin moist.
Reduce Wrinkles: Your skin losses its elasticity as you grow older. Using external source of minerals can increase collagen production. As mentioned above, collagen improves elasticity of the skin and removes wrinkles.
Heal Minor Injuries: Wounds, cuts and eczema flare-ups can be healed by using this herbal remedy. Its antiseptic property stops bacterial and fungal infection around wounds and injuries. (Note: Eczema can’t be treated permanently using this home remedy.)
Antioxidant activity of horsetail will restrain free radicals that can damage cell membrane causing wrinkles.
Anti-inflammatory properties reduce acne inflammation and allergic reaction triggered due to irritants. Also, antibacterial properties can restrain acnes bacteria, which increase acne inflammation.

Other benefits include strengthening bones, regularize menstruation, improve kidney and liver functioning, stimulate hair growth and treat other health issues.

Diuretic housed in horsetail helps to cleansing your body and increase urine output. You can either directly apply horsetail over wounds, injuries and blemishes to heal or consume it as directed by nutritionist. To reap the benefits of horsetail for skin, you can steep herbal tea with (1/2 cup of horsetail and 1 cup of water). Strain and use the water to rinse your skin and hair. (source)

Though this data lack scientific research, you can try after discussing with dermatologist or nutritionist.

Did you ever use horsetail? Share your views in comments.

Important Note

Though natural ingredients have no or very less side-effects, experts recommend to consult nutritionist for dosage.
Pregnant and breast feeding women must stay away from horsetail.
Alcoholic people normally has thiamine deficiency, consuming horsetail can worsen the situation.
Horsetail may decrease blood sugar levels, consult your doctor and check the progress while using this herbal remedy.

Image source: 1, 2

Natural Resource

30 Benefits of Chamomile Tea for Skin, Face and Health

ByMoin Nex

Like any herbal tea, chamomile tea gives you an instant refreshing experience. Its aromatic smell can bring you back to life (not literally).

Chamomile includes different types of daisy like plants filled with nutrients and vitamins. Though we’re aware of benefits of green tea, most of don’t know about benefits of chamomile tea for skin and health. It has been used to treat various skin and heath diseases like sore throat, insomnia, anxiety, cold, digestion problems, psoriasis, eczema and acne.

Dried chamomile flowers are used to make this tea. Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory activity of chamomile tea helps to eliminate infectious bacteria, fungus and reduces acne inflammation.

Bisabolol and flavonoids residing in chamomile tea enhances fast healing and includes anti-cancer property. These compounds have been included in cosmetic creams to stimulate healing and to improve skin’s texture. Flavonoids show antioxidant property, which thwarts free radicals that damages your skin cells leading wrinkles.

Benefits of Chamomile Tea for Skin

chamomile face mask

1. Your skin is piled with impurities and dead cells. Antioxidant and cleansing properties residing in chamomile tea can be used to exfoliate the skin. Apart from having brewing herbal tea, you can make chamomile face mask.

2. Enhances healing. Mix some water or any essential oil and apply it over injuries to fasten the healing process.

3. Treats minor sunburns and used topically with other innate remedies like honey and almond oil.

4. Antioxidant agents kill free radicals and prevent premature aging and wrinkles.

5. Experts say acne is mainly cause due to inflammation. Anti-inflammatory properties reduce acne inflammation.

6. Place cool chamomile tea bags under your dark eyes to remove dark circles. Repeated use it important to see positive results.

7. Hydrates your skin from the outside and inside when consumed regularly.

8. Placing chamomile tea bags will soothe your tired eyes.

9. Blend it with olive oil and white sugar to protect the skin from harmful UV rays and moisturize the dry skin.

10. Blend it with oatmeal and almond oil and it can remove impurities off the skin.

11. Studies proved that topical application of chamomile mask can relive eczema symptoms.

12. Natural bleaching property of chamomile tea can lighten dark spots and aids in skin whitening.

13. Apply chamomile face mask over acne lesions to reduce inflammation and swelling.

Benefits of Chamomile tea for hair

14. Get rid of blonde hair with chamomile tea. Mix it henna for dark hairs.

15. Lighten your hair with chamomile tea to get stunning bright-golden light to brown hair.

16. You can get rid of scalp irritation by using chamomile tea.

17. Exceptional properties in this herbal plant can reduce dandruff.

Benefits of Chamomile tea for health

18. Dating back to ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians chamomile has been used to treat various health issues like chest colds, sore throats and ulcers.

19. Having a cup of chamomile tea can relax uterus muscles and reduce menstrual cramps.

20. If you’ve experienced stomach ache or under gone operation try chamomile tea in limited quality to soothe your pain.

21. Experts recommend taking chamomile tea to reduce stomach ulcers.

22. It can help to control blood glucose levels. Reports conclude that chamomile tea can be helpful for diabetic patients.

23. Studies suggest that chamomile can treat diarrhea, hemorrhoids and insomnia.

24. Sedative properties in this herbal tea can help you to sleep.

25. Migraines or experiencing headache, try one hot cup of chamomile tea to relax you.

26. Allergic reaction and rashes over the skin and internally can be treated by using chamomile tea.

27. Chamomile tea can treat chickenpox, diaper rash and colic in children. (source)

28. Assorted properties in chamomile tea can boost your immune system and give you instant relief.

29. Prevent gastric troubles by daily consuming a cup of tea.

30. Get rid of puffy eyes by placing chamomile tea bags under your eyes.

How to Pick and Make Chamomile Tea at Home

Important Points

Excess use of chamomile tea can upset your stomach. So limit its use.
Try to make your own chamomile tea at home, by picking its flowers and drying it for 1-2 weeks.
Keep the dried flowers in airtight container.
Pregnant must avoid chamomile tea, as it may cause abortion.
If you’re allergic to this herbal plant, then stop using it. Pat test before to know whether your skin is allergic to it.

Benefits of chamomile tea for skin and health are countless. So, try it once and let us know the results.

Natural Resource

7 Awesome Health Benefits of Alfalfa

ByMoin Nex

alfalfa sprout health benefits

Seeing its exceptional nutrients, Arabs used this herb to feed their horses and they claim that it made animals swift and strong. The name Alfalfa is originated from Arabic name Al-fal-fa, mean father of all foods.

Wonder! How can a livestock feed help you improve your health? (Continue reading this article, to find out health benefits of alfalfa)

What is Alfalfa?

Alfalfa is an herb, which grows up to 80 cm and it blooms blue-violet color flowers from July to September. People use its leaves, sprouts and seeds to make medicines. Next time when you’ve sandwich check it out, you’ll find leaves and sprouts of alfalfa. On other hand, its seeds are blended into smooth paste to use it over insect bites.

Also read: 7 Sorghum Health Benefits

Nutritional Value of Alfalfa

From centuries this herb has been used by Chinese and Ayurvedic experts. Lab tests conclude that alfalfa has significant nutrients that can reduce cholesterol and other health disorders.

Alfalfa deserves its name, wide range of minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, sodium, potassium, phosphorous, chlorine and silicon are include in it.
Exceptional vitamins such has vitamin E, C and K are housed in this herb.
Essential amino acids that your body needs are packed in alfalfa herb.
Because of it’s assimilate nature; alfalfa is used with vitamin supplements.

Alfalfa Health Benefits

health benefits of alfalfa

Removes Toxins: Its antioxidant activity helps to thwart toxins from the body. (anyhow antioxidant and anti-inflammatory property lacks evidence)
Kidney Stones: Reports suggest that leaves of alfalfa causes diuresis, which can treat kidney disorders like stones and prostate problems.
Lowers Cholesterol: Saponins, compound in alfalfa plant had shown positive results in reducing cholesterol level in the body.
Treats Arthritis: Tea made from alfalfa seeds can be beneficial in treating arthritis. Minerals in this seeds help in formation and strengthening of bones.
Reduce Diabetes: Regular consumption of alfalfa sprout or leaves can reduce blood sugar levels in the body.
Treats Asthma: Alfalfa leaves have been used to reduce asthma because of its anti-asthmatic activity.
Other alfalfa uses of health include: Promoting healthy digestion, cleansing blood, reducing allergic reaction, aids in blood clotting and is natural treatment for hair loss.

Anyhow, most uses of alfalfa lack scientific evidence. Having a alfalfa herbal tea regularly will improve your over health.

Also read: 15 Benefits of Nutmeg for Health

Side-Effects of Alfalfa

Though nutritional benefits of alfalfa are enticing, excess use of alfalfa may damage red blood cells. It is just used as a supplement to lower cholesterol level. FDA avoids use of alfalfa sprouts for people with weak immune system.

Healthy adults will not have any serious side-effects from alfalfa leaves.

Where to Buy Alfalfa Leaves?

You can either get capsules from local drug store or order raw fresh alfalfa leaves Mountainroseherbs.com.

Image source: 1, 2

References:

Acne

7 Benefits of Neem Oil for Skin, Acne, Eczema and Psoriasis

ByMoin Nex

In Southern India, you’ll find a bunch of neem trees in every village. I used to visit my grandmother twice a year, where I get to see numerous neem trees and unfortunately once I had to taste its bark, which was horrible. But, after trying it for 2-3 times my taste buds got adapted to its bitterness.

My mother-in-law recently diagnosed with diabetes, along with medicines she started chewing fresh neem leaves. It may sound weird for those who’re unaware of its Ayurvedic benefits.

Neem oil, seeds, fruits and bark exhibits unbelievable medical properties, so you can use neem oil for acne, eczema, psoriasis and other chronic skin diseases. Neem leaves are also renowned to treating chickenpox and measles.

Short Note on Neem Tree

Known as Margosa Tree in English, neem tree is native to India and other parts of Asia. From thousands of years neem has got significant role in Ayurveda. Neem tree belongs to meliaceae family, which is renowned for fast growing and drought resistance. Its dense evergreen shade lasts for about 150-200 years. (1)

Vedas referred neem tree with different names, like Arista, Nimba and Pinchumada. Curative activities of neem are found in Arthashastra, which belongs to 4th century BC. Ayurveda books documented neem as Sarva Roga Nirvarini (universal cure for all ailments). (2)

Southern Indians treat neem as The Holy Tree, it has got significant role in traditional ceremonies. Neem oil is derived from neem seeds and fruits. Though it taste bitter, neem oil is packed with fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acid that can hydrate your skin.

Nutritional Value of Neem Oil for Skin

neem oil for acne, skin, eczema and psoriasis

Modern researches carried out on neem conclude it as a pack of exceptional medical properties. More than 140 compounds are isolated from different parts of neem. It has got extensive use in Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy treatments.

Neem oil is packed with anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant properties. These curative properties can effectively treat skin infections and other ailments that may damage healthy functioning of the skin. (3)
Antimalarial agents in neem oil help to restrain malarial parasites.
Its Hypoglycemic activity decrease blood sugar levels in the body.
It’s shown that Immunostimulant property in neem oil helps to enhance immune mechanism of the cell.

Assorted nutrients in neem oil can thwart infectious bacteria, fungi or virus and makes your skin smooth and supple.

Awesome Benefits of Neem Oil for Skin

Like mentioned above, neem oil has exceptional role in ancient medicines. Even today most cosmetic industries incorporate neem into their creams and lotions. Along with health and skin benefits, neem oil can be used for healthy hair. Chronic skin infections like eczema, psoriasis and acne can be treated using neem oil.

But, reach an expert (grannies) before playing with this Ayurvedic medicine.

1. Neem Oil for Acne

Studies conclude that acne is triggered due to inflammation and hormonal imbalance, which stimulates over production of sebum. This excess sebum gets blocked at skin pores with dead cells. (Your skin sheds millions of dead cells everyday).

Anti-inflammatory activity in neem oil can effectively treat pimples or acne lesions by reducing inflammation and redness.
After treatment, acne scars can lighten with regular use of neem oil.

Mix few drops of pure neem oil to any essential oil, as high concentration of neem oil may irritate your sensitive skin. Alternatively, you can use honey to lighten the acne scars.

Recommended: Green clay face mask for acne

2. Neem Oil for Eczema

neem flower for acne

Main cause of eczema is unknown. Anyhow, expert hold hereditary as the cause of eczema flare-ups. Dry skin triggers itching, which can worsen the eczema situation. Unfortunately, you can’t completely treat eczema, but medicines like neem oil can relive its symptoms.

Antiseptic property in neem oil thwarts infectious fungi.
Fatty acids and other assorted nutrients in neem oil will penetrate into skin to form a protective layer and lock moisture round it.
Nimbin compounds residing in neem helps to reduce redness and swelling of the skin.

Also read: Coconut oil for eczema and psoriasis

3. Prevents Aging Wrinkles

Rich concentrations of antioxidants packed in neem helps to fight free radicals, which may damage the cell and promote wrinkles. Vitamins and fatty acids packed in neem oil, enhance elasticity to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

Wash your face with cold water and pat dry. Then apply diluted neem oil over wrinkles.

Recommended: Shea butter for wrinkles

4. Fights Fungal Infection

Infections like ring worms, nail fungus and athletes foot are triggered by fungi. Neem oil has powerful anti-fungal properties that can kill fungi. Research carried out shows that neem oil can fight 14 different types of fungi.

Compounds in neem oil, namely gedunin and nimbidol play crucial role in fighting infectious causing fungi.

5. Moisturizes Your Dry Skin

As mentioned above dry skin is the main cause of most skin disorders. When natural oil striped from your skin, it gets invaded by various infectious bacteria.

Fatty acids in neem oil penetrate into deeper layers of the skin to hydrate it from the outside and to get rid of dry skin.

Must read: Potato face mask for dry skin

6. Neem Oil for Hyperpigmentation

Alarming levels of pollution and impurities gets piled over your skin. Also excess exposure to UV rays, increase production of melanin leading to pigmentation.

Neem oil has cleansing properties that will wipe impurities off the skin. Also the melanin production is slowed down resulting in fairer skin.

Must read: Mango facial mask for skin whitening

7. Neem Oil for Psoriasis

Just like eczema, mere cause of psoriasis is unknown. Psoriasis is accompanied by vigorous itching and dry skin. Moisturizing these dry itchy patches will relieve you from psoriasis symptoms.

Before trying neem oil on skin, conduct a patch test. Or mix neem oil with any other natural oils. Topically applying neem oil will instantly relieve you from itching and hydrates itchy patches.

You can find neem oil from local store or through online store.

Important Note:

Refrigerant activity in neem oil can decrease your body temperature, so use it with caution in cold. If you see nausea, vomiting and loose stools reach your physician immediately.
Though neem oil is not associated with any serious harmful side-effects, high concentration of neem can be toxic. Especially, children, pregnant women and sensitive skin people are recommended to limit the use of neem oil.

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