One of India's most treasured foods, ghee or clarified butter has long been known for its healing properties and health and beauty benefits. Ghee is made from milk, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, butyric acid and healthy fats that benefit your overall health. From aiding the digestive system to strengthening the immune system, providing essential vitamins to having anti-inflammatory properties, and making your hair and skin healthy, ghee has a lot to offer. This versatile ingredient is all you need to prepare some home remedies for various conditions; ranging from skin and hair problems, to digestive issues and more. We enlist all these home remedies to ensure you use ghee to its full potential.

Home remedy for digestive health

According to the book 'The Complete Book of Home Remedies' by Dr. Vasant Lad, take one or two teaspoonful of ghee in a cup of hot milk at bedtime. It can turn out to be quite effective in keeping constipation at bay. Ghee has butyric acid, which makes it an ideal pick to support the health of intestinal walls. According to the book, ghee increases digestive fire and improves absorption and assimilation.

Home remedy for clogged nose

Cold and clogged nose can turn out to be quite annoying. Not only you suffer from continuous sneezing, but also have difficulty in breathing; moreover, your taste sense is hampered and let's not forget about the headaches that follow. One of the best ways to unclog your nose is to pour a few drops of warm pure desi ghee into the nostrils, first thing in the morning. Doing so may provide instant relief as the ghee tends to travel all the way down to the throat and soothes the infection. Make sure you have warmed the ghee to lukewarm temperature.

Home remedy for burning belly fat

Ghee comes packed with essential amino acids that help in mobilising the fat and making the fat cells to shrink in size. The presence of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help you lose inches and shed body fat. Include a teaspoon of homemade ghee in your food to ensure proper digestion and absorption in order to lose weight.

Home remedy for diabetics

If you are a diabetic, eating rice and wheat roti may not be very healthy for you, considering they are high glycaemic index foods. Spreading ghee over chapattis, parathas and white rice could help bring down the glycaemic index, in addition to making them more moist and digestible.

Home remedy for skin

Ghee has long been an essential part of various beauty care rituals. Its vital fatty acids act as a nourishing agent that can do wonders on your dull skin. Ghee is suitable for all skin types. Here's a face mask using ghee to get a soft and supple skin.

Ingredients:

- 2 tablespoons of ghee
- 2 tablespoons of besan
- A teaspoon of haldi (turmeric)
- Water

Method:

Mix all the ingredients together and stir the mixture thoroughly. Make sure the consistency is firm but not dry. After you have mixed the paste well, apply it on your face and leave for about 20 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water and repeat the process twice a week for effective results.

Home remedy for hair

Ghee is a super-rich source of fatty acids and antioxidants that make it an excellent hair conditioner for dry and frizzy hair. Mix two tablespoons of ghee and one tablespoons of olive oil and apply on your hair. Leave it for 20 minutes before rinsing off with water. This pack will help condition your hair and make them soft and manageable. You can use ghee and lemon juice to treat dandruff too. Make sure you massage your scalp well.

Home remedy for dry, chapped lips

One of the most neglected parts of the body is our lips. They generally lose out on their natural pink colour due to exposure to pollution, sunrays, dust or smoke. All you need to do is to warm some ghee and apply some on your lips before you go off to sleep. Once you wake up, you will see dry flakes on your lips. Scrub those dry flakes and see the results for yourself. Repeat the process every day to get soft and supple lips like never before.

Now that you know all the home remedies, make sure you use them for overall health. However, ensure that anything in excess is bad. Consume less amount of ghee as it has saturated fats that may reverse the goodness. If you know of more such home remedies, do tell us in the comments section below.

Remember how our mothers used to give us handful of soaked almonds every day before going to school? We know that these crunchy nuts are an excellent source of plant protein, essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and magnesium - all of which are known to improve our overall health. But did you know that almonds could also do wonders to your skin, if applied topically? Yes, that's right! As we know that almonds are packed with vitamin E - they help keep our skin hydrated and further make it soft and supple. Moreover, the presence of antioxidants in almonds keeps our skin wrinkle-free, young and glowing. But if you are still not convinced, then why don't you try these almond face masks and see the results yourself.

Here are some simple and easy DIY almond face masks that you can try this winter to keep your skin youthful and glowing:
1. Almond And Milk Face Mask For Tan Removal
Ingredients:

1 tablespoon almond powder
2 tablespoon raw milk

How to apply:

Take a bowl and mix both the ingredients in it. Mix it well till you get a thick paste-like consistency. Now, wash your face with lukewarm water and apply this mask on your face and neck. Keep this face mask for about 20 minutes. Rinse your face thoroughly with lukewarm water. You may apply this mask on your arms and legs too.

2. Almond, Milk And Grounded Oats Face Mask For Natural Glow
Ingredients:

2 tablespoon almond
1 tablespoon grounded oats
3 tablespoon raw milk

How to apply:

Take a bowl and mix all the ingredients in it. Make sure you have a thick paste without any lumps. Apply this face mask before going to bed. Clean your face with rose water with the help of a cotton ball. Once you are done with that, apply this mask on your face and let it stay there for 20 minutes, or keep it overnight. If you wash your face at night, use lukewarm water and apply your night cream after that.

3. Almond, Turmeric And Gram Flour Face Mask For Instant Glow
Ingredients:

1 tablespoon almond powder
2 tablespoon gram flour
1 tablespoon turmeric

How to apply:

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl to make a thick pasty-like consistency. You may add a little rose water, if you think your mixture is little dry. Apply the face mask all over your face and keep it for about 15 minutes. Rinse it with normal water.

Note: Some of the almond face masks can be a little messy, especially the almond, milk and grounded oats face mask; therefore, you may rinse the mask off before you sleep. Also, don't forget to check with your doctor for any allergies.

Not a lot of people are very familiar with black seeds, or kalonji. The unique-looking seeds have a distinctive flavour, which adds a delicious aroma to any food that they are added to. Black seeds are used in a number of Indian preparations, including curries, dals and even savoury snacks like samosas, kachoris etc. They are also added to some Indian flat-breads like kulchas and parathas to add flavour and taste to these breads. Black seeds are incredibly healthful as well and it is used and consumed for medicinal purposes as well. These flavourful black seeds are packed with antioxidants, and hence, have a number of beauty benefits as well.

Black seed oil (or nigella sativa oil) can be applied topically on your facial skin and hair and can also be consumed to fight a number of ailments. The oil is known to have cholesterol-fighting abilities and it may also help in regulating blood sugar and inducing weight loss. But it is very popular among Indians for combating a number of beauty problems as well. Here are some beauty benefits of using black seed oil that you must know about.

Kalonji Oil (Nigella Sativa Oil) For Gorgeous Skin And Hair
Here are some ways that kalonji oil is beneficial for your skin and hair:

1. Anti-Bacterial In Nature
The oil is anti-bacterial in nature and when applied on the skin may prevent acne by fighting off skin infections. A diluted solution of nigella sativa oil may be applied on the skin to reduce acne growth.

2. Packed With Antioxidants
The oil is said to neutralise free radicals in the body, which may improve the quality of your skin and hair. Kalonji oil is, therefore, effective in fighting inflammation, leaving the skin feeling young and healthy.

3. Fights Hair Fall
Kalonji oil is used to fight hair fall and even to induce hair re-growth, due to the presence of Nigellone and Thymoquinone in it. The latter is known to be an inflammation-fighting compound. It also nourishes the hair follicles and prevents the hair from falling off. The application of this oil is said to be a safe and natural way to re-grow hair, without medication.

4. Improve Hair And Scalp Health
Regular application of sativa oil may significantly improve scalp health by combating dandruff and scalp irritation. It is also known to prevent and even reverse graying of hair by preserving pigmentation in hair follicles.

5. Fights Skin Infections
Common skin infections, particularly psoriasis and eczema, can be resolved by applying the oil on your skin. This is because the oil has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and may also soothe irritation on the skin, leaving it soft and moisturised.

You can mix kalonji oil with a number of other natural beauty ingredients like coconut oil, honey, olive oil etc. and apply it on your skin and hair, in order to fight common beauty problems. Include kalonji oil in your beauty regime to reap its benefits today!

Exfoliation is an important part of skin care regime. With time, skin develops a layer of dead skin with accumulated dirt and oil, which in turn clogs the pores. It also serves as a breeding ground for bacteria that leads to skin problems like blackheads and acne. Scrubbing peels off the outermost layer of the skin unveiling a fresh, glowing skin sans debris. With the recent wave of naturopathy and Ayurveda in the beauty industry, more and more people are substituting chemical-laden over-the-counter products with their natural, homemade counterparts. Moreover, store-bought products are full of sulphates and parabens, which can do more harm than good to the skin. The hero of any scrub is the abrasive grainy substance, which sloughs off dirt and dust from the skin. The same can be achieved with the help of sugar, a common grainy product found in every kitchen. You can try some homemade sugar scrub packs for your regular exfoliation process.


Sugar contains hydroxyl acids and glycolic acid, which are known to have great cleansing properties. Since sugar contains active exfoliating properties, you need to balance it with an emollient to prevent excessive drying up of the skin. Though it should not be much of a concern as the natural sweetener has intrinsic moisturising properties as well!

Why Is Sugar A Good Skin Exfoliator -

-It is a natural humectant, which hydrates the skin by drawing moisture from the air and pumping it into the skin.
-Glycol acid present in it protects the skin against sun damage and delays ageing.
-Being an excellent exfoliator, sugar sweeps of all the dirt and bacteria and promotes skin regeneration.
-It is gentler on skin than other salt scrubs, therefore ideal for sensitive skin as well.
-It fights ingrown hair and prevents them from growing back.
-It can be safely used to cleanse and nourish the whole body including hands and feet, and not just the face.
-Sugar is equally effective on all skin types - oily, dry, combination and sensitive.

A sugar scrub, if applied at least once a week, brings to the fore a cleaner, radiant and youthful skin. Remember to gently rub the scrub in soft circular motions on the body skin for 2 minutes and wash it off with cold water.
You can make DIY scrub with sugar as the main ingredient and other common products readily available in your kitchen to provide a well-rounded treatment for your skin.

Here are some easy, DIY skin scrub recipes, which can be made in less than 10 minutes and applied anytime in the comfort of your home. Be careful not to get tempted as these scrubs are sweet enough to eat!

Honey, Green Tea And Sugar Scrub

Brew some green tea with leaves and not bags. Add 2 tablespoons of the tea with 2 tablespoons of honey. Then add 4 tablespoons of sugar to the mixture, adding 1 spoon at a time. Mix till you get a thick paste. Honey is naturally anti-bacterial. Apply this scrub 2 times a week to get the glow from honey and freshness from the green tea.

Peppermint And Sugar Scrub

This is a godsend for those suffering from perpetual dry skin. Mix together 3 tablespoons of warm coconut oil, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 drops of peppermint essential oil and half a tablespoon of Vitamin E oil. Your sweet, minty homemade sugar scrub is ready.

Banana And Sugar Scrub

Banana contains essential vitamins and minerals that are highly beneficial for the skin. This magical scrub can be easily made by adding 2 tablespoons of sugar with 1 mashed banana. This paste will make skin softer and suppler with regular application.

Lemon And Sugar Scrub

Pour in the juice of 2 lemons to a mixture of 2 tablespoons of sugar and half cup of olive oil. Relieve your skin from sun damage, tanning and blemishes. This works just as well as a hand scrub for your manicure routine.

Beetroot And Sugar Scrub

This is the ultimate scrub for chapped and discoloured lips. It leaves the skin on lips soft and makes it appear naturally pink. Mix equal parts of beetroot juice and sugar and apply it on your lips. Rub gently for 1-2 minutes and wash it off with water.


Yogurt And Sugar Scrub

Add 2 tablespoons of sugar to half cup of fresh yogurt. Yogurt helps in clearing the pores and tightening them.

Oatmeal And Sugar Scrub

Grind half cup of oats and mix the powder with 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Oats works well for sensitive and acne-prone skin, fighting the pimple-causing bacteria residing in the skin.

Isn't it great how easy these natural, homemade sugar scrubs are to make?

So, give those long, costly spa sessions in salons a miss! Grab that pack of sugar right away and give your skin an organic treat!

How many of you have ever given it a thought that we need to take care of our lips just as we take care of our rest of the body? There is no denying the fact that besides our hands, feet, face, and elbows, our lips also require some attention and care. It is important to keep them nourished so that they feel soft, healthy and supple. Not many of you would know that lips are the only part of our bodies that do not have pores and therefore require hydration and nourishing. What better way to do it than with natural ingredients? If you have been suffering from dark, dry or chapped lips and are looking for ways to improve the health of your lips, then we're here to help. Here's how you can.

Almond oil works wonders and just a drop massaged onto the lips 2-3 times a day will help immensely. Here's a fabulous natural lip scrub that you can make at home in a jiffy.

Take the following ingredients and store in an air-tight container-

50 gms honey
20 gms or 4 tsp sugar
5 ml rose water
5 ml vanilla essence

Method:

Mix well together and take about half a teaspoon and use as a lip scrub.
Honey is one of nature's most powerful moisturisers. Sugar will help exfoliate and soften the skin and rose water will help keep your lips supple and toned. Together this wonderful combination will smoothen, cleanse and soften your lips!

For Chapped Lips
Besides this I have seen many people suffer from chapped lips and peeling skin which can also become painful. The best remedy for this is to apply a drop of clarified butter onto the lips at night for 3-4 days. You will see an immediate difference. Also apply a little honey on the area and avoid sipping very hot drinks.

For Dark Lips
Dark lips can turn out to be quite annoying for many people and I have seen women camouflaging their lips by applying dark lipsticks. Firstly let your skin breathe, which means avoid lipsticks all the time. Remember a clean skin is a healthy skin.

Make the following lightening oil for dark lips:
Mix 3 tbsp of the following and store in a bottle-

Coconut oil
Almond oil

Method:

Apply this onto the lips several times a day.

You can also make a lip mask with the following ingredients that will help lighten the lips tremendously-

Things You Need:

2 tsp almond paste
1 tsp raw potato, grated
The juice of half a lemon
1 tsp fresh cream

Method:

Mix well and apply a coat of this on the lips.
Leave on for 10 minutes and wipe or wash off with tepid water.
Used 2-3 times a week, this mask has miraculous effects.

For Dark Outlined Lips
Dark outlined lips can be worrisome and many people do not really know how to treat this condition. However, the easiest natural remedy is to firstly avoid licking the lip area as the soreness will only get worse. Secondly, take a small bowl of cold full fat cream milk and add cotton pads to this. Use as cold compression on the area and let the skin soak in the liquid. Once you feel the cotton becoming warm, replace with another compression. This should be done for about ten minutes. Done over 3-4 days, you will find an immediate difference in your skin.

For Cracked Lips Especially Around The Corners
Cracked lips especially around the corners can be painful and could even look ugly. Hydration and moisturising are very important. Fresh cream applied to the area and cold water compressions on the cracks soothe and heal the area very effectively. Apply fresh cream massaging gently and apply ice cold water compressions to the lips. Done 2-3 times, you will find a marked difference.

Now that you have some simple and effective natural remedies, look after your lips and maintain their health.