Turmeric/Curcumin as Burn Scar Removar

When I was 11 years-old, I was given the job of cooking. I was short and the stove was quite high, so every time I burnt my arms and wrists.

My mom, being a concerned parent, told me that the scars need to be taken care of as soon as the skin is not sensitive. She made me a paste of Turmeric and put a thin layer on my skin and let it dry and told me to wash it afterward. The process was repeated about 3-4 times. Now I am in early 30s and I see no scars, in fact scars were gone within a month of the treatment. When you treat your skin with anything, it is better to do it during the night as skin gets sensitive after treatment and sun can damage the treated skin.

Turmeric needs to be pure and not mixed with any ingredients and if it is raw, that is even better. Most turmeric are fried before turning into powder. If you can find raw and make your own powder, more power to you.

Psyllium Husk Seeds (Ispaghol Husk)

So as a young adult I had seen my mom and other use Psyllium husk as remedies, but for the sake of sanity I still can't remember what it was for.

I recently saw the husk at the local Afghan store and thought to give it a try and I saw some information on the back of the container which read:

Ispaghol husk is a gentle Natural fiber to effectively check constipation, acute thirst, bowl irregularities, piles, ulcers, acidity, dysentery and obesity.

Now I know it sounds too good to be true, so I did a quick search on the internet and I found out that at least a couple of the claims on the package are backed by research.  Wikipedia has a few things to say about Psyllium husk; it helps to reduce cholesterol and balance bowl movement though long term effects are not studied. 

Many of the over the counter digestive products seem to contain psyllium husk. You can look at the ingredients of Meta Fiber here.

I have been using this for a few days and I plan to keep using it for as long as I can handle it as it has improved my digestive health. I am not a big fan of artificial fibers which are added in the food. So this is a jackpot, as two tables spoons has as much as 36% of our daily requirement. Next time you are in your local Indian/Pakistani/Afghan store, you can pick a pack for yourself at a very reasonable price.

Note: One of the readers said that she used the husk and it caused her severe constipation. As the direction on the bottle says, it has to be taken with plenty of water else it will cause constipation and discomfort.
Also, it is wiser to start with small amount, for example use half a teaspoon first week and slowly add more as you and your body gets used to it.

Make Instant Natural Energy Drink

Caffeinated tea is one of my favorite ways to get some energy, but 9 times out of 10 the whole process of brewing it, waiting for it to be ready (to be strong enough) and then adding ice to make it cold and sweetener to make it sweet just sounds like too much work, so I usually don't do it.

I recently discovered matcha green tea powder and it is awesome! There is no brewing, there is no waiting and if you do it just like I show below, it is a completely natural instant way to get some energy.  I have been drinking this throughout the day or right before I go for a run and I can tell a major difference as compared to when I drink coffee.  I don't feel jittery and cracked out of my mind. You coffee drinkers know what I am talking about.  I feel alert, focused and have a ton of energy to do whatever I need to do.

The benefits of matcha green tea powder:

• Boosts metabolism and burns calories.
• Does not raise insulin levels.  Being a type 1 diabetic I love this since coffee sometimes spikes my blood sugar for no reason at all. 
• Fights against viruses and bacteria.
• Enhances mood.
• Has more antioxidants than blueberries or pomegranates.
• Provides potent cancer fighting properties.
• Helps to safely cleanse and detoxify the body.
• I have personally noticed that it helps curb those annoying afternoon snack cravings. 
• Does not raise blood pressure or heart rate.  

What you need:

• An empty reusable water bottle.  *I used a glass bottle so you can actually see the green tea, but I usually put mine in a BPA free water bottle that I bring with me everywhere. 
• Matcha green tea powder.  You can find this at most health food stores, specialty Asian markets and online here.
• Liquid stevia.  Optional but I think it makes it taste amazing. 

Directions:

1. Fill your water bottle up to almost the very top.  
2. Add 1/4 tsp of matcha powder for every 8-20 ounces of water.  Add a few drops of liquid stevia.
3. Put the lid on and shake shake shake until everything has dissolved.  That's it! 
4.  Enjoy :) 

So easy right?  All you do is add and shake!  This is my new favorite thing to drink for energy.  It tastes light, refreshing and has the perfect amount of sweetness without any unnecessary calories.

Recipe from here

Organic/Natural Lip Color

For those of you concerned about what chemicals we’re putting in and on our bodies, you can’t get more natural than this homemade berry lip stain! We love it because it adds the perfect “just-bitten” hint of color to fake that Snow White luscious lip! Here’s how to do it yourself:  

INGREDIENTS: 3 Blackberries (for their bright berry color), 1 Raspberry (for its feminine pink color), 3 Pomegranate Seeds (for their vibrant red color), 1/2 teaspoon edible oil (I used Extra Virgin Olive Oil), a small Bowl + Spoon (or mortar + pestle if you have them), Fork or Sifter to drain, small 5-gram Pot/Jar with screw top from any craft store

STEP 1: Mash the blackberries and raspberry in the bowl thoroughly with the back of your spoon.

STEP 2: Add the pomegranate juice into the mixture by individually squeezing them between your thumb and index fingers over the bowl.

STEP 3: Pour the olive oil into the bowl and stir everything together with your spoon.

STEP 4: Finish by draining the liquid from the mixture into your small portable jar.

For application, use your fingers, a lip brush or a Q-tip. It’ll only be good for a few days so refrigerate it for longevity. Have fun with it and even try different fruits (acai berries, cherries, etc)! You can play with the ratios of each fruit to customize your desired shade but you’ll get the most color payoff from the blackberries.

Recipe from here

Homemade Shampoo

Homemade Shampoo

Homemade Shampoo 

• 13 cups water or tea
• 1 cup cold water
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 3 tsp xanthan gum
• 1/4 cup castile soap
• 30 drops essential oils (optional)

Add 13 cups of water to a large pot. In a seperate bowl mix together the remaining cup of cold water and cornstarch, whisk until no lumps remain. Pour cornstarch mixture into large pot with the water. Bring to a boil and whisk constantly for several minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, whisk in baking soda (very slowly as it will boil over), xanthan gum and castile soap. Let cool completely, mix in essential oil.

 Source

Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Natural Hardwood Floor Natural Cleaner

Using professional products is an effective option for cleaning and maintaining surface-finished wood floors; but, it is possible to use a natural hardwood floor cleaner as well. A natural solution, made at home, is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and effective. While some substances can cause dullness, or eventually ruin the finish, a homemade recipe using warm water and essential oils will clean and disinfect, without harming the wood or surface.


Vinegar and Lemon for Cleaning Hardwood Flooring

A simple, natural, and effective homemade wood floor cleaner is made from diluting one half cup of vinegar in one gallon of warm water. With an excellent finish, a natural hardwood floor cleaner made with vinegar, or lemon juice, will probably be fine. Over time however, a highly acidic substance may have a negative effect. Acids can wear down the finish, causing a dull floor. Be careful when using this solution on surface-finished floors, and never use on wax hardwood floors. Always mop up any moisture after cleaning.


Oil as a Natural Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Olive oil or vegetable oil can also be used to clean and add luster to a hardwood floor. Either mix equal parts of olive oil and vinegar, or two parts oil to one part of lemon juice. Using a small amount, rub into the entire surface with a dry mop. When finished, go over the entire floor with a clean cloth. The negative of using oil is that over time it can build-up on the surface of the floor, making professional treatment more difficult. Also, be careful of a slippery, oily surface.


Essential Oil Homemade Wood Floor Cleaner

Using essential oils to make a homemade wood floor cleaner offers a natural, eco-friendly product, with no negative repercussions for long-term use. Essential oils are inherently antibacterial, and unlike vinegar, they smell beautifully. As they are highly concentrated, only use a very small amount. Eight to ten drops of essential oil is sufficient for one gallon of warm water. Lemon, eucalyptus, and lavender all work well as cleansing essential oils, although other kinds can be used.

Clean a floor with this natural solution with a damp mop, making sure no excess water is used. Buff the surface after cleaning to ensure there is no moisture remaining, and to enhance shine. To preserve hardwood, do this treatment after sweeping or vacuuming weekly, or every two weeks, depending on how much a floor is used.

Article from here

Chocolate Facial

How to make a chocolate facial mask

 

Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup of dark cocoa
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 3 tablespoons of heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons of powdered oatmeal

Mix all the ingredients together. Apply the mixture on the skin and wait 15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Source

iHerb!

I am officially hocked on herbs and organic products. Many of the products at our local stores are very expensive and some of the products are almost impossible to find. So my sister suggested I check the products on iHerb.com and I was sold!

So if anyone wants to buy natural/organic herbs at a reasonable price, my suggestion would be to head to iHerb.com. In your purchase you can use my gift code CHG895 and you will get a $5 discount.

Also don't forget those free samples from "Freebies" section at the top of the page. I am going to truly enjoy each time I buy goodies at the site.

iHerb Rewards

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