Honey and Lemon Health Benefits

Honey and lemon combine to provide a  variety of health benefits. They help to reduce weight They also help promote skincare. A cough syrup made from honey and lemon can provide relief from cough. Honey and lemon facemask can get rid of acne.

Honey Health Benefits

Honey not only has a delectable taste but is also good for health. Honey provides instant energy and increases your stamina. It helps to prevent fatigue. It has antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties. It helps to boost the immune system. It can be used as an antiseptic to treat wounds. It is a very good remedy for throat infection. Honey can be used in combination with lemon, cinnamon, and other herbs for a variety of health benefits. It is being used by traditional medicinal systems like ayurveda. Honey can be used as a sweetener to replace sugar.

Wikimedia Commons: Aka

  Lemon Health Benefits

Lemon is very useful in the treatment of throat infection, hair care and high blood pressure. It provides a boost to immunity. Lemon contains flavonoids and vitamin C.  It is also a very good antioxidant. It is an excellent remedy for indigestion and constipation. Lemon juice in combination with water, salt and soda is a very good post lunch or post dinner drink, as it aids digestion. Lemon can cure toothache and stop bleeding from the gums. It is extensively used for hair care and skincare.

Honey and Lemon for Weight Loss

Both of them contain vitamins and minerals. They can help to melt down fat deposits in the body. Honey contains natural fruit sugar which is digested easily. Add one tbsp of honey and 3 tsp of lemon juice to a glass of water. Stir it well and drink it every morning on an empty stomach. It not only provides energy boost but also aids digestion. Drink honey lemonade after dinner too. It would help you to lose weight.

Honey and Lemon for Cough

If you have a cold, cough, bronchitis or asthma, honey with lemon juice is a very good remedy. It acts as an expectorant and pushes out phlegm. It is more effective than most of the over the counter cough syrups. Add a tbsp of honey and 3 tsp of lemon juice to warm water. Drink it several times a day. Honey will help to clear the mucus in the chest. If you are finding it difficult to sleep at night because of cough, it is a very good remedy.

Honey Lemon Face Mask

Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a very good moisturizer. It can penetrate the skin and absorb the impurities from the pores. It also helps to keep the skin fresh, smooth, wrinkle free and glowing.

Lemon is a very good exfoliator. It can get rid of acne, sun spots and other blemishes from the skin.

Squeeze a lemon into a bowl and add a tbsp of honey. Mix it thoroughly. Apply it to your face. Make sure that you keep it away from your eyes and hair. Wash it off after 30 minutes. Repeat the process twice weekly.

Ginger Lemon Honey Tea

This is a very good remedy for cold and flu. Add two slices of ginger to two glasses of water and boil it. Add 3 tbsp of honey and 3 tbsp of lemon juice to it. Strain the liquid after it cools. Drink it several times a day.

These are some of health benefits of honey and lemon.

How to Get Glowing Skin Naturally

Healthy skin is an important part of your appearance. Several natural methods are available to get glowing skin naturally at home.

Skin is the largest part of the human body. Flawless skin is not only important for appearance but also to protect the internal organs. It regulates the body temperature and protects the body from infection. Even if you don’t have any health problems, skin may at times appear lifeless and dull. Several natural products are available to get a glowing skin.

Tips for a Glowing Skin

A plethora of products are available in the market for skincare. Most of them contain chemical ingredients and harm the skin in the long run.  It is always safer to use natural products for skincare.

Homemade Face Mask 

Homemade face masks help to keep the skin healthy and beautiful.  It helps to exfoliate the skin and remove all the dead cells. It also helps to improve blood circulation. It is a very good remedy for acne, blackheads and white heads. Homemade face masks can remove blemishes and make the skin soft and glowing.

Source: La Grande Farmers Market  

Cucumber Face Mask

The idiom “as cool as a cucumber” can be used in the context of a face mask also. Cucumber has a cooling effect on the skin. Cucumber slices can be rubbed on the facial skin. Mash cucumber with a fork. Mix it with oatmeal and milk. Grind it into a fine paste, apply it to your face and wash it off after 30 minutes. It leaves your skin soft, smooth and glowing.

Before the application of any face mask, wash your face with water and strip whatever cosmetics and lotions you have applied. It is essential that the skin pores open up to let in the ingredients of the face mask.

Banana Face Mask

Mash banana with a fork. Add a tsp of honey and a few drops of lemon juice. Mix it well. Apply to your face and wash it off after 30 minutes.

Banana is an excellent moisturizer. It softens the skin and makes it smooth and glowing. It also exfoliates the skin. It contains food acid which helps to remove the dead skin cells. It is also an antioxidant which can keep the skin fresh and wrinkle free. It is also an excellent treatment for sunburn.

Banana, Yogurt and Honey for Glowing Skin

The combination of banana, yogurt and honey make an excellent recipe for a face mask. Honey is a very good moisturizer. Yogurt helps to clean and disinfect the skin pores. It also helps to keep the skin free from acne. You can mix the ingredients and make it into a fine paste. Apply it your face and wash it off after 30 minutes. Repeat the process at least thrice a week

Turmeric and Milk Cream

Turmeric powder can be mixed with milk cream and applied to the face. After 20-30 minutes it will dry and the skin will become tight. Wash it off with warm water and pat your face dry with a towel. It will hydrate your skin and make it soft, smooth and glowing

Turmeric and Sandalwood

Mix turmeric powder with sandalwood powder and yogurt. Apply the resulting paste to your face. Turmeric brightens your skin and adds glow. Sandalwood removes the blackheads and dark spots. Yogurt will have a cooling effect on your skin. The combination of these ingredients will not only add a glow but also give a sweet smelling aroma of sandalwood to your skin.

Almond Facial Mask

Take 8-10 almonds and soak it in milk overnight. Remove the skin and grind it into a fine paste. Add 1 tsp of honey and 3 tsp of lemon juice. Mix it well and apply it to your face. It will not only make your skin soft and smooth but will add a glow to it.

Compare the results obtained with any of these face masks with those available in the market. They are not only economical but also more effective. These are some of the methods to get a glowing skin.  

Is Coffee Good for Health?

Coffee is surprisingly good for health in certain respects. Most of us cannot do without that invigorating cup of coffee early in the morning. Coffee was considered to be not good for health. But research has some surprising results.

Coffee Seeds 

Source: Aaron Logan: Wikimedia Commons

Coffee Good for Skin

Coffee is good for the health of the skin. It can help you to get rid of under eye circles. Application of coffee decoction to the skin under the eyes helps to reduce the puffiness. Application of moist tea bags can also help to reduce the puffiness as tea contains caffeine. They help to improve the blood circulation which reduces the dark circles under the eyes.

Coffee for Shiny Hair

Make a strong coffee decoction. Let it cool for some time till it attains room temperature. Shampoo your hair and dry it. Apply the decoction to your hair. Shampoo your hair after 20 minutes. Your hair will be darker, soft, smooth and shiny.

Coffee Face Mask

Take 100ml of milk cream in a bowl.  Add 3-4 tsp of finely ground coffee and make a paste. Apply it to your face and with a gentle massage. It can act an exfoliator. Wash it off after 30 minutes. Coffee face mask will remove all the dead skin cells but will also make your skin soft, supple and smooth.

Coffee for Cellulite

Take two tbsp of olive oil in a bowl. Add one tbsp of finely ground coffee. Mix it well and make a fine paste. Apply it on the affected area with a gentle massage. Wash it off after 30 minutes. This will help to reduce cellulite. 

Black Coffee for Weight loss

Caffeine is used in energy drinks. According some experts black coffee without milk and sugar helps to increase the metabolic rate and aids weight loss. As coffee is a stimulant it increases mental alertness and reduces fatigue.

Coffee as Diuretic

It also has mild diuretic properties which will help you to lose water through urine. This will result in a temporary weight loss. 

Antioxidant Coffee

It is a very good antioxidant. Antioxidants have a number of health benefits. They have anti aging properties. They provide protection against heart disease and cancer.

Other health benefits of coffee are

- People who drink more coffee can stave off depression.

- People who drink 4-5 cups of coffee every day are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease in their old age. 

- It reduces the risk of developing certain types of prostate cancer

- It also helps to reduce the risk of basal cell carcinoma which is one of the most common types of cancer

- It lowers the chances of type 2 diabetes  

How many cups a day

Drinking  in moderation is very good for health. It is not advisable to drink more then 3-4 cups every day.

These are some of the health benefits of coffee. 

Aloe Vera Benefits for Hair and Skin

Aloe vera benefits for hair and skin have been proved over the years. Aloe Vera plant has been used as a cosmetic and natural medicine for thousands of years. Aloe vera gel is an excellent remedy for minor cuts and bruises. It is used as an ingredient in the manufacture of shampoos, soaps, lotions and skin care products. Aloe vera juice is a very good remedy for stomach disorders.

Aloe Vera Plant
  Source: Eric Siversmith : Wikimedia Commons

Aloe Vera to Grow Hair

Aloe Vera promotes hair growth. It has to be applied to the scalp at night and washed off next morning. It is a time tested remedy to stop hair loss. It is also a very good remedy to treat dry and dull hair. It can be used to treat dandruff. It not only retains all the natural oils but also provides nourishment to the hair. A wide variety of aloe vera based shampoos are available in the market.


Aloe Vera for Burns

Aloe vera is a very good remedy for burns.  Wash the affected area thoroughly with water. Then remove the excess water on the wound by patting with a clean, soft, dry cloth. Cut an aloe vera leaf at its widest part. Squeeze out the gel. If the gel from one leaf is not sufficient squeeze more leaves and get the gel. Apply it directly applied to the wound. It has a soothing effect on the wound. It has anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties and prevents infection.  If aloe vera leaf is not available buy aloe vera gel. Make sure that the gel is pure and does not have any additives. It is extensively used as it regenerates the skin.

Aloe Vera for Skin

Cut an aloe vera leaf and squeeze out the gel. The gel

- Has excellent skin smoothening qualities

- Heals cracked skin and restores its natural beauty

- Prevents premature aging of the skin by nourishing it

- Removes dead skin cells

- Is a very good natural skin moisturizer.

- Is used as anti fungal treatment to heal fungal infections of the skin

- Is used to treat eczema

- Helps to reduce excessive pigmentation and lightens the dark spots on the skin.

- Is a very good treatment for acne and prevents its eruption

Making Aloe Vera Juice

Cut aloe vera leaf into small pieces after the removal of its spines. Put it in a blender and make juice. Some sugar can be added to it to make it taste sweet. It can be mixed with orange juice or lemon juice for better taste. Aloe vera juice is said to cure constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and several other inflammatory diseases.

Aloe vera shampoo can be made at home. Besides the aloe vera juice the other ingredients are soap, olive oil, coconut oil and glycerin. This is an excellent natural shampoo. It can be applied to the scalp directly.

Aloe Vera Face Mask

Wash Aloe Vera leaf thoroughly to get rid of all the dirt

- Cut it into small pieces

- Drop it in water and boil it

- Filter off all the leaf pieces

- Add three to four teaspoons of honey.

- Mix it thoroughly and apply the mixture to your face

- Wash it off after 30 minutes

- Repeat he procedure once a week for 4-5 weeks

- It will help you to get rid of acne.

Aloe vera juice helps to purify blood by removing dead skin cells. Aloe vera gel, when applied to the skin is quickly absorbed. It helps to relieve muscle pain and arthritic pain.

These are some of the aloe vera benefits for hair and skin.