Irritated by Blackheads?

Follow these simple home remedies to get rid of them

Who says having clean smooth skin is a costly affair? If you don’t want to spend your hard earned money on gels and scrubs that are not even effective most of the time, here are some simple home remedies that work very well to eliminate blackheads.

Make a paste of fresh methi leaves and apply it on your face for 10 to 15 minutes every night. It drys the oil from the blackhead reducing the swelling around it.

Grind radish seeds with water to form a thin consistent paste. Scrub it gently on your face — this helps removing the blackhead completely.

Orange peels can be ground with water to form a thick paste. Apply and leave it overnight on the affected areas.

Mix mint juice with haldi powder and apply to affected areas. Keep it on for 30 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.

Put a small bit of toothpaste on the blackheads. It drys them out!

Applying aloe vera to blackheads is another great remedy. It has soothing properties that are great for the skin and also speeds up the healing process.

Beat an egg white and add two tablespoons of fresh honey to it. Apply the mixture to your face and let it dry for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water.

TOFU QABOOL KARO!

Tofu Qabool Karo!

Low in calories and cholesterol, and high in protein, tofu is the perfect food for veggies. Just add it to your salad, cook up a curry or eat it raw. This wonderful health food can indeed make you andar se strong…

• Tofu is rich in antioxidants, which help reduce the level of free radicals (harmful) in the body.

• A good source of iron, tofu helps in the process of energy production. The iron present in tofu aids in the transport and release of oxygen throughout the body.

• Tofu is quite easy to digest because the soya bean’s fibre is removed during the manufacturing process.

• Studies indicate that consuming tofu can bring a 30 per cent drop in cholesterol levels. One serving of tofu contains 15 per cent of the daily requirement of omega-3 fatty acids.

• Tofu contains properties that reduce the risk of osteoporosis, breast cancer and prostate cancer, and menopausal symptoms such as mood swings and hot flushes. A serving of tofu provides about 10 per cent of our daily need for calcium. TOI

TURN TO TURMERIC

Thought turmeric only adds colour to your food? Wrong! This wonder spice is a great antidote for various ailments. Rich in potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium, it also has large quantities of iron, sodium, zinc, manganese and selenium. Need we say more more? A pinch of turmeric goes a long way...

• Turmeric powder, when taken every morning on an empty stomach, prevents blockage in arteries. A glass of hot milk with turmeric powder manages the cholesterol level in blood and reduces the risk of coronary artery disease.
• Turmeric cleanses the liver, purifies blood and also aids in digestion.
• Rich in anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric has a powerful anti-oxidant action that combats viral infection and arthritis.
• Turmeric has anti-cancer properties. It reduces the growth of cancer cells and the formation of tumors.
• To lower your sugar level, take 10–20 ml of turmeric juice every morning. To prepare the juice, soak some turmeric powder in water overnight. Stir before you consume it.
• Turmeric is a boon for skin diseases. Apply it as a paste to affected areas of skin. It helps you get rid of dark spots, pimples and eczema.
• To get rid of menstrual cramps, take turmeric extract twice a day for two weeks prior to expected date of menstruation. An antispasmodic, it rids you of cramps. —
Expert: Hakim Mohammad Tariq, Unani medicine /TOI

KITCHEN CURE

FENNEL SEEDS
Your kitchen is like a pharmacy. It is stacked with ingredients that can help counter ailments. We tell you how this spice more than just enhances the flavour of your meals...

• Fennel facilitates digestion and keeps bad breath away. It also acts as an antacid and appetiser.

• Consuming powdered fennel seeds also helps you get rid of constipation.

• Fennel seeds cure respiratory disorders such as congestion and bronchitis.

• Consuming fennel eases and regulates menstruation by regulating hormonal action in the body.

• Fennel increases the amount and frequency of urination, thereby removing toxic substances from the body.

• Rich in vitamin C, fennel ups your immunity levels