The concept of using natural plants and their products to look beautiful is very old to mankind and civilization. Also, whenever it comes to medicinal plants, ignoring Neem and Haldi (widely known plants in Ayurveda and Unani) is never an option to us. Before getting into the therapeutic and skin benefits of both of these plants, let’s get to know about them first.
NEEM
scientifically known asAzadirachta indica A. Juss.is a member of the mahogany family, Meliaceae. Thought to have originated in Assam and Burma.It is the most useful traditional medicinal plant in India. Each part of the neem tree has some medicinal property. Administration of this plant and its product has cured many of the diseases in Traditional medicine. It also acts as an air purifier, has anti-septic, anti-bacterial and pest repellant properties.
HALDI/TURMERIC
A product of Curcuma longa Linn., a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the ginger family Zingiberaceae, whichis native to tropical South Asia.Nearly all of the world’s turmeric crop is produced and consumed by India. More than hundred of compounds have been isolated from turmeric and been put to use as a foodstuff, cosmetic, and medicine.It is used as antiseptic, expectorant, condiment or spice. It is rich in antioxidants and is useful in the treatment of arthritis, liver diseases, Alzheimer and depression management.
USE of NEEM and HALDI for SKIN CARE
NEEM
Once in a life, you all would have come across a dialogue about use of neem face wash for a better skin, didn’t you?
Ayurveda, Unani and other ethnic groups of traditional medicine didn’t take a lot of time to recognize the beautifying properties of neem. In the modern times, Neem personal care products, mostly derived using the seed, oil and leaf of the plantare well used to have a healthy, glowy and disease-free skin.
- Anti-acne effect- Neemhas been provedhighly beneficial for oily and acne prone skin. This anti-acne effect is basically due to the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities of different chemical constituents of neem.
- Exfoliation and Hydration- Neem is known to avoid whiteheads and blackheads when used regularly. It pulls large pores, exfoliates the skin and so helps to get rid of impurities.
- Anti-ageing property-Triglycerides, Vitamin E and anti-oxidants present in neem also has an anti-ageing effect, it lowers wrinkles and reduces dark spots.
- Treating Wounds- Anti septic propertiesor neem are well used to treat wounds. It’s paste or extracts were once used as an ointment or first aid to treat injuries.
- Treating irritated Skin- Bathing with Neem leaves is beneficial for itching and other skin diseases.It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that helps to treat skin sensitivity.
- Medicinal use- Bark and roots of neem also fights against skin infections such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, etc. It can also treat many skin disorders like scabies and lice.
TURMERIC
Taking instance of a well-known ritual of Hindu weddings-“Haldi ki rasam”, in which paste of turmeric is rubbed all over the body of the bride and the groom to beautify their skins. Now, you probably would have got an idea about the major role of turmeric being used as a natural cosmetic and beauty product.
The most beneficial part of the plant that’s useful for skin care products is Dry Rhizome.Following are some benefits of Turmeric to our skin-
- Skin’s food- Turmeric is skin’s food.It purifies and nourishes the blood, improves blood circulation and results in healthy and glowing skin.
- Skin lightening- It rejuvenates the skin and improves its colour, also reduces dark circles.
- Anti-Ageing effect and treatment of irritated skin – It delays the signs of aging like wrinkles and also possesses other properties like antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, which enhance it’s therapeutic action.
- Beneficial for acne prone skin- It is effective in treatment of acne due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties that fight pimples and provides a youthful glow to your skin. It also reduces the oil secretion by the sebaceous glands.
- Treating wounds- It’s anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties helps to heal injuries.
- Reduces stretch marks and helps in hydration of skin- As turmeric lightens the skin colour, it has also been helpful in lightening stretch marks. The nourishment it provides to the skin helps in keeping the skin hydrated and so treats dry skin.
Therefore, all these properties of both neem and haldi are itself a boon for maintaining a healthy skin. Moreover, using face pack of neem and haldi in combination with other natural ingredients like Multani mitti, orange peel, sandalwood etc. would also have a glowing and therapeutic effect on one’s skin