Red Clay for Vitiligo

Vitiligo affects all age group people and all sexes. Anecdotal reports state that home remedies shown positive results. Red clay for vitiligo is one such natural remedy.

Your face projects your inner expressions, so does your skin. You might know that melanin is a pigment that produces melanocytes, which is responsible for your skin color. Due to unknown reasons, melanin stops production resulting in white patches known as vitiligo.

In few cases due to nutritional diet and with course of time, these white patches disappear. But, most people have to carry this throughout their life. No need to worry, this skin disorder will not lead to any serious health ailment. But people with vitiligo may isolate themselves from social life and stay depressed.

Good news for them; there are bunch of home available remedies that can lighten and completely fade white patches. Spinach, honey and aloe vera gel are among them. In this post I’ll be discussing about red clay and how you can use it to treat vitiligo.

Before that, let me put down few more points on this skin disorder.

What Causes Vitiligo?

aloe vera and vitiligo

Scientists aren’t aware of the real cause of vitiligo, they think due to autoimmune disease your immune system destroys melanocytes resulting in this skin issue.

Other says that melanocytes kill themselves and the absence of the pigment results in white patches on different parts of the body.

Main sign of vitiligo is that you’ll see patches on sun exposed area including hands, feet, arms, face, lips and eyes. You may also see white patches in mouth, genitals, navel, in groin and nostrils.

Red Clay for Vitiligo

Before trying home remedies, you must consult doctor for diagnosis. Like any other clay, red clay is packed with bunch of beneficial elements for skin. This clay can be found at river banks of Asia, Africa and South America.

  • Assorted elements namely, copper is renowned to reduce vitiligo condition. Researchers say that it’s a power house of iron oxides and essential nutrients. These properties can brighten skin and stimulate cell regeneration.
  • People before 1400 years ago when there were no soap, shampoo or conditioner, they used red clay. Exfoliating property in the clay effectively sheds dead cells and impurities.
  • Regular use of red clay will keep blackheads and other skin issues at bay. It readily absorbs excess oil from the skin and enhances elasticity.
  • It can make your skin firm, remove toxins and make it supple.

How to use Red Clay?

You can use red clay in various forms; here I’ll discuss few prominent ways to use red clay for vitiligo.

First method:

Dissolve 4 cups of red clay in a jar with enough water and shake the jar. Pour this jar of water in bath tub and optionally add your favorite essential oil.  Submerge your body in the water for 15-20 minutes.

Second method:

  • Blend 1 tablespoon of ginger juice with 1 tablespoon of red clay.
  • Cleanse your skin and pat dry.
  • Red affected part with the mixture and leave it to dry.
  • Try this twice of thrice per week.

Third method:

  • Take 2 tablespoons of red clay, 2 tablespoons of rosewater or distilled water and 1/2 teaspoon of jojoba oil.
  • Optionally, you can also add few drops chamomile oil and rose essential oil.
  • After mixing ingredients, apply it over prewashed face.
  • Let it dry for about 15 minutes and then rinse it off.

Did you ever try red clay to treat vitiligo? Share your views in comments.

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Shea Butter and Coconut Oil for Stretch Marks

shea butter and coconut oil for stretch marks

Women devote 55 minutes per day before mirror. A survey concluded that about 73 percent women worry about their appearance than anything else. 80 percent of Americans have stretch marks, which is most common skin disorder. Thankfully, you can use shea butter and coconut oil for stretch mark removal.

Let me disclose that you can’t permanently remove stretch marks.

Sadly, there is no such medicine other than surgery. It’s a myth that only women get stretch marks. There are lots of men who have these lines on their shoulders.

As media is constantly promoting skinny flawless girls, most women and teenage girls aspire to have alluring body. The desire to look attractive and youthful is natural, but the mad spree to be like someone is not good. Because the chemical products and the strict diet process practiced by models isn’t possible by an average middle class women.

Fortunately, to save your bucks and fulfill your desire to have spotless skin you can use natural ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil. Both these ingredients are packed with immense vitamins and minerals that can nourish your skin and lighten the appearance of stretch marks.

Before dwelling into the main topic, I’d like to throw some light on stretch marks.

  • Stretch marks are mainly caused due to hormonal changes beneath the skin, which causes the dermis layer to stretch and tear at different places. Sudden weight gain or loss, puberty and pregnancy are common causes.
  • Even skinny women and men can have stretch marks.
  • Don’t think that if you lose weight, stretch marks fade.
  • They will not heal overtime in most cases.
  • And as mentioned above, there is no treatment to completely get rid of these lines.

Shea Butter and Coconut Oil for Stretch Marks

Shea butter is extracted from nuts of Karite Shea tree. Raw shea butter is packed with essential vitamins that can make the skin smooth and healthy. Additionally, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties in this mask will help you regain the lost youthful skin.

  • Notable fatty acids like linoleic acid and oleic acid moisturize the skin and stimulate collagen production.
  • Vitamin A and E residing in shea butter repairs broken fiber.
  • Anti-inflammatory activity heals the skin from the outside.
  • Assorted nutrients in shea butter will reduce silver lines over skin.

Coconut oil on other hand is prominent for its hydrating and healing properties. Vitamin E and K housed in unprocessed coconut oil can lighten wrinkles and scars. Virgin coconut oil enhances collagen production and can help to repair broken skin layers. You’re advised to topically apply coconut oil over stomach to increase elasticity of the skin.

How to Use?

Dead cells and Impurities accumulated over the skin must be removed. Cleanse before using these natural remedies to lighten stretch marks.

You can either apply any one of the ingredient or blend it both of them. You must heat coconut oil and shea butter slightly before blending them.

Remember to use organic form of these ingredients, as refined remedy contains low nutritional values.

Unlike cosmetic creams, natural remedies penetrate deep into the skin and sometimes take longer time. Experts recommend regular application.

Along with massaging your skin, you must consider taking fiber and vitamin rich diet. Right diet enhances healthy functioning of the skin.

Did you ever use shea butter or coconut oil for stretch marks?

Using Rosehip Oil for Stretch Marks

rosehip oil for stretch marks

Having a baby is great, but women undergo lots of hurdles during pregnancy and after delivery. Stretch marks are one such issue which bothers most women. Even men had to go carry these zebra stripes when they lose or gain weight. Fortunately, there are many natural ways to get rid of stretch marks.

Let me disclose that you can’t permanently treat stretch marks.

However, you can reduce its appearance. Rosehip oil for stretch marks is one such simple yet effective home available remedy that can lighten stria.

Quest to find creams starts when you come across these lines over thighs, shoulders, knees or on waist. Though studies reveal that about 90 percent of women will have stretch marks at some point of their life, this doesn’t mean that men are free from this cosmetic issue. Even men carry these grooved lines over different parts of their body.

Why Stretch Marks Occur?

Most people get stretch marks due to sudden weight gain, loss, during pregnancy along with this; experts say that stretch marks are also caused due to hormonal imbalance, genetics and puberty.

Due to unusual stretching of skin, elasticity and collagen breaks at different places leading to red vertical lines. As time passes, these lines change to silver white giving weird appearance.

Yes, it’s not a health issue. But people who love swimming may not get a chance to wear those two pieces of swimming suit again.

Thanks to the nature, you’ve plenty of innate remedies that are capable of lightening these annoying marks and making the skin supple.

Over the web I came cross few women who’re proud of their stretch marks. But, they also recommend a nutritious rich diet to prevent further tiger stripes over silky skin.

How Rosehip Oil for Stretch Marks Works?

Rosehip oil is extracted from red acidic tasted fruits of this rose shrub. Apart from improving skin texture and fading scars, its fruits can treat health ailments including influenza.

  • Linolenic fatty acids in this natural oil can moisturize your dry skin and prevent dark spots.
  • Healing activity of this oil can lighten the appearance of stripes and reduce wrinkles.
  • Vitamin C stimulates collagen production and boost elasticity of the skin, which in turn prevents further stretch marks.
  • Fatty acids easily penetrates into the skin and softens the epidermis layer, along with this they stimulate skin rejuvenating process.
  • Retinal which exhibits rich amount of vitamin A and C can help you to make the skin supple and flawless.

There are bunch of remedies that can be used to fade stretch marks like almond oil, gotu kola, lavender oil and lemon drops.

Excellent thing about rosehip oil is that you can directly apply over the skin and let its nutrients to work. Wash your skin with water or cleanse it and pat dry. When the still is still damp, massage with rosehip oil and leave it to dry.

It would be great if you apply it right after shower.

Blend it with lavender oil or lemon grass to make it more effective and easy for your skin to cope.

During pregnancy you can topically apply rosehip oil over the waist to enhance collagen production and prevent stretch marks. However, I strongly recommend consulting doctor before proceeding blindly.

As rosehip oil has some serious benefits for your skin, you can include this essential oil to your beauty regimen for a flawless skin.

Aren’t these benefits enough to allure you to use rosehip oil to fade stretch marks?

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Use Juniper Oil for Cellulite

juniper oil for cellulite

With woody aroma juniper oil is renowned for its calming and relieving stress. In this article you’ll see how juniper oil for cellulite works.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the way we used to live, eat and sleep is changing at a fast pace. This new lifestyle is bringing more issues than benefits. Cellulite is nothing but a fat accumulated under your skin.

It’s a myth that only overweight people will have cellulite. Even skinny people will have to carry these fat packets with them. This skin disorder is prominent in women, because the dermis and epidermis layer of women is thinner than men.

Juniper tree is known for its benefits for skin and hair. Many anecdotal reports claim that topical massage on scalp with juniper oil showed positive hair growth. In German culture, this essential oil has interesting purpose. Apart from using it for healing, it’s a culture to remove hat to pay respect while visiting to this marvelous shrub. (1)

What Causes Cellulite?

Coming to cellulite, expert’s theories hold hereditary, diet, lifestyle and hormonal factors for causing cellulite. A whopping 90 percent of women will have this disorder at-least once in her lifetime.

The fat gets accumulated under your dermis layer, as your skin layers are packed tightly to compensate the space your skin puckers resulting in small fat bags. This dimpled look can be noticed on buttocks, thighs and in abdominal area.

How to Use Juniper Oil for Cellulite?

There are bunch of products claiming to treat cellulite, but only few of them actually show the results. Few cellulite creams known to dissolve the fat under the skin. But it lacks scientific evidence to back the data. Massaging and laser treatments including surgery can be used to get rid of cellulite.

Historically, US has been using juniper for skin ailments. (2) Properties like antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and astringent are packed in this essential oil. You can massage it over your face to treat acne and other minor wounds.

Nutrients like potassium, calcium, zinc, beta-carotene and vitamin B can enhance blood circulation and restrain bacterial infection.

Simplest form is to apply juniper oil (mix some carrier) over prewashed cellulite affected part. But to it effective juniper oil can be included with some natural ingredients.

  • Juniper essential oil – 8 drops
  • Raw cocoa butter – 1 cup
  • Coconut oil – 4 tablespoons
  • Beeswax – 1 tablespoon
  • Lemongrass essential oil – 6 drops

Blend all the listed ingredients in a jar and apply it over cellulite and other parts of the body to make them smooth and clear.

As mentioned, apart from skin you can improve hair growth and relieve from stomach ailments. Mix olive oil, juniper oil and rosemary oil in equal quantity to reduce breakage of hair.

Note: To save your skin from irritation, incorporate carrier oil with juniper essential oil to treat cellulite.

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How to Use Gotu Kola for Cellulite

gotu kola for cellulite

Often cellulite is referred as cottage cheese, mattress or orange peel. Fat deposits on thighs, legs and butts, but it isn’t associated with any serious health ailment. However, it’s embarrassing and uncomfortable for few people. Anecdotal reports show that gotu kola for cellulite can flush the dreaded fat.

About 90 percent of women will have this excess fat pockets in some point of their life. It’s related with weight gain or loss; fat bumps may appear even on skinny girls.

Main culprits of cellulite are: hormonal imbalance, genetics, unhealthy diet and your lifestyle. Due to these factors, fat gets accumulated between connecting skin (dermis) and muscle giving a bumpy look on outer layer of the skin. Regularly massaging with essential oil and exercise can reduce this fat accumulation.

Why women get more cellulite than men?

Epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue in men are thicker, so the fat doesn’t pucker.

How Gotu Kola for Cellulite Works?

For thousands of years gotu kola (Centella asiatica) had extensive use in treating ailments in India, China and Indonesia. Nutrients in this herb can effectively reduce chronic skin conditions like psoriasis and leprosy.

  • Triterpenoids are the active components in gotu kola that can tighten skin, improve blood circulation, boosts antioxidants and enhance collagen production. (1)
  • Antimicrobial effect protects you from pathogens.
  • Assorted properties in this herb aid to flush toxins that may damage skin cell membrane.
  • By improving blood circulation and enhancing connective tissue structure, this herb efficiently removes cellulite.
  • Topically application of this herbal oil will reduce stretch marks and fade scars.
  • Other benefits of gotu kola include relief from anxiety, healing wounds, treats venous insufficiency and insomnia.

A study carried out to check the effectiveness of gotu kola in treating cellulite. Patients were given 60mg of gotu kola for 90 days. A whopping 70 percent of patients showed improvement in cellulite condition.

Gotu kola herb is available in different forms, including dried leaves, tincture, standard extract and capsules.

Research states that products with gotu kola extract (topically or internally) can effectively treat ailments. You can either take capsules as prescribed by physician or consider using dried leaves.

Brew tea using dried leaves of gotu kola to treat cellulite. Have it 2-3 times a day. (Source: University of Maryland Medical Center). For tincture, dosage level is 30 to 60 drops thrice a day. (Take 2 week break before taking the herb again)

Important Note: People with liver disease shouldn’t try this herb. A component in gotu kola has been linked with tumor in mice. So consult physician before taking this herb.

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Use Geranium Oil for Stretch Marks

geranium oil to treat stretch marks

Geranium oil is extensively used in aromatherapy to reduce stress. Egyptians use this essential oil to treat chronic skin conditions like acne and inflammation. This holistic medicine has nutrients that can improve healthy functioning of the skin.

You can use geranium oil for stretch marks, as assorted nutrients in this sweet-smelled oil can tighten your skin, fade wrinkles, cleanses impurities and improve skin’s elasticity.

Now-a-days people are paying more attention to their appearance; reports say that average women spend about 55 minutes every day having a glimpse for her beauty in the mirror. (1)

We knew that having stretch marks is very embarrassing. It isn’t associated with any health issue, but surely it’s a cosmetic concern.

Striae or stretch marks appear when you suddenly lose or gain weight. The dermis layer stretches according to your weight, but it tears at different places that appear like vertical lines over the skin. These red lines change to silver color as time passes.

Expert says that you can’t permanently treat stretch marks.

Hold on, don’t get depressed. You can use cosmetic creams or natural remedies like geranium oil to lighten the appearance of stretch marks.

If you’re my regular reader, then you’ll know why I don’t recommend cosmetic creams. Even doctors don’t recommend few beauty products as they can trigger contact dermatitis.

On the other hand, natural remedies are filled with high nutritional values that can enhance your skin texture and aren’t associated with any serious side-effects. Researchers say that essential oil are effective in treating ailments and has minimal risk. (2)

How to Use Geranium Oil for Stretch Marks?

Let me clear this once more, there is no treatment to completely remove stretch marks. But, you can lighten their appearance over the skin. Geranium oil is one such try.

Some beauty experts recommend using essential oil during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks to some extent. As these essential oils are packed with nutrients that can enhance collagen production and improve elasticity of the skin. To some extent you can reduce the affect of stretch marks.

However, there is no scientific evidence to back this theory.

You must dilute essential oil before using it. Mix 30ml of carrier oil with 15 drops of lavender oil and 15 drops of geranium oil. Mix thoroughly and massage over affected parts.

It’s recommended to cleanse the skin and pat dry before applying the natural remedy.

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Avocado Oil for Dark Circles

avocado oil for dark circles

Few sleepless nights can ruin your appearance. But, just by having good sleep will not remove dark circles completely. People use home remedies to get back their alluring appearance, avocado oil for dark circles is one such try.

The joy of having a glimpse of yourself in the mirror vanishes when you spot dark circles under eyes. With increase in technology and impurities around us, it’s very common to have dark circles these days.

Stress, sleepless nights, hyper pigmentation, dryness, too much exposure to sun light and computer screen, liver diseases, unhealthy diet and seasonal allergies are mere causes of these patches. Apart from this, hereditary and aging can turn the skin under your eyes dark.

How Do Dark Circles Appear Under Eyes

As mentioned there are main factors that may lead to this cosmetic issue. But, experts hold genetics to be the main culprit. Your inherited thin skin around the eyes dries quickly and lower blood circulation under eyes makes it look dark.

Your skin becomes thin as you age, thus veins under the skin can be seen clearly. Excess exposure to sunlight and TV screens mottle skin color. Another reason can be seasonal allergies. Allergic reaction releases histamines to fight irritants, which resulting in swelling of blood vessels.

How to Use Avocado Oil for Dark Circles

Avocado oil is in dark green (unrefined) or yellow pale (refined) color and has nutty smell. Prominently it is used for culinary and medical purposes. Excellent property of this oil is that it gets quickly absorbed by skin.

  • Fatty acids, vitamin A, C, D and E can hydrate your dry skin under eyes. Nutrients in this oil help to enhance elasticity of your skin and stimulate blood circulation around the eyes.
  • Carotenoids housed in this oil fight age related degeneration and protects your skin under eyes from wrinkles.
  • Anti-aging property in avocado oil helps to fade wrinkles and fine lines over the face.
  • Vitamins like C and B complex helps to lighten dark spots and give you a lightening skin.
  • It rejuvenates your skin and makes the texture smooth and supple.
  • Moisturizing activity of avocado oil helps to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
  • Increasing pollution and impurities that get accumulated over the face can be cleansed by using avocado face mask or oil.
  • Internal consumption will improve digestion and reduce cholesterol level.
  • Antioxidant agents packed in this fruit will help to restrain free radicals.
  • Mono-saturated fatty acids like oleic acid can make your skin moisturized and smooth.

Apart from applying it topically under eyes, you can include this healthiest fruit to your diet for better skin.

Method – 1

Slice avocado and place them over your eyes. Press them so that nutrients in the fruit get in contact with the skin under eyes. Let it be for 20-25 minutes. Do this regularly to see positive changes.

You can mash the avocado and add any essential oil to make paste. Apply the mask over dark circles regularly for about 4-6 weeks.

Method – 2

One of the simplest methods is to topically apply this oil under eyes. But, make sure that oil doesn’t get into eyes. I recommend washing your face before using any home remedy, because impurities may interrupt the affect of avocado nutrients.

Method – 3

Mash sliced avocado into paste. Add olive oil or almond oil to it; apply it over prewashed face and under eyes.

After 15-20 minutes rinse your face with lukewarm water and optionally apply natural moisturizer.

Note: If you’re sensitive to avocado, then stop using it.

  • Along with avocado oil, you must change your diet and lifestyle.
  • Avoid prolonged exposure of sunlight and computer screen.
  • Wear sunscreen cream before going out.
  • Have a good sleep.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Cleanse your face and skin under eyes regularly with natural exfoliators.

Avocado oil alone can’t help you to get rid of dark circles. Change your lifestyle to see its effect.

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Gotu Kola for Stretch Marks

gotu kola to get rid of stretch marks

It’s a small herb with prominent nutritional activity. Also known as Indian pennywort, spade leaf or centella asiatica, gotu kola grows nearby water. This tasteless herb has extensive use in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines. Fortunately, benefits of gotu kola enticed modern science to treat skin ailments.

Gotu kola for stretch marks is one of the cost effective and natural remedy available at this time. Charles poliquin one of the renowned strength coaches, noticed in his students who were taking gotu kola that stretch marks started fading after 6 months of regular use.

Seems where long, but you must consider other benefits of this small herb for your overall health. Ailments like psoriasis, leprosy, respiratory problems, hepatitis, stomach ulcers, asthma, fever, mental fatigue and diarrhea can be prevented by gotu kola. (1)

This herb is known as “the fountain of life” because an ancient Chinese herbalist survived more than 200 years by consuming gotu kola.

So I don’t think it’s a good decision to ignore this miraculous herb. (Well am not saying you’ll live up to 200 years if you consider this herb. May be it can help you to get rid of skin and health ailments.)

Gotu Kola & Stretch Marks

Sudden weight gain, pregnancy and hormonal imbalance are main causes of stretch marks. Your skin (dermis layer) breaks in different places as a result of stretching. Initially stria or stretch marks are red, as time passes they turn silver-white.

Often these lines appear around stomach, buttocks, thighs, breasts, knees, shoulders and other parts of the body. They aren’t associated with any health problem, but it’s a cosmetic concern. People get embarrassed to show their lines and try to fade them.

The bitter truth is that you can’t treat stretch marks permanently. You can only lighten their appearance. Cosmetic creams are normally filled with chemicals and processed ingredients. They may irritate your skin and trigger infection. It’s better to try natural remedies like gotu kola to lighten stretch marks.

  • Substances like amino acids, beta carotene, fatty acids and other phytochemicals residing in this herb aids to reduce inflammation, fasten healing, stimulate cell growth, improve blood circulation and enhance collagen production.
  • Compounds like Triterpenoid and saponins in gotu kola enhance healing and lighten the appearance of lines.
  • Topical or oral consumption of the herb will prevent damage of connective tissues and improve circulation.
  • Research show that it can effectively repair veins, heal minor burns, lighten scars, stretch marks and treat psoriasis. (2)

How to Use Gotu Kola for Stretch Marks?

As mentioned you can consume it orally or apply topically over the affected part. Experts recommend consuming 60-180 mg of gotu kola extract per day.

Another way is to brew tea with dried leaves of this herb. Add 1-2 teaspoon of sugar and few dried leaves in boiling water. Allow it to steep for 10-15 minutes. You can take 2-3 cups of gotu kola herbal tea every day. Or simply get gotu kola cream or oil and topically massage over the stretch marks.

Alternate names of gotu kola are Brahmi, Centella, Centella Asiatica, Indian pennywort, Marsh pennywort, Luei gong gen and Hydrocotyle.

Stop using this herb if you experience allergic symptoms like dizziness, nausea, drowsiness and consult physician.

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