Why Kansa is the Healthiest Metal to Eat and Cook In
As we all know, Kansa is one of the earliest metals discovered by mankind (second only to gold). In ancient times it was used to make coins, jeweller, statues etc. Later, they started using it to make kitchen utensils.
Beneficial features of Kansa Eating Utensils
High thermal conductivity
This property of Kansa is especially appreciated by chefs. Such dishes heat up quickly and evenly, retaining heat for a long time, which is especially important for the preparation of delicate seafood dishes, as well as various desserts and sauces. Food is cooked many times faster, this allows you to save more nutrients in foods.
Improving taste
Saturated with microparticles, the food cooked in such dishes acquire a special taste that cannot be repeated in pots and pans made of any other metal.
Kansa utensils have effective antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial properties
From time immemorial, copper has been used for medicinal purposes. The belief that copper is vital to health has been expressed by physicians and sages around the world for over 5,000 years. Scientists believe that kansa/ bronze; an alloy of copper, can kill many bacteria and viruses This feature of the metal was actively exploited in ancient times. It was noticed that the food left in Kansa vessels lastlonger and do not spoil. The jugs for water had a disinfecting effect; the water did not lose its taste for a long time and it did not smell foul. Later, the bactericidal properties of the metal were confirmed by scientific research. The molecules kill many pathogenic bacteria that can aggressively affect the digestive system. However, at high temperatures, such dishes lose their antibacterial properties. Recently, people have begun to drink water from a Kansa mug. It is believed that this way you can make up for the lack of this metal in the body.
Lightweight metal
This mainly applies to cookware made of copper-containing alloys, such as brass. Kitchen utensils made of pure copper are much heavier.
Durability
With proper care, Kansa eating utensils can last a long time. It is often passed down from generation to generation.
The article has been taken from the Indian Bartan website
Indian Bartan is an established manufacturer and supplier of a wide range of products in India which includes Brass Utensils, Copper utensils, and Kansa utensils.
Firoza, a homemaker in her mid- twenties, shares her beauty secret with us.
Firoza says, “I’ve always had naturally good skin; fair and spotless, just like my mother. My friends would admire my crystal clear complexion and even call me Snow White. Therefore I’d never try any face packs, face masks or face scrubs, like other girls my age. In fact, I’ve always used the same brand of soap for my skin since childhood and haven’t spent a single penny on any type of products like face washes, moisturisers etc”.
She further adds, “I was born and brought up in Kolkata and anyone’ who’s been to the city knows how harsh the sunrays are there. They just burn your skin and then you have the after effects of a suntanned skin, spots on your skin and a dull and darkerned complexion. But I was lucky; my school was pretty close to my house and college wasn’t that far either. So my skin didn’t suffer from those sunrays, as such. And again, since my mother was a bit strict with my brother and me, we would simply rush home after school. I wouldn’t loiter around after college hours too except for when we’d be out shopping or then celebrating a close friend’s birthday and that would be once in a blue moon”.
“After graduation, I got married and settled in Pune. My husband had a 9- 5 job, so I had loads of work and responsibilities to handle at home. Once my child was born, things got even more difficult. But my two- wheeler was my saving grace. I would leave my son and pick him up daily from school and then take him for his weekend drawing classes too, all on my scooty. Now, that is when I got exposed to scorching sunrays and my skin started to change. Though I’d apply sunscreen and wear a cloth face mask and dark glasses to ward off the strong UV rays, the truth is, you just cannot escape the sun. Gradually I got dark spots on my face, prominently on my cheekbones and forehead and my skin became a few shade darker too. You don’t realise this when you have a busy life but I started to sense it as time went by. When family members, friends and even aquaintances met me, most of them told me the same thing. They said that I had such beautiful, clear and fair skin and why had it now become dark with marks and spots? I would get conscious and irritated every time someone pointed this out to me. There were times when I would experience some sort of a mild panic attack when I’d glance into the mirror. I thought those marks would never go and I would never get back my flawless skin again”, says Firoza.
Firoza asked her regular beautician for advice and she suggested Firoza avoid the sun as far as possible specially during the peak hours but that was not feasible in her case. She also gave a few tips like keeping herself hydrated and using a broad spectrum sunscreen when stepping outdoors. Last she mentioned some names of OTC products which she had heard of from her clients as being effective for such skin issues. A few friends suggested some facials and skin treatments that could be done at any good parlour and even chemical treatments to be follwed by a dermatologist. But as Firoza hadn’t used strong chemical products all her life, she was sceptical about trying those synthetic, chemical laden products now, moreso when her skin was in this condition.
She recalls the fortunate day when she had visited the parlour and shares, “Once while waiting my turn for a haircut at the salon, I picked up a beauty magazine from the table and started reading it to pass my time. While going through it, I came across an article that mentioned the recipe of a homemade chironji face pack. It said it was for clearing sun tan, skin spots and solving many other skin issues. I had heard of gram flour packs and multani mitti face packs but this was something new. I read it and kept it in mind. It was simple and didn’t need much; it required only chironji and water. Since it was a natural remedy there was no harm in trying it I thought. It did take some time but the effects were visible after a few months and gradually the tan kept lightening and the dark spots faded too. I always share this recipe with people when they ask me how my complexion became clear and beautiful again”.
Chironji seeds are actually dry fruits most commonly used as ingredients in many Indian sweets, desserts and other culinary applications. Chironji is also called Indian charoly/ Buchanania lanzan/ Almondette kernel seeds They are both, delicious and nutritious. They are used in a number of cosmetics and skin care products too. The seeds are rich in vitamin C which is very beneficial for the skin. It keeps your skin healthy and youthful. They are also packed with vitamin E which gives them anti aging properties; they moisturise your skin and clear fine lines and wrinkles. Chironji seed oil is topically used on its own or then mixed with other suitable oils for skin problems like acne, pimples and hyperpigmentation marks.
Recipe of the chironji face pack
What you need:
Some Chironji seeds
Water
Method:
Wash the seeds with plain water to clean off any dirt or grime. Soak chironji seeds in some water for a few hours. Grind into a fine paste. Clean your skin well with a cleanser, face wash etc and pat dry. Apply the chironji paste to your face with a face pack brush or fingers, leaving the eye area. Let your skin soak in it till the pack feels semi- dry. Gently rub on face with fingertips in circular motions while washing off the pack with lukewarm water. This will work like a scrub and exfoliate your skin and remove dirt and grime from your skin and thouroughly cleanse it. The scrubbing will also get rid of unwanted facial hair and make your skin fairer, brighter and more attractive.
Tha pack can be used once a week.
How this works
Chironji seeds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and are packed with vitamins, minerals and niacin. Using them in your skin packs and masks makes your skin healthy and beautiful.
This pack rejuvenates your skin, hydrates skin and makes your skin soft and supple. It helps clear dark spots, sun tan and blemishes and helps to even out your skin tone. Using the pack regularly improves the quality of your skin and makes your skin flawless and radiant.
The pack suits all skin types. In fact Chironji is very good as a face pack for oily and combination skin as it absorbs the excess oil from the skin and makes your skin non greasy. It suits sensitive skin and its antiinflammatory properties soothe skin irritation. It has antimicrobial and antifungal properties which help clear acne, pimples, boils and heal rashes and various other skin related infections.
Do take the advice of a skin doctor before using the pack if you have any major skin issue. It may not be suitable for skin with severe rashes or severe acne.
The Nablus Soap Company in Nablus.(Palestine) was founded in 1971 by Mojtaba Adnan Tbeleh, a descendant from a 400- year tradition of soap makers. And Nablus Soaps are made with the necessary know -how coming from the ancient formulae/ recipes of the Tbeleh family. Therefore, the Company is the most important pioneer in the soap industry of Palestine. With a reputation of hundreds of years in this sector, the family guarantees natural soaps of very high quality. All the soaps of the Nablus Soap Company are 100% natural, organic and made by hand. It is proven that people with varying skin problems experience an improvement in their skin after using the soaps for a while. Their main goal is to provide their customers with outstanding handmade natural soap made from the most natural, organic ingredients
Nablus soaps are cooked in the worlds oldest soap making tradition. They formulate soap in the old traditiobal manner followed in the 13th century – the same way their forefathers did. The preparation of the soaps involves a lengthy and tedious process. They use three main ingredients – Olive oil (the prime agricultural product of the region), water, and baking soda. Palestine is renowned for its olives and so it has always been the tradition in Nablus city to make soap from olive oil. The ingredients are processed by a method that aims to preserve a healing and nourishing effect. To handcraft pure, long-lasting soap bars, the ingredients are cooked in a huge stainless steel vessel and are then left to soak for a day. The next day they continue with the cooking process. The liquid soap is then spread in wooden frames to set. After setting, they measure and outline the soap bars and cut them into the classic cube shape of Nablus soap. Next they are stamped with the company’s trademark seal. The soap cubes then undergo a drying process that can last from three months to a year. It involves stacking them in ceiling- high structures resembling cones with hollow centers that allow the air to circulate around them. Various other ingredients (that have a thereupatic effect) such as honey, milk, mud from the Dead Sea or dried herbs from the Medina etc. are also added into the base oil i.e. Olive oil to produce a wide range of Nablus soaps
Characteristics of Nablus Soap
100% Natural & Organic
100% biodegradable
Eco-friendly/ Does not harm the environment
Animal- friendly
Has a healing and nourishing effect
Respects the natural balance of the skin
Does not contain artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, synthetic ingredients, preservatives and foaming agents
Certified:
Organic products by ECOCERT COSMOS
HALAL
Palestine Standard Institution
Nablus Soap -ingredients
They consists of 100% natural ingredients
Olive oil (first pressed)
Dead Sea minerals
Herbs with healing and nourishing effects
Essential oils
Natural Oils
Nablus soaps believe in the power of natural beauty. They have one distinctive vision: “A World Of Natural Beauty- Be Beautiful, Be Natural”. They encourage people to grow their relationship with nature; to make them believe in the naturalbeauty they can get from their Land’s treasures. Their products are free from harmful, environmentally dangerous and health- perilous products. Nablus natural soaps consist entirely of natural, botanical ingredients, do not contain any preservatives or synthetic components and are not tested on animals. Therefore the soaps are suitable for daily use. Nablus soaps are undoubtedly strong at cleaning but they are mild at the same time. They can be used for almost any kind of washing whether household or medical. Its simplicity makes them a special kind of product that can clean a stain as well as heal a wound.
The products from Nablus Soap contain Olive oil as the basic ingredient. The olive oil manufactured in Palestine is pure, concentrated and of a rather high quality compared to olive oil produced in other regions. Olive oil nourishes the skin intensely and moisturises it. It is also rich in Vitamin A, E and K
Products
The formulation of Nablus Soaps purifies (deep cleans) the skin, prevents cells ageing and inhibits their oxidation. They are loaded with Vitamins and minerals. They lather well and wash away without leaving a film or drying up the skin.
Nablus has a wide range of soaps including pure olive oil, rose, rosemary, thyme, pomegranate, black cumin seeds, mint, bay leaves, dead sea mud, grapes, lemon; lavender, saffron, avocado, figs, cinnamon, sage, goat milk, dates, tea tree, honey and chamomile.
NablusSoaps:
Dead Sea Mud
Dead Sea Mud Soap is uniquely composed of Olive oil added to a mixture of treated Dead Sea Mud. The soap has exfoliating properties which helps get rid of dead skin cells and improves blood circulation. This refreshes your skin, makes it glow and gives a natural blush to your cheeks. It contains rare salts and minerals. It is the best soap for oily & problem skin. It detoxifies your skin, cleans it throughly of dirt and grime and removes oil- based debris. It helps get rid of blackheads and acne. It boosts the skins collagen, reduces wrinkles & fine lines and tightens the skins pores. It makes your skin soft and supple. It purifies the skin. It makes your skin clear and brings back the natural colour of your skin which changes due to sun exposure. . It has natural skin whitening properties.
Pomegranates
This soap suits all skin types. It is well-known that Pomegranates are the main ingredient in many skin-care products. Studies have shown that pomegranate has strong anti-oxidative properties and can renew the cells in the two most important strata (layers) of skin; the epidermis and the dermis. It is also rich in potassium and vitamin C. It helps the skin resist ageing and reduces wrinkles on the skin. These properties of Pomegranate are harnessed by incorporating it in a soap. Using this soap regularly gives your skin a beautiful natural glow.
Olive oil
This is a nourishing soap for all skin types. Olive oil has the ability to renew skin tissues and monitor the natural moistening system of the skin. It smoothens and softens the skin. It includes a high percentage of anti-oxidants. Olive oil has healing properties and is rich in Polyphenols which prevent infections and thrombosis.
Nablus products can be purchased through online shopping websites
Nablus liquid soaps are one of the special kind of soaps that have been developed by converting soap cubes into liquid form without prejudicing the original ingredients All the soaps are organic, 100% natural and use high quality extra virgin olive oil. It is considered the optimum option to enjoy the advantages of natural olive oil that makes the skin soft, supple and youthful. Olive oil renews the tissues of the skin and renovates tired skin cells. Some of the soaps are fragrance free while a few have a very mild and pleasant fragrance. They are rich in vitamins and minerals. They delay wrinkling and help heal bruises, scars and burn marks too.
Nablus soaps are of very high quality. Nablus liquid soaps are so pure and gentle; they are also used as shampoo to wash hair. They help get rid of dandruff, strengthen hair follicles and prevent hair loss
The packaging is simple and user- friendly. The liquid soaps are available in individual bottles packed in neat and pretty cardboard boxes
Nablus has a variety of liquid soaps:
Olive oil
This soap suits all skin types. In fact, it suits sensitive skin as well. Because it is pure and natural, it is suitable for all ages, even for babies and the elderly.
The Olive Oil together with natural extracts from herbs leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean. The olive oil liquid soap is excellent for moisturising your skin. It nourishes your skin and soothes and heals skin ailments such as eczema, psoriasis, rashes, acne, cold sores and itchiness Olive oil is antiageing. It improves your skin tone and texture. It doesn’t dry the skin and makes it soft.
This soap infused with natural herbs has healing properties. It is antiseptic and purifying. The combination of natural herbs and pure olive oil makes your skin fairer. It makes your skin fresh and beautiful. When used as a hair wash it makes your hair healthy, soft and glossy.
Ingredients: Virgin Natural Olive Oil, Natural Herbs (Sage, Thyme, Black cumin, Tea tree), Aromatic Oils, Food Grade Lye, Aqua
Dead sea mud
The soap is made from Dead Sea Mud (from the surrounding dead sea region), a natural cleaning substance. The combinantion of Dead Sea Mud and pure olive oil results in beautiful, clear and smooth skin. Black mud works like a skin exfoliator and is ideal for acne prone skin as it can heal pimples and blackheads naturally.
This soap is made from pure Olive Oil & natural Pomegranate extract. It has anti oxidant properties which help fight free radicals in the body. Pomegranates also contain anti-inflammatory compounds that help in fighting skin issues like dry skin and acne. The blend of pomegranate extract and pure extra virgin olive oil makes your skin soft, nourished and beautiful. The soap has a soothing, fruity fragrance.
This soap is made from pure Olive Oil & natural rose extract. It has the delicate and sweet fragrance of rose. The moisturising properties of olive oil, enriched with genuine rose oil makes your skin smooth.
This soap made from pure Olive Oil & natural rosemary extract is the perfect product to counter ageing and lighten the skin tone. It gives a mild glow to your skin naturally. It nourishes the skin and moisturises it which prevents drying of skin. It reduces swelling of skin such as swelling of the under- eye area. It helps in the recovery of skin burns
Whenever you’ve wanted to brighten and rejuvenate your dull skin, you’ve picked up an expensive skin care product like a skin lightening cream, a face gel or a serum. But have you realised, there are ingreduents in your kitchen that can give your skin that natural, dewy glow without spending that much. This honey and lemon mask is the best homemade mask when you want fairer and brighter skin in a few minutes. It is easy to make and needs only two ingredients; honey and lemon. They are both easily available and pocket-friendly. Honey is sticky but once you combine it with lemon juice, its consistency changes and the mix becomes smooth so you can easily apply it. So just stir up the honey and lime and you are ready for a flawless and smooth complexion.
What you need:
1 tbsp honey (plain, unflavoured)
Juice of about 1/2 lemon (use fresh lemon juice)
Method:
Cleanse you skin. Splash with water and pat dry.
In a clean glass bowl, squeeze the fresh juice of half a lemon and mix it well with the honey.
Apply this mask gently on your face, leaving the eye area and let your skin soak in the mask for 15 – 20 minutes.
Wash your face well with warm water to cleanse off the mask and then splash once with cold water.
The mask suits all skin types.
You can follow this twice a month.
How this works
Using this mask regularly makes your skin softer and smoother.
The mask cleanses your skin and makes your skin feel fresh and gives it a mild glow
Lemons are packed with Vitamin C which keeps your skin youthful. They also have skin -lightening properties. So they are used in many skin care products like soaps, moisturisers etc. Lemon and honey make your skin fairer and brighter and even lighten dark spots, age spots, scars and tan marks. The mask fades pigmentation marks and makes your skin even- toned.
Just like lemons, honey has also gained prominence in the skin care range. It has antimicrobial, antiinflammatory properties and healing properties so it is used in cleansers, creams etc. Honeys anti- inflammatory properties soothes skin irritation and skin redness
Honey is antiageing. It delays wrinkles as it moisturises and hydrates ageing skin. It tightens the skin’s pores, making your skin more youthful.
The mask is even suitable for oily and combination skin as lemon juice has astringent properties; it combats extra oiliness. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of lemon juice and honey kill bacteria on skin which helps heal blackheads and clear acne, pimples, breakouts and other skin infections.
Honey and lemon both exfoliate your skin. This removes dirt that clogs the skins pores and gets rid of dead cells on the skin.
Swipe some kajal into your eyes and it makes your eyes look simply gorgeous. Every woman knows, a tinge of kajal is enough to define her eyes and make her look more attractive, instantly. Therefore eyeliners, kohls, kajal dabbis, kajal pencils and kajal sticks are a must- have in every woman’s make-up kit. Even if you are rushing to work and don’t have the ime to slather makeup, simple, kohl- lined eyes will surely make you look prepped up. Or on days when you wish to tuck away evey piece of cosmetic you own and let your skin breathe, a dark line of kajal will make your eyes look sensous and elevate your appearance. Therefore, they say, kajal is a girls best friend! But, in spite of its wide popularity and extensive use there’s one question that needs to be answered. Is kajal really safe for you?
Kajal; A (girls) friend or a foe?
Time and again you hear of women experiencing burning sensation in their eyes or watery eyes after using eye products like kohl or kajal. The reason being that those store-bought kajals, kohls and eyeliners contain chemicals and impurities like lead, mercury, sulphates, charcoal, artificial colours and silver nitrate. These can cause eye problems like eye irritation, burning of eyes, eye inflammation, allergies in the eyes and even infections on the skin around the eyes. In fact, mineral oil and parabens present in a few kajal brands can cause serious health issues too.
There are women who can’t go a day without wearing kajal and do not realise how harmful these cosmetics are for their eyes and their overall health. So should you then ditch those cosmetics and completely stop using kajal and kohl? Not at all! There’s a solution to the problem. Let’s know more about it.
Earlier kajal was made at home from pure ghee or oils like almond oil, coconut oil, castor oil etc. Kajal was not only used to beautify their eyes but everyone was aware of its healing properties as well. Ayurveda has always emphasised that the natural and organic kajal that you make at home has amazing medicinal properties. It nourishes your eyes and improves vision. It also relieves eye strain and has a cooling effect on your eyes. In fact, it is believed that it can prevent and heal eye diseases like conjunctivitis and cataract too. But as ready- made kajal started being produced on a large scale and became easily available, many people stopped making kajal for themselves. Thoigh lead- free, herbal, ayurvedic and organic kajal are also sold in markets under reputed brand names which in a way are surely better than their chemical- laden counterparts but they cannot match the quality of the kajal that you can make yourself. The difference between hand-crafted and factory -produced kajal is that the former is much more hygienic and safer to use. Since you can use optimum quality ingredients it is also of a superior quality. Hand made kajal is completely pure and organic and free from chemicals and preservatives. And the best part is, It is very easy to make. A basic kajal recipe doesn’t take much time and requires only one main ingredient which is ghee or oil.
Benefits of using natural, homemade kajal
It improves your eyesight.
It heals eye disorders like dry eyes, itchiness of the eyes and blurred vision.
It keeps your eyes hydrated
It has a cooling effect on the eyes.
It clears impuritiesr from your eyes and removes minute makeup residue which keeps eyes clean
It relieves eye fatigue and eye strain and strengthens your eye muscles and nerves
It prevents the onset of eye diseases like cataract and conjunctivitis and even heals those eye diseases. It has anti- bacterial properties which keeps your eyes free from infections
it makes your eyes feel fresh and rejuvenated
It is 100% pure and natural and safe to use since it is free from chemicals and preservatives. Therefore it even suits sensitive eyes
It keeps dark circles at bay
it nourishes your eyelashes and makes them thicker and darker.
When using chemical -laden kajal you have to make sure to remove every trace of it before going to bed since it can harm your eyes and even cause dark circles. But home made kajal is safe and has thereauptic qualities which can actually heal your eyes so you needn’t (necessarily) remove it at the end of the day.
An earthen clay diya (take a big dijya if you want to make more kajal)
A thick cotton wick (buy cotton from a medical store)
Pure ghee/ castor oil/ almond oil
Copper plate
Pure ghee
Method:
Take ghee depending on how much kajal you want to make. If you want to make more, then take more ghee.
You can prepare the wick by rolling some cotton between your hands.
Choose a place that isn’t windy so that the flame remains steady. Smear some ghee/oil on the inside of the plate. Keep the plate inverted on top of two glasses or bowls turned upside down.
Add ghee to the diya, soak the wick in ghee and place it in the diya. Light the wick and. Keep the diya below the copper plate
After some time you will notice black soot or film being deposited under the plate
Wait till all the oil/ ghee is consumed. Do not touch the plate with your bare hands. as it will be very hot.
Let the soot cool. Scrape off this soot from the plate with a blunt knife or a spoon and put in a clean vessel. Since it will be a little dry, add a few drops of ghee to it, drop by drop and keep mixing well till you get a pasty texture. And Voila! Your handcrafted kajal is ready. It will be jet black, smooth and soft and glide easily onto your eyes. Transfer it into a sterilised container like a small box or dabbi made of silver, steel, brass, glass or good quality plastic.
Draw a slender line to get a simple and subtle look or smear a thick layer for those dramatic, smokey eyes. Now your kohl-rimmed eyes are sure to light up your face and give you confidence since your kajal will not harm your eyes.
A copper plate is used in this recipe for making ayurvedic kajal as the metal has healing properties and anti- bacterial properties. Using copper helps enhance vision.
This doesn’t expire so you can use it for a long time.
Do keep in mind:
This is the recipe of basic kajal. There are other recipes which use more ingredients/ medicinal herbs like camphor, ajwain, almonds, sandalwood powder etc. which are cooling to the eyes and can heal certain eye diseases. They can prevent eye infections that are caused due to parasites, fungi and viruses.
Using ghee is very beneficial. It can cure dark circles. It is best if you make kajal from homemade/ desi ghee.
Q. Hi! I had made herbal hair oil by cooking curry leaves and fenugreek seeds in coconut oil. I used a lot of curry leaves; much more than what the recipe mentioned. My daughter goes to school. She’s in the eighth standard. Her hair started growing longer faster and even became a littke thicker than before after she started using this oil. But of late she’s got lice in her hair. Could it be because of the hair oil?
A. Adding too many curry leaves when preparing the hair oil could have caused the hair lice problem. She should not use it.
Q. Hi! Im in college at present. Someone had told me that it’s better to change shampoos time and again because otherwise the chemicals (of the shampoo) keep getting deposited on your hair and scalp and change its texture.
A. These are just notions being spread and then followed by people. If you are using a shampoo of good quality and it has been suiting you for some time then how could it harm you?
Q. Hello! My daughter will turn thirteen in a few days. She’s dark so I want to start her fairness treatment from now itself so that by the time she’s of marriageable age, she’s fair and attractive. There are fairness soaps and creams in the market now. How should I go about please guide me?
A. I request that you do not use any type of chemical treatment on your daughter as this chemical assault can prove to be harmful through the years. A dark person cannot become really fair but she can become a few shades fairer than the present skin tone. Do not waste money on fairness soaps or creams either. Also facials, bleaching and exfoliation are a big no- no at this tender age. There are a few tips that you can follow:
1. Give her kesar ka doodh regularly by boiling a few strands of saffron in milk.
2. Wash and soak orange peels in water for a few hours. Discard the peels. She should keep splashing this water on her face 3- 4 times a day. This is a simple yet ffective and natural way to make your complexion fairer. It will give a mild bleaching effect to the skin making it brighter..
3. Apply sunscreen when stepping out in the sun
4. Use a suitable cleanser daily after returning home or before going to bed
5. There are a few masks etc. thar she can use for fairness:
a. Apply multani mitti face pack,
b. Honey and lemon juice face mask works good for fairness
c. Apply Aloe Vera gel
d. Splash/dab some coconut water on the face.
e. Tomato juice is also effective in removing tan marks and making skin fairer.
Q. Hi! My friend indulged in making some hair oil from frying onions in coconut oil. It looked quite greasy to me. I’m in my mid- forties and my hair is normal and I have a hair fall issue. Can I also follow her recipe and use onion oil on my hair?
A. Yes. You can use onion oil for your hair. There are lots of benefits of using this oil. It optimises the hair growth cycle making your hair thicker. It makes hair stronger which prevent breakage & thinning. It delays premature greying. Onion oil can improve your hairs texture making it soft and glossy so it works like a natural conditioner. And the best part is, it suits all hair types.
Q. Hullo! I have a seven year old daughter. Someone told me to stop using soap on her skin and use besan with some water to bathe my child everyday. So I started using besan on her face and her body from then on. Through my daughter has a dusky completion but now I’ve noticed her skin has become a little fairer and clearer than before. Even family members and friends who saw her after a few weeks told me that now my daughters skin looks brighter. Should I continue with this ritual?
A. Besan has exfoliation properties so it makes your skin fairer and brighter and removes suntan. Therefore your daughters skin seemed better. But too much of exfoliation is not good for the skin that too on a daily basis. If followed once in a while it’s fine and it’s good for skin. Using on a a daily basis will make her skin rough and dry later. So you should stop using this daily and switch back to using soap for bathing her.
Q. Hi! It’s always been said that drinking 16 (or more) glasses of water a day is necessary for a healthy body, beautiful skin and good hair. Is this true?
A. You should drink water when you are thirsty. Drinking too much water strains your kidneys.
Precious stones are fascinating natural formations derived from earth. They have always been used for making jewellery and to adorn oneself. From the Moghul empire to western civilisation and Indian culture to African dynasties, gems have been a part of history whether ancient or modern. Womenfolk have always bedecked themselves in jewelry made with beaded stones or with ornaments studded with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and more. Even though men do not have that much of a wide range when it comes to jewellery, it’s been a trend for the masculine gender too to wear stones in their bracelets, rings, lockets, shirt studs, cufflinks, brooches etc.
Precious stones have been used (in jewellery) for different reasons; for some precious and semi- precious stones are worn to define their status and class while for others it’s always about matching the colour of their attire with the shade of the gems. There are those who have sentimental values attached to an heirloom ornament so they might wear a stone jewellery only because it’s been inherited to them. And last but not the leasr are the ones who wear their solitaire ring because they believe in flaunting their relationship status. But precious stones are not just about matching the ruby, gold choker with a maroon lehenga or purchasing a safari with green embroidery to blend with the emerald, silver cufflinks. Jewels can be used for the betterment of humans too. Ayurvedic studies suggest that gems can positively influence your energies and promote a healthy and successful life. Just as other therapies (water therapy, colour therapy etc.) work for making you healthier or fulfilling your goals in life, gem therapy (wearing the right gem/s) has a positive effect on your life too. Ayurvedic practitioners explain that precious stones have different qualities; some stones promiote healing while others may help unleash your creativity. Some gems have soothing properties so they are ideal for those suffering from anxiety and mood disorders whereas some are said to be effective at clearing negative energy.
Gemstones are not just a piece of adornment; wearing a gem that is in alignment with your energy can enrich your life in many ways. But don’t mistake this to work like magic and assume that wearing a certain rock will grant you all your wishes and life will become a fairytale. You should not completely depend on a certain stone. You have to also work towards your life goals. Actually there are scientific reasons to explain how stones work in your favour. We humans (and other living beings) emanate a subtle energy field and gems are enriched with their own cosmic powers which can influence this energy field. Each stone has its own unique qualities. Some stones are more powerful than others and a suitable gem can positively affect your emotional, mental and spiritual energies.
The most important thing to keep in mind when wearing any stone is that it should touch your skin. Therefore wearing a stone/s in the form of a beaded bracelet, a ear stud or then in a ring with an open back or as a pendant which has an open back is a good idea. Hence the above point should be duly followed when crafting the design of an ornament or when purchasing jewellery with a gemstone/s if you have the intention of gaining it’s benefits.
There are mainly four precious stones; diamond, ruby, emerald and sapphire. Let’s know more about them.
Diamond’s are magnificent. They speak of royalty and have always been a part of crowns and tiaras. Wearing this beautiful, sparkling stone has immense benefits. It has healing properties; it showers you with good health. It can cure kidney disorders so those who suffer from kidney stones should (preferably) wear a diamond. Diamonds are beneficial for those who suffer from anxiety or depression, as it can help you cure them and calm your mind. Diamonds also enhance the wearers intelligence. Diamonds attract wealth and also bring good luck to the wearer but at the same time boost his ego too. Hence a self- obsessed person should preferably not flaunt too many diamonds as it could inflate his ego, furthermore. Diamonds are the hardest naturally occuring mineral on the planet, making them very durable. So they are mostly preferred for wedding bands and engagement rings since durability (of the gem) in a subtle way speaks of long-lasting relations that can stand the test of time. Rubies and emeralds are the next choice when it comes to couple rings because of their gorgeous colours and again because they are very hard gemstones. Rubies are mostly red and sometimes pink and reddish brown in colour. The Ruby, stone, also known as Manik is a jewel of the sun and is a very auspicious gem. They are one of the most popular stones after diamonds. Men and women, both prefer wearing ruby rings because of their eye -catching red hue and also because they are durable. So they are mostly in demand for making ornaments meant for daily use. These vibrant red stones have healing properties. If you wear a ruby gem, it can enhance your physical health and wellbeing. It can help cure diseases related to the blood, heart, liver, digestive system and nervous system. The ruby and emerald stones heal diseases related to eyes and simply glancing on these rocks can improve your eyesight. The ruby stone brings dignity to the wearer and he feels more confident and authoritative. Wearing the stone can repel depression and provide comfort to the wearer if and when he may be going through a difficult time in his life. It brings positivity and good luck. Wearing this gemstone encourages you to listen to your inner voice and strive towards fulfilling your dreams.
Gems also work as protectors. The ruby stone and emerald stone ward off evil spirits. Sapphires also protect you from negative energy and witchcraft. Agate or Aqeek guards you against danger and anyone who wishes to protect themself from the evil eye and black magic should wear Aqeek. Therefore small children are usually made to wear bracelets or lockets of Agate to save them from the evil eye.
Quartz stone or Aqeeq/ hakikk stone is a semi- precious stone and they are available in various colours like red, pink, blue, purple, green, yellow, orange, black, grey and white. But the most popular and expensive ones are the red, green and Sulemani Aqeeq. Also the Yemeni aqeek which are deep maroon in colour are cherished for their superior quality. Agate rings are most sought after all over the world because of the amazing qualities and healing energies this stone beholds. Agate boosts your spiritual growth, removes hypocrisy from the heart and enhances your emotional health. Those who tend to keep their thoughts bottled up and hold grudges should also wear this stone because it helps remove negativity, dissolves differences from their heart, calms their temper and heals relations. Wearing agate also helps remove feelings of sorrow and grief and makes you feel happy. It is believed that this stone improves heart health, strengthens cardiac muscles and helps correct and regulate issues with blood. Wearing akik stone or emerald stone repels poverty.
The basic and primary colour of Emeralds or Panna stone is green but there are emeralds that have blue or yellow overtones which gives them those bluish and light- greenish hues. The Emerald stones are rather hard which makes them scratch- proof so they can be worn every day. This dazzling stone is a symbol of love and is worn to attain love and therefore Emeralds are mostly preferred for couple rings. Emerald stone is known to strengthen existing bonds and promote loyalty. Wearing it helps cure ailments. It even helps in healing leprosy disease. It brings clarity to your mind and strenghtens your decision- making skills. Wearing panna heals mental tensions, calms the mind and brings peace to the wearer. It is a very favourable stone for pregnant women and they should wear it or keep it close to themselves as it reduces the anxiety of labour pain. It is said that emeralds enhance intuition and psychic abilities, providing focus to the mind. It sharpens the wearers memory, improves concentration and makes him more intelligent which enhances his capacity to learn.
Sapphires also known as Neelam are powerful stones and are usually in enchanting blue colours. They are even in yellow, green and orange shades. This gem is governed by Saturn. It is the type of stone that you have to be cautious of before wearing. If it suits you it can be lucky for you and bring good fortune but if it’s unfavourable for you it can cause misfortunes once you start wearing the stone. It boosts concentration and improves memory. It boasts royalty and enhances the wearers confidence. It cures negative emotions, calms your mind and promotes inner peace. Protects from nightmares. It has healing properties which can heal a person both physically and emotionally. It strengthens your immune system.
Corals also known as Marjan are obtained from the coral reefs. They are mostly red and orangish and even white at times. People are quite fond of this stone. It can surely add colour to your jewellery but experts suggest that besides that they actually do not add anything positive to your life. So they should be avoided if you intend at gaining benefits from wearing gemstones
Those who are overweight always crave to become lean because they know that becoming slim can make them look more attractive. Therefore they are usually sweating it out in the gym or then indulging in crash diets and weight -loss supplements to lose the extra fat. But besides the looks factor, the biggest advantage of maintaining a healthy body weight is that it helps a person lead a healthy and disease- free life. It’s a known fact that being obese and overweight can cause a lot of health issues like hypertension, cardiac diseases and diabetes, to name a few. And following fad diets or consuming supplements guaranteeing fast weight- loss are usually not right for your health as they can cause serious side effects later. Hence doctors always advise people to lose weight slowly and over a period of time. Though,a persons eating habits and physical activity are important factors in maintaining his/ her weight, there are natural and herbal remedies too which when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise can help him lose weight in a safe and healthy manner.
Here we share a natural weight loss remedy using fennel seeds.
Fennel seeds/ Sauf water for weight loss
What you need:
a glass of water
1 or 2 tsps sauf
Mehod:
Add the sauf to a glass full of water, cover it and leave it overnight. Boil this for 2 or 3 minutes the next day and strain it. You can have it warm or let it cool naturally and drink this water anytime during the day just as you would have herbal tea or kahwa. It has a mild sweet taste and a lovely flavour making it a delicious brew.
Fennel seeds
You must have noticed that fennel seeds are mostly served at restaurants after you’ve finished your meal. So also many people are accustomed to eating those tiny green seeds, plain or then having them as a part of a seed -mix or mukhwas, daily after having their food. This herb is preffered for mainly two reasons; they have a nice aroma and flavour so chewing on even half a teaspoon of the seeds works like a mouth- freshner and also because they have digestive properties. They are even used as a spice when cooking meals and are added to cuisines all over the world for the distinct flavour they add to the dishes. Fennel seeds are either used whole or then roasted and ground to be used in a powdered form and added to food and drinks as they enhance their taste. They are added to vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes, gravies, curries, pickles, drinks, stews, rice preparations, rotis and paratha batters, dals, mithais and desserts and even when preparing chutneys. But not many know that these humble seeds are a storehouse of nutrients and they have loads of health benefits. And when you soak fennel seeds in water the properties of those seeds get infused into the water and you gain those health benefits from drinking the fennel- seeds water.
Health benefits of fennel seeds:
Fennel seeds have many medicinal properties. They are rich in vitamin C, E, K and Folate and minerals like Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Zinc, Potassium, Selenium and Iron. They are low in calories but high in dietary fibre and relieve constipation, gas and bloating. They are excellent for your skin and hair too. Consuming fennel seeds regularly combats hair loss and makes your hair thicker and stronger. They hydrate your scalp which prevents dandruff. They flush out toxins from your body and purify blood which consequently clears your skin of acne, heals skin allergies and makes your skin fairer and brighter. They have anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They increase the production of bile in your body. They boost metabolism which helps you lose weight. Fennel -water also cools your body therefore fennel sorbets and teas are preferred during summers. They regulate blood pressure, boost your immunity and combat respiratory disorders. Since they are packed with Calcium they are good for your bones. Fennel seeds also help in the absorption of nutrients from the food that you eat.
The above mentioned drink can be treated as a safe and natural weight loss remedy but you should consume a proper diet and even exercise, if possible.
(Though fennel seeds are beneficial for you, they should be consumed in moderation)
Asha, a beautician from Calcutta shares how her mother’s timely advice saved her from falling ill.
35 year old Asha recalls the days (about ten years ago) when she went to live with her mother. Her husband had gone to Dubai as his company had shifted base there and he would come to India after a few months. Asha says, “I had worked in a parlour for some time before marriage but after tying the knot, I gave birth within a year and due to house responsibilities and the baby, I had to quit working. Now my mother could take care of my child so I had some free time and so I decided to start working again. I found a good parlour close to my mother’s house and landed myself a half- day job there”. Asha further adds that she was very excited about working again so she went shopping for clothes she could wear to work. “I bought myself some plain t-shirts, dark coloured jeans, long cotton skirts and a pair of heeled, black, leather boots”, she adds. Asha was very fond of heels and since her height was around 5.3″, heeled footwear lent her those extra inches to make her look taller which gave her more confidence. Asha always felt that heels made a woman look more stylish and classy.
It was the month of July and the monsoons had made the roads muddy. Asha thought the slush would make her beautiful, new shoes dirty so she kept her boots neatly on a shoe- rack in the parlour. She wore flat rainy slippers from home and put on her boots once she reached the parlour and again kept them on the rack before leaving for home. Asha says working in the salon was backbreaking but it was also fun styling peoples hair and giving facials to the customers.
After a few weeks, Asha felt pain in her feet and lower back and sometimes even got cramps in her feet. Since Asha was always busy she didn’t bother much about the aching feet. She would pop a painkiller when the pain would be severe and use pain relief balms or sprays on her legs at night. But they were all temporary solutions. As days went by, the pain increased but Asha thought it was the workload that was causing the discomfort and kept neglecting it. Asha’s mother couldn’t’ bear seeing her daughter in pain and decided to take things in hand. She sat her down on a Monday morning when Asha was free as the parlour had holidays on Mondays and asked Asha for her entire work routine. On mentioning about the heeled boots, her mother realised what was causing the foot and backaches. Asha says, “I told my mother that the heels were only an inch and a half so they couldn’t cause any harm. But my mother asked me to ditch the heels ASAP and wear flats the entire day, whether I went; to the market or to the parlour. Asha says, ” I resisted initially as flat footwear would not make me look cool and fashionable but my mother explained that a person has to put his/her health before fashion and not become a slave to these fads. I understood and did as I was told. I packed my boots in a cardboard box and tucked them away in the shoe cabinet. Mom even forced me to see a doctor immeduately but I delayed it for some time. Eventually I had to give in and visit an Orthopedic doctor. After an examination and a few tests, the doctor pointed towards the swelling on my ankles and a few twisted, blue veins on my calves. He told us it was the initial stage of varicose veins. This came as a surprise because I was quite particular about my diet and no one in my family ever suffered from the disease. When the doctor saw my confusion, he explained that now a lot of people and moreso women suffer from this disease. At times the disease is hereditary but there are some other factors too that can cause varicose veins.
Let us know more about the illness and how to prevent it:
Varicose veins is a disease that occurs when weak or damaged veins (close to the skins surface) get swollen or twisted. In simple words, the body’s veins have one-way valves that help blood flow towards the heart. But when these valves weaken, blood pools up in the veins causing the veins to swell. This is when you suffer from varicose veins. It usually affects the veins in the legs since activities like standing and walking increase the pressure in those veins. Varicose veins makes the legs look unappealing because the veins change colour and become dark purple or blue and start bulging, and this can be seen on the skins surface. They usually appear on the front and back of the calves and the thighs. At times it even causes pain in the feet and lower body which worsens due to continous standing or sitting. Other symptoms of the disease are muscle cramps and swelling in the lower legs and drying of skin and itching near the affected vein/s. Varicose veins should not be taken lightly and you should seek medical advice soon. In extreme cases it can cause painful ulcers on the skin, blood clots and bleeding due to bursting of those veins. It can even be a sign of an underlying medical condition called deep vein thrombosis.
Spider veins which is a milder version of Varicose veins occur on the legs and the face as well. They are red or blue in colour and look like a spiders web.
Some people suffer from the disease for no obvious reason. But usually there are some common factors that cause varicose veins. Lets know about them:
Familyhistory: If someone in your family specially a close family member has suffered from varicose veins then your risk of developing the disease is higher.
Ageing: As you age, the valves in the veins weaken which can cause varicose veins.
Gender: Women are at a higher risk since hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause and certain (hormonal) medicines can cause the disease.
In the case of women, pregnancy also adds weight on their lower body and consquently puts more pressure on their veins which damages them. Therefore pregnancy can also lead to varicose veins.
Weight: Again, if someone is overweight or obese it puts more pressure on his veins.
Lifestyle: Those who need to stand or sit contionously for long periods of time for example people who work in offices can also get affected because standing or sitting for long decreases blood circulation.
What measures can you take to avoid the disease?
Regular exercise and walking encourages blood flow in the legs. Also raising your legs above the level of your heart a few times a day can improve blood circulation. This can be done by lying down and placing a few pillows below your feet.
Losing excess weight or keeping your weight in control is an important factor to avoid the illness.
Avoid (or limit) wearing footwear with high heels. Wearing high heels raises your foots heel above the ground which prevents your calf muscles from pumping blood effectively up your leg. So to be on the safer side, you can flaunt those stilletos once in a while or then limit the size of the heels if you have a history of the disease running in your family. But if you notice early signs of varicose veins then wearing heels should be completely avoided .
Avoid wearing tight clothes more so .around your legs, waist and groin. Tight clothing can reduce blood flow
Eat a healthy well- balanced diet that is high in fiber and low in salt to avoid swelling (on feet) due to water retention.
Remember the most delicious and scrumptious food (or drinks) you’ve ever had. It could be something as simple as a bowl of piping hot idli- sambar or a steaming cup of tasty masala chai (with freshly ground adrak and elaichi ). And it may not necessarily be at a five-star hotel or a gourmet restaurant. You could have lunched at a humble dhaba, a small eaterie or then at some old friend’s home. Surprisingly even if this was years ago, you still remember it’s lip -smacking, yummy taste, fresh aroma and mouth -watering flavour. Wonder how something so simple was so delicious that it has been captured in your mind as a fond memory?
One of the many reasons why you prefer dining at a particular place more often is because the food served there has an authentic touch to it. When food is cooked in a traditional manner using age- old techniques, it gets that awesome, real and distinct flavour. Therefore our elders always mention how meals were so tasteful and gratifying in the olden days.
Cooking is an art; it requires patience and has to be done with love. In the olden days, the task of cooking was followed meticulously. Meals were prepared in clay pots, spices were freshly ground, vegetables and fruits were fresh from the farms and food was mostly served on banana leaves or in metal utensils like brassware, silver cutlery etc. These old rituals made food more palatable and they were also healthier ways to prepare and serve meals.
We complain about food being bland and boring most of the time. No wonder everyone craves to indulge in takeaways and eating at food joints frequently. Also the focus on food has increased in the past few years as we have become foodies. While walking down grocery aisles you will notice there is so much sold to enhance the taste of food. Packaged masalas (acting as add- ons to improve taste), different types of sauces, spices, creams, ground pastes, ready- to -cook gravy packets (guaranteeing restaurant- style taste) and much more. Our refrigerators and kitchen cabinets too are stocked with dozens of tiny bottles, packets and cardboard boxes.with a variety of such spices and pastes. But we never sit back and think if we really need all those extra spices and if we should invest in so many masalas and pastes.
Packaged spices and pastes are convenient to use and are easily available. But the disadvantage of using packaged, preground spices is that they are not fresh, and since they need to promote shelf- life they have preservatves. Again they have been ground in machines so they are not a healthy choice. Freshly ground spices have a robust colour and piquant scent. When you add them to food, your meals also get that vibrant colour and fresh aroma. This would be missing in a meal prepared from packaged spices ground about a month ago.
Though most of the old, cooking techniques aren’t feasible now and many of their methods cannot be followed in our modern kitchens, you can at least make a few changes to add that dash of flavour back into your meals. Our grandmothers would pound garlic and ginger into a paste on grinding stones (silbatta) or in hamam dastas. This would make food more delicious because when they ground those spices on a stone or hamam dasta, the crushing would extract all the essential oils and juices from them and release their distinct aroma and authentic taste. But now garlic, ginger and chilli pastes are available in readymade packages. So also, to prepare pastes, onions, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, whole red chillies, peppercorns etc. would be placed on the grinding stone (sil) and manually ground (with the batta) to get a fine, smooth masala paste which was later added into curries or pulavs. It made the gravies punchier, imparted a richer colour and added an intense and natural flavour to the food. Right from mid -morning, the kitchens would be filled with the aroma of freshly ground spices and pastes and their heady fragrance itself would make everyone’s mouth water. Now this tradition has taken a backseat since the introduction of high- tech food processors, blenders and electronic grinders. The silbatta and hamam dasta have either been tucked away in some hidden corner of the house or then been given away due to shortage of space in the kitchen. Many from the new generation might not even be aware of such kitchen tools and how to use them.
Modern appliances do make life easier; with gadgets you can paste or powder food items at the press of a button. On the other hand, stone grinding requires bodily strength and even takes longer to finish the task. But even today there are people in villages (and in cities) and quite some chefs around the world who use grinding stones and mortar and pestle to crush food items since they realise the value of these tools. Stone grinding brings out the real, raw essence and aroma of the masalas and pastes without warming up the food items, the way a food processor does. The heat generated by the machines gives a mild burnt flavour to the spices which consequently decreases the flavour of the dish.
Chutneys are an inseperable part of Indian cuisine and for south Indians, coconut chutneys are an accompainment with most of their meals fron dosas, utappam, wada and much more. Electronic gadgets usually chop, and slice food items and do not grind the way a stone grinder or a mortar and pestle does so the pastes and powders have a different flavour and chunkier texture. If you’ve tried grinding fresh coconut on a grinding stone you must know how it gives the chutney a silky and smooth texture and a soothing fresh aroma. Pounding and pulverusing via stone grinding releases its actual flavours and gives a much better texture compared to the spinning blade of an appliance.
Though it’s not possible to start off every morning by grinding about 1 or 2 tablespoons of red chilli powder for your daily requirement; you can pregrind and store some of those regular spices in the refirigator. But you can at least grind a few spices like cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise etc. to get fresh garam masala to be added to biryani, pulavs or gravies like chana masala or matar paneer. A pinch of the blend with its appetising fragrance is enough to create magic in the food. Or then you could start with something more simpler like roasting some whole jeera and grinding it when you prepare raita or chaat dishes like dahi- wada or ragda- pattice. Sprinkle some on the dishes and see the difference in the fragrance and taste.
Besides the above mentioned factors, it’s well known that spices have innumerous health benefits. They strengthen our immune system and protect us from many common diseases. Therefore many medicines and kahwas are simply made from the masalas that are already present in our kitchen. A person can live a fairly healthy life if he eats good, nutritious meals prepared in the old traditional manners and stone grinding of spices is one such method. Machine grinding lessens their health benefirs since most of the nutrients (from spices) are lost when they are machine-ground.
And last but not the leas,t nothing can beat the goodness of a home- cooked meal. It is hygienic, nutritious and made as per your taste and preference. You can control the amount of fat you use while cooking which makes it lower in calories compared to a dininer at a restautant. Again, when you cook at home you will also be aware of the amount of processed ingredients you add. A home cooked meal also has a much lower amount of sodium and you can avoid artificial flavouring too which adds to the health factor. You also save on cash since food prepared at home doesn’t cost much whereas lunching at a restaurant turns out to be an expensive affair. One more aspect that you cannot deny is that it is prepared with love and care and positive vibes and no food joint or gourmet restaurant in the world can give this to you.
Malika, a successful lawyer from Kashmir decided to follow her passion of crafting organic, herbal beauty products and thus brand Masha by Malika was born. Let’s know more about the lawyer -cum -entrepreneur, Malika Ghalib Shah.
Born and brought up in the beautiful valleys of Rajbagh in Srinagar, 31 year old Malika had always been inclined towards academics. She was an LLB topper and a gold medallist in Kashmir University and then pursued her LLM degree from University College, London through the prestigious Chevening Scholarship. Malika is also a recipient of the Young India Fellowship (YIF) programme at Ashoka University. While studying at YIF she got the opportunity to interact with people from all over India and learn about their cultures, lifestyles and even traditional beauty recipes. Malika fondly recalls a roommate coming from a village in south India who had shared a few of her traditional south Indian hair oil recipes with her. Malika says she uses them in her products, Masha by Malika
Kashmir; more than a paradise
Kashmir is no doubt a wonderful tourist destination with its snow-capped mountains, scenic lakes and lush green gardens but it is also abundant with diverse flora and fauna. This Heaven on earth, grows herbs (gautheer roohun, handoon), trees (sandalwood), flowers (rose, lotus, marigold, jasmine, sunflower, lavender) fruits (apples, peach, cherries, olives, papaya, pomegranate) dry fruits (walnuts, almonds, cashews, apricots) spices (turmeric, saffron) and much more. Malika uses many of those homegrown herbs, fruits, flowers etc. in her beauty products and while doing so encourages Kashmiri women to cultivate native plants. Organic raw materual like coconuts (that doesn’t grow in Kashmir) is also sourced from across the country to prepare her products.
Fascinated by dadima’s beauty!
While growing up, Malika was intrigued by the beauty of Kashmiri women, moreso by the beauty of women of previous generations, like those of her grandmothers age. They never used beauty products like creams, shampoos, conditioners (as we do now) and yet had flawless skin and maintained their beautiful, thick and long hair very well. Nevertheless, the cool, soothibg climate, genetics and pollution- free environment are also responsible for their beautiful, silken complexions but there was more to it, she thought. Malika gradually learnt that earlier women used malai and oils instead of creams and lotions to moisturise their skin and exfoliated their skin with powdered almonds and walnuts. They also added pure saffron to face packs which gave that pink hue and youthful glow to their skin. Homemade, herbal hair oils made their hair thick, dark and strong.
With busy lives and tight schedules, no one has the time to formulate oils and moisturisers at home. We are bound to use bottled beauty products for our daily requirements. But we have to make sure what we are using is made from pure and natural ingredients. And Malika’s products are exactly that; they are harmless as they are made from organic, natural ingredients, free from chemicals, artificial colours and fragrances and prepared using traditional techniques and recipes.
The story behind MaSha by Malika
After completing her Masters degree in Law from London, when Malika returned to her hometown.she had some free time on hand. Malika says that she is very creative and a creative person is always edgy and vying to try something new and interesting in his/ her spare time. It was the same with her. She somehow got her hands onto her grandmothers heirloom beauty recipes and formulated some skin oils which did wonders for her complexion. She went on to prepare a few more handmade products with locally available resources for family and friends. These included a Kashmir soap and an illuminating face pack. She used rose petals pure saffron, pure Kashmiri honey, almond oil, goat milk in those products. Those who used them just loved her products. This encouraged Malika to advertise and sell them and so she put ads on social media. She was surprised when she got an overwhelming response for her homemade beauty products. By then Malika registered the brand under the name Masha by Malika in 2019. After some time as the demand for her products increased, she started manufacturing the products in a small factory. Malika employs local women who work under her supervision. That way she also provides employment to women belonging to economically weak backgrounds which helps them become financially independent, strong women.
Malika also feels blessed to have a family like hers; they have always supported her even when she decided to give her Law career a backseat and turn her hobby (of making beauty products) into a business. They believe that if a person is honest, dedicated and courageous he/she can be successful in any field.
Another advantage is that now the goverment of Kashmir is supporting Kashmiri women, by bringing new schemes for the women. So many women in Kashmir are becoming entrepreneurs and starting their own business ventures in the field of fashion or beauty. They are tech- savvy and business- oriented. Malika herself connects with people on social media and ships products throughout India. This is a fantastic means for marketing, because of which products can be delivered to more people and also orders can be obtained.
Malika feels that people have gradually started to realise the value of organic and herbal products. She says rhat chemicals have become an inseparable part of women’s lives, which is not the right thing They (organic products) are slower in showing results unlike the chemical-based ones that give instant results but organic beauty products are safer for your health whereas the latter can cause illnesses after prolonged use. Consequently the demand for Malikas organic beauty products has also been increasing and customers are reaching out to her giving her feedback and thanking her for the positive results after having used her products. Malika says her products are handmade and she doesn’t compromise on quality at all. They also believe in inclusivity, from the sourcing stage to production and consumption.
The present and the future of MaSha by Malika
Malikas makes about 35 products that include face serums, cleansers, face packs and hair packs, handmade soaps, different types of hair oils and face oils, moisturisers, powders, lotions, aloe vera gel, cosmetics etc. Most of her products are sold locally but people outside Jammu and Kashmir also purchase her products and many Kashmiris living abroad have also become her regular customers. She also sells some famous traditional Kashmiri food products such as honey and ghee. Malika says that when she launched the company, there was a strong desire to turn indigenous Kashmiri herbs into affordable natural beauty products and also empower communities while doing so. Masha by Malikas skincare and haircare business was started with the sole aim, “Fitness for everyone”. They believe in affordable luxury since wellness shouldn’t be exclusive
To gain more expert knowledge, Malika says she pursued some short- term courses in herbalism from London. Malika is eager to expand her business into a bigger factory very soon to manufacture more products and provide employment to more people
At present, Malika is working as an assistant law professor at a law college in India.
skinnhair 