Digestive and mouth freshner in one

Cloves are commonly used in kitchens during the winter months and the holidays, in particular. They lend a great flavour to food and desserts which is what most of us know about them. The lesser known and more important fact is that they have healing qualities - cloves are anti-inflammatory, help digest your food and are a known to have mild anaesthetic and anti-bacterial properties. This is what makes cloves great after a meal, especially a big one! Instead of reaching for the box of mints as many of us do after a meal, try popping in one clove. I warn you - it takes getting used to. Cloves have a very strong flavour and you can feel a tingling sensation on your tongue, which might be related to their anaesthetic property (I am not certain though). The best thing to do is place it between your molars and chew very gently and slowly to let the oils release. It helps digest your meal and leaves your mouth feeling and smelling fresh! The tingling sensation also goes away quickly, I promise.

Please leave me a comment if anyone tries this. I am sure others would be interested in your experience.

Oatmeal before breakfast - cleanser for dry skin

The heating and excessive coffee in the winter makes your skin look and feel so dull. Here is an easy to make face scrub normally recommended for dry skins but during the winter climate I think it would work just as well on combination skins. All you need is a couple of tablespoons of regular plain oatmeal mixed with 3-4 tbsps of buttermilk. Mix is thoroughly and apply it on your face and neck. Let it dry slightly (3-5 minutes) and then scrub very gently to remove dead skin. Rinse well with slightly lukewarm water and then a splash of cold water, if you dare!

Natural fragrances for your bath...

The next time you peel an orange, don't throw away the skin. Add it to your bath water. If you don't want the peels floating around, tie them in a net or piece of muslin. Not only will this leave you smelling fresh and citrusy, it also helps clean and soften your skin. You can also use lemon, if you like. Lemon is a natural bleach and cleanser in one.

Annoying tan lines on your feet?

Much as we love a perfect tan, it is a litte annoying when after a day in the sun your flip flops leave patterns on your feet. An easy way to avoid those lines is to of course wear sunscreen but sometimes even that doesn't work. So here is an easy solution for the next time that happens. Give yourself a nice long pedicure and add a few capfuls of hydrogen peroxide to the water. As you may or may not know, hydrogen peroxide is a key ingredient in bleach. While too much of it can be hazardous, a little bit does help lighten those lines.

How to reduce dark circles

Dark Circles can be caused by many things - lack of sleep, lack of nutrition, sinusitis or heredity. The only way to make them go away completely is to tackle the cause, which may or may not always be possible. Here are a few herbal remedies that will help reduce darkness around the eyes. They will not vanish, but you will definitely see a difference.

Mix a teaspoon of tomato juice with half a teaspoon of lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder and a pinch of chickpea flour. Apply this to the area around the eyes using your ring finger, being careful not to let the paste flow into the eyes. The ring finger is best for the delicate skin around the eyes as it puts less pressure compares to the other fingers. Let this paste dry and then wash it off. You can do this every morning before a shower.

Almond oil is the best eye cream you can use. It is also a great make up remover. So every night before going to bed use almond oil to remove your eye make up and then apply it again as an eye cream. It will help prevent wrinkles and reduce dark circles.

Another herbal remedy is cucumber juice. Mix a teasoon of cucumber juice with a few drops of lime juice and apply it around the eyes.

Herbal remedy for pimples and acne

One of the best cures for pimples and acne is turmeric. Make a paste of turmeric with rose water or plain water and apply on the pimples or acne. Leave it on for five minutes and rinse. Do this continuously for a few weeks for good results. A word of warning - plain turmeric tends to make your skin look slightly yellow, so do not apply on the whole face unless absolutely necessary. Wash the area thoroughly with water and if still find it looking yellow then apply an oatmeal face pack. This will take care of the yellow coloring.

Another way to enjoy your eggs

The protein in eggs is good for your muscles and for your skin and hair! An egg applied to your face provides a facelift by tightening the pores and nourishing the skin. Apply the just the white of the egg on your skin, let it dry and then rinse with warm water.

The white of the egg is great for your hair too. Apply it on your hair and scalp an hour before you shampoo. You can also beat an egg (with the yolk) and mix it with two teaspoons of brandy. Apply it on your hair and scalp, leave on for 30 minutes and shampoo. Great conditioner!