The Natural Way

Suparna Trikha Dewan offers natural solutions and home remedies for your beauty problems

I began my research on aromatherapy 10 years ago. Aromatherapy is actually a ‘science’ which was discovered by French chemist Dr Rene Maurice Gatefosse in the early 1900s. While working in his laboratory, Gatefosse burnt his hand and his immediate reaction was to dip it into a liquid lying next to him. He was amazed to find that he suffered no burns nor pain and learnt that the liquid was lavender oil. Thus began his research on the effects of essential oils.

I believe that aromatherapy has everything to do with the nose. Incense in a temple infuses you with a feeling of peace and calm and inhaling the smell of flowers is always so exhilarating.

The sense of smell is very significant to our psyches. The aroma of plants/spices/herbs have healing and therapeutic effects and as our lifestyles become more stressful, I find the need to calm and relax the mind has become even stronger. Meditating in a space made fragrant with aroma oils too has a curative effect on the mind and body.

Inhaling the vapours of natural oils with the aid of an aroma lamp while meditating (which focuses on breathing) helps one relax, brings clarity and calmness.

There are various views as to how one can meditate. I feel that you can meditate just about anywhere — lying down, sitting in your office chair, prone on your drawing room sofa or even in your garden!

The aroma lamp is simple to use. Just add eight drops of an essential oil to the water in your lamp and soak in the vapours while meditating. Here are some easy oils blends for your aroma lamp:

If you are feeling foggy and unfocussed and have an important meeting to attend

4 drops lemon oil
2 drops black pepper oil
2 drops eucalyptus oil

Cure for a nerve-wrecking day

2 drops chamomile oil
4 drops sandalwood oil
2 drops neroli oil

If you can’t sleep at night, meditate for 15 minutes with an aroma lamp next to you

4 drops lavender oil
2 drops cedarwood oil
2 drops clarysage

Nervous and lacking confidence

4 drops pine oil
2 drops begamot oil
2 drops lemon oil

Add passion in your life

2 drops patchouli oil
2 drops rose oil
4 drops ylang ylang oil

So breathe deeply and enjoy.

Cosmetic cures

Bridgette Jones has the most effective make-up tricks up her sleeve

I am a young woman. I can’t seem to stop having bad hair days. Though I have tried out every conceivable product from reputed brands, nothing has helped. How do I get great hair? Also, my hair grows really slow. Please help.

Name and address withheld

Kangana Ranaut actor I begin my daily beauty regimen by applying a facial scrub which helps in getting rid of the dirt particles as well as sebum that get accumulated in the pores. Apart from this, I also apply a mild cream on my body after a bath.

It’s a fact that bad hair days don’t do much to improve our outlook on life overall. When our hair looks good, we feel good. What if I told you that shampoos and conditioners aren’t enough to keep your hair in mint condition? To give your tresses that extra boost, one multi-vitamin supplement every day combined with a healthy diet will whip your hair back into shape, but there are also nutritious blends that have been specially formulated for maximum hair health.

When it comes to food and your hair, it helps to know which ones you should include more in your diet to experience longer, stronger and healthier hair. Foods rich in iron work to simulate the circulation in the scalp, which can boost hair growth. When special hair smart foods aren’t enough, also throw in a daily intake of water and a good supplement or multi-vitamin.

To help your hair grow faster, throw together the following ingredients into a blender for three minutes: 1 small banana, 1tsp wheatgerm, 1tsp vanilla essence, 1tsp honey, 1 cup of fat-free yoghurt, 1 cup skim milk, 2tsp brewer’s yeast, 1/2tsp cinnamon, and 1 medium mango or papaya, sliced. This is ideal once a week for a huge dose of nutrients that will give you healthier and shinier hair. Wheatgerm promotes hair growth, while the skim milk offers plenty of calcium. Papaya and mango contain loads of vitamin A to keep away dandruff. The combination of brewer’s yeast, yoghurt, banana and honey works to maintain the proper pH balance of the hair, as well as promotes natural colour.