By Shahnaz Husain
Flowers provide a unique level of botanical energy. The aroma of many flowers has a calming effect on the mind. Flowers can also be used to mix face packs at home, to enhance beauty.
Lotus: Soak the Lotus flowers in 3 to 4 tablespoons of warm milk for an hour. Crush the flowers with fingers. Add three teaspoons gram flour (besan) and mix it with the milk and crushed flowers into a paste. Apply on the face, avoiding the lips and area around eyes. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Lotus relieves dryness, soothes the skin and removes tan.
Hibiscus: Make a cold infusion, byallowing the flowers to stand overnight in cold water, in a ratio of one to six. Next morning crush the flowers. Strain and keep the water. Mix the flowers into a paste with 3 teaspoons of oats, 2 drops of tea tree oil and the water. Wash off after 20 minutes. It cleanses, removes impurities, reduces oiliness and controls pimples and acne.
Marigold: Allow the flowers to stand in warm water overnight. Add yogurt and sandalwood paste and mix together into a smooth paste. Apply on the face, avoiding the lips and area around eyes. Wash off after 20 minutes. Marigold has a soothing and germicidal effect on skin irritation and pimples. It is ideal for normal to oily and combination skin.
Mogra or Jasmine: Crush two handfuls of mogra flowers and add 1 to 2 teaspoons aloe vera gel. It should be a mixture that does not drip. Apply on the face, avoiding the lips and wash it off after 20 minutes. It may be applied on the area under the eyes. Mogra is beneficial for dry and sensitive skin.
Rose: Fresh and soft rose petals can be used for a face pack. Take a handful of rose petals. Wash and grind into a paste. Add one teaspoon each yogurt and honey, as well as 2 tablespoons dried and powdered orange peels. Apply on the face, and wash off as usual. The fragrance of Rose has a calming effect on the mind. Rose water is ideal for toning the skin naturally. The best part is that it suits all skin types, including sensitive skin and acne conditions. Rose water can also be added to face masks, when mixed at home. It mixes well with most ingredients available at home, like honey, yogurt, oats, multani mitti and so on.
About Shahnaz Husain
Shahnaz Husain, pioneer of the Ayurvedic beauty movement, heads the Shahnaz Husain Group, with a global network of franchise ventures and 375 Ayurvedic formulations. A Case Study at Harvard for Brand Creation, she is now a Harvard Subject for “Emerging Markets” She was honored with the Padma Shri Award and is the first woman in 105 years to receive the World’s Greatest Woman Entrepreneur Award from Success, the U.S. business magazine. Indeed, Shahnaz Husain is a leading international beauty icon.
