Latest news with #Aloevera
India.com
21-05-2025
- Health
- India.com
7 Home Remedies For Sunburn Relief This Summer
(All images credit: Freepik) Aloe vera is a classic sunburn soother. Its anti-inflammatory properties help cool and heal burnt skin. Apply fresh gel directly for instant relief. Dip a clean cloth in cold milk and place it over sunburned areas. The proteins and fats in milk help soothe skin and reduce inflammation. Cucumber cools and hydrates sun-damaged skin. Apply slices directly or use fresh cucumber juice for a calming, refreshing effect. Add a cup of ground oatmeal to cool bath water. Soak for 15–20 minutes to reduce itching and inflammation naturally. Once the heat has subsided, coconut oil helps moisturize and repair the skin barrier. Use it gently to avoid irritation. Potatoes contain natural starches that ease the burning sensation. Grate a raw potato, extract the juice, and dab it on sunburned skin. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and tannins that reduce inflammation. Soak a cloth in cooled green tea and place it on affected areas. Read Next Story
India.com
21-05-2025
- India.com
How To Spend A Day Exploring Thiruvananthapuram's Beautiful Botanical Gardens
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, is renowned for its lush greenery, serene backwaters, and rich cultural heritage. Among its many attractions, the botanical gardens stand out as a haven for nature lovers, offering a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. If you're planning to spend a day exploring these enchanting gardens, here's a comprehensive guide to help you make the most of your visit. 1. Start Your Day Early: Arrive at the Napier Museum and Sree Chitra Art Gallery Before heading to the botanical gardens, begin your day with a visit to the nearby Napier Museum and Sree Chitra Art Gallery, located within the same premises. The museum houses an impressive collection of archaeological artifacts, bronze idols, and ancient ornaments, while the art gallery showcases works by renowned Indian and European artists. This cultural immersion will set the tone for your day and provide context to Kerala's artistic and historical significance. The museum opens early in the morning, so arriving by 9:00 AM ensures you have ample time to explore before moving on to the gardens. 2. Visit the Kanakakunnu Palace Grounds Adjacent to the Napier Museum lies the picturesque Kanakakunnu Palace Grounds, which serve as a gateway to the botanical gardens. This sprawling estate features manicured lawns, winding pathways, and charming gazebos. Take a leisurely stroll here to soak in the tranquil ambiance and enjoy the cool morning breeze. The palace grounds often host cultural events and exhibitions, so check if there's anything happening during your visit. From here, it's just a short walk to the entrance of the botanical gardens. 3. Explore the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI) The highlight of your day will undoubtedly be the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI), located about 40 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram city center. Established in 1979, this garden spans over 300 acres and is dedicated to conserving tropical plant species. Upon arrival, pick up a map or hire a guide to navigate the vast expanse efficiently. The garden is divided into themed sections, including medicinal plants, orchids, ferns, and aquatic plants. Spend time marveling at the diverse flora and learning about their ecological importance. 4. Discover the Medicinal Plant Section One of the standout features of TBGRI is its extensive collection of medicinal plants. As you wander through this section, take note of plants like Aloe vera , Neem , and Tulsi , which have been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Information boards placed throughout the area provide insights into the healing properties of each plant. For those interested in natural wellness, this part of the garden offers valuable knowledge that can inspire healthier lifestyle choices. 5. Enjoy a Picnic Amidst Nature Pack a light lunch or snacks to enjoy amidst the scenic beauty of the botanical gardens. There are designated picnic spots where you can relax under the shade of towering trees while listening to birdsong. Bring along some local delicacies like banana chips, appam with stew, or Kerala-style parotta to savor authentic flavors. Remember to carry reusable containers and bottles to minimize waste and maintain the pristine environment. 6. Take a Guided Nature Walk To deepen your understanding of the garden's biodiversity, consider joining one of the guided nature walks offered by TBGRI staff. These walks typically last an hour and cover various aspects of tropical ecology, such as pollination processes, symbiotic relationships between plants and animals, and conservation efforts. Guides share fascinating anecdotes and answer questions, making the experience both educational and engaging. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and carry sunscreen, as parts of the trail may be exposed to sunlight. 7. Wind Down with Sunset Views at Veli Tourist Village Conclude your day with a visit to Veli Tourist Village, situated near the confluence of the Arabian Sea and the Veli Lake. While not technically part of the botanical gardens, this location complements your day of outdoor exploration. Rent a paddleboat or simply sit by the waterfront to watch the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and pink. The village also has a children's park, adventure zone, and food stalls serving fresh seafood—a delightful way to end your trip. Additional Tips for a Memorable Visit: Timing: Plan to reach the botanical gardens by mid-morning when temperatures are mild, and the sunlight enhances the colors of the flowers. Footwear: Opt for sturdy walking shoes, as the terrain includes uneven paths and steep inclines. Hydration: Carry plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially during summer months. Photography: Don't forget your camera or smartphone to capture the breathtaking landscapes and rare plant species. Respect Nature: Follow all rules and regulations, such as refraining from plucking flowers or littering, to preserve the garden's pristine condition. Conclusion Exploring Thiruvananthapuram's botanical gardens is more than just a day trip—it's an opportunity to connect with nature, learn about Kerala's rich biodiversity, and rejuvenate your mind and body. By starting your day with cultural landmarks, immersing yourself in the tranquility of the gardens, and ending with a relaxing evening by the sea, you'll create memories that linger long after your visit. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple seeking quality time together, or a family looking for wholesome fun, Thiruvananthapuram's botanical gardens promise an unforgettable experience. So pack your essentials, embrace the spirit of adventure, and let the beauty of nature captivate your senses!
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
7 Low-maintenance indoor plants that won't break the bank
Aloe vera grows quickly, loves sunlight, and requires little water, thus it thrives on neglect. It is a simple plant to grow and is excellent for burns and skin care.
Hans India
28-04-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Natural Ways to Achieve Youthful, Wrinkle-Free Skin at Home
Wrinkles are a natural part of the ageing process, often becoming visible on the face, neck, and hands. In addition to age and genetics, environmental and lifestyle factors can accelerate the development of fine lines—even among younger individuals. Fortunately, nature offers several effective ingredients to reduce these signs of ageing. Incorporating these remedies into your daily skincare routine can enhance skin texture, restore glow, and minimize wrinkles. 1. Aloe Vera: Nature's Skin Revitaliser Aloe vera is packed with skin-nourishing vitamins, especially Vitamin E, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines. Regular application rejuvenates the skin, promoting a smoother, radiant complexion. Simply extract fresh aloe gel and apply it to clean skin, allowing it to absorb fully. 2. Coconut Oil: Deep Moisture for Skin Elasticity Known for its rich moisturizing properties, coconut oil hydrates and helps restore skin elasticity. Gently massage it onto your skin each night before bed, allowing its nutrients to work overnight. This simple routine can lead to visibly softer and more supple skin over time. 3. Banana Mask: A Natural Vitamin Boost Bananas are loaded with vitamin A and beneficial oils that help maintain skin's suppleness. Mash one ripe banana and apply it evenly on your face. Let it sit for 15–20 minutes, then rinse with water. Regular use may reduce wrinkles and brighten the skin. 4. Cucumber-Based Hydration Masks With high water content and essential nutrients, cucumbers help hydrate and soothe the skin. For enhanced wrinkle-reducing effects, mix cucumber juice or pulp with natural ingredients like yogurt, cinnamon, or coconut oil. This combination offers a cooling and tightening effect on the skin. 5. Egg Whites: Instant Skin Tightening Egg whites are rich in proteins and vitamins that contribute to skin tightening and oil control. Whisk the whites and apply them as a thin layer on your face. Once dry, rinse with lukewarm water to reveal firmer, refreshed skin. While wrinkles are a natural sign of ageing, these easy and accessible home remedies can slow down their appearance and refresh your skin. Consistency is key—combine a balanced lifestyle with these natural treatments for the best results.
BBC News
20-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Exceptional natural benefits of Aloe vera
Dem dey use am for cosmetics as moisturizing active ingredient. Di gel get many benefits for dry skin. Aloe vera na incredible plant wit plenty benefits for di body, and e also dey widely used for pharmaceutical and food industries. Hélène Ahonssou, wey already get three children, tell BBC Afrique say she learn about di benefits of dis plant from her grandmother, wey bin always get some under her bed. "Dis plant get incredible benefits wey I don benefit from a lot, especially afta I give birth," she tok. In fact, di young lady bin tell us say during her pregnancy, stretch marks appear on her skin, especially on di soles of her feet. And dat bin worry her well-well. But on a visit to my grandmother, she show me aloe vera and how to use im gooey pulp as ointment, wey I use rub especially on di areas wia I bin get stretch marks". Today, she point out, "di skin on my stomach and legs remain incredibly smooth despite my three deliveries. Na sometin wey you no dey always see in mothers my age". Di 39-year-old still dey use dis plant in di preparation of certain cosmetic products wey she recommend for pipo, especially women and dia hair. Dem don dey use aloe vera for centuries sake of di benefits, especially im medicinal properties. In recent years, e bin get increase in interest for dis plant, sake of di natural products dem dey get from am. Wetin be aloe vera and wetin be di benefits wey pipo dey tok so much about? Wetin be aloe vera? From im scientific name aloe barbadensis Miller, aloe vera na plant wey belong to di Liliaceae botanical family. Although some believe say di plant bin originate from Egypt or di Middle East, e dey naturally cultivated around di world today, especially for dry regions. "My grandmother get aloe vera for her garden in Aneho, e no far from Lomé. Na plant wey dey grow quickly if you take good care of am," Hélène Ahonssou tok. Na medicinal plant wey popular for im composition and therapeutic virtues, long recognized by various medicines and civilizations. E fit dey recognized by im long, fleshy leaves, wey contain highly prized, clear, mucilaginous, sticky pulp wey pipo dey use as food. Afta dem process am small. According to Dr Mathieu Kponou Tobossi, a nutritionist wey specialize in food hygiene and quality, wey also be expert for Dieto-phytotherapy, di virtues of dis plant dey derive from im viscous, mucilaginous gel wey dey di thick, pointed leaves, measure 30-50 cm and mostly toothed. Di plant also get one yellow latex wey dey extracted from di outer layer of im leaves, and many don make am indoor plant. Composition Aloe vera leaves contain two essential substances. Dis substances dey different and get important therapeutic properties. Di first na di latex wey dey di outer layer of di leaves. Dis na yellow, bitter sap wey dey di channels of di bark. Den e get dis gel made of clear mucilage wey dey di large leaves. Di gel softens and smoothes skin tissue. According to Dr Mathieu Tobossi, aloe vera leaves dey packed wit vitamins, minerals, amino acids and bioactive compounds like phenolics and polysaccharides. Dis plant na vitamin and antioxidant goldmine. E contain vitamins A, C and E, wey all dey known for dia antioxidant properties. Vitamin B12 also present. A host of minerals and trace elements also dey present, including calcium, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Lysine, valine and isoleucine na amino acids wey e contain. Na plant wit many properties. Therapeutic properties Di many therapeutic properties of aloe vera make am ideal, exceptional and highly prized plant. Dis marvel get five outstanding properties. 1. Healing, antimicrobial and regenerative action on di skin E get dermatological action by local use on external lesions. "Thanks to im above-mentioned bioactive compounds combined wit anti-inflammatory ones, dis plant dey accelerate di healing of burns, wounds and sunburns", Dr Tobossi emphasize. E dey also moisturize di skin and reduce acne through im antibacterial effect against di germ Propionibacterium acnes. According to di doctor, a review of 4 experimental studies bin find say Aloe Vera fit reduce burn healing time by around 9 days compared wit conventional drugs. "Im anti-wrinkle effects come from di local application of di gel, wey bin increase collagen production and improved skin elasticity over a 90-day period. Anoda study also reveal say Aloe Vera dey reduce erythema, i.e. redness of di skin. Di founder and Director of NFS Togo Research Center also point out say aloe vera na antifungal and antibacterial properties wey fit help eliminate dandruff from di hair. Aloe vera gel on di scalp help stimulate blood circulation, promote hair growth. Wetin dey more, im natural enzymes also dey help rid di scalp of dead cells, promote healthy environment wey dey good for hair growth. In di event of hair loss sake of stress or oda factors, aloe vera fit be valuable remedy. 2. Boost di immune system Aloe vera also get immune-modulating properties thanks to acemannan, wey get antibacterial, antiviral and antitumor activity, and antioxidant properties thanks to im high content of vitamins (A, C, E), minerals and polyphenols. Di presence of complex sugars such as polysaccharides dey help communication between immune cells, di doctor note. "As example of im anti-microbial action, one study on dental plaque show say Aloe Vera dey reduce dental plaque, source of tooth decay and gum disease. For one bath study of mouthwash on 300 healthy pipo, a 100% pure Aloe Vera juice dey compared to di normal mouthwash of Chlorhexidine. Afta four days of use, Aloe Vera just dey as effective as Chlorhexidine to reduce plaque," Dr Mathieu Kponou Tobossi tok. E add say anoda study show similar benefits of Aloe Vera as mouthwash wen e dey used over a period of 15 to 30 days. Aloe Vera dey kill di plaque-producing bacteria Streptococcus mutans in di mouth, as well as di yeast Candida albicans. 3. Internal regenerative and pain-relieving action According to di expert Dieto-phytotherapist, Aloe Vera don convincingly demonstrate im effectiveness on mouth ulcers sake of mouth ulcers. Dis ulcers wey usually form under di lip, in di mouth, and last for around seven-10 days. "For one seven-day study of 180 pipo wit recurrent mouth ulcers, one Aloe Vera patch for di area dey effective to reduce di size of di ulcers. In anoda study, Aloe Vera gel no only dey accelerate di healing of mouth ulcers, but also reduce di associated pain," e tok. 4. A digestive action Aloin or barbaloin, one substance wey dem dey find in di latex (di yellow part under di leaf) of Aloe vera, dey recognised as one of di best natural laxatives. Aloe vera diafore dey recommended for constipation. Di mucilaginous gel also dey shown to soothe gastric discomfort, di doctor tok. 5. Regulates glycaemia and cholesterol levels Aloe Vera sometimes dey used to one traditional remedy for diabetes, according to Dr Tobossi. Di plant dey said to improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar management. Several animal and human studies on type 2 diabetics dey found to get promising results from di consumption of Aloe Vera extract, according to am. "E don also dey reported to reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Dangers and side effects of aloe vera Aloe vera na highly prized plant. However, according to Dr Mathieu Tobossi, although di benefits of dis plant dey widely recognised, risks also dey wey associate wit im use. 1. Latex (Aloin) toxicity According to di specialist, latex don dey reported to cause abdominal cramps, severe diarrhoea and electrolyte imbalances (hypokalaemia). 'A contraindication for di risk of miscarriage in pregnant women also don dey reported'. 2. Liver toxicity Dr Tobossi inform say some reported cases of liver damage wit long-term ingestion of Aloe Vera supplements dey. 3. Drug Interactions In im opinion, risk of hypoglycaemia dey sake of di potentiation of di effects of hypoglycaemic drugs. "One worsening of hypokalaemia (loss of potassium) don dey reported. Dis na sake of one interaction between Aloe Vera and diuretic and corticosteroid drugs", di doctor wey specialise in food hygiene and quality tok. 4. Allergies and skin reactions Although Aloe Vera dey highly recommended for di skin, some pipo dey allergic to im. Contact dermatitis (redness, itching) don dey reported in sensitive individuals. "E dey advisable to avoid to dey apply Aloe Vera to surgical wounds. 5. Carcinogenic risk (Prolonged use of Latex) Aloin dey classified as "possibly carcinogenic", according to Group 2B of di International Agency for Research on Cancer, for di event of chronic consumption. Caution As you fit see, Aloe vera don prove therapeutic benefits. But im use need dey cautious and informed, according to Dr Mathieu Kponou Tobossi. For am, e dey necessary to : Dis article no be substitute for medical examination specialist. Please consult a doctor before you use aloe vera.
