Latest news with #Basil
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
How to use Thai Basil to regrow hair on bald patches
Battling hair loss? Discover the potential of Thai basil, a herb traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine, to stimulate hair growth. Rich in nutrients and active compounds, Thai basil may improve scalp circulation, reduce inflammation, and combat infections. Hair loss and bald patches can feel deeply personal and distressing. While there are countless treatments available, from topical solutions to invasive procedures, many are turning back to nature for answers. One such underrated herb that's gaining attention in the hair care world is Thai basil, also known as Holy basil or Tulsi in some regions. Traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine, Thai basil has powerful healing properties that may help stimulate hair growth and restore thinning patches. Let's explore how Thai basil can help revive your scalp and regrow hair, along with easy ways to incorporate it into your routine. Why Thai Basil works for hair loss Thai basil is rich in essential nutrients and active compounds like eugenol, ursolic acid, apigenin, and beta-caryophyllene that contribute to its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant properties. These ingredients help combat several factors that lead to hair fall: Improves blood circulation: Thai basil helps increase blood flow to the scalp, which is vital for nourishing dormant follicles. Reduces scalp inflammation: Chronic inflammation is a common cause of hair thinning and bald spots. Basil soothes the scalp and prevents flare-ups. Fights dandruff and scalp infections: With its anti-fungal properties, it helps eliminate dandruff and other microbial build-up that can block hair follicles. Reduces stress-related hair fall: Thai basil is a powerful adaptogen and can reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone that's linked to hair loss. Thai Basil hair tonic for bald patches One of the simplest and most effective ways to use Thai basil is by making a hair growth tonic. Here's how: Ingredients: A handful of fresh Thai basil leaves 2 tablespoons coconut oil or castor oil 1 teaspoon black pepper (optional – stimulates circulation) How to make it: Crush or blend the Thai basil leaves into a paste. Heat the oil in a pan on low flame and add the basil paste. Let it simmer for 5–7 minutes until the mixture darkens slightly. Strain and allow it to cool. Add the black pepper if using. How to apply: Massage the tonic directly onto your bald patches and the surrounding scalp. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Wash off with a mild shampoo. Use this oil 3 times a week for noticeable results in 6–8 weeks. DIY Thai Basil hair mask for thicker growth A weekly basil hair mask can complement your routine by deeply nourishing the roots. Ingredients: Thai basil leaves (a handful) Aloe vera gel (2 tablespoons) Amla powder (1 tablespoon) Yogurt (1 tablespoon) How to make it: Blend the basil leaves into a paste. Mix in the aloe vera, amla, and yogurt to create a smooth mask. How to use: Apply it generously on the scalp, focusing on thinning areas. Leave it on for 30–40 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and follow with a mild shampoo. This mask helps detoxify the scalp, boost follicle strength, and condition the hair for better growth. Thai Basil rinse for everyday scalp refresh If you prefer something lighter, a Thai basil hair rinse is a great daily or post-wash option to stimulate hair regrowth and soothe irritated scalps. How to make a basil rinse: Boil 10–12 basil leaves in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes. Let it cool, strain, and pour into a spray bottle. How to use: After shampooing, pour the rinse over your scalp as a final wash or use as a refreshing scalp mist during the day. This rinse reduces itchiness, excess oil, and bacterial buildup, creating the ideal environment for new hair to grow. Consistency and diet matter too While Thai basil is a powerful natural remedy, it works best when supported by a healthy lifestyle: Eat a nutrient-rich diet: Include protein, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, D, and E. Stay hydrated to keep your scalp from drying out. How to know if your hair fall is normal? Reduce stress: Try yoga, breathing exercises, or regular walks to reduce cortisol levels. Get regular scalp massages to boost circulation. Thai basil isn't a miracle overnight cure, but when used regularly and correctly, it can be a potent, natural solution to help regrow hair on bald patches. Whether it's in the form of an oil, rinse, or mask, this fragrant herb brings centuries of healing wisdom to your modern hair care routine. If you're looking for a chemical-free, budget-friendly remedy with real results, it might be time to give Thai basil a chance. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Basil Joseph Interview: We knew Maranamass would divide opinions
Basil Joseph is currently the man for all seasons in Malayalam cinema. Whether behind the camera or in front of it, he has consistently demonstrated a sharp instinct for engaging audiences. After establishing himself as a director with hits like Kunjiramayanam, Godha, and the game-changing Minnal Murali, he has also steadily grown into one of the industry's most dependable actors. The latest film to showcase his flair for blending wild and unpredictable humour with surprising emotional depth was Maranamass. As Maranamass premieres on SonyLIV today, Basil discusses playing Luke PP, his dynamic with director Sivaprasad, his evolution as an actor, and more. 'We're currently working on my next directorial, and I hope to begin shooting next year," says Basil when asked about his much-awaited return to direction. Even while asserting that it won't be a Malayalam film, Basil remains tight-lipped about whether it will be the much-hyped Ranveer Singh project. Excerpts:
India Today
19-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- India Today
7 Indoor Plants That Bring Wealth and Peace to Your Home
7 Indoor Plants That Bring Wealth and Peace to Your Home By Smarica Pant Indoor plants don't just decorate your home—they can also bring peace, positivity, and even attract wealth. Let's take a look at 7 lucky plants that are said to bring both money and calmness into your space. The money plant is one of the most popular for attracting wealth. It is believed to bring financial growth and reduce stress in the home. 1. Money Plant Lucky Bamboo is known for attracting luck, wealth, and harmony. Place it in the east or southeast corner of your home for best results. 2. Lucky Bamboo The jade plant brings prosperity and success, especially in business. It's a great plant to keep near the entrance of your home or office. 3. Jade Plant True to its name, the peace lily promotes peace and calm. It also purifies the air and brings positive energy to your living space. 4. Peace Lily The Areca Palm adds freshness and removes negative energy. It's perfect for creating a calm, peaceful atmosphere indoors. 5. Areca Palm Tulsi is a sacred plant in Indian homes and brings spiritual peace. It is said to attract positive vibes and remove negativity. 6. Basil (Tulsi) This easy-to-maintain plant removes toxins and brings balance. It is believed to protect the home and attract positive energy. 7. Snake Plant
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Maranamass' director Sivaprasad: The film is told from an experimental, quirky perspective
Maranamass is chaotically funny with its motley crew of characters and over-the-top exaggerated situations, co-written by debutant director Sivaprasad and actor Siju Sunny. The movie is cleverly written, witty and funny without once crossing the line into slapstick territory. Sivaprasad is known for his brand of quirky TVCs, especially the promo featuring actor Shakeela for the Netflix series, Sex Education. Headlined by Basil Joseph, and starring Suresh Krishna, Prashant Alexander, and Siju Sunny, the film recently dropped on SonyLiv. Here he talks about making the film, creating the characters and his plans. How did the collaboration with Siju Sunny on the script happen? We have known each other for a long time and we have worked together. We talk about stories and scripts, this one was born out of a core idea suggested by Siju. I liked the basic idea and felt that it could be developed into a one line for the script and a movie, of course. What was the idea? Was it the serial killer thread? No, not that. But what happens when a girl uses pepper spray against a man who harasses her in a bus and ends up killing him with it. We populated it with a bunch of 'characters' with their own back stories and created situations around them. Were the lines and situations already in the script or were they improvised on the set? Some of the lines sound way too hilarious to be written beforehand. Everything is in the script — the situations and the dialogues. But then the actors have improvised on the set, bringing in their individual flavour. The casting is on point. Did you have an actor or actors in mind when you were scripting? I cannot say we had a particular actor in mind; casting was not fixed initially. Rajesh Madhavan was the only actor who we had decided upon earlier. We explored our options and decided on the actors afterwards. I am very interested in the casting aspect, I did the casting for Minnal Murali; I was assistant director for the film. Casting actors is an interesting process for I believe if you get it [casting] right then half the work is done. The faces of the actors have to fit the characters, support it and if people can connect both then it is perfect. For example Babu Antony had to essay the character of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ajay Ramachandran. Nobody else would have been able to pull it off, especially not a comedian. I have worked with Basil, Rajesh [Madhavan] is a friend and I have also worked with him. Basil's look in the film is very different from what we have ever seen of him. How did that come about? We worked on the look of all the characters, we wanted Basil's to be very different from how we have seen him. So it is a bit of Gen Z, cross references with other films etc…because the genre of the film is such that we wanted the look to have a caricature-like, over-the-top look which is different. How did Tovino Thomas come into the picture, as a producer? (Laughs) It was literally a 4am thought! Once the one line was ready, for some reason I thought of Tovino. He has a great sense of humour, for one. It was, perhaps, why I thought of him. I thought 'maybe he has plans to produce a film'. I texted him, he said he would get back to me…he liked what he read and he was in. Everything happened very quickly. Did you expect this reaction to the film, which is different from what we usually see? The film is told from an experimental perspective — as are the story and the treatment. But I was confident. My short films and ad films have been this kind — quirky characters and quirky situations — they have gained acceptance. Like the ad for Netflix [a sketch with actor Shakeela promoting the final season of the series Sex Education] which was very different, and it did well. So I was confident the film would work out. This is done and dusted. What next? The writing is on…I want to try as many different genres. Let's see… Maranamass is streaming on SonyLiv
New Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Malaysian student wins gold at Young Chefs International Competition in Russia
KAZAN: Muhamad Sufi Irfan Mohamad Rusdin from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Penang won the gold medal in the Confectionery Arts category at the prestigious Young Chefs International Competition 2025 here. The culinary student defeated participants from 12 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Tunisia, Turkey, Russia, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Senegal, Kazakhstan and Iran. "I was shocked when I heard my name being announced as a winner. I felt my heart racing and my hands slightly trembling. I entered the competition not only to challenge myself but to test my abilities on an international level. "It was a new experience for me, so when I won, I felt very grateful and touched. Allah maha besar (God is great)," he said. The menu chosen by Sufi, who hails from Pasir Mas, Kelantan, was a Malaysian fusion with a Western twist. For the appetiser, he served a seafood-based salad — Crispy Fried Fish with Tomato and Basil Salad, topped with a lemon dressing. The main course featured Marble Beef Tenderloin accompanied by curry-infused sauce, glazed vegetables with local wild mushrooms and rosti potatoes. For dessert, he presented Bingka Labu, mandarin orange sauce with chocolate mousse, fresh fruit, and a sugar garnish. According to Sufi, he felt a bit nervous when facing some challenges during the preparation of the materials due to the limited time, but he needed to be fully focused to ensure everything was perfect. "But overall, Alhamdulillah, everything went according to plan. What I practised, that's what I did in the competition kitchen," he said, adding that one of the competition requirements was for participants to combine raw materials obtained in Kazan, such as cod fish, meat, cooking oil, flour, vegetables and local fruits. He said the menu choices were made and inspired by two of his lecturers who acted as team managers at UiTM Penang. "This menu also had a touch of traditional Malay that I wanted to highlight so that the judges could feel the authenticity and creativity in my dishes," adding that he has been interested in cooking since he was a child. "The strongest pressure during the competition is to manage time and emotions. Sometimes when there are distractions or I feel like there's not enough time, I start to panic, but I try to stay calm and focus on one thing at a time," he said, adding that he starts his preparations about two weeks before the competition begins. The training includes time management, cooking, and food testing to ensure all flavours are balanced and the presentation is appealing, he explained. Sufi said that the experience of participating in several previous food competitions gave him the motivation and confidence to participate in his first international event in Kazan. "I have participated in several competitions, such as the 2023 Melaka Culinary Challenge and 2024 Battle of the Chefs at Spice Arena in Penang, and I won a bronze medal in both the Melaka Culinary Challenge and the Battle of the Chefs. He said this (new) victory will undoubtedly inject motivation for him to continue succeeding in the culinary field. "Insya-Allah, if there is sustenance and opportunity, I would want to participate in more competitions. "It's a way to hone my skills and learn from others," said Sufi, who plans to continue his studies up to the PhD level in gastronomy to achieve his ambition of becoming a chef-lecturer at UiTM one day. He said he was grateful to all his lecturers who had provided guidance, his family who always supported him, and to friends who have been his backbone all this time. "Thanks to my good friend Ramadhan Suhaimi, who always accompanied me while I was practising in the training kitchen until early morning," he said. He was accompanied by Asst Prof Chef Fadzly Che Omar, who is also vice-president of the Malaysian Gastronomy Association. The Gastronomy Association has a network of chef associations at the international level. Bernama met with Sufi and Fadzly last week at the Russian Embassy in Malaysia while documenting the official visit of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Russia from May 13 to 16. The journalist challenged Sufi to bring home the gold medal and promised to write about his story if he won. Yesterday, immediately after the competition ended, Sufi informed Bernama that he had successfully clinched the gold medal. Meanwhile, Fadzly said this culinary competition was held in conjunction with the World Islamic Kazan Forum 2025, in Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia, from May 14 to 16.
