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Here
are a few of the more popular "Beauty Fruits" and their uses:
Apples:
Apples have been used for centuries for their skin-healing
powers. Apple juice makes a breath sweetening mouth rinse and
can also be used as a skin toner. Add a cup of juice to your bath
to cleanse and soften your skin. The juice contains malic acid,
which acts as an antioxidant. Fresh juice can also be used as
a hair rinse to control dandruff. Use as a final rinse after shampooing
your hair.
Banana: Rich in protein and natural fats this creamy tropical
fruit can be used by all skin types because it is so mild and
non-irritating. For an easy facial treatment massage mashed banana
over your skin. Let sit for 15 minutes, rinse off with warm water
and moisturize well. Mashed banana also makes a wonderful hair
conditioner mixed with a teaspoon or two of honey.
Strawberry: Perfect for troubled or teenage skin, strawberries
are rich in salicylic acid an ingredient found in many commercial
acne creams. Mix 1/2 cup fresh strawberries with a tablespoon
of sour cream for a weekly facial mask. Eating fresh berries will
also help whiten your teeth and keep your breath fresh.
Papaya: Rich in natural enzymes papayas are good for deep
cleansing your body and ridding your skin of surface debris and
dead skin cells. (The greener the papaya the higher the natural
enzyme content.) Mix together mashed papaya with several teaspoons
of aloe vera gel and massage all over your body monthly. Leave
on your skin for no more than five minutes and rinse thoroughly.
Do not use on your face and avoid sensitive skin areas.
Peaches: Peaches are especially soothing for dry skin.
Mash a fresh peach and combine with a tablespoon of plain yogurt
to make a smooth paste. Spread the mixture over damp skin and
let sit for 15 minutes, rinse well with cool water.
Pineapple: Like papaya pineapples are also good skin softeners,
especially for classic rough skin spots like knees, elbows, and
heels. Pineapples contain an active enzyme called bromelain, which
cleanses and rejuvenates dull skin. Use a slice of pineapple as
you would a sponge or loofah to scrub your body in the bath or
shower. To soften rough feet try a pineapple juice footbath. Soak
your feet for 15 to 20 minutes, rinse and follow-up with a rich
cream.
Lemons: A classic home beauty ingredient, lemons are used
to cleanse and freshen the skin and hair. Use lemon slices to
soften rough skin spots such as elbows and heels. Lemon slices
also help deodorize and deep cleanse your hands after a messy
job, add a bit of cornmeal for extra cleansing power. Lemon juice
can be added to your favorite cleanser or shampoo to refresh and
tone your scalp. For subtle hair highlights, comb some fresh juice
through clean hair and sit in the sun for 15-20 minutes. (Make
sure to condition your hair as lemon juice can be drying.) In
the bath float fresh slices in your tub for an energizing start
to your day.
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Fresh Strawberry Bath
This
is a rich, fruit-scented bath that is perfect for
dry, delicate skin. It makes the bathwater a creamy
shade of pink and contains two natural emollients
- fresh cream and castor oil. Fresh strawberries help
deep cleanse and condition your skin leaving it super
smooth and soft. A perfect way to pamper yourself
with fresh berries - Enjoy!
Ingredients
1/2 cup fresh strawberries (you may use frozen)
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups water
1 tablespoon castor oil
Directions
Place
all the ingredients into a blender and process on
high until you have a smooth, creamy liquid. You may
strain this mixture if you like. To use: Pour the
strawberry mixture into a warm bath and stir well.
Yield:
24 ounces, enough for one bath
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Feedback
If
you have a question or topic you would like covered - please feel
free to write to me. I also love hearing about your own "natural
beauty" tips and treatments! Please email me here at lamasbeauty.com
and I will post your questions and ideas in future columns.
Have
a beautiful day!
Janice Cox
Discuss
this topic with others right now at Beauty
Tips!
Janice
Cox has been making her own beauty treatments for over twenty-five
years. She is the author of three books on Natural Beauty:
Natural Beauty at Home, Natural Beauty for All Seasons, and
Natural Beauty from the Garden, all published by Henry
Holt and Company in New York. Her books contain over 600 recipes
for Body, Bath and Hair Care products.
Janice writes a regular column for Natural Living Today magazine,
"Recipe for Beauty." Her recipes and ideas have also appeared
in Self, Shape, Fitness, McCall's, Country Living, Organic Gardening,
Herb Quarterly, Herb Companion, The Natural Way, Health, Mothering,
Fit Pregnancy, New Woman, At Home Mother, American Health, and
Natural Way magazines. She has appeared on National television
and radio programs discussing Natural Beauty. Mrs. Cox has turned
her passion for home beauty into a full time career and has become
a nationally recognized expert on Natural Beauty.
"We are all born with a natural beauty, it is how we choose
to use it that makes us truly beautiful."
To learn more about Janice Cox, visit her website at www.janicecox.com.
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