Bay Leaves: Its Benefits and Uses for Skin and Hair #BlogaberryDazzle

 Bay leaf or "tejpatta" is an integral part of any Indian kitchen. For its beautiful aroma we always use it in our favourite recipes. Usually dried leaves are added to the cooking process. As much we know, bay leaves have no special role except to enhance the taste of cooking. Though this aromatic herb has some medicated properties that can do wonders for skin, hair and our overall health.

 Do you know that this humble tejpatta can do magic while incorporating to your daily beauty rituals? They can reduce some major skin or hair problems, like dandruff, itchy scalp, skin allergies, acne, in an instant. Are you excited to know? Well, let's find out what are the best uses of bay leaves. Scroll down then.

This culinary herb is rich in anti-oxidants, Vitamins like C, A, and also is a powerful source of nutrients. Its antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal properties have made it a fantastic healing herb for face, body and hair. Here, I am going to share some easy tips that I use myself and have received amazing results.

Bay leaves for skin:

1. Face mask for bright and clear skin:

Take a handful of leaves and grind to make a soft powder. Now add some Rose water or Vetiver water to this powder to make a smooth paste. Apply it on your face and after 10 minutes wash off to keep your skin soft, bright and clear. Do try to use this mask once a week to get healthy and flawless skin. 

2. For acne:

You need to take some leaves and boil them in water as long as you can smell the aroma. Leave them in the water for 10 minutes and strain it. Store the herb infused water in a glass bottle and refrigerate it. Dip a cotton ball in the infusion and apply on the affected area. Or you can wash your face with this water in the morning or before bed. This will soothe and calm the inflammation while treating acne. 

3. After sun exposure:

Whenever you have to step out at daytime, you can use the water (from tip 2) after returning home. Exposure to sunlight can cause some irritations or blemishes. Apply it after cleansing as a toner. It'll calm and soothe the irritations and help reduce blemishes. To get better results do it daily. 

4. In your bath water:

Add some leaves to the bath water and soak them for 15 minutes. Then take a bath. This not only soothes your skin, but the sweet aroma will relax your senses as well. You can also use the powdered form and mix in water.

Bay leaves for hair:

 

1. To treat dandruff:

For this you need to take the required amount of the powder (from tip 1). Mix it with curd and honey and apply the paste on your scalp and hair. Keep it for 45 minutes and wash off with a gentle herbal shampoo. It will treat dandruff, itchy scalp and any infection.

2. For smooth and shiny hair:

Here, you're going to use the infusion as the hair rinse or a conditioner after each head wash. You'll love to see the shinier and smoother tresses. It also will help you to get rid of fungal infections and dandruff.

3. To control hair fall:

Take a handful of bay leaves and boil in coconut oil for 15-20 minutes. Leave it overnight and strain it. Store this infused oil into a glass bottle. The day before head wash, apply the oil on your scalp and hair and leave it overnight. The next day wash your head with any mild herbal shampoo. Do it once a week for better results. You can also add some hair-friendly herbs like hibiscus, bhringraj, shikakai to the infused oil and create a smooth paste. Apply the mask as the Pre-poo treatment on your scalp and hair. Wash off after 30 minutes.

So, there are so many ingredients in Indian kitchen that make us beautiful without spending much money. If you are impressed with these DIY tips, do try and let me know. 

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla and sponsored by Bakez by Daizy.

Thank you for reading.