Drumstick, or moringa, has been known as a superfood for quite some time now. Indians are no strangers to the powerful benefits and taste-enhancing properties of drumstick. It's added to curries and soups in India and all around the world, while south Indians use it a lot in dishes like sambhar, drumstick pickles and some non-vegetarian curries as well. It's a very well-known fact that almost every part of the drumstick tree is great for consumption as its leaves, fruits, flowers and seeds are all full of nutrients and minerals with amazing health benefits. It is a treasure trove of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that could do wonders for your overall health. But, did you know that moringa is a powerful beauty ingredient as well? Moringa face masks are becoming extremely popular, as more and more people around the globe are realising the importance of this wonder ingredient, for enhancing beauty.
Also Read: 7 Powerful Health Benefits of Moringa Powder: The Miracle Herb
Here are some hard-to-beat reasons you should add drumstick leaves and oil to your skin care regime:
1. Slows down ageing: Moringa oil and moringa leaf powder are both used topically on the face to prevent wrinkles and free radical damage to the skin. Moringa may help firm up your facial skin and also help reduce wrinkles and blemishes, making you look younger.
2. Moisturises the lips: Moringa oil is also used as an ingredient in a range of lip balms and lip care products, as it is capable of moisturising the sensitive skin of the lips and make them retain their softness.
3. Improves complexion: As stated earlier, moringa or drumsticks may help improve your complexion by preventing blemished and give you an even tone, when applied topically. A paste of the leaves can be applied to dark spots or blemishes on the face to reduce them.
4. Fights acne: It may seem counter-productive but applying moringa oil on the face has been known to prevent acne breakouts, due to its anti-bacterial properties. The same effect can be achieved by applying a paste of moringa leaves on the affected areas of the face. However, it's always advisable to consult an expert dermatologist before self-administering any skin treatments, whether internally or topically.Also Read: Drumstick or Moringa: 3 South Indian Recipes for Cooking this Superfood
5. Help in removing toxins: Pimple and acne breakouts may be signs of accumulation of toxins in the blood. Consuming moringa powder or moringa seeds may help purify your blood, which will definitely translate into a clearer and healthier skin.
6. Reduces large pores: Moringa also acts on large open pores of the skin and tightens the skin. It has skin health boosting collagen protein, which helps in reducing pores.
How To Make DIY Moringa Face Mask For Healthy Skin
Due to skin healthy vitamins in moringa powder, it's frequently used as an ingredient in face masks. Moringa powder is obtained from sun-dried moringa leaves, which are ground to a fine, bright green powder. To make a DIY face mask, you need moringa powder, raw honey, rose water, lemon juice and water.
1. Mix half a tablespoon of moringa powder with a tablespoon each of honey and rose water and add half a tablespoon of lemon juice to it.
2. Check the consistency and add water as needed to obtain a fairly thick and smooth paste.
3. Apply this on your face in the morning and keep it for about 10 minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water.
4. After drying the face with a clean towel, apply small amount of moisturiser on your face, to get a smooth and soft skin.
Moringa powder has great beauty benefits for your hair as well and can be used to get longer, thicker and healthier hair. Due to its anti-bacterial properties, moringa powder may also prevent dandruff and flaky scalp. It is always a good idea to consult an expert before trying out a new regime or do a test patch to check if you are allergic. Natural remedies are usually much safer than the heavy chemical-based products, but you have to make sure you practice moderation. Excess of anything may do more harm than good.
About Sakshita KhoslaSakshita loves the finer things in life including food, books and coffee, and is motivated by self-indulgence and her love for words. When not writing, she can be found huddled in the corner of a cosy cafe with a good book, caffeine and her own thoughts for company.