The largest organ of the human body is skin and it makes up 15% of our body weight. 70% of the skin is made up of water, 25% proteins and 2% lipids. Our skin is the mirror of what happens inside our body. Many people, especially the male population, tend to ignore the skin problems that they have. The perception that skin care has to do with beauty only, leads to people ignoring the problems they have regarding the skin. However, the importance of this organ is more than just skin deep.
The skin is the first line of defense of our body, which means that every outer agent is kept away from our body because of the skin. The condition of the skin is directly related to your digestive system, liver, kidneys and lungs. If these organs function properly, your skin will also have a fresh look. The external factor is your environment; summer environment is heat, sun, sweat and pollution. So if you tackle these well, you will have fresh skin.
It is the lining that covers our body. If this organ is damaged and unkempt, it will deteriorate very fast and will also give you a dull, tiresome look. Summer can cause a lot of internal heat and toxins to build up inside our body. These toxins need to be cleaned so that your organs are healthy and hence your skin looks fresh. So what can you do to keep your skin healthy and young especially in the harsh summer weather? Here are some summer drinks for good skin care.
Bottle Gourd Juice (Lauki Juice)
Take some lauki, peel and slice it, and put it in the blender along with lemon juice, mint leaves and water. Blend the mixture, add ice cubes and drink it.
Lauki contains vitamin C, which makes the collagen of the skin. Collagen is the connective tissue in the layer of skin that makes the skin elastic and wrinkle free. It also contains zinc that forms healthy cells. Lauki is rich in anti-oxidants. Anti oxidants make the body get rid of the toxins and unhealthy molecules in the body. Lemon and mint are also rich in anti-oxidants and minerals that cool down the body and fight free radicals which damage other cells.
Precaution: If the Lauki tastes bitter then don’t drink it. It’s poisonous and can cause vomiting.
Cooling Spice Water
Boil 2 cups of water. Add ¼ teaspoon of fennel seeds (saunf), 2 rose buds (or rose water), 1 clove (laung).
Store this in a thermos, before drinking; let it cool to room temperature.
The herbs in this drink cool down the liver and clean the micro channels of the body. Fennel seeds contain anti oxidants known as kaemoferol and quercetin, which are summer skin care essentials. These anti-oxidants stop the skin from aging quickly, which gives you younger skin. Fennel seeds also help in making red blood cells; this will give your body a good healthy supply of oxygen and a light pink glow on your cheeks.
Rose helps fight eczema, and other skin inflammation like acne. Rose water heals old scars and wounds on the skin as well. It has anti bacterial properties as well.
This will give you a glowing skin in the summer season.
Kacchi Lassi
Kacchi Lassi has been used in the subcontinent for a long time to relieve acidity and heat in liver and kidneys. It fights dehydration, and acidity in the stomach. Acidity often causes pimples and boils on the skin. This drink will help relieve it, although it’s not good in taste.
Take one part milk and one part water. Add 2 teaspoons of salt in it and chill it.
Drink it for a few days if you have oral boils that are often causes by acidity and heartburn.
Detox Drink
Cucumber water consists of one cucumber, one lemon and 10 mint leaves. Slice the lemon and cucumber and put them in half a jug of water with the mint. Leave it for 2 hours and drink the water after that.
All of these drinks consist of ingredients that are easily found in any Pakistani home. If not at home, you can get them easily from any market. These drinks should be given to everyone at home as they cleanse the organs and replenish your skin, keeping you far away from wrinkles and pimples. Happy Summer!