Healthy Skin - Fruits And Vegetables

Healthy Skin - Fruits And Vegetables

Smooth, healthy-looking skin can defy birthdays and speak volumes about a person’s well-being. When one feels vibrant and youthful, whatever their age, their skin reflects this inner glow. In fact, skin is the largest organ in the body, and the outer manifestation of how well one is taking care of him- or herself. Fruits and vegetables are both tasty and nutritious and have a very long history as beauty aids. Often they are mashed into a pulp and applied directly on the skin in the form of a natural facial.

1. Cucumber
Cucumber has a long folk history of use for cooling burns and treating wrinkles. Simply  peel and crush some cucumbers in a blender and apply directly to the affected area. Cucumber slices can also be placed over the eyelids.

2. Carrot
Carrots are high in beta carotene which the body converts into vitamin A. A deficiency of this vitamin can cause dry skin and wrinkling. Carrots also contain the antioxidant beta-carotene and many other cancer-preventing compounds.

3. Purslane
Like carrots, purslane is rich in carotenoids. This herb can be used to make an invigorating face mask with healing properties.

4. Pineapple
Pineapples contain fruit acids called alpha-hydroxy acids that peel off dead skin cells by dissolving the substances that hold the dead skin together. These are used in face peels to treat acne, chapped skin, fine lines, and wrinkles.

5. Avocado
The oils in avacados are patented as a treatment for some forms of dermatitis and arthritis. Avocado oil is rich in vitamins A, D and E, all of which help maintain healthy skin.

6. Grapes
Grapes contain alpha-hydroxy acids, the substances that help peel dead skin cells from the face. Grapes can be mashed in a juicer and applied as a natural facial mask.

7. Papaya
Papaya’s enzymes help remove wrinkles when applied topically and can aid in digesting food when eaten.

8. Foods rich in nucleic acids
Foods rich in nucleic acids (RNA) such as sardines, salmon, tuna, shell fish, lentils, and beans may be helpful for skin problems.

9. Aloe vera juice
Aloe was used by Egyptian pharaohs to treat many skin problems. Aloe vera gel has been used to heal radiation burns since the 1930's.

10. Chamomile
Chamomile is a tasty tea approved in Europe for treatment of inflammatory skin conditions, notably yeast infections. Compounds in chamomile (bisabolol, chamazulene and cy-clic ethers) are anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and fungicidal. Chamomile can also be brewed and used as a compress.

11. Calendula
Calendula flowers are one of the best herbs for skin problems. Research shows that this herb is antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antiviral. Calendula also stimulates white blood cells to help speed wound healing. Calendula flowers can be used to make a tea.

12. Ginkgo
Research shows that ginkgo biloba extract signals fibroblast activity in the skin to increase the synthesis of collagen, while serving as an anti -inflammatory agent.

13. Gotu kola
Gotu kola is an Indian herb that stimulates the regeneration of skin cells and underlying connective tissue.