Minty beauty!

Mint or Pudina possesses many therapeutic qualities which are extremely beneficial for your skin and hair. Mint, the magic ingredient loaded with menthol and antibacterial properties is perhaps the most underrated in homemade face packs.

It is a common ingredient to treat everything from mosquito bites, acne, and dry skin to blackheads and that tan. While in cosmetic products it is often found in moisturisers, cleansers, conditioners, lip balms, toner and astringent.

Mint is very much a part of Ayurveda and has been used since the ancient times for its many medicinal properties. Mint is a natural coolant. It has a cooling effect on the body. That is why crushed mint leaves are added to nimbu pani, jal jeera and other summer drinks. It also has a refreshing effect. In fact, mint is known for its tingling, fresh aroma. It contains several vitamins and minerals, as well as powerful healing properties.

Mint is also widely used for beauty care. It has a stimulating effect on the skin and improves blood circulation to the skin surface. Mint also has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, protective and soothing properties. It also contains salicylic acid which is also beneficial to preventing and treating pimples. That is why it also helps to control and prevent other skin eruptions, like acne, boils and heat rash. Since it helps to reduce oiliness, it is ideal for oily and combination skin. Mint is also said to improve the skin's moisture retention ability. Mint is widely used in beauty cream, along with rose and honey, as well as in a cleansing lotion for acne-prone skin. Mix honey, mint leaves, cucumber in a grinder and grind well to make a paste. Apply it on to the skin and leave on for 30 minutes, wash off with freshwater and moisturise. This treatment will brighten up your skin tone and makes your skin healthy, fresh and bright.

For home beauty care, fresh or dry mint leaves can be crushed or powdered and added to face packs. Or, it can be added to fruit pulp for a cooling summer face pack. Mix crushed mint leaves with ripe papaya and cucumber pulp. Apply it on the face and wash off after 20 minutes. Mint also has a brightening effect on the skin and reduces tan.

For oily skin, take lemon juice and rose water in equal quantities. Add crushed mint leaves and let it stand for an hour. Strain the leaves and apply the liquid on the face. Wash it off after 20 minutes. It helps to reduce oiliness, refreshes, tones and cools the skin. For dry skin, avoid lemon juice and add mint and half-teaspoon honey to rose water.

For acne, dry mint leaves can be powdered and added to Multani mitti and rose water and mixed into a paste. Apply on the face to treat pimples, acne marks, and tan and wash it off when it dries. It cleanses the skin, reduces oiliness and helps acne-prone skin. It also adds a glow to the skin. The only thing you need to bear in mind with this combination is that fuller's earth tends to dry the skin, so make sure to follow up with moisturising lotion.

Grind the mint 20 leaves with a mortar and pestle and it to add 2 tbsp the lemon juice. Apply this mixture onto your acne, acne scars, and acne-prone areas of your skin. Leave it on for about 30 minutes and wash your face with fresh cool water. Do this once a day. Don't forget to do a test patch and apply a moisturiser with UV protection because lemons are notorious for causing photosensitivity.

Here's how you can make a simple toner at home. Simply boil a bunch of mint leaves in water. Strain the leaves from the water when ready and allow it to cool. You can use this homemade toner every day. It'll tone your skin and leave it refreshed, firm and oil-free.

Wash mint leaves. Make a paste of the leaves and apply directly on pimples and acne. It has a curative and soothing action on skin eruptions, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Make a face pack by mixing ground or crushed mint leaves with rose water and honey into a paste. Apply it on the face for 30 minutes and then wash off with plenty of plain and cool water.

For a body scrub, crush sesame seeds (til) coarsely and mix it with honey. Add dried and powdered mint leaves. Apply it on the body. After 10 to 15 minutes, rub gently on the skin and then wash off with water. It has a stimulating effect and adds a glow to the skin.

Mint suits all skin types, but it is more beneficial to oily and acne-prone skin, due to its germicidal properties.

Mint leaves help to stimulate the digestive enzymes that absorb nutrients from food and consume fat and turn it into usable energy. Drinking sugar-free mint tea cleanses the system and may help you lose weight due to reduced calorie intake.