Natural Remedies

Dark spots are common skin problem found mainly in young adults. These dark spots are also known as hyperpigmentation. These spots most often show up on parts of the body such as the face, hands, legs, back, thighs and neck. Causes of dark spots include sun exposure, inflammation, hormonal changes, taking chemical medications, pregnancy, some health problems (for instance, liver disease), and aging. Dark spots especially those on the face gives a lot of concern to people that have them as it makes them less confident about themselves. Most females resort into covering up these spots with makeups. However, instead of covering the spots with makeup, use the remedies listed in this article to clean/get rid of  those dark spots naturally. 1) LEMON JUICE: Using lemon juice to clear dark spots is a verified and trusted long practice which has shown unfailing results. The acidity in lemon acts like a bleaching agent and helps reduce discoloration. However, lemon is always in its concentrated form and can be harsh on the skin. So, you could add yoghurt, honey, rose water or even ordinary water to the lemon juice to dilute it. I once applied lemon juice directly to my knees and elbows to lighten the dark part but I experienced severe itchy. I had to quickly wash off with soap and water. Do not apply any home remedies containing lemon juice around or under your eyes as the skin in those areas is highly sensitive. Also, it’s advisable to use only freshly squeezed lemon juice as the packaged variety contains preservatives which might harm the skin. 2) APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: Apple cider vinegar contains alpha hydroxy acids. This is the same chemical that is used in chemical peels to remove dead skin cells and facilitate the production of new skin cells, and works as an exfoilant. It also contains malic acid that prevents acne and optimizes the production of sebum, making sure your skin is neither too oily nor too dry. Dilute the apple cider vinegar with water or honey and use a cotton wool to apply the mixture on the dark spots areas and leave it on for about 15 minutes before washing off with water. Apple cider vinegar is very strong can cause burn the face when used in concentrated form especially the Braggs product. 3) TOMATOES: Tomatoes is a very good skin toner. Tomato contains vitamins A, B, and C that boost collagen production, reduce dark spots, fight free radicals, and maintain the elasticity of your skin. It also contains minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium and lycopene – a component that moisturize the skin. Tomatoes are not only good when directly applied on the skin but also do wonders when you have it raw, therefore, it is advisable to add tomatoes to one’s daily diet. You can also apply tomato juice mixed with a bit of lemon juice on your face and leave it for about 10 minutes and rinse it with cold water. This makes your skin soft, smooth and glowing. 4) CUCUMBER: Cucumber has 96% water content and this high water content makes it a great moisturizer for the skin. Cucumber also contains cucurbitacins and cucumerin that helps in delaying the signs of aging. It also has all the essential antioxidants like vitamins A, B5, C, E, and K that fight all sorts of skin discoloration like dark circles, acne scars, freckles, and dark spots. Additionally, cucumbers are also a source of silica, is important for the synthesis of the collagen that rejuvenates your skin. Blend the cucumber and then add the aloe vera gel, lemon juice or yoghurt to make a mask. Apply the mask all over your face and leave it on for half an hour and wash off with water. You can also slice the cucumber and scrub it directly on your face. 5) ORANGE PEELS: Orange peel is really good for the skin as it treats blackheads, dead cells, acne, eczema and blemishes. It also brightens your face. You can also add milk or curd to get that extra glow or for removing tan. What you need to do is collect orange peels over a period of time, dry them by laying them out in the sun and grind them into a powder. Then, store in an airtight container. Mix the powdered orange peel with yogurt, honey or milk together to form  a paste. Apply the paste all over your face and leave it on for 25 minutes and wash off with water. The lactic and citric acids in the milk and orange peel bleach your dark spots while the honey moisturizes and softens your skin. 6) ONIONS: Onions are loaded with vitamins A, C, and E and antioxidants that protect the skin from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. These, combined with the sulphur-rich phytochemicals, work together to help to get rid of all dark spots and even out your skin tone. Blend the onion and strain out the juice. Then, use a cotton wool to apply the onion juice on your dark spots areas and leave it on until it dries completely. Wash off with water after some minutes. You can decide to blend garlic with the onion and this combination is a strong one that will help you get rid of those dark spots much faster. However, this might leave behind a slightly pungent odour. 7) ALOE VERA: Aloe vera gel, taken straight from the leaves, is the best to use in getting rid of black spots and any other discoloration.   Use a knife to slice away the outer layers of an aloe vera leaf. Squeeze the gel onto your fingers and apply it directly to your dark spots. Leave the gel on for 20 minutes, then wash off with clean water. You can as well mix the aloe vera gel with sugar and lemon juice. Sugar acts as an exfoliator to scrape away dead skin cells. 8) OILS: a) Vitamin E Oil: The oil can

Orange peels are rich in a flavonoid called hesperidin. This flavonoid helps to lower blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels. The peels also have anti-inflammatory properties which help combat a lot of inflammation in the body. It is said to contain a compound called nobiletin which helps in preventing inflammation. The pectin in orange peels is another agent that helps to grow probiotic bacteria in our gut. Thus boosting up our immune system and keeping us healthy. Orange peels can be used to whiten your teeth. The limonene in orange peels also works as a natural scent and solvent. This helps whiten teeth in a natural way. So, rub an orange peel against the inside of your mouth and teeth to freshen up your breath, whiten your teeth, and even reduce their sensitivity. Orange peels are really good for the skin as it treats blackheads, dead cells, acne, eczema and blemishes. It also brightens your face. You can also add milk or curd to get that extra glow or for removing tan. A course mate of mine once tried it. However, you have to grind a lot of the peels before you can get a considerable amount of the powder. Orange peel Tea Put fresh orange peels into a pot of water and bring it to a boil. Then, turn off the heat and allow the peels to steep for an hour. Strain the water, and your tea is ready. Another way to make the orange peel is getting dried orange peel and steeping for some minutes This tea can be enjoyed warm or cold and add some honey. A study done even found out that dried orange peel, when made into a tea released more pectin than fresh orange peel. You can also add piece of dried orange peel to your green or black tea to add flavour. Do you know what orange tea can do for you? Drinking orange peel tea will help clear away mucus and prevents coughing. Orange peel tea will help soothe away headache when you breathe in the vapors. Orange peels tea will help you to get rid of gas, indigestion, stomach aches, bloating, and heartburn. Orange Peel As Freshener Adding the peels in boiling water can freshen the air around you. In fact, you can inhale the air (steam) for relief from headache. Orange Peels As Polish. You can polish the surfaces of stainless steel using the peels alone or with vinegar. A drop or two of vinegar on the peels will do.