Category Archives: Ayurvedic

Ancient Ayurveda Invigorating Tailpatra Woodash Soap Review, Indian Beauty Blog, Indian Skincare Blog

Ancient Ayurveda Invigorating Tailpatra Woodash Soap Review

Ancient Ayurveda Invigorating Tailpatra Woodash Soap Review

By Nidhal

Remember those days when we used to vacuously smear that colourful bar of soap that smelled heavenly and looked comely on our skin (and sadly, on our faces too) while unleashing the inherent model in us in our bathrooms? 😛 Days would roll by but all what it left was dry, parched skin that felt smothered after the ‘wash’. Quite naturally, it was bound to. Why? Did you care to read the labels? “Ummm… not really”, says a voice in your head right now. So, that is the reason my friend.

Cut to present and markets like always are inundated with soaps of myriad shapes, sizes, colors, flavours (err…chemicals) and packets. One thing is constant and that is our incorrigible habit of ignoring the labels. Having emerged delusional with soaps years ago, I switched over to ubtans (homemade powders for cleansing), however, one fine day, I came across a brand that used 2 words in its name which caught my eyes- Ancient Ayurveda. Intrigued, I began scrolling down their range of products when I came across their soaps. The realisation dwelled upon me that it would be just one of “those brands” that pull wool over consumers’ eyes by printing catchy words like “invigorated with XYZ essential oil”, “handmade” and so on but I was in for a pleasant surprise. The brand is the textbook definition of being ‘ethical’.

While most brand publish what their products contain, Ancient Ayurveda upped its game and went on publish what all their products do not contain IN DETAIL (see the picture for better understanding). Impressed, I zeroed in on ANCIENT AYURVEDA INVIGORATING TAILPATRA WOODASH SOAP to see how far it performs (or flounders). So here goes my review of the same 🙂

PRICE- 238 INR for 116 gm (Buy HERE)

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Smear on your drenched face and body with a natural luffa. Wash off after scrubbing gently.

INGREDIENTS- Homogenous coconut shell charcoal, coconut tree inflorescece charcoal flaxseed wheat germ oil, Ashwagandha tailam, Ark tailam, black cumin seed oil, bala taimbu, somaraji tailam, chandan bala, lakshadi tailam, jatyadi tailam, karanj tailam, virgin coconut oil, kasisadi tailam, zest of soapnut, kumkumadi tailam, rice bran oil, rice bran wax, nilibringhadi tailam, castor bean meat, whole pscralea corylifolia oil, zest of ‘Koshtum’, castor oil, coconut water, coconut meat, cow’s milk, zest of copra, grapeseed oil and neem oil.

A detailed list of fillers/items not added into the soap is provided as a leaflet once you place an order. And… You will be left speechless on seeing that most of them have been added in even the so-called handmade soaps that you use. Handmade does not mean ‘natural’.

WHAT IT CLAIMS- This soap does not contain Steric Acid (animal derived hardening agent, primarily from butchered pigs and cows) which makes the mainstream handmade and commercial soap melt-less.

MY EXPERIENCE-

GOOD-

Packed in a simple paper packing with the soap enclosed in a plastic cover, the packaging of the soap is quite simplistic. I disliked the plastic cover but realised that in India’s tropical weather, if the soap were packed in a plastic/cloth pack, it would have melted and rumpled the entire product rendering it useless.

As a result, given the product’s composition (which is primarily a blend of oils), the packaging is legit. Though it cannot be carried while travelling yet, I won’t pinpoint to it as a drawback because carrying soaps anyway is inconvenient while travelling. In a nutshell, the packaging is fine 🙂

The soap has a hard texture when stored in the fridge but take it for 5 minutes and witness the magic as it melts (all thanks to Sun God who unleash their fury on us from May to June all the more) 😛

I prolong its use by cutting it into 10 pieces 5 minutes after taking it out from the fridge (so that it softens enough for my knife to work). Each time I step into the shower, I take a piece (1/10 th part of the soap) with me along with a natural loofah/luffa. I smear it on my drenched skin and gently rub a luffa. 1/10 th part is sufficient for a use. I do not overdo or use beyond requirement. I know we Indians have a tendency to slap products in excess if it works but that is what we need to control. Use enough not in excess 🙂

After scrubbing my skin with the luffa for 7-8 minutes, there is a little froth which I rinse off and step out of the shower. My skin feels soft and deeply hydrated. This spells cheer for my skin is dry and this is the first time that my skin’s moisture level has not witnessed a nosedive 🙂 With use overtime, I noted a subtle glow too that looked natural. Besides feeling clean, my skin looked clear and refreshed. My mother who has normal skin used it and has been singing paeans since then. I recommended it to a friend of mine who has oily skin and so far, even she is impressed with its performance. While I can’t vouch for its efficacy for oily skin, I can safely say that it will become the HG soap of those with dry and normal skin 🙂

In one word, it is phenomenal!

1. The most natural soap one can land.

2. Mentions what it contains and what it does not (which is quite informative) clearly. Hence, the epitome of ethics.

3. Works wonders in softening skin.

4. Made in India

5. Associated with the NGO- Prajwala which works to rescue sex-trafficked women. There is a sense of complacency one experiences in contributing to such a noble initiative.

6. Highly impressive ingredients’ list

7. Imparts a subtle glow. No, you won’t glow like an incandescent LED that is shown (read: exaggerated beyond description) in TV adverts. The glow is subtle but noticeable.

8. Works well for all skin types but best for dry skin. It won’t weigh down oily skin but works exceedingly well for dry skin. I wonder how it does so.

9. Easily available. You can place an order on Amazon India.

10. Heals chapped skin overtime.

11. Price is reasonable given its effectiveness.

BAD-

1. Since it a blend of oils, it melts (yes, you read it right M-E- L-T- S) when the temperature rises to 33 degrees or above. In fact, since India is predominantly warm for most part of year, a major bugbear is the storage of this soap. It actually liquefies. To allay this, I let it out at room temperature for a few minutes. It softens somewhat when I cut it into 10-12 pieces with a knife. I use one piece each time I step into the shower and stash all the remnant pieces into the refrigerator 🙂 So, that is the only limitation which too, is taken care of.

RATING- 5/5

Editor’s Note: That sounds fantastic Nidhal and what a detailed review! I am surely trying this. Also I saw a few other soaps they have, all look great!

Have you tried any Ancient Ayurveda Soaps?

Khadi Trifla Powder Review & How to use for Hair

Khadi Trifla Powder Review & How to use for Hair

By Nidhal

The most common and irksome hair woe everyone be it a man or a woman faces today is the dreaded 8-lettered word ‘HAIR FALL’. Didn’t it send shivers down your spine? Its roots (no pun intended) find origin in myriad causes ranging from stress to poor/substandard quality of products used, from bombarding oneself with chemical-laden products to diet deficient in proteins. ‘When everything fails, head to Granny dearest’ is the mantra I espouse and live by both metaphorically and literally.

My grandmother’s pearls of wisdom in the realm of hair care have always had one product since times immemorial. No points for guessing ( for you would have already seen what it is thanks to the title of the post), it is TRIFALA POWDER (also called ‘Triphala’). It is a blend of three herbs- Amlaki (Amla), Haritaki (Harar/Hadad) and Bibhitaaki (Bahera/Baheda). And the three together, pack a punch at so many hair woes that you’d be left wondering why on Earth didn’t you use it before.

Trifla Powder is also excellent for people suffering from constipation, acidity and irregular bowel movements. You just need to have one spoon with water whenever you feel bloated or have irregular bowel movement. Do not have it regularly as the body gets used to it.

I grabbed KHADI TRIFALA powder from a Khadi store in Delhi a few months ago. Today is the time for us to know if it deserves a second try or not 🙂

PRICE- Rs 45/- for 200 g

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Mix Khadi Trifala powder in the base ingredient. Mix well. Apply on scalp and hair. Rinse with cool water.

INGREDIENTS- Amla, Harar and Bahera

WHAT IT CLAIMS- Trifala is good for constipation and acidity. It regulates bowel movement. (This indicates that the product is edible)

MY EXPERIENCE-

Packed in a simple plastic pack, the packaging of Khadi Trifala powder is way too simplistic in fact, underwhelming. Once cut open, the contents need to be transferred to either a clean container or a zipper pouch. Carrying it while travelling is a hassle both ways. As a result, I think it would be better if Khadi revisits its packaging decision for the current one for this product is disappointing.

Khadi Trifala powder is finely powdered and that makes it a cakewalk to mix it with the base ingredient of one’s choice be it curd, water, raw milk or anything that suits one’s hair type. Since my hair type is dry, I team it up with coconut milk. I suffer from one hair woe and that is why I opt for coconut milk because of its intensely hydrating properties.

I have used the above concoction for a month consistently without fail twice a week and what I noted was an improvement in my mane’s volume, strength and frizz control. It softened and imparted shine/lustre too but that wasn’t as praiseworthy as some of the herbal powders I had used in the past such as-hibiscus powder. It is important, I believe to be realistic. One product cannot be a Hindi film hero who’d bash all the goons to pulp, mouth one-liners that’ll make the audience whistle in awe, rescue his leading lady and basically do everything 😛

This product is no different. When used consistently over a period of time with the right base ingredient, it works wonders in some spheres (say-volume increase, strength, frizz control) but doesn’t perform as well as expected in some (shine and softness). Perhaps, addition of a few more ingredients to the above mix help me achieve my ‘unachieved goals’. All in all, it is a good investment keeping the price and its benefits in mind. Go grab a few packets to treat your mane naturally!

GOOD-

1. Dirt-cheap

2. A single pack will last long. Each pack contains 200 g of Trifala powder which is sufficient to last long.

3. Finely powdered hence, mixing with any base ingredient is cushy.

4. Gives complete volition to the user to mix with whichever base ingredient one wants to say- milk, curd, water, etc.

5. Strengthens hair overtime

6. Removal is easy

7. Other ingredients can be added to the Trifala+ base ingredient mix such as- Reetha powder, shikakai powder, tulsi powder, etc.

8. Makes one’s tresses voluminous

9. Suitable for use by all

10. Natural. No chemicals pumped into it hence, a safe solution to combat hair woes.

BAD-

1. Limited availability. It isn’t easily available online. The only option currently is to visit a Khadi store and grab it.

2. Does not impart as much shine as is expected from Trifala powder (Amla imparts shine)

3. Packaging needs to be improved. The provision of a zipper pack will be better.

4. Does not soften hair much. I have used some herbal powders before and this powder does not soften my tresses as much as those did. That said, it does not even dry my hair too.

RATING-4.5/5

Editor’s Note: Trifla is fabulous, I have had it often as a part of capsules if I suffer from irregular bowel movement. But I have not used it directly as a mask, though a part of hair masks in general. I would surely give this a try Nidhal.

Have you tried using Trifla powder for your hair?

Best Patanjali Beauty Products, Prices, Buy Online

Best Patanjali Beauty Products, Prices, Buy Online

Hi guys,

If you remember we have already done a Top 5 Patanjali Products post before, HERE. I would like to add few more things to that list today, and also help you with, where you can buy all Patanjali Beauty Products Online.

Patanjali Products are a big hit with the Indians as well as many abroad who are recognizing India’s expertise in the field. Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali products rely on Ayurvedic principles making them the most sought after. Many people use Pathanjai products because it’s natural, with herbal kitchen ingredients with therapeutic value – a rooted part of Indian tradition. So basically it feels like Grandma’s remedies for your skin and body problems.

Patanjali Products are paraben, SLS and chemical free, so most of the beauty products are herbal and all natural. They are very economical and easily available too. Here’s a list of some of the best products.

Let’s begin with some skin care!

For Skin

Need glowing skin? There’s no need to go for products with harsh chemicals and side effects. Patanjali offers the Aloe Vera Gel and Rose Water which are the best to start with the basic skincare. Both the products are perfect to use currently in summers. One can use it directly or even mix it with face packs etc.

The Patanjali Divya Gulab Jal is available on Amazon at Rs.25

Face packs are an essential for every woman, especially those who venture out into the sun. Understanding a woman’s needs, Pathanjali has come up with the Divya Kanti Lep face pack powder which works really well for acne prone skin and the Rogan Badam Almond Oil which can be used for hair care, skin care or even can be applied on dark circles every night. These products are easily available online, do check for beauty products sale running on Snapdeal, ebay, flipkart.

Soaps: The Aloe Vera, Neem and Haldi Chandan soaps are the most famous and liked by majority. You can choose the soaps based on your skin type like dry skin, oily, acne prone skin etc. All soaps are reasonably priced and you can get them on the Pathanjali stores online.

For Hair

Hairfall is a common problem faced by most people. It can be attributed to improper diet and poor hair maintenance. The best bet would be to use herbal shampoos, oils and cleansers on your hair. The Kesh Kanti Milk Protein Hair Cleanser is very gentle for everyday use too and would work for all types of hair. Patanjali also has a Shikakai hair cleanser which is amazing for hair growth, thickening and darkening.

You can buy the Kesh Kanti Protein Hair Cleanser at Snapdeal for Rs.190. If you are first time user apply snapdeal promo code to get Rs. 100 discount.

Other Must-try Products

Few other amazing and must try Patanjali products are the Herbal Kajal, Saundarya Face Wash, Tejus Tailam, Body Lotion, Crack Heel Cream and the Coconut Oil. Other than beauty products, we also use the Aloe Vera juice, Amla Juice, Amla Candy, Toothpaste, etc.

There are hits and misses with Patanjali, so definitely check reviews before buying the products, but the ones which are good are total value for money.

So do try some of these Patanjali products, you will surely like them 🙂

Hamdard Safi Natural Blood Purifier Review

Hamdard Safi Natural Blood Purifier Review

By Pallavi

Hello Girlies,

It is always said that what you eat shows on your skin. So, always eat healthy to keep your skin healthy. But in this age of junk foods and fried foods eating healthy is really not possible. Now, who can resist the tasty pizza and chats???At least I can’t. So, all these fast fried foods take a toll on your skin. When a pimple appears, this is the time when we think that it is the end of the world. But frankly speaking pimple appreance is quite normal. But when pimple takes the form of acne and when this acne leaves a mark on your skin then that it something really serious.

So, here I will be showing you an age old popular method of reducing pimples and keeping your skin healthy. You might have heard from your grandma’s about blood purifiers. Well, they used to have all herbal measures for their skin. But today, we don’t have many herbal methods for us. But Himalaya Safi blood purifier is one among the few products which assist can you in the path of healthy and glowing skin.

Product Description – The herbal remedy for skin disease such as acne vulgaris, boils, skin rashes, blemishes, urticaria etc, checks nose bleeding, cures constipation, corrects indigestion and improves complexion and helps you to stay slim and smart.

Directions to use: Just put 1-2 spoons of the purifier in the glass and drink it. You will gradually get adjusted to the taste.

Price: Rs.152 for 500 ml, Rs.80/- for 200ml

Shelf Life  36 months from packaging

Ingredients:

Packaging – The bottle is available in different sizes – .But I suggest to buy the smaller size to test its effectiveness. The packaging is of rectangular box which is green in colour. The bottle has the entire product name and other details mentioned. Inside which there is a transparent bottle. I like transparent bottles as they show the quantity of product left. The bottle is sealed and tightly enclosed to prevent the product from spilling out.

Key ingredients: Sana, Revand Chini, Neem, tulsi and Chiraita.

Texture: A Blood Purifier is definitely liquid in texture. The liquid is not on thicker side. It is actually quite runny. If you want to drink it with water it will easily get dissolved in water within no time.

My Experience with Hamdard Safi Blood Purifier

The liquid is dark brown in colour. Now, coming to the major part of taste. The taste of this blood purifier is really yukk. It tastes very sour. I need to drink one glass of water after drinking only 1 spoon of this purifier. But as it is said you have to taste something bad for the bigger good in your life. If you feel the taste is too sour then you can also dilute with water and then drink.

Performance wise don’t expecting anything miracle in the first bottle. Even if you drink daily then also I doubt you can observe any changes. Now, you can doubt if it actually works or not. But trust me girls it does. You can see changes on your 4th or 5th bottle. Since it is meant to purify blood thus changes will be gradual and quite slow. But when it start showing effects on your skin don’t stop it immediately, keep drinking some more bottles. Gradually you can see your skin all glowing and healthy.

Even one bottle will last long. With my daily usage size bottle lasted me for 3 months. So, quite economical that way. And you can get it easily in pharmacy stores and even on online portal.

Pros of Hamdard Safi Blood Purifier –

1. Herbal brand

2. Affordable price

3. Comes in different variants

4. Easy to use

5. Purifies blood on a long term.

Cons of Hamdard Safi Blood Purifier –

1. Takes time to show result

2. Tastes too bad

Rating – 4.5/5

Would I recommend the product to you – Of course. This product is definitely a buy. It must be a staple in your daily routine.

Editor’s Note: I have heard so much about it since ages, was going to try this when my skin was in a terrible state during my teens, but I am so scared of the taste :/ But I know of people who religiously drink it everyday from the past many years.

Have you tried Safi yet? Will you try it?

Lever Ayush Therapy: Nature’s Healing Secrets

Lever Ayush Therapy: Nature’s Healing Secrets

Hi guys,

I love using natural, organic products but nothing beats the ayurvedic products following the age old recipes and made with pure plant extracts and oils. For any of your skin, hair or body problems with which you have been struggling for days and tried it all, go back to the ‘Dadime Ke Nushke’ and you will see the results guaranteed!

Today we face a lot of problems due to our current modern lifestyle. Late working hours, meeting deadlines, being on our computers and cell phones almost 18 hours a day, it all takes a toll on the body. The results being hair loss, premature hair greying, dark circles, head aches, shoulder pain, back pain, water retention, lack of stamina, etc.

I am glad brands are going back to ayurvedic formulations and bringing products which are all natural and ayurveda has never failed in showing results. We have ayurvedic solutions for our skin/hair problems and pain management now. One such brand being Lever Ayush.

About Lever Ayush: Rapid urbanization, booming economy, new job opportunities and high disposable incomes in India have paved way for an affluent lifestyle. But they also put you at the risk of lifestyle diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, heart diseases etc. Through Ayush, this new generation of Indians can rediscover everyday health and vitality through customized Ayurvedic solutions.

LEVER Ayush Therapy range comes with some of nature’s healing secrets discovered by Ayurveda, almost 5000 years ago!

Lever Ayush range consists of products for skin, hair and pain management. They are based on authentic Ayurvedic formulations, where the rarest natural ingredients are distilled into the most effective Ayurvedic recipes. Lever Ayush introduces a range of personal care products that are specifically designed to solve skin and hair problems borne by the pressures of a modern day lifestyle.

Products Available:

HAIRCARE

Lever Ayush Bhringamalakadi Tailam

The oil serves the purpose of preventing premature greying and ensures that your hair grows long and strong for years to come. With carefully selected ingredients such as cow’s milk, Yashtimadhu, Bhringaraj, Til oil and amla juice, the oil not only prevents premature greying but assures that your hair gets its natural colour back.

Price: Rs. 599

Lever Ayush Hair Poshak Oil

When an individual is stressed, the body produces increased levels of testosterone which gets converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This DHT will interrupt the hair growth cycle because it restricts the blood supply to your hair follicles which means the amount of nutritional intake reduces, leading to the weakening of hair and therefore breakage. The Lever Ayush Hair Poshak Oil is a unique combination of Ayurvedic ingredients like amla, rosemary, til oil and neem. Designed to fight and reduce hair fall in three weeks, this oil comes with dual advantages. It prevents breakage and simultaneously fights dandruff, keeping your hair well-nourished.

Price: Rs. 249

Lever Ayush Keyur Poshak Shampoo

The word ‘Keyur’ is used in religious books to describe the lustrous, thick hair of various deities. ‘Keshya’ means that which gives bountiful, black and lustrous hair. The best ‘Keshya’ herbs have been selected to formulate Keyur Poshak Shampoo. It helps to get back the lost shine in your hair and simultaneously nourishes, strengthens and conditions your hair too. The ingredients that make up this shampoo include Amla, Bhringaraj, Yashtimadhu and Henna – all helping to keep your hair shiny, bouncy and strong.

Price: Rs. 310/-

Lever Ayush Dandruff Naashak Shampoo

Consisting of ingredients such as amla, neem, tulsi, rosemary, henna and shikakai, the shampoo cleanses and conditions your hair with its anti-microbial and cooling properties. With its triple benefits of being anti-dandruff, cleansing and strengthening, Lever Ayush Dandruff Nashak shampoo is all you need to fight this problem without going in for any expensive treatments.

Price: Rs. 325/-

PAIN RELIEF

Lever Ayush Pain Naashak Cream

Lever Ayush Pain Naashak cream has been created on the lines of Ayurveda which recognizes that pain can occur in different parts of the body. This can be broadly categorized as ‘Sandhishool’ (joint pain) and ‘Katigraha’ (backache). This cream contains carefully chosen ingredients such as ‘shulahar dravyas’ like lavang, pudinah and gandhapura, which effectively relieve pain, tenderness and swelling, in case of sprains, strains and even in cases of osteoarthritis. Lever Ayush Pain Naashak cream is an effective analgesic cream that will give a soothing relief from different physical pains.

Price: Rs. 119/-

Lever Ayush Narayana Tailam

The best medicine for ‘Vata’ disorders according to Ayurveda is regular ‘Abhyanga’ (external application) with oil. The Lever Ayush Narayana Tailam has 32 ingredients known for its pain relief solutions. The oil is made solely of Ayurvedic solutions using taila pak vidhi (method of processing medicated oils) that can cure muscle and joint aches even in the case of osteoarthritis.

Price: Rs. 599/-

Ayush Headache Naashak Roll-On

It includes wintergreen oil, lemongrass oil, eucalyptus oil, menthol, clove oil and camphor. A combination of these products works on relieving congestion which is often the reason for headaches. It also works towards easing out respiratory issues and colds. The product works effortlessly against headaches, whether they are caused due to congestion, sinusitis or stress on the eyes – within 15 minutes. A must have in your daily bag.

Price: Rs. 199/-

SKINCARE

Lever Ayush Suvarna Poshak Cream

The Lever Ayush Suvarna Poshak Cream is an excellent supplement for your skin. Ayurveda recommends ‘Varnya Dravyas’ (promoters of complexion) for enhancing natural complexion and providing glow. Brimming with natural ingredients, the cream is concocted with healthy skin in mind. With herbs like ‘Rasayani’ and ‘Tirit’, it restores the lustre in your skin, enhances your natural complexion, smoothens out wrinkles and makes your skin young and healthy from within. The cream also helps fight blemishes and dullness and keeps your skin soft and deeply nourished.

Price: Rs. 210/-

The products are divided into Doshas i.e. Vata/Pitta/Kapha and Gunas/Karmas i.e Poshak (Grow), Nashak (Destroy) and Rakshak (Protect). Each and every product has Dosha and Guna mentioned on it. For e.g. these three hair products here, the Bhringamalakadi Tailam is Rakshak i.e. it prevents hair from greying, Hair Poshak Oil is obviously Poshak i.e it helps in growth and reduces hair fall and breakage and Dandruff Naashak Shampoo is again as the name suggests Nashak i.e destroy dandruff.

I like how they come in a cloth bag packaging. I have used the Hair Poshak oil twice yet and really liked it, I will use it a few more times before reviewing it. It has a blend of amla, rosemary, til oil and neem which helps in reducing hair fall and dandruff and also strengthens the hair follicles. Amla and sesame oil also help in conditioning hair and reduce split ends. When I used the Hair Poshak Oil before shampooing, hair was much more softer and there was reduction in hair fall while washing them too.

I loved the Headache Nashak Roll-On, if you follow me on twitter or Snapchat (@bhumika_t), you know I am suffering from terrible cold from the past few days and every night I get this unbearable headache, I tried this roll-on and I felt so much better. This is definitely going to be a part of my hand bag now. If you suffer from congestion, cold or frequent headaches coz of that, this is a must buy for you!

I tried the Dandruff Nashak Shampoo too, I use it once a week and have used it twice till now and already see the difference. It has rosemary oil as one of the ingredients which is anti fungal and anti bacterial and one of the few essential oils which help combat dandruff.

The pricing is pretty reasonable for Ayurvedic products coz all the natural and organic products are priced a little higher these days as they can’t and do not generally use the cheaper ingredients and all the blend of herbs and oils turns out to be a little expensive. All the Lever Ayush products are available online on Amazon India

I only did not like the fact that the complete ingredient list is missing, except for the Headache Nashak Roll-On, other products do not have ingredients mentioned.

Overall, I would say I am glad Lever Ayush has come up with products with age-old ayurvedic formulations. I am really looking forward to try the Narayana Tailam for my back aches and Suvarna Poshak cream.

Have you heard of Lever Ayush products? Tried any?