The soaring temperature has taken its toll. Sweltering heat has resulted in many deaths and heat strokes , that result in high fever and weakness. It is advised to increase the intake of water with the inclusion of fruits and green vegetables in the diet. Regular cleansing, toning, exfoliation, moisturizing and regular use of sunscreen before stepping into the sun is also recommended. Nature is a treasure trove of fruits, vegetables and herbs that are the key to healthy life.
– Mango Panna
Boil a raw mango and soak it in cold water. Once it’s cool, peel the skin off. Add some cumin seeds, salt, pepper, crushed mint leaves and adequate water. Blend until smooth. Consume at least three times a day.
– Lemonade
Prepare the age-old “nimboo paani” with lemon juice, sugar and chilled water. Drink as much as you can, especially when venturing out in the sun to combat dehydration and get instant energy.
– Yoghurt (‘lassi’ / buttermilk)
If you are fond of dairy products, include ‘lassi'(sweet / salted) or buttermilk in your daily diet. Yoghurt cools the stomach and aids in the digestion of food.
– Fruit juices
Have fruit juices in your favourite flavour (orange, pineapple, mango , watermelon, wood apple, or even cucumber ) as they boost your vitality and restore the electrolytes lost due to heat. Sweating leads to loss of minerals from the body.
– Water
Have at least 12 glasses of water to regain body’s moisture loss due to perspiration. Summer is the season that causes extreme dehydration and here arrives the necessity for drinking lots of water that is the most effective preventive measure. It is a thermostat, retaining heat or cooling you down with sweat. It provides a protective barrier, defending the body from all outside environmental influences, including extremes in temperature and exposure to disease organisms such as harmful bacteria and infections, wind and ultraviolet rays from sunshine.
– Peppermint oil
Apply peppermint oil to your temples to experience a soothing effect. The oil brings down the body temperature as it has cooling properties.
Avoid fried stuff like chips, wafers, junk food, white flour, sugar, spicy gravies, eggs, red meat, bajra and makai as they increase the body temperature. Jowar, wheat and rice are safer options.
HOME REMEDIES – SUNBURNS
Sunburns are characterised by reddening of skin, followed by severe blisters. If not treated on time, they can penetrate deep into the skin and cause extensive damage.
Here are a few home remedies that will help you to treat sunburns:
Aloe Vera :
Applying fresh Aloe Vera gel to the damaged area helps the epidermis of skin recover faster. The nutritive mineral zinc present in this healing plant is anti-inflammatory and prevents the skin from swelling.
Sandalwood :
Sandalwood has natural cooling properties. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties heal the blemishes on your skin and reduce the swelling and redness.
Cucumber :
For a soothing effect, place chilled cucumber slices on the burn or dab on some cucumber juice with the help of a cotton ball. You can even grate the chilled cucumber and apply it on the sunburns to reduce the inflammation.
Rose water :
Sunburns can be effectively treated by regularly washing your face with rose water. Rose water is a great natural skin toner and is cooling in nature. It reduces the swelling on your skin.
Yoghurt :
Yoghurt is both cooling and soothing. These properties provide the inflamed skin with temporary relief and also reduce the swelling.
Remember, when it comes to sunburn, prevention is better than cure. Make sure you reduce your exposure to the sun or cover your skin properly when you are out in the sun. Visit a skin specialist if your skin has been affected severely.