(BlackDoctor.org) — Egyptians, were the first to use herbal extracts, plant essences and essential oils in all aspects of their lives to benefit mind, body and soul.
Milk
Milk is one of the most acclaimed beauty products around thanks to its softening and anti-aging properties.
Then: Nefertiti and Cleopatra are legendary for their natural and herbal beauty secrets. Both bathed in milk to beautify their skin, because the glycolic acid in the milk had a beneficial effect on wrinkles.
Now: Milk-based products for the bath and shower are used for everything from cleansing to moisturizing to masks.
Aloe
Aloe is, and always has been, a healing miracle.
Then: Both legendary queens also credited aloe as one of their most important beauty aids.
Now: Aloe is used in beauty products to keep skin soft, repair damaged hair and soothe sunburn. Aloe has a pH factor of 4.5, which makes it ideal in hair conditioning and shampoo products.
Honey
Honey is packed with antioxidant properties and is used to protect the skin from the damage of UV rays.
Then: Queen Anne of England used a honey and oil concoction to keep her long hair lustrous, thick and shiny. Hippocrates, the Greek physician, created honey-based cures for skin disorders.
Now: Beauty companies are increasingly using honey in cosmetics and skin care products, becauseit is a natural humectant; meaning it has properties that enable it to attract and preserve moisture.
Olive Oil
Olive oil prevent the loss of natural moisture.
Then: The ancient Greeks used Olive Oil as a beauty aid to soften and moisten the skin and to maintain a healthy scalp and shiny hair. In the Mediterranean olive oil was used to maintain skin and muscle suppleness, and soothe the burning and drying effects of sun and water.
Now: Olive oil is used in soaps, lotions and hair care products because of its moisturizing benefits.
Green Tea
The pH of green tea is quite close to the skin’s own pH level, making green tea one of the best beauty ingredients in the world.
Then: Japanese women washed their skin in green tea for silky-smooth skin and used it as a conditioner on the hair.
Now: Green tea is used particularly in products for the body, including lotions, bath oils and shower/bath gels.
Rose Petals
Roses are well known for their multiple beauty benefits, from softer skin to sensual fragrances.
Then: Native Americans made a paste out of rose petals to soften and heal skin. Egyptians macerated fresh roses in hot fat to produce fragrant pomades.
Now: Roses are used in beauty products to add moisture, soften and, of course, scent the skin.
Lavender
Lavender is well-known for its de-stressing properties, but this essential oil is also one of the best natural products to heal skin, especially burns.
Then: Queen Nephritis from Cairo used lavender for cleansing the pores of her skin. Indian women pampered their feet with lavender.
Now: lavender is used in beauty products as an antiseptic and as a fragrance.
Lemon
Lemons have the highest percentage of Vitamin C of all the fruits, which makes it one of the best beauty products to lighten, exfoliate and tone skin.
Then: Egyptians created beauty treatments with Lemon.
Now: Lemon is added to cosmetics because it is high in natural fruit acids, and rejuvenates skin naturally.
Mint
Mint is a refreshing and uplifting addition to any beauty regimen.
Then: The Japanese wore pomanders of mint leaves because of their refreshing scent. In the Middle Ages mint was used to whiten teeth.
Now: Mint is used as an antiseptic for its cooling and soothing properties.
Centuries of Beauty
Recipes for natural and herbal beauty care have been around for centuries; healing and beautifying the skin and body – confirming that natural beauty is about feeding your soul and skin.