Natural Coolant for the Eye

Nature is always there to rescue us. During these pandemic times, most of us are glued to computer screens, Television, mobile phones and various electronic devices. Gazing at these continuously leads to Dry Eye phenomenon resulting in itching of the eye, rashes, redness in the eye, and various other eye-related problems. A natural remedy for keeping the eye cool and preventing dryness is using CASTOR-OIL. It is freely available. Just apply a few drops and it ensures that the eyes stay moistened and cool. 

How to Grow Ginger - A super plant to grow in India

Ginger forms a part of everyday cooking in India. Called as adhrak in Hindi and Injee in Tamil, ginger is usually crushed and added to any dish to spice it up. Ginger tea is famous too. Its medicinal properties are well know and ginger helps clear common cold as well as digestion problems. 

Ginger plants

How to Grow Ginger
Growing ginger is very easy. When you hop to the vegetable store, look for ginger which has small sprouts coming out of it. 
Soak the ginger with sprouts in warm water overnight. 
Loosen up soil and plant the ginger with the sprouts facing upwards. 
And all you have to do now is water it and wait for it to grow. Soon, in less than a week, you will find the plant with few thin sharp leaves , and lo.. the ginger plant has started growing.

After 45 days, you can harvest and take the ginger. Be sure to now plant back a small part so that you can get more ginger soon!

For those who have grown Turmeric, you will find a lot of similarity to Ginger - the way the roots are, the growing pattern and all. 

Roses - Symbolizing the stark reality of life

A stroll into the garden this morning and my mind became cheerful - roses of five different colors greeted me.

I love roses - they are so good to look and beneath the surface, they symbolize the stark truth of life . These beautiful flowers with soft colorful petals growing cheerfully in the midst of sharp thorns - just like how to attain success in life, we need to strive hard and literally walk on a path filled with thorns. Our whole life resembles a collection of hard work and some failures, interspersed with some beautiful successes and joys.

Tamilnadu is a state with a very short winter - its cold only towards the end of November and upto early February. Somehow, these rose plants seem to love the cold conditions and there are several flowers in all the rose plants. The plants are also booming with buds. Each day, I await the morning stroll in the garden to catch a glimpse of the roses and count the numbers of these beautiful flowers. Among the different varieties, I love the 'Paneer Rose' - it gives such a beautiful aroma. Its called Gulab in Hindi and Pale Rose in English.
Beyond its beautiful looks and fragrance,  the soft and shiny petals of the paneer rose have medicinal properties. It cures stomach aches and clears the intestines from parasites as well. The petals are crushed to make a beautiful scent called Rose Water, which is offered in Abhisheka to the deities in Hindu Temples. 

Natural beauty - Preventing hair-loss - a homemade garden product

Hibiscus hair oil is believed to help make ones hair grow nicely - thick and strong. It prevents dandruff and hair-loss.
How to make homemade hibiscus hair oil
Get five flowers. You can use fresh as well one day old flowers. Take 3 fresh leaves also. chop these ingredients into small pieces. Using a mixer/grinder just crush it. No need to make it a paste. You can get 1/2 cup of it, accordingly add more flowers if needed.Then put this mix into a heating bowl or pan. Add 1 cup of your favorite oil which you uses on hair. May be you can choose coconut oil. Mix well. Heat it in low flame. Now when the fumes starts coming add three leaves of tulsi if you have. And add few grains of corn or rice or fenugreek and see it pops up. At that time switch of the flame. Allow it to cool. Sieve the homemade hibiscus hair oil into a glass bottle.Before bathing warm the oil and apply on hair and scalp and do a massage. Wait for 10 min. and take a bath. If you use this homemade hibiscus hair oil at least once in a week consistently that will hep your hair to grow well.
Tips:

• Do not add water to crush the leaves and flowers. If you use mixer/grinder then add little oil to if you need to ,make a paste.
• The more you boil, the longer the oil can be preserved.