The humble potato is the world’s fourth largest food crop that is widely used in culinary cultures across the globe. Though it has become a staple food in several parts of the world yet most people think of French fries and aloo paratha when they think of potatoes.
The benefits of the fat, round vegetable are nothing short of superb, beauty expert Shahnaz Husain says.
Potatoes are rich source of many nutrients like vitamins A, C and B, minerals, antioxidants, iron, phosphorous, dietary fibers and can also be used as effective and easy remedy for variety of beauty and skin care problems apart from making vegetables.
Potato contains mild bleaching properties which treat hyper pigmentation and lighten the skin in the long term. Potato contains an enzyme called ‘catecholase’ which brightens skin and removes dark spots from face while Vitamin C in it boosts collagen production that helps to reduce premature ageing, prevents wrinkles, black heads and other skin problems.
Potatoes are one of the most favourite foods and yet, are eliminated when one wants to lose weight. But modern research has shown that the vegetable has such nutritional values and several benefits which do not lead to weight gain if one pays attention to some aspects. For example, potato cooked with the skin (in the jacket) has more nutrients and does not lead to weight gain.
Also, new potatoes are said to have fewer calories and can be cooked with the skin. New potatoes are said to be more nutritious. In fact, doctors say that we should eat complex carbohydrates such as potatoes and avoid simple carbohydrates like sugar, biscuits and confectionary items.
As far as benefits are concerned, drinking potato juice is said to be the treatment for many ailments. It can also be taken in combination with other juices. External application of potato is also recommended for many skin problems.
Potatoes help to clear skin blemishes. In fact, in the olden days, potato juice was applied on skin conditions like eczema due to its healing effect. Potato slices can be used to wipe the skin in rashy conditions. Potato juice can also be applied on the face. It has a skin tightening effect. In fact, potato is said to help sun-damaged skin, soothing sunburn and even removing tan.
It is also known to reduce puffiness around the eyes and is most commonly used for this purpose.
Potato juice, mixed with cucumber juice, can be applied daily under the eyes. Wash off with plain water after 15 minutes. This helps to lighten under-eye dark circles and also reduces puffiness under the eyes.
Potato peels are said to darken the hair. It is also said to give attractive highlights to the hair. The potato peels should be boiled in water. Cool and strain. Then use the water to rinse the hair after your shampoo.
Home Beauty Care with Potato:
To delay visible ageing signs, like wrinkles, apply potato juice daily on the skin and wash it off with plain water after 20 minutes.
Peeled potatoes can be blended and then used to gently massage the face for a few minutes. Then rinse with cool water. This helps to remove dark spots on the skin and cleanses it.
To moisturise the skin, grate potato and mix it with curd. Apply the paste on your face and leave it on for 20 minutes. Wash well with plain water.
For oily skin, mix potato juice with multani mitti and rose water into a paste. Apply on the face, avoiding the lips and area around eyes. Wash it off when it dries. This reduces oiliness and minimises dark pimple marks.
Grate potato and cucumber and mix it with ripe papaya pulp and yogurt.
Apply on the face and wash it off
after 20 to 30 minutes. It helps to cleanse and brighten the skin and also removes tan.
Potato juice can be applied on rashy skin. Wash it off after 15 to 20 minutes. Thin potato slices can be applied on acne eruptions to control the condition.
Mix potato juice with honey and apply on dark pigmented patches on the face daily. Wash it off after 20 minutes.