bANANA dIY rECIPES
Bananas are yummy and I have never eaten one that was not sweet, and that’s because it consists mainly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose). Bananas also contain a good amount of fiber, which makes them a great energy booster. The banana is notorious for its good press. People who exercise like it, people who bake like it, people who love natural foods like it, and these days people who want healthy hair and skin are really into it.
Why are people so hyped about bananas? It could be that it contains tryptophan an amino acid that is converted to serotonin, a mood improver. So people who eat it just can’t help liking it. What else is so attractive about the banana? It contains potassium, iron, B Vitamins including B6 and B12 and it is good for a whole host of issues, including anemia, constipation and diarrhea, maintaining healthy bones and teeth, regulating blood pressure, kidney health, improved nerve function, and stress relief.
Even the peel of the banana is worthy of mentioning because it contains a number of antioxidants and can be used as home remedy to cure allergies, bruises, mosquito bites, skin irritation, warts, treating acne, and wrinkles. To use the peel in these situations, just apply a section of the banana peel to the affected areas and leave it on for half an hour everyday until there is noticeable change.
Banana rules for dry, itchy, flaky hair. It keeps hair hydrated and healthy. With regular use, a banana hair mask can increase the moisture content of your hair, smooth frizz, and soothe your itchy scalp.
Bananas are great natural moisturizers for your skin. The vitamin A present in bananas restores the lost moisture and repairs damaged, dull, and dry skin.
To instantly moisturize dry and dull skin, mash a ripe banana and apply it on your face. Avoid contact with the eyes. Leave it on for 20 to 25 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. You will instantly have soft and supple skin. If you have extremely dry and flaky skin, you can add honey to this face mask. This banana and honey mask also helps in getting rid of skin pigmentation.
Another easy face mask to get moisturized skin is to mash half a ripe banana and mix it with 1 tablespoon of yogurt and 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil. Apply it generously to a clean face and rinse it off after 30 minutes.
The moisturizing property of bananas can be used to get rid of cracked heels.
All you need to do is mash the pulp of two ripe bananas and apply to clean, dry feet. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse the feet with cold water. The banana pulp will penetrate deep into dry, cracked skin and give you soft and supple feet.
The nutrients in bananas can help calm the blood vessels under the eyes and reduce puffy eyes. All you need to do is mash half a banana and apply generously around the affected area. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, post which you can rinse with cool water. The potassium in the banana draws out the excess fluid from under the skin and gives relief.
You can also apply the banana peels instead of the mashed fruit. You can use a banana peel to treat acne.
Cut a small piece of the peel. Rub the inside of the peel gently over the acne affected area. Do this for about 5 minutes or until the inside of the peel turns brown. Let the banana on your skin dry out. Cleanse with lukewarm water. Repeat this at least 3 times a day for best results.
For itchy skin, simply rub the inside of the banana peel on the affected area, and you will find relief.
For treating warts and psoriasis, just apply the banana peel to the affected area and rub it for 10 to 15 minutes twice every day. You can use this in addition to your medication. However, do talk to your dermatologist for advice.
Banana Turmeric Coconut Oil Face Mask
This banana turmeric coconut oil face mask fights acne and moisturizes skin.
Coconut and turmeric coupled together make a good acne-fighting face mask, due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Banana hydrates and moisturizes skin. Here's some data on the benefits of turmeric and banana for skin:
Banana
Hydrating and moisturizing. Lightens skin tone. Reduces visibility of acne scars and blemishes. Fights wrinkles and fine lines. Smoothens out rough skin.
Turmeric
Acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Has antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-aging properties. Fights off acne and pimples. Lightens and brightens dull skin. Evens out skin discolorations.
Tips:
Select ripe or overripe bananas so that its easier to mash into a lump free paste.
Turmeric will not stain your face yellow since we're using just a pinch. It will stain your fingernails, though.
To remove the yellow stains, use a nailbrush and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Scrub gently for a minute and enjoy your exfoliated nails!
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1/2 ripe banana
A pinch of turmeric
Directions:
Mash up 1/2 ripe banana using the back of a fork.
Stir in the coconut oil and turmeric to form a consistent mixture.
Slather the mixture onto your clean face. Let it settle for 15 minutes.
Rinse off with cool water. Pat dry.
Banana Hair Mask (Honey Version)
There are many different variations to this recipe and they all work nicely. This is the honey version. Please note, to avoid little chunks of banana hovering all over your hair strands, you need to puree the banana in a food processor properly. Do not apply it if you see any chunks or strings at all.
Ingredients:
3 ripe bananas (over ripe is best)
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons yogurt
1 tablespoon milk (optional)
Directions: Blend these ingredients thoroughly in a food processor or blender. If you need to add liquid, add a tablespoon of milk. Rinse hair with warm water before you apply the mixture and lightly pat it to remove excess water.
Add the mixture to the hair massaging the mixture into your scalp as you add, and leave on for an hour or more under a plastic cap, and then a towel for added heat. Rinse out and shampoo and condition as you wish.
You can add other things to this recipe like your essential oils or carrier oil. An addition of coconut oil or olive oil can really jazz up this mixture.
facial
Banana Face Mask
The ironic thing about this face mask is that the hair mask above can be used on the face too and vice versa, and if you have leftovers you can eat it too. That’s what makes natural hair care products so attractive, it can be eaten and worn on the hair and face. The following face mask involves three ingredients that will enhance the facial tone. Do not throw away your banana peel.
Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
1 tsp Vitamin E oil
1-tablespoon yogurt
Directions: Blend all the ingredients together. Apply generously to damp face and relax for half an hour. Rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm water and do your final rinse with cold water.
To kick up the facial a notch, place the banana peel over the eye area (like you would a cucumber) or place it over areas where you have wrinkles or frown lines. Do this every other day and see the difference.
- Danielle Lasit