Do you desire gorgeous tresses and radiant skin? Lotus flower is all you need. The use of natural products and herbs has become an essential part of beauty care. Many of these herbs have great importance in today's skincare industry. Many skincare products are known to be fortified with these herbs.
Lotus has great importance in skin care. Different parts of this herb (seeds, stem, roots, flower, stigma) are used in the formulation of numerous skin care products.
Lotus flower for skin acts as an anti-acne, anti-wrinkle, skin brightener, anti-bacterial, skin coolant, emollient and stress reducer.
Let's explore the skin and hair care benefits of lotus in deep -
- What is lotus flower?
- Lotus Flower Health Benefits
- Lotus Flower Benefits For Skin
- Lotus Flower Benefits For Hair
- FAQs
What is lotus flower?
Lotus is an aquatic, perennial plant with amazing wide leaves and various colored flowers (Pink lotus, blue lotus and white lotus).
The scientific name of Lotus is Nelumbo nucifera and also known as water lily.
It is the national flower of India and Vietnam, also in ancient Egypt, the lotus symbolizes the sun, creation and rebirth.
The amazing health, skin and hair care properties of lotus are due to its essential oil & phytoextracts.
Being enriched with these health-benefited chemicals, lotus plants exhibit potent health, skincare and hair care benefits.
Lotus Flower Health Benefits
Lotus flower is widely used as an essential component of many medicinal cultures for various therapeutic purposes. The whole plant is used to treat the problems like fever, insomnia, gastritis and diarrhea. It also helps in maintaining body homeostasis.
Lotus Flower Benefits For Skin
The active ingredients of lotus flowers provide extensive skincare benefits. Lotus extract can be used in any kind of skin essentials with a particular action on skin rejuvenation.
Flavonoids present in the lotus flower are extensively used in skin care formulations due to their potential antibacterial and antioxidant activities.
1. Cell regeneration activity
This activity possessed by the lotus flower and lotus seed is due to the potent carbohydrate content present in it. The major skin care carbohydrate that plays an important role in this is oligosaccharide. These are known to stimulate the skin cells which aids in regeneration and improves cytokine production. Normalizing cytokine production helps to maintain the normal function of the epidermal barrier and collagen and elastin synthesis.
Consequently, cell regeneration, and hence stimulation of this system, takes place, thus resulting in an anti-aging action. Because of such cell regeneration properties, they are also useful for anti-acne, anti-aging creams and anti-irritant treatments. Thus, sacred flower extract is recommended in regenerating, moisturizing and emollient cosmetic formulations.
Read about anti-aging cream benefits.
2. Antioxidant activity
The flavonoids of lotus flowers by possessing scavenging free radicals action and iron chelating action exhibit potent antioxidant activity. The flavonoids of this flower are known to impede the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These flavonoids are also known to enhance the antioxidant enzyme activity and endogenous antioxidant availability.
The lotus flower by possessing potential antioxidant properties is known to revive and rejuvenate the skin.
3. Blood circulation stimulatory activity
The flavonoids of this flower also act as vein-active agents by reducing permeability and improving the blood capillaries resistance. These phytochemicals exhibit great affinity for proteins like elastin and collagen.
That is why, this flower hydrates, moisturizes, improves skin elasticity, skin collagen, blood circulation and reduces wrinkles and fine lines. This is also known to improve the blood circulation of the scalp, the volume and the elasticity of brittle hair.
4. Body sculpture activity
Lotus flowers improve skin integrity and are significantly used for their sculpture activity. For instance, body firming products or anti-cellulite treatments.
5. Depigmentation
The whole lotus plant also exhibits potent de-pigmenting properties. This helps to fade the sun spots, age spots and pigmented areas of the skin.
Lotus Flower Benefits For Hair
1. Nourishes the scalp
Lotus flower being enriched with certain minerals like iron, copper and vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin B aid to strengthen the scalp when used in form of oil or extract. Along with this, its massage helps to improve the blood flow of the scalp and helps to condition it.
The lotus oil or extract is also known to soothe the scalp, and reduce inflammation, which eventually helps to calm the scalp, and lowers the chances of any itching and dandruff.
2. Aids in hair thinning problem
The seeds of the lotus flower have the power to repair the damaged hair protein. By doing so, this flower is known to strengthen the hair, improve overall hair health and aid in resolving the problem of thinning hair.
3. Makes hair smooth & shiny
The lotus flower reduces scalp and hair irritation, and helps to keep hair managed, free from friction and frizz-free. This makes hair smooth and more healthy.
4. Prevents greying of hair
The Lotus flower itself is a potent antioxidant, which detoxifies the body, skin and hair and prevents free radicals and oxidative stress. Other than this, being rich in nutrients needed by the hair, this flower is known to stimulate melanin, the pigment that imparts colour to the skin and hair. This seriously makes this flower helpful in keeping hair protected from being grey.
5. Improves hair tensile strength
The lotus hair benefits do not end here. By reviving hair protein, this flower strengthens the hair structure and therefore the tensile strength as well. Especially the blue lotus flower significantly helps to improve hair tensile strength.
How to Use Lotus Flowers For Skin & Hair?
1. For Brighter Skin
Soak some lotus leaves in the water. After soaking well, take them out from the water, grind them, add a little milk, and honey. Apply it on your face and leave the mixture for half an hour and rinse the face with lukewarm water. Apply ultra-hydrating moisturizer or a good skin-brightening cream afterwards.
2. For acne-prone oily skin
Make the paste of lotus flower leaves (lotus leaf) and add a pinch of turmeric to it. Apply the paste on the affected area (acne) or the whole face. Rinse the face after some time with normal water.
3. For Glowing Skin
Take lotus flowers and mash the petals using pestle mortar. Add about 1 tablespoon of water during the process. Afterwards, add 1 tablespoon of masoor dal powder and milk.
Mix well the mixture and apply it to the face. Leave for about 20 minutes and rinse using normal water. Afterwards, apply vitamin C serum.
Include lotus flower enriched home remedies into your skincare routine to get amazing skin.
4. For Stronger Scalp & Hair
Lotus essential oil has potent hair care properties. Its regular application can give your hair the strength and care they need. Along with this, this oil also keeps frizzy hair calm.
Apply the lotus oil along with some carrier oil. Take 2-3 tablespoons of carrier oil (coconut oil, jojoba oil) and add 3-4 drops of lotus essential oil. Mix well and apply onto the scalp, massage and keep it as it is for about 2 to 3 hours.
Lotus flower also works synergistically with other natural ingredients to keep hair dense and healthy.
You need amla, bhringraj and lotus flower powder in equal quantities. Mix all the powder and make a fine paste by adding water to it. Apply the paste onto the scalp and hair. Leave for about an hour. Do this remedy once a week for effective results.
Take Away
The lotus flower is not only sacred for spirituality but also for its untold benefits for skin and hair. It is a popular cosmetic ingredient because of its anti-aging, skin-brightening, cooling, and calming qualities. Lotus and its extracts are found in several skin and hair care products. Include it in your regular skin and hair routine to maintain healthy skin and hair.
FAQs
Q. Is Lotus Flower Good For Skin?
Ans. Being enriched with potent antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins and polyphenols, lotus flowers are a boon for the skin. It enhances skin integrity, elasticity and makes skin radiant and young.
Q. What Happens If You Eat Lotus?
Ans. All parts of the flower can be consumed. You can use this flower in any form as the main ingredient or as a topping.
Q. Is blue lotus flower good for hair?
Ans. Like a common lotus flower, blue lotus also has significant benefits for hair. It strengthens the hair, improves its elasticity, revives hair protein and regains hair tensile strength.
Q. Which lotus flower is best for skin?
Ans. The blue lotus flower is frequently found in products made for those who are prone to redness or irritation as a result of its calming properties. However, because it aids in maintaining skin's equilibrium, it may also be used on all skin types.
