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Most of us are familiar with the Food Pyramid and how we need to focus on consuming more fruits and veggies. But did you know that berries can do more for you than fill your tummy? Here are five berries chock-full of antioxidants that can help you look and feel younger over time.
Blueberries – Smooths Wrinkles
Blueberries are chock-full of antioxidants and anti-aging compounds that can firm up skin and improve natural collagen production. It’s truly amazing that a single berry doesn’t just fill in age lines but also puts up a winning fight against cancer-causing free radicals. You can enjoy blueberries in every way—frozen, fresh, processed at home—and receive an astounding number of health benefits.
A topical application of blueberries massaged onto your facial skin can also do wonders. Try pureeing ¼ of a cup of fresh blueberries with 2 tbsp of organic coconut oil. Give the homemade facial cream 20 minutes to soak into your skin before washing it off with warm water.
Mulberries – Erases Age Spots
The go-to berry to erase age spots once and for all is mulberries. Mulberries behave like a mild whitening agent that brightens dark spots until they’re hardly noticeable. Those suffering from melasma—a skin condition where darkened splotches are found all over—might wan tot turn to mulberries as a completely natural way to erase discoloration and even your skin tone in no time.
Try mixing mashed mulberries and fresh, plain yogurt at a 1:2 ratio and dabbing the mixture on every blemish on your face, neck, and check. Wait for up to 10 minutes to give the mixture time to soak, then rinse with warm water.
Blackberries – Soothes Rashes
The amazing health benefits of blackberries isn’t new. These super-dark berries have been used in traditional medicines for centuries to cure an array of skin ailments. The antioxidants found in blackberries work as an anti-inflammatory agent to soothe redness and irritation quickly and effectively. Combine blackberries with the soothing effects of aloe vera, and you’ve got a home remedy for treating future rashes.
A 1:1 ratio of mushed blackberries and aloe vera gel will work wonders. Rub the solution onto the itchy part of your skin, leave it to sit for 15 minutes, rinse and repeat twice daily. Even though the itch might still be there after the first couple of applications, the redness should dissipate almost instantaneously.
Raspberries – Brightens Skin
Raspberries are chock-full of vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that also gives berries and citrus fruits their tartness. Vitamin C can help remove dead and dried skin cells, revealing soft, healthy, glowing skin under the surface. Raspberries can act as an exfoliator to improve your skin tone and even out your complexion in almost no time at all.
An excellent home remedy to brighten skin is by mixing a 2:1:1 ratio of mashed raspberries (deseeded if you prefer), sugar, and olive oil (EV or not, up to you). Rub the solution onto your skin with a dampened cloth and wait 60 seconds before rinsing.
Gooseberries – Thickens Hair
The vitamin content in gooseberries helps in improving circulation to your scalp and delivering much-need nutrients to promote thicker hair growth and stronger follicles. It might even be possible to straighten hair and decelerate greying with these vitamin-C-packed berries.
A 2:1 mix of pureed gooseberries and castor oil will both moisturize and thicken your hair at the roots. Give it half an hour to really soak in before washing rinse your hair with warm water.
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