Banana Magic

Shahnaz Husain *

Bananas are the most consumed fruit in India, and have been one of the most widely consumed exotic fruits by humans for thousands of years. Bananas are a cheap and widely accessible fruit worldwide. Bananas are more than just a tasty snack. A fruit available at any time of year, bananas contain around 75% water, which means they're great for hydrating skin and preventing it from drying out or peeling.

Bananas contain nutrients that are essential for a healthy epidermis, including high levels of vitamins A, C, E and B6, which help to delay visible ageing signs.

Whether you’re eating it or applying it to your skin or hair, bananas can work wonders to give you a radiant complexion and hydrating, healthy locks. Bananas can be made into a pulp and applied to the face. Rubbing a banana peel on your face to brighten skin and reduce wrinkles.

They can also be added to fruit packs. Bananas have a tightening effect on the skin and also help to nourish it. They revitalise dry and rough skin, making it softer and smoother. Egg yolk or curd may be added to mashed bananas and applied as a face pack. For normal to dry skin, add one teaspoon of pure glycerin or honey to the banana pack. Almond oil may also be added to the banana hair pack.

Banana helps to treat puffiness in the eyes. Peel a banana, place the skin on your eye contours and leave for 15-20 minutes. The potassium in bananas absorbs excess fluid accumulated under the skin and immediately reduces swelling.

Bananas can be made into a pulp and applied to the hair like a pack. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes and then wash it off. Banana and honey face masks combat dryness and restore moisture to the skin. Mash half a ripe banana. Add 1 tablespoon of honey and mix to make a smooth paste. Apply evenly on your face and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Egg yolk or curd may be added to mashed bananas and applied to the face or hair. Wash it off after 20 to 30 minutes. If the hair is very dry, add one teaspoon of pure glycerin or honey to the banana pack. Almond oil may also be added to the banana hair pack.

Bananas can also be mixed with other fruits and made into a hair pack. For example, you can add grated apple, ripe papaya pulp and oranges. Papaya contains enzymes that help to cleanse the scalp and remove dandruff flakes. Oranges restore the normal acid-alkaline balance, while apples contain pectin and have a cleansing and toning effect.

It’s a good idea to give the hair a massage with warm oil and then apply the pack. You can use pure almond oil or olive oil. After applying the pack, put on a shower cap to allow the scalp and hair to absorb the ingredients. Keep it on for half an hour and then wash off with lukewarm water.

Bananas are quite beneficial for oily skin. If you are facing an oily skin issue, then Grate 1/4 of a papaya, 1/4 of a cucumber, and 1/2 of a banana to make a smooth paste. After applying the paste to your face and neck, wait 15 minutes. After that, thoroughly wash it with warm water.

Bananas can offer remedies for acne and pimples.

Mash half a banana in a jar together with 1 tsp of turmeric or 1 tbsp of neem powder or paste. Make a smooth paste by thoroughly mixing all the ingredients. Apply the paste to the face and neck, and wash with clean and fresh water after 20 minutes.

Use it under the eyes

Some keep the peel in the refrigerator for a few minutes and then place the inner side under the eyes to cool and relax the skin.

Add it to homemade scrubs

People may dry the peel, grind it into powder, and mix it with oatmeal or yoghurt to make a natural scrub.