Calamine Powder

Although Calamine is not a clay, it's still a great powder used for masks, in soap and other cosmetic preparations.

Calamine is a mixture of Zinc (ZnO) with about 0.5% iron oxide (Fe₂O₃). It is the main ingredient in calamine lotion and is used as an antipruritic (anti-itching agent) to treat mild pruritic conditions such as sunburn, eczema, rashes, poison ivy, chicken pox, and insect bites and stings. It is also used as a mild antiseptic to prevent infections that can be caused by scratching the affected area, and an astringent to dry weeping or oozing blisters and acne abscesses

Here's a recipe for you to try at home. It clears the complexion, diminishes the blemishes from the skin and reduces oil.

Ingredients:

1 spoonful of Calamine powder

1 spoonful of Nutmeg Powder

Few drops of lemon juice

Method:

Mix everything together into a paste and apply it on the skin. Wash it off when dries.

Yerba Mate

A relative of the holly family, Yerba mate is a traditional South American drink grown primarily in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Southern Brazil. The dried, ground Yerba leaves are prepared in the 'mate' , which is Spanish for gourd...(most of the times it's made out of a small dried up pumpkin!)

'Mate' gourd with 'bombilla' or metal straw


A strong smoky tea, Yerba mate is loaded with vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B, C, E; iron; zinc; magnesium; calcium; potassium; sodium; manganese; and selenium. Yerba mate has also been known to increase the potency of other herbs and aid in natural weight loss.

Yerba mate is mildly caffeinated without the side effects. Steeping Time 7-10 minutes.

Click here for more info regarding the health benefits Yerba Tea