There are two types of people when it comes to cucumbers: the ones who love them, and the ones who hate them. It’s not often that you hear a person say, “I guess they’re okay, I really don’t mind them.” If you knew all of the things you could do with cucumbers, even if you hated the taste, you would find yourself putting them in your basket at the grocery store. They are cheap, readily available, and totally green. You can even grow your own supply!
Cucumbers are cooler than you think…
This post is not only about cucumber being a healthy food and the benefits you get from consuming it – but also about the many, everyday uses for wellness, personal hygiene and lasting beauty secret.
Cucumbers come from the same plant family as pumpkin, melons, zucchini and other squashes and contain most of the vitamins you need every day.
The cucumber is well known as the best natural diuretic and is very beneficial for sufferers of kidney and urinary bladder disease.The high potassium content makes it very useful for high and low blood pressure conditions.
Erepsin, the enzyme that helps to digest protein is present in cucumbers.
They also have a high silicon and sulphur content which promotes hair growth. Other nutrients help to prevent splitting of nails of the fingers and toes.
A mixture of cucumber juice with carrot juice is said to be beneficial for rheumatic conditions and gout, which are a result of an excessive uric acid level in the body.
Cucumber juice is also valuable for helping diseases of the teeth and gums, especially in cases of pyorrhea.
Other helpful uses for cucumber:
Do you ever wonder why women put cucumbers on their eyes to relieve puffiness?
The photochemical in cucumbers makes the collagen in your skin tighten, thus the lack of puffiness.
Did you know that you can rub a cucumber on a problematic spot of cellulite anywhere on your body to lessen the visibility of it? Did you also know that it has the same effect on wrinkles?
Wow, it makes purchasing those fifty dollar creams seem a little silly, doesn’t it? You can also rub a little bit under your kiddo’s eyes after a long bout of crying to avoid that puffy ‘I cried for an hour straight’ look.
(To use cucumbers as an eye treatment, grab a cold cucumber from the refrigerator and cut two thick slices. Find a comfortable place to relax and set the cucumbers over your closed eyes for about 10 to 15 minutes).
2. Defogger:
Do you get annoyed when you get out of the shower and you have to fight the fog on the mirror? Who has time for that when the kids will be awake at any moment? Try rubbing a slice of cucumber on the mirror before you hop in and not only will you get a fog-free mirror, but you’ll have a spa-like fragrance that will boost your mood.
3. Headaches: Suffer from headaches from multiple business meetings, chasing your babies all day, or had a little too much wine with dinner and want to avoid a hangover?
Eat half of a cucumber before bed and wake up refreshed and headache free.
Cucumbers are high in B vitamins, sugar, and electrolytes, and they replenish the nutrients missing in your body to help you avoid a hangover or to beat that headache that’s been threatening to take over.
4. WD-40 replacement: Did you know you can get rid of a squeak by rubbing a cucumber on the hinge?
Wow, now you don’t have to tear your garage apart looking for that little can with the red straw, and the baby won’t wake up when you slowly open the nursery door to check on him.
5. Crayon on the walls (Excellent eraser): Cucumber works great on crayons and markers.
Take an unpeeled cucumber and rub the crayon off of the walls in the event that your kiddo left you some art. You can also use this technique to erase a pen mistake.
6. Halitosis killer: Just finished a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints?
Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the photochemical that you love for cellulite and puff reduction will also kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath
7. Tarnish remover: If you’re finding tarnish on your stainless steel kitchen faucets and appliances?
Rub it off with a cucumber slice.
Not only will it remove years of tarnish, it will leave it streak free and your hands will thank you, and your kids won’t be put at risk from a dangerous chemical.
8. Energy booster:
If you’re feeling tired in the afternoon, don’t give Starbucks your five bucks.
Instead, grab a cucumber.
There are just enough carbohydrates and B vitamins to give you a longer-lasting and healthier boost of energy than soda, coffee, or those health hazard energy drinks.
9. Munchy madness:
Did you know that European trappers ate cucumbers for energy and to keep from starving to death?
If those big burly manly men can eat a cucumber to keep from starving, you can eat one as a healthy choice when the munchies hit.
Slice some up and take them in a small plastic container to the movies if your theater doesn’t offer healthy alternatives to munching on butter soaked popcorn.
10. Frugal facial:
Slice up a cucumber and boil it in a pot of water.
The chemicals inside of the cucumber will mix with the steam.
Remove the pot from heat and lean over it, letting the steam hit you.
Your skin will be more radiant and healthy, and you will feel relaxed and rejuvenated.
11. Shoe polish:
Cut a slice off of your cucumber and rub it on your shoe.
It will not only shine it up, but it will repel water.
12. Pest control:
Put three or four slices of cucumber in a small pie tin and place them in your garden.
The chemicals in the cucumber have a reaction that pests hate.
You won’t smell it, but it will drive them from your garden all year long.
Replace them periodically.
13. Sunburn:
Sometimes sun block doesn’t always protect your little ones from sunburn.
If you have burnt little kiddos you don’t have any aloe, rub some cucumber on them. Many doctors even use cucumber to treat patients with irritated skin and sunburns.
14. Blood pressure:
Cucumber has been long used to treat high blood pressure. If you have it, add cucumbers to your daily diet.
There is also ongoing research into the use of cucumbers for lowering cholesterol.
15. Constipation remedy:
The seeds of a cucumber are a diuretic.
If you’re constipated, try eating a cucumber.
If you suffer from chronic constipation, add cucumber to your daily diet.
Here are some helpful beauty formulas using cucumber.
Cucumber juice is often recommended as a source of silica to improve the complexion and health of the skin, plus cucumber’s high water content makes it naturally hydrating — a must for glowing skin.
Make a cucumber toner
Cucumber is very mild and works well for all skin types. If you ever wake up feeling like your face is a little puffy, this toner is your best bet for calming and tightening your skin.
1/2 cucumber with peel, chopped
3 tablespoons witch hazel
2 tablespoons distilled water
Put all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove all of the solids, then pour the toner into a clean bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Store this toner in the refrigerator for a longer shelf life — it should last for several weeks. To use, apply the toner to your face using a clean cotton ball.
•Make a cucumber avocado facial mask
Simple yet sumptuous treats for your face.
1/2 cup chopped cucumber
1/2 cup chopped avocado
1 egg white
2 teaspoons powdered milk
Blend all the ingredients together until they form a smooth, paste-like consistency.
The mask can either be used immediately or left in the fridge for half an hour first. Massage 2 tbsp of the mask onto face and neck using circular upward motions. Relax for 30 minutes, or until the mask is dry.
Rinse off with warm water, then follow with a cold water rinse. Pat dry.
•Make a cucumber and yogurt mask
This one is good for combination skin:
1/2 cucumber
1 tbsp plain/natural yogurt
Puree the cucumber in a blender.
Mix in the yogurt. Apply all over face and neck. Relax for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, then follow with a splash of cold water.
•Make a cucumber anti-blemish face mask
1-inch chunk of cucumber
1 drop rosemary essential oil
1 egg white
Whizz the cucumber in a blender until it becomes completely liquid, then add the drop of rosemary essential oil.
Whisk the egg white until stiff, fold in the cucumber mixture and smooth over the face avoiding the eyes and mouth area.
Remove after 15 minutes using a clean, damp washcloth.
•Refresh with a cucumber skin tonic
Chop 1 cucumber and puree in a blender with 4 tablespoons mint.
Strain off the juice and store in the fridge.
The tonic will keep for 24 hours in the fridge.
To increase its life add 1 teaspoon vodka.
•Mix cucumber with honey for a cucumber-honey toner
1 medium cucumber, peeled and cut up into pieces
2 teaspoon honey
Puree cucumber in a blender.
Line a sieve with cheesecloth and set the sieve over a glass bowl or measuring cup.
Pour the cucumber puree through the sieve and let it stand for 15 minutes for the juices to drip into the bowl.
Pour the clear juice into a clean bottle and add honey.
To use, shake the bottle and saturate a cotton pad with the lotion.
Sweep over face, neck and chest morning and night, and let it air dry (about 3 to 4 minutes).
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Makes about 1/2 cup.
•Condition chlorine-damaged hair
This conditioner is said to work wonders on hair damaged by routine swimming in chlorinated water:
1 egg
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 quarter of a peeled cucumber
Blend the egg, olive oil and peeled cucumber.
Spread evenly through your hair, leave on for 10 minutes, then thoroughly rinse.
For the best results year-round, continue this treatment monthly.
Isn’t cucumber awesome!!!
Source: www.bubblews.com
