Sarika is the CEO and Co- founder of Lavish Life. She is a seasoned entrepreneur with a life long love for wellness. Her mission in life is to empower people to live their best lives. She is the host and producer of an international show on Sony Entertainment Television called Andaaz.
As a child in America, I would sift through my grandmother's drawers to get a taste of her home in India. Her bangles, paisley scarves and clothing had a lingering scent of a far off and exotic place she called home. As I immersed myself in Bollywood movies, I longed for that beautiful long thick black hair, those vibrant eyes and radiant skin that the actresses possessed on screen. "How does Rekha have such long, beautiful hair and pretty skin?" I would ask my grandmother. Rekha, an iconically beautiful and talented actress, was admired by all Indians. My grandmother would take me to the kitchen and create a concoction of Amla, Coconut and Castor oils and heat it lightly on the stove. She would then take this warm oil and massage it into my scalp. I loved this bonding experience and would day-dream about having thick, black hair like Rekha.
Hair Oil Treatment
2 tbspAmlaOil
2 tbsp Coconut Oil
2 tbsp Castor Oil
Heat the ingredients in a pan until lukewarm.
Massage scalp and saturate the ends of your hair.
Keep on for 30 minutes or more.
Shampoo and Condition.
While the oil soaked in my hair we made a paste of yogurt, MultaniMitti and rose water. MultaniMitti is a secret beauty remedy from the then-Indian city of Multan (present day Pakistan) which clears blemishes, exfoliates, and draws out impurities while making the complexion smooth and bright. We put this paste on our faces and let it dry into a hard mask. My grandmother, and mother, have used this since their childhood and their skin radiates to this day. This ancient ingredient is now known as "Fuller's Earth" and is commonly used in beauty products. Together, we would sip on a warm cup of turmeric and lemon water and let these amazing natural ingredients do their magic.
Multani Mitti Face Mask
2 tbsp Fuller's Earth clay
1 tbsp Rose water
1 tbsp yogurt
Mix ingredients into a thick paste. Apply liberally to the face. Let the mask dry for about 15 mins or more. Wash with warm water.
As I grew older, I began to wonder why these magic potions had so much power. Here is what I discovered. According to the 2,000-year-old tradition of Ayurveda, herbs heal the mind, body and soul. Not only does amla strengthen the hair but it's also rich in vitamin C which promotes vitality, brain health and supports the immune system. Coconut oil give your hair shine, prevents dandruff and relieves stress. Castor oil helps your hair grow long, shiny and thick while boosting immunity with an infusion of Omega 6 fatty oils. Massaging these wonderful oils into your scalp on a weekly basis is a complete mind, body, beauty and health experience. Another little secret is to rub this blend all over your entire body and soak in the nutrients every week.
Sipping a cup of warm turmeric and lemon tea helps reduce inflammation in the body, calms the mind and helps with weight loss. It's now a widespread beauty secret among many Hollywood celebrities.
Lemon Turmeric Tea
1 tbsp powdered Turmeric
½ Lemon
Combine ingredients with hot water. Most effective when consumed early in the morning.
A real star has a vibrant energy and feels beautiful inside and out. All of us can be that star. The experience of dreaming, love, ancient remedies and music is a Sunday tradition that will stay with me for life and that I will pass on to future generations.
