Benefits of Cucumber

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 Some astonishing uses of cucumber:

Want to release stress after hectic routine?

Cucumbers contain carbohydrates and B vitamins so they help providing instant energy and you feel fresh.

Cucumber provides most of vitamins you need

Yes cucumbers are a great source of vitamins including B vitamins, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

Cucumbers pamper your planting beds

Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long.

Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower?

Rub a cucumber slice along the mirror. It will eliminate the fog and will provide a soothing fragrance.

Cucumbers cure hangover or terrible headache

As discussed earlier cucumber contain carbohydrates and various vitamins so these replenish essential nutrients the body  has lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, and avoiding both a hangover and headache. Just eat some slices of cucumber before going to bed.

Want to polish your shoes urgently?

Rub a cucumber slice along your shoes it will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

You have finished your lunch and have no gum or mints?

By pressing a clice of cucumber on the roof of your mouth with your tongue, you can kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

 Health Benefits of Cucumber:

    Cucumber is a great use for the persons suffering from diseases like kidney and urinary bladder disease, liver disease, pancreatic disease, high and low blood pressure. Cucumber, radish and bitter gourd are beneficial in diabetes. Cucumbers promote the flow of urine. It helps diseases of teeth, gums, splitting of nails of the fingers and toes. Cucumber promotes the growth of hair, especially when the juice of the cucumber is added to the juice of carrot, lettuce and spinach.

Do you know?

Cucumber is a great lucky thing for your beauty care. Here is a bundle of beauty tips all about your beauty and cucumber.

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, and then thoroughly rinse. For the best results year-round, continue this treatment monthly.

Cucumber as a cooling Relief:

            If you have sunburn or the “itchies” from bug bites or poison ivy, this is just about the simplest way to find cooling relief that we’ve ever run across. It’s refreshing, draws out the itch, and it isn’t messy. All it takes is cucumber. Experience it.

1. Thinly slice 3-5 cucumbers and place on a plate.

2. Lie face down in a comfortable position in a warm place. Have a friend place cucumber slices all over the back side of your body, so they are just touching but not overlapping. Use about half the total slices.

3. Rest quietly for 10 to 20 minutes to allow the cucumber slices and juice to penetrate your skin.

4. Remove the slices.

5. Turnover and apply the rest of the slices to your front side. Relax for 10 to 20 minutes. You may want to rinse off afterwards, but it is best not to shower for at least four hours, as the cucumber will continue to work on the skin during that time.
When the dog days of summer call for cooling relief, wise beauties call on cucumber for the coolest ways to nourish and tone skin that may be stressed from exposure to sun and heat.

Cucumber is the perfect treat for summer skin: Reduce that heat-induced greasy feeling, soothe itchiness, tighten pores, reduce eye puffiness, and reveal truly radiant, dewy-fresh skin with the cooling, refreshing ways of cucumber. Here are the easy formulas:

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 avocado facial mask 

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 anti-blemish face mask
From the book, "The Ultimate Natural Beauty Book" by Jo Fairley
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.

Cucumber water:

            Slice and quarter about 1/4 to 1/2 a cucumber, put it in a glass and fill with water. It is really good and refreshing. It is also wonderful for your skin working from the inside out. You can also do this with green tea ginger ale. Yummy and good for you!

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.

Clear Skin Mask:

                If you are occasionally troubled by blemishes, this easy mask will help to prevent them.

Place the following in a blender and blend until smooth:
1/2 cucumber, peeled
1 tablespoon instant nonfat dry milk
1 teaspoon plain yogurt

Apply to face and leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Cucumber Astringent:
            An easy way to reduce oily shine:
Coarsely chop 1/2 a cucumber, peeled, and place in a blender; blend until smooth. Apply liberally to face and allow staying on for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and pat face dry.

Nourishing Cucumber-Avocado Facial Mask:

            This magic formula does it all: nourishes, tightens pores, and helps slough off dead skin cells to reveal fresher skin.

Place the following ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth:

1/2 cup coarsely chopped peeled cucumber

1/2 cup coarsely chopped peeled avocado

1 egg white

2 teaspoons powdered milk

Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then apply to face and neck. Leave the mask in place for 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Splash cool water on after that, then gently pat dry.

Quick Fix for Puffy Eyes:

Time-honored because it works:
Slice two thin rounds of cucumber, lie down, and place the cucumber slices over your eyes. Rest for 15 minutes, then remove cucumber.
For Pimples:
    Make a paste of salad cucumber and apply to your face. this will give you clean fresh look. It will absorb excess oil. this is helpful for removing pimples and black spots.

Radiant Facial Treatment:

If your complexion is dull and oily, this easy formula will help you look glowing and radiant:

1 teaspoon grated cucumber
splash of rosewater

Apply to face and allow staying for 15 minutes and then rinsing with warm water.

Cucumber in Various Recipes:

Cucumber soups

Polish Cold Cucumber-Beet Soup Recipe

                                                                                                          

Ingredients:

·         1 pound sliced beets

·         2 tbsp sour cream

·         1 cup buttermilk

·         1 small seedless cucumber, peeled and cut into pieces

·         Salt to taste

·         1 tbsp chives

·         1 boiled egg

Preparation:

      Place beets in bowl of a food processor and whirl until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and puree until velvety. Adjust seasonings. Chill.  Serve in a chilled martini or iced-tea glass garnished with a cucumber slice boiled egg and chives, if desired.

Cold Melon-Cucumber Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

·         1 green flesh melon

·         2 cucumber

·         1 cup yogurt

·         Salt to taste

·         White vinegar

Preparation:

                Cut melon into cubes. Peel and cut 4 slices of cucumber and set slices aside. Cut rest of cucumber into large chunks. Place melon, cucumber, yogurt and vinegar into food processor or blender. Pour in vinegar. Blend until smooth and salt to taste. If you will not serve immediately, refrigerate until serving. If refrigerated, stir thoroughly first. Ladle into bowls and garnish by cutting four slices of cucumber into small pieces and placing on top of soup.

Syrian Cucumber Mint Soup

Ingredients:

·         4 cucumbers

·         2 cups yogurt

·         5 ounces cheese

·         Salt to taste

·         Half tsp garlic paste

·         7,8 mint leaves, chopped

Preparation:

                Take a bowl, combine yogurt, cheese, chopped mint leaves salt and garlic. Mix well. Now peel the cucumber and cut into small pieces. Add it in the bowl and mix. Garnish and serve.