Perfect DIY Hair Mask: Nourish Dry, Damaged Hair Naturally

Updated Oct 11, 2024 | 04:30 PM IST

SummaryRestore dry, damaged hair naturally with DIY hair masks that nourish, hydrate, and promote growth. These easy-to-make solutions strengthen hair, add shine, and enhance overall hair health, leaving it soft and vibrant.
Applying hair mask

Applying hair mask

We love experimenting with our hair, but that comes with its fair share of hair damage and brittleness. Does that mean we just let our hair be their normal self? Actually no, to enhance your looks and bring out your personality it is important to keep changing your hair but it is also important to take goo care of your hair.

And for those who think hair care can cost a bomb, then follow the below mentioned DIY recipes and you can thank us forever.

Rice Water and Fenugreek Hair Mask

  • Soak two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in rice water overnight.
  • Blend the soaked seeds with rice water to form a paste.
  • Apply it to your scalp and hair, leaving it on for 45 minutes before washing.
Why this pack: Fenugreek, rich in protein and nicotinic acid, combined with the amino acids in rice water, creates a powerful hair mask. Use this mask bi-weekly to nourish your scalp, strengthen your hair roots, and promote healthy hair growth.

Avocado & Olive Oil Hair Mask

  • Scoop out the pulp from the avocado and mash it. Now add olive oil to the pulp and mix properly.
  • Apply the mixture to your scalp and strands. Leave it on for about an hour before washing your hair.
  • Use this mask once a week.
Why this pack: This nourishing mask can fix split ends and make your hair look healthy too. Avocados have minerals that nourish and soften the hair. While olive oil will add extra shine to your dull hair.

Banana and Olive Oil Hair Mask

  • Use one ripe banana and one tablespoon of olive oil.
  • Blend or mash the banana until it reaches a lump-free puree. Add the olive oil and continue blending.
  • While in the shower, apply the mask throughout the hair and scalp with fingers. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing.
Why this pack: Banana hydrates and moisturizes dull, damaged, dry hair, as it's rich in vitamins and minerals (such as potassium) that can strengthen the hair and balance the pH of the scalp," explains Friese. "Olive oil is rich in healthy fats and vitamin E, which can make the hair look shinier and sleeker. It may also moisturize the hair and heal damage that can cause breakage and split ends.

Lemon and Yogurt Hair Mask

  • Take 1 bowl of yogurt and add 3-4 drops of lemon juice to it.
  • Mix it thoroughly and apply it evenly onto your hair.
  • Keep it on for 20 minutes and then rinse it off and remember to use a conditioner after.
Why this pack: The astringent properties can effectively cleanse your scalp and get rid of dandruff. It also helps to unclog hair follicles and boost hair growth. Yogurt is known for vitamins and fatty acids which help moisturise your hair.

Shea Butter Homemade Hair Mask

  • Melt shea butter and add some coconut oil to it. You can also add argan oil instead of coconut oil.
  • Apply it to your scalp and strands. Give it one to two hours to work its magic. After a few hours, wash and condition as usual.
  • Use it twice a week.
Why this pack: Shea butter mask is a great way to nourish and hydrate your strands. The nutrients present in this hair pack for dry hair moisturise your strands inside out.

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India Approves World's First Synthetic CBD Therapy For Anxiety Disorders

Updated Jul 14, 2026 | 05:00 PM IST

SummaryLeiutis Pharmaceuticals' newly approved medicine contains a fully synthetic cannabidiol (CBD) active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), meaning no cannabis plant material is used in its production.
India Approves World's First Synthetic CBD Therapy for Anxiety Disorders

Credit: iStock

In a global first, India's drug regulator has approved a fully synthetic cannabidiol (CBD) therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate anxiety disorders, marking a significant milestone in cannabinoid-based medicine.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has granted regulatory approval to Zenara Pharma, the manufacturing partner of Leiutis Pharmaceuticals, to produce a synthetic cannabidiol oral solution (150 mg/ml). The prescription-only therapy is intended to be used alongside cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for managing mild to moderate anxiety disorders.

In a statement, Leiutis Pharmaceuticals said the approval follows a successful Phase III clinical trial conducted in India under CDSCO guidelines. A Phase IV post-marketing study will now be carried out to further evaluate the therapy.

World's First Fully Synthetic CBD Therapy

Leiutis noted that "this is the first regulatory approval anywhere in the world for a fully synthetic cannabidiol oral solution for anxiety disorders".

K. Chandrasekhar, CEO and Managing Partner of Leiutis Pharmaceuticals LLP, said the approval is the result of nearly a decade of cannabinoid research, including the development of a proprietary synthetic cannabinoid manufacturing process, novel drug-delivery technology, and extensive preclinical and clinical studies.

“Developed entirely in India and protected by patents in key markets, this approval is a significant milestone for our innovation pipeline, paving the way for next-generation cannabinoids. We thank the Government of India, clinical investigators, researchers and study participants who made it possible,” Chandrasekhar said.

What Is the New CBD Therapy?

The newly approved medicine contains a fully synthetic cannabidiol (CBD) active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), meaning no cannabis plant material is used in its production.

The therapy combines:

  • A synthetic cannabidiol API developed by Biophore India Pharmaceuticals.
  • Leiutis Pharmaceuticals' proprietary nanodispersible drug-delivery platform to improve absorption.
  • Manufacturing by Zenara Pharma at facilities compliant with CDSCO, US FDA and European regulatory standards.

Biophore has also filed a United States Drug Master File (US DMF) for the synthetic CBD manufacturing process, reflecting internationally recognized quality standards.

Why This Approval Matters

The approval comes at a time when anxiety disorders are rising sharply in India. According to a recent analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study published in The Lancet, anxiety disorders in India increased by 123.5% between 1990 and 2023.

The prevalence rose from 2,591.9 cases per lakh population in 1990 to 5,792.8 cases per lakh in 2023, driven largely by increasing rates of anxiety and depression.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the naturally occurring compounds found in hemp and cannabis plants. Unlike THC, it does not produce intoxicating effects.

CBD has been studied for several potential therapeutic uses, including:

  • Reducing anxiety symptoms
  • Relieving chronic pain
  • Improving sleep
  • Managing certain seizure disorders
  • Reducing inflammation

The newly approved product, however, uses synthetic CBD, which is produced entirely in a laboratory rather than extracted from the cannabis plant. Synthetic CBD offers a highly consistent and contaminant-free formulation, helping standardize dosing and quality.

Does CBD Have Proven Medical Benefits?

CBD already has established medical use in certain seizure disorders in some countries and continues to be investigated for a range of other conditions, including anxiety, chronic pain, inflammation and schizophrenia.

CBD is generally well-tolerated, but some users may experience mild side effects like drowsiness, reduced appetite, or diarrhea. Side effects are often due to interactions with other medications.

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What Every Breast Cancer Survivor Should Know After Completing Treatment

Updated Jul 14, 2026 | 01:00 PM IST

SummaryThe body changes after cancer and coming to terms with this takes time. Worries about appearance and intimacy are entirely understandable, and they are worth raising during clinic visits, because often there are practical ways to help.
What Every Breast Cancer Survivor Should Know After Completing Treatment

Credit: iStock

For many women, the last day of treatment feels like crossing a finish line they have been running toward for months. There is relief, there is gratitude, and there is often a quiet sense of disbelief that it is actually behind them. But finishing treatment is not really the end of the journey. It is the start of a new chapter—one we call survivorship—and it deserves just as much care and attention as everything that came before. Understanding what lies ahead can make all the difference between living in fear and living well.

Follow-Up Care Must Continue

Recovery does not mean walking away from the hospital. In the first few years after treatment, survivors are usually asked to return for follow-ups. The reason behind this is simple: if cancer ever returns, catching it early gives the best chance of treating it successfully. Or in many cases it a good habit to keep a check and boost confidence to the survivors.

Impact of treatment

What often surprises many women is that the impact of cancer treatment may continue even after active treatment ends. Recovery is a gradual process, and experiences can vary significantly from one individual to another depending on the type of cancer, treatment approach, and overall health. In terms of breast cancer, some women may continue to face physical, emotional, or lifestyle-related challenges during survivorship, while others may require ongoing therapies or follow-up care to reduce the risk of recurrence. What must always be remembered is that these issues cannot be addressed in silence. Open communication between the woman and her treatment team may allow problems to be sorted out in time, with the proper support being provided.

Emotional Health Deserves Equal Attention

Healing is not only physical. Many survivors carry a constant worry about whether the cancer will come back, while others feel strangely lost once the busy routine of treatment falls away. These emotions are completely natural and nothing to be ashamed of. Speaking to a counsellor, joining a support group, or simply being honest with the care team can lighten the burden enormously.

Healthy Habits Support Recovery

The choices made every day genuinely shape long-term health. Eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and staying active with something as simple as a thirty-minute walk most days, makes a real difference. Keeping to a healthy weight is especially important, because carrying excess weight is linked to a higher chance of the cancer returningi. Cutting back on alcohol and staying away from tobacco add further protection.

Adjusting to Physical Changes

The body changes after cancer and coming to terms with this takes time. Worries about appearance and intimacy are entirely understandable, and they are worth raising during clinic visits, because often there are practical ways to help.

Be an Informed Advocate

No one understands a patient's body better than the patient herself, which is why every survivor should feel empowered to ask questions. Before treatment ends, it is wise to request a survivorship care plan. This is a summary of the treatment received, together with a clear schedule for future check-ups. Such a document becomes an invaluable guide, both for the survivor and for any doctor she may see in the years ahead.

Looking Ahead

Survivorship is rarely a straight line. There will be good days and harder ones, moments of confidence and moments of doubt. With regular check-ups, a few sensible habits, and the support of people who care, life after breast cancer can be every bit as rich and full as before—sometimes even more so. Because in the end, the goal of cancer treatment was never just to help women survive. It was always to help them truly live.

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Healthy Lifestyle Changes Improve Memory, Thinking In Older Adults At Dementia Risk: The Lancet

Updated Jul 13, 2026 | 01:14 PM IST

SummaryDementia is an umbrella term used to describe a significant decline in mental function that is serious enough to affect everyday life. It commonly impacts memory, thinking, and reasoning skills.
Healthy Lifestyle Changes Improve Memory, Thinking In Older Adults At Dementia Risk: The Lancet

Credit: iStock

More than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia, a number expected to triple to over 152 million by 2050. While there is still no cure, growing evidence suggests that healthy lifestyle changes can help improve brain health and preserve cognitive function in older adults at risk of dementia.

A major study published in The Lancet suggests that adopting healthy lifestyle habits can significantly improve memory and thinking skills in older adults at risk of dementia.

The study found that a culturally adapted, structured lifestyle program delivered across 11 Latin American countries produced meaningful improvements in cognitive function over two years. Participants in the intensive program showed 55 per cent greater improvement in overall cognition than those who received general health advice.

Lead author Lucia Crivelli, principal investigator at Fleni, a neurological institute in Buenos Aires, Argentina, said culturally adapted lifestyle interventions can be successfully implemented across diverse communities and "deliver cognitive benefits" for people at risk of dementia.

"Addressing multiple lifestyle factors can positively impact brain health and may eventually be combined with emerging drug therapies to reduce cognitive decline and dementia risk," added Heather M. Snyder, senior vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer's Association.

What Did The Study Find?

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The clinical trial enrolled 1,065 adults aged 60 to 77 years at increased risk of cognitive decline across 12 sites in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The Systematic Lifestyle Intervention (SLI) group received ongoing coaching, supervised exercise, personalized nutrition counselling, cognitive training and regular monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors. The Flexible Lifestyle Intervention (FLI) group received general lifestyle recommendations through periodic health education sessions without continuous coaching or supervision.

The structured program combined supervised exercise, a brain-healthy MIND diet, computer-based cognitive training, regular monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar and weight, and social engagement activities designed to encourage accountability and interaction.

To improve participation, the intervention was adapted to local cultures. Exercise sessions incorporated familiar activities such as salsa and tango, while nutrition counselling focused on regionally available foods including avocado, quinoa, açaí, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and aguaymanto.

Read More: Study Decodes Why COVID Survivors Continue To Suffer Vision Problems

After two years, participants in the structured intervention experienced:

  • 55 per cent greater improvement in overall cognitive performance than those in the flexible intervention group.
  • The largest gains in memory.
  • Significant improvements in executive function, including planning and decision-making.
  • Faster processing speed.

The cognitive benefits were consistent regardless of participants' age, education level, ethnicity or genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease.

The authors noted that while the program improved performance on cognitive tests, it did not determine whether the intervention prevents dementia. They said longer-term follow-up is needed to establish whether these cognitive improvements ultimately reduce the risk of developing the disease.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a significant decline in mental function that is serious enough to affect everyday life. It commonly impacts memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Dementia itself is not a single disease but a collection of symptoms caused by underlying conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia.

Common signs include

  • memory problems,
  • confusion,
  • difficulty finding words,
  • changes in mood or behavior,
  • trouble completing familiar tasks.

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