Home foot care tips for attractive and healthy feet

Feet are the part of the body that speaks volumes on a person’s personality. Sadly, they are also the most neglected part of the body as far as their beautification and care is concerned. However, it doesn’t take much to invest some quality time on a daily basis and maintain feet that look lovely. Here are some herbal tips and remedies to help you through.

In today’s’ world when we all are busy and stressed out, always falling short of time, it is not possible to visit the parlour on a regular basis especially for foot treatments. However, even a few minutes of free time at home, directed towards your feet will find them nice and fabulous looking; all with the use of some herbal remedies from the kitchen.

Cleansing tips –

•    A concoction of honey, liquid soap and almond oil in a 1:1:2 ratio, to which a tea spoon of vanilla extract has been added, works well for the feet. This mixture when poured into a small basin of warm water and used to soak feet in, will make them relaxed and cleansed.
•    For smelly feet, an alternate day soak in warm water mixed with lavender oil and a pinch of salt, works wonders. It is a nerve relaxant as well.
•    A few drops of vinegar, mixed with 50 grams of curd, when rubbed thoroughly on heels, between toes and all over the feet, then left to stay for 10 minutes; will cleanse the feet well, removing all dead cells, when washed off.

Scrubbing tips –

•    Dead skin can be removed on a daily basis with a pumice stone.
•    For hardened heels, grind some almonds/strawberries; mix them with olive oil/almond oil and a teaspoon of sea salt. Use this mixture as a scrub for your feet. Rigorous movements will enhance blood circulation too. Wash with warm water and apply moisturising oil.
•    Apply a mixture of glycerine, fresh cream and honey, all in equal amounts onto your feet. Let it stay for 15 minutes and then wash off with warm water. Follow this for three days and find your feet soft and smooth.

Softening/Moisturising tips –

•    A mixture of glycerine and rose water applied every night before bedtime helps keep feet soft and glowing, especially the heels.
•    Almond oil massaged onto feet before bedtime keeps cracks and dry skin at bay, especially during winters.
•    Application of Aloe Vera gel on your feet daily will keep them well moisturised and free of diseases like athlete’s foot.

Some Must Dos for healthy feet –

•    Wear the right shoes, a little tight or a little loose do not work well.
•    Do away with stingy buckles, straps that rub too much and too high heeled pairs.
•    Comfort is primary for long hours in one pair only, so choose wisely. Reserve the fancy pairs for evening outs only.
•    Let your feet breathe for a while. Wash and clean them well and then wear some airy foot wear atleast for an hour everyday.
•    Walks, yoga or some light exercise increases blood circulation in the feet and legs.
•    Follow all foot care regimes at night. This not only relaxes you at the end of the day but also gives ample time to your feet to absorb the applications well.
•    Wear socks of good material and change them daily.

The basic pedicure –

To begin with remove old nail paint. Then clip your nails, straight across. File to smoothen them. Now soak your feet in warm water for 15minutes. Add coconut oil and lemon juice to this water before dipping the feet or any of the herbal cleansing combinations mentioned above. Then slowly scrub your feet with a pumice stone. Take out the feet and dry them well. Separate toes using cotton swabs. Apply a cuticle softener and then, push back the cuticles with a cuticle removing stick. Moisturise your feet well with the herbal options available. Apply a coat of clear nail paint or nail protecting serum and let it dry well. Application of coloured nail paint is a personal choice to give a final touch with.

Follow these simple home remedies to keep your feet happy and pampered.