My top 5 favourite Natural Products - For a beautiful you inside and out.

I'm a huge fan of natural products as I'm sure most would agree, we're now more aware than ever about the added preservatives and chemicals to our everyday foods and products. I believe if we look after ourselves on the inside it really does show on the outside. I've listed 5 of my favourite natural products that boost our moods, skin, hair, nails, general health and wellbeing.

1) Manuka Honey

I've been using Manuka Honey for around 5 years now, a tip from my mum. I add Manuka honey to anything and everything from my daily green tea for extra sweetness or a glass of warm almond milk before bed to aid a good nights sleep, to applying all over my face as a nourishing face mask! The health benefits of Manuka Honey are endless. Honey is now known to have antibacterial properties and helps protect against infection and inflamation - a natural remedy used for centuries. Manuka Honey has been proven to help clear acne, cuts, scrapes and small wounds when directly applied to the effected area, the antibacterial properties and potency of Manuka honey is measured by the UMF factor (unique Manuka factor) the higher the factor number, the higher the antibacterial properties and potency.

2) Lemon Water 

Again another tip taken from my mother (she has amazing skin, hair and nails) My mum would wake up every morning, boil the kettle, slice a whole lemon, add it to a pint glass, add the boiling water, wait for the water to go cold and then drink the lemon water. Although this is a great way of consuming the the lemon water, I didn't like the taste, I found it too bitter and the luke warm water didn't help! I decided to try a different way and purchased a filtered water jug, I would slice a whole lemon, put it into the jug, add the filtered water and leave the jug in the fridge to go cold. The cold lemon infused water tastes amazing with the added bonus of having a large amount available in my fridge at all times! Drinking just one glass each day not only helps detox your body, it keeps you hydrated too, when your body is dehydrated it also dehydrates you skin and can leave you feeling tired and fatigued. I also like to keep a mint plant in my kitchen and add a few mint leaves to the lemon water for extra taste.

3) Carrot Oil

I make my own carrot oil and the benefits are amazing for my skin and hair, I always have the jars as seen in the above picture placed on my kitchen windowsill. The oil is made from a method using organic carrots and organic olive oil. Carrots contain antioxidants and vitamins that help promote hair growth, treat damaged skin and improve blood circulation. I apply the oil directly on my hair and skin.

4) Milled Flaxseed

I use a teaspoon of milled flaxseed every morning. I add it either to my nutribullet smoothie or to porridge/oats/granola. Faxseed is a source of healthy fats that contains Omega 3 and is high in fibre and protien, vital nutrients needed to help stimulate healthy hair and skin production and helps aid digestion. I also feel a boost of energy after my morning dose of flaxseed!

5) Coconut Oil/Water 

One of the great things about living in Bangkok is the huge accessibility to coconuts and coconut products! As soon as I leave my building each day I'm surrounded by street food with local Thai people selling fresh coconut water that I love to buy each day, just like lemon water coconut water keeps you hydrated. I use coconut oil to cook almost everything, from spaghetti bolengnaise to sweet potato! Coconut oil has been found to help boost concentration, lower cholesterol, fight bacteria and infection - the list goes on. It also boosts blood circulation which leaves our skin with a beautiful healthy glow.

All of the products listed I have used for many years and love using most each day. I'm always looking out for new natural products and will definitely be reviewing 'natural cosmetics' in the near future!