During Ramadan, many Muslims around the world consume a lot of dates. Eating them during sahur and iftar, many rely on dates for its wonderfully-rich properties of vitamins and minerals. Indeed, the fasting month is a challenge to most, if not all and keeping hydrated and energized throughout the month can be stretching at some point. Eating dates during Ramadan is both customary and in line with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s). More than that too, dates have been proven to boost the body’s energy level throughout the day!
Power-Packed Dates?
Dates are packed with vitamins including Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin K. They are also rich in minerals including calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium and zinc which are essential for bodily functions. Dates have also been proven to be medicinal. During the time of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s), dates were recommended as antidotes to constipation, anemia, diarrhoea including abdominal and intestinal conditions. It comes to no surprise where even in the Hadith, it says that Ajwa’ dates are a cure for poison: “Al Ajwa’ is from Paradise and it contains a cure for poison. (Tirmidhi).”
Dates are also an excellent source of dietary fibre which is necessary to remove waste smoothly through one’s colon. It also helps prevent LDL (bad) cholesterol absorption by binding with substances containing cancer-causing chemicals. Potassium, an electrolyte, helps control your heart rate and blood pressure. B-vitamins contained in dates, such as the carotenes lutein and zeaxanthin, absorb into the retina to maintain optimal light-filtering functions and protect against macular degeneration.
The good list about dates goes on and because dates contain all the nutritional goodness. Not only are we encouraged to eat them but do you know dates have been used as facial masks? Here are some tips to create your very own dates facial masks. Come on, spread all that goodness on your skin!
Hydration Dates Facial Masks
With the sun constantly beating on us, here’s to more hydration.
Prepare 4 to 5 dates with cucumber juice, honey and yoghurt. Pit the dates and soak them in warm water for an hour. Use its paste to mix with the other ingredients.
Alternatively, use 4 to 5 dates (soak them in warm water for an hour) before mixing its paste with whole milk and semolina (available in supermarkets).
Use the facial mask paste for as long as 30 minutes.
Glowing Skin Dates Facial Masks
To enhance your glowing skin, make your very own dates facial masks! Preparing for #Raya2017, we ladies all need that pick-me-up skin boost so let’s get cracking! Try 2 to 3 dates (soaked in warm water for an hour). Pit the dates and mix the paste with honey and blackstrap molasses to make a mask. Mask the skin at least for 30 minutes before washing it off.
Taut Skin
Using 8 to 10 dates, soak them in warm water for an hour before mixing it with half an orange or lemon. The dates, along with the citrus fruits are high in Vitamin C. What happens skin deep is the mask repairs damaged skin and boosts collagen production!
