Home Remedies using Tomatoes

When it comes to home remedies using tomatoes, you will probably never look at k
etchup or a glass of tomato juice the same again. While the fruit (and not a veg
etable) is versatile in the world of health (helping to reduce the risk of cardi
ovascular disease, lower high blood pressure, and fight cancer cells), there are
also plenty of other everyday uses for tomatoes to consider.
HEALTH FACTORS OF TOMATOES
The tomato offers high nutritional content and provides a good source of calcium
and iron. Eating tomatoes also delivers phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin B, lycop
ene and potassium to your body. Rich in vitamin C, the amount increases as the f
ruit ripens. This is why the tomato is helpful in treating a range of minor heal
th ailments. As for home remedies in the household, the tomato offers acidic pow
ers, which can come in handy when cleaning a variety of materials.
TOMATO HOME REMEDIES
Tomatoes aren t just for decorating a side salad or making your favorite pasta sau
ce the acids and other components of the fruit can provide a wide range of solut
ions in the household. To begin exploring the effectiveness of home remedies usi
ng tomatoes, consider the following suggestions:
a) Revamp Chlorinated Hair [1]:
For blond headed swimmers, the chorine has a tendency to turn locks green. When
taking a shower, massage ketchup into the hair and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash
it out using baby shampoo. Not only will the color fade, but the scent of pool
will also vanish. You can also use undiluted tomato juice as a rinse. Cover with
a shower cap, and wait 10 to 15 minutes before thoroughly rinsing and shampooin
g out of your hair.
b) Polish Copper Pots:
Reverse the damage of dull and tarnished copper pots by coating the surface with
a thin layer of ketchup. Leave on for five to 30 minutes, and then rinse the pa
n. Dry immediately. It is the acids found in the ketchup that reacts with the ta
rnish to remove it.
c) Add Sparkle to Your Silver:
To add shine to tarnished silver, dunk your jewelry in a small bowl filled with
ketchup, and leave in for a few minutes. To treat detailed surfaces, use an old
toothbrush to work in the ketchup into small spaces. Do not leave the jewelry in
the ketchup for too long or you run the risk of damaging the material. Rinse th
e jewelry clean, and dry it.
d) Skin Rejuvenation:
The vitamin C and antioxidants found in tomatoes offer an effective method of tr
eating your skin. With the ability to tighten pores, kill bacteria and brighten
the skin, start by cutting a tomato into two halves and rubbing one half on your
face [2]. Concentrate on working the pulp into your skin. Let the remedy stay o
n the skin for 10 minutes, and then rinse with cool water. Use this remedy to fi
ght oily skin, treat blackheads, and reduce the size of your pores.
e) Treat Eczema:
To fight the skin disease called eczema, try drinking tomato juice on a daily ba
sis to see results.
f) Fight Diarrhea:
When you are suffering from a bad case of diarrhea, drink a concoction made out
of the tomato paste that comes from 12 dried slices of tomato that has been plac
ed in a cup of water.

g) Treat Bloodshot Eyes:

Treat bloodshot eyes by eating one or two fresh tomatoes first thing in the morn
ing on an empty stomach.
h) Fade Acne Scars:
Slice up a tomato and place on your face to rejuvenate skin plagued with acne sc
ars. It is the vitamin C in the tomato that helps refresh damaged skin.
i) Decrease Acne Breakouts:
The vitamin A in tomatoes helps prevent the overproduction of sebum that causes
acne, which can contribute to clearer skin. Apply tomato slices to your face.
j) Treat Mouth Ulcer:
Raw tomatoes can provide relief from the pain of a mouth ulcer. You may also gar
gle tomato juice three to four times per day to see results.
k) Treat Dark Circles:
A paste made out of one teaspoon of tomato juice, teaspoon of lemon juice, and a
pinch of turmeric powder can be used to treat dark circles under your eyes. App
ly the paste to under your eyes and leave on for 10 minutes. With regular use, y
ou should see results.
l) Fix a Sore Throat:
To temporarily soothe a sore throat, gargle with a mixture of cup of tomato juic
e and cup hot water that has 10 drops of hot pepper sauce added to it.
m) Ease Morning Sickness:
Drinking a glass filled with fresh tomato juice (with a pinch of salt and pepper
) first thing in the morning can help ease the symptoms of morning sickness.
n) Deodorize Plastic Containers:
When plastic containers start to absorb unpleasant odors, remove the scent by po
uring a small amount of tomato juice onto a sponge, and wiping around the inside
of the container. Wash the container and lid in warm, soapy water. Dry them wel
l and store in the freezer as separate pieces for a couple of days. The containe
r will be free of scents when you remove from the freezer.
o) Skunk Treatment:
At some point in time, you ve probably already heard of people using tomato juice
to get rid of skunk smell. Sponge undiluted tomato juice on your pet, including
their face (making sure to avoid contact with their eyes). Wait a few minutes an
d allow the acids from the tomato to neutralize the skunk odor. Follow up by sha
mpooing your pet scrubbing with soap and water. For lingering odor, repeat the p
rocess until the scent is completely gone. This could take several days.
p) Clean Out Refrigerator Odors:
To rid a refrigerator and freezer of spoiled food odors, thoroughly wipe down th
e insides of the fridge with a washcloth or sponge soaked in undiluted tomato ju
ice. Rinse out using warm, soapy water and then wipe dry. If the smell lingers,
repeat the process.
q) Soothe a Sunburn:
Soaking peeled tomato slices in buttermilk before applying directly to sunburned
skin can provide relief. It is the acidity that snaps shut your pores. Tomatoes
also contain soothing agents that can make your damaged skin feel better.
r) Heal Wounds and Sores:
The leaves of wild tomatoes have been known to heal wounds and sores. Take a fre
sh tomato slice and place it on a wound. The infection will clear faster
usually
within two to three days.

s) Treat Anemia:
Anemics can benefit from drinking a mixture of apple and tomato juice, as the to
mato offers a rich source of iron.
Institute of Health Sciences
105, Kanungo Park
Kolkata - 700 084, India
www.casm.in