Kiwi – Benefits for Skin, Hair & Health

Actinidia Deliciosa, with the common name of KIWI, is also popularly known as Chinese gooseberry. It is enriched with flavor and has multiple health benefits. Even though the fruit is native to China, its availability throughout the year comes from the large number of areas where it is cultivated. In India, the fruit is mostly cultivated in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Jammu and Kashmir, and Arunachal Pradesh.

The fruit has a unique flavour, and a plethora of benefits for the human body. Kiwis are packed with antioxidants and are rich in vitamins C, vitamin K, and vitamin E. They also contain essential amounts of folate and potassium and are an excellent source of fibre.

Skin benefits of Kiwi:

• Helps in maintaining youthful skin– with age, our skin loses its firmness. Being rich in vitamin C, kiwi increases the production of collagen, which is a protein essential to keep the skin firm, while helping it to recover from abrasions and cuts, therefore, preventing it from becoming dull and dry.
• Reduces acne– Kiwi is enriched with anti-inflammatory properties which helps it to effectively treat acne, boils, zits etc. It also controls excessive production of sebum i.e. oil on the face, while simultaneously cleansing the pores to avoid any skin conditions in the future.
• Protection from sun damage– The presence of vitamin C and amino acids in kiwi helps protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun, while simultaneously providing relief from previously affected or sunburned areas by cooling and soothing the skin around it.
• Anti-aging– With age, fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots appear on the skin, which can be treated with the help of the vitamin C as well as antioxidants present in kiwi. It eliminates the signs of aging and helps in achieving younger-looking skin.
• Treats dark circles– Due to the presence of a large number of nutrients, kiwi is an effective remedy for the treatment of dark circles. It provides a smooth and even complexion, making the skin soft and moist.

 Home remedies for skin:

Kiwi and avocado:

 Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Avocado
• Honey

Directions of use:

1. Take 1 kiwi and ½ avocado, mash them together and make a smooth and creamy paste.
2. Mix 1 teaspoon of honey into the paste to increase the nourishment, and put it on your face and neck.
3. Let the mixture rest on your face for around 15 minutes, and then wash it off thoroughly with water.

Kiwi and lemon:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Lemon juice

Directions of use:

1. Mash one kiwi and add 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice to it, and put the pack on your face.
2. Leave the pack on your face for around 15 minutes, and then wash it off with water

Kiwi and yogurt:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Yogurt

Directions of use:

1. Add 1 tablespoon of yogurt to a finely chopped or well-blended kiwi.
2. Evenly apply the paste on your face while continuously massaging it for 5 minutes.
3. Leave the pack on your face for around 15 minutes, and then wash it off with water.

Kiwi and egg:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Egg yolk
• Olive oil

Directions of use:

1. Makes the pulp of half a kiwi with 1 egg yolk, and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to it.
2. Apply the paste onto your face, leaving it on for 15 minutes, subsequently washing it with water.

Kiwi, gram flour, and almond:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Almonds
• Gram flour

Directions of use:

1. Takes 7 to 8 soaked almonds and make a paste out of it.
2. Mix this paste with the pulp of 1 kiwi, and add 1 tablespoon of gram flour (besan) to it.
3. Leave the paste onto your face for 15 to 20 minutes, and then wash it off with water.

Kiwi and strawberry:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Strawberry
• Cucumber

Directions of use:

1. Put a kiwi, 5 strawberries, and half a cucumber in a blender together to make a paste.
2. Apply this mixture onto your face, leaving it on for 15 minutes.
3. Subsequently, was your face and pat dry.

Kiwi and sandalwood:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Sandalwood powder

Directions of use:

1. Add 1 tablespoon of sandalwood powder and water, each, to the pulp of one kiwi and mix the ingredients well.
2. Apply the mixture on your face, leaving it on for 15-20 minutes, and then washing it off with water.

Kiwi and banana:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Banana
• Curd

Directions of use:

1. Mix one mashed banana and the pulp of one kiwi together, and add a tablespoon of curd to it.
2. Apply the paste all over your face and neck, and let it rest for 15 minutes, or till it dries completely.
3. Subsequently, wash your face with water

Kiwi and grapes:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Grapes
• Glycerin

Directions of use:

1. Add a few drops of glycerin to a mixture of the pulp of half a kiwi, and 6-7 peeled grapes.
2. Apply the paste onto your face, leaving it on till it completely dries, and then wash it off with water.

Kiwi pulp:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi

Directions of use:

1. Take the pulp of one kiwi and apply it to your face and neck.
2. Let the mixture rest on your face for around 20 minutes, wash your face with lukewarm water, and pat dry. 

Hair Benefits Of Kiwi:

• Promotes hair growth: Due to its richness in vitamin c, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, kiwi helps in increasing blood circulation to the scalp, which in turn promotes hair growth. 
• Preserves natural colour: Being rich in copper, kiwi helps us to maintain our original hair colour. It saves us from feeling embarrassed due to premature greying in the early years of our life.
• Formation of collagen: Like on the skin, the high amount of vitamin c present in kiwi helps in the formation of collagen on the scalp as well. The presence of iron nourishes and strengthens the hair.
• Moisturizes the hair: Kiwi is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which helps the hair in retaining its moisture by keeping it hydrated.
• Prevents dandruff and scalp eczema: Regular consumption of kiwi increases circulation to the scalp, which helps in keeping it healthy leading to the prevention of dry scalp conditions like dandruff and scalp eczema.

Home remedies for hair:

Kiwi and cognac/ vodka:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Cognac/ vodka

Directions of use:

1. Add a teaspoon of cognac or vodka to the pulp of one kiwi, and mix it well.
2. Apply the mixture onto the scalp, while massaging it in, and leave it on for around 15-20 minutes.
3. Subsequently, wash your hair well with a mild shampoo and water.

Kiwi and green tea:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Green tea decoction
• Salt

Directions of use:

1. Prepare 300ml of green tea decoction and let it cool down. Add 50ml of freshly obtained kiwi juice, and 1 teaspoon of salt to it, mixing it well.
2. Apply it onto your scalp and hair while massaging it in, and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
3. Rinse the mixture off your hair, and then wash it with shampoo.

Kiwi and honey:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Honey
• Olive oil

Directions of use:

1. Add 1 tablespoon of honey and olive oil, each, to the pulp of one kiwi and mix it well.
2. Apply the mixture onto your scalp and hair and leave it on for 20 minutes.
3. Wash your hair with your regular shampoo.

Kiwi and black sesame seed:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Black sesame seed powder
• Sugar

Directions of use:

1. Ground roasted sesame seeds to obtain a fine powder, mix a tablespoon of it with the pulp of one kiwi, and add a teaspoon of sugar to it.
2. Consume this paste daily.

Kiwi and egg:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Egg yolk

Directions of use:

1. Mix the yolk of one egg with the one kiwi pulp and put the mixture on your scalp and down to your hair.
2. Leave the mixture on your scalp for 10-15 minutes, and then wash your hair using lukewarm water and shampoo. 

Kiwi and apple cider vinegar:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Apple cider vinegar
• Water

Directions of use:

1. Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and water, each, to the pulp of one kiwi and mix the ingredients well.
2. Put the paste on your scalp and hair and leave it on for around 30 minutes.
3. Subsequently, wash your hair with a mild shampoo and water.

Kiwi and aloe vera:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Aloe vera juice

Directions of use:

1. Add a tablespoon of aloe vera juice to the pulp of one kiwi and mix it well.
2. Massage the paste into your scalp for 5 minutes.
3. Leave the mixture on your scalp for 15 minutes, and then wash your hair with your regular shampoo.

Kiwi and flour:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Starch/ flour

Directions of use:

1. Add 2-3 tablespoons of starch or flour to the pulp of one kiwi and mix it well, until you obtain a thick paste.
2. Apply this paste onto your scalp and massage it well.
3. Leave it on for 20 minutes, and then wash your hair with your regular shampoo.

Kiwi and tea tree oil:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Tea tree oil
• Water

Directions of use:

1. Mix the pulp of a kiwi with 2- 3 drops of tea tree oil and a teaspoon of water.
2. Apply the mixture onto your scalp, along with the hair, and leave it on for 15 minutes.
3. Subsequently, wash your hair with a mild shampoo and water

Kiwi and coconut oil:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Coconut oil

Directions of use:

1. Add a tablespoon of coconut oil to the pulp of one kiwi and mix it well.
2. Apply the mixture onto your scalp and massage it in.
3. Leave it on for 30 minutes, and then wash it off with your regular shampoo and water.

Health Benefits of Kiwi:

• Helps in digestion: Being rich in pre-biotic properties, kiwi aids digestion by breaking down proteins and also nourishing the body.
• Helps in weight loss: Having comparatively very low calories than other fruits, kiwi also contains fibres that make a person feel full. This helps in managing weight.
• Prevents diseases: The presence of vitamin c in kiwi helps in fighting off the free radicals that may cause various diseases and infections in the body, and may subsequently also lead to cancer.
• Prevents diseases of the respiratory system: Vitamin c helps in reducing the chances of getting respiratory disorders like chronic cough, and asthma.
• Controls diabetes: Having a low glycemic index, kiwi is an appropriate fruit for individuals with diabetes. The presence of inositol in kiwi keeps the level of blood sugar under control in an individual, making kiwi a highly recommended fruit for diabetic patients.

Home remedies for health:

Kiwi and beetroot juice:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Beetroot 
• Lemon juice

Directions of use:

1. Take out the juice of 1 kiwi, and 1/4th of a beetroot, and mix the two well.
2. Add a few drops of lemon juice for taste, and consume it.

Kiwi, apple, and celery juice:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Apple
• Celery stalk

Directions of use:

1. Take out the juice of one kiwi, apple and celery stalk and mix all the three together. Then, consume the juice. 
2. Any other sweetened fruit can also be used instead of apples as an ingredient in the juice.

Kiwi and strawberry juice:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Strawberries

Directions of use:

1. Add the juice of 4-5 strawberries to the juice of one kiwi, and mix the two well. Then, consume the juice.

Kiwi and pineapple juice:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Pineapple

Directions of use:

1. Mix the juice of ½ of a small pineapple with the juice of 3 kiwis, and mix the two well. Subsequently, drink the juice.

Kiwi smoothie:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Yoghurt
• Honey

Directions of use:

1. Add a tablespoon of yogurt, and a teaspoon of honey (for taste), to a blender with 1 kiwi, and blend all the ingredients together.
2. Add ice to make the smoothie cooler, and then consume it.

Kiwi, cucumber, and galangal/ ginger juice:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Cucumber
• Galangal/ginger
• Water

Directions of use:

1. Add 4 kiwis, 2 cucumbers, and ½ an inch piece of galangal/ ginger to a blender with 1 cup of water, and mix all the ingredients together. 
2. Subsequently consume the juice.

Kiwi, banana and spinach smoothie:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Spinach
• Banana
• Almond milk

Directions of use:

1. Mix 1 finely cut kiwi, 1 peeled banana, 1 cup of fresh spinach, and 1 cup of almond milk in a blender.
2. Add a few ice cubes to make it cooler, and then drink it.

Kiwi and watermelon juice:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Watermelon
• Lime

Directions of use:

1. Take out the juice of 2 kiwis, 1 1/4th cups of chopped watermelon, and 2 limes, and mix the ingredients well.
2. Add ice (optional) and drink the juice.

Kiwi and kale smoothie:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Kale
• Almond milk
• Honey

Directions of use:

1. Add 1 kiwi, a bunch of kale, and 1 cup of almond milk, in a blender, with honey to taste.
2. Add ice to make it cooler, and then consume it.

Kiwi, coconut water, and mint smoothie:

Ingredients:

• Kiwi
• Coconut water
• Mint leaves
• Lemon

Directions of use:

1. Mix 2 kiwis, ½ a cup of coconut water, and a few fresh mint leaves in a blender.
2. Add a few drops of lemon juice, and consume it.

Precautions:

• People allergic to kiwis must avoid it under all circumstances.
• Wash the fruit well before consuming it.
• Do not over consume kiwis, as it may cause mouth sores, tongue sores, and even rashes.
• People with bleeding disorders or those who have had surgery should avoid it as it may slow down the process of blood clotting in some individuals.
• Do not consume too much kiwi if you are taking medicines for lowering your blood pressure.

Side effects:

• Kiwis may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
• Overconsumption may lead to oral allergies, i.e. an inflammation of the tongue and lips.
• Overconsumption can also cause acute pancreatitis.
• If an individual with latex allergy consumes kiwi, it can lead to dermatitis.
• Since kiwi is also a laxative, overeating can cause stomach problems like diarrhoea.

Myths and Facts:

Myth: Kiwis are very high in calories.

Fact: Kiwis are, in fact, one of the fruits with the lowest amount of calories. Their sweet taste is not attributed to an increased number of calories.

Myth: Kiwi causes sleeping disorders.

Fact: The presence of serotonin in kiwis actually induces sleep, and helps in fixing an irregular sleep pattern.

Myth: Kiwi is only grown in China.

Fact: Kiwi is native to China, however, a large number of countries around the world have started cultivating it. For example- Italy, France, New Zealand, etc.

Frequently asked questions:

Question: can pregnant women consume kiwis?

Answer: Yes. In fact, the fruit has proven to be extremely healthy for pregnant as well as breastfeeding women.

Question: How should we store kiwis?

Answer: Kiwis can be stored at room temperature as well as in the refrigerator. A large number of antioxidants are found in a ripe kiwi, and the process of ripening can be hastened by placing the fruit in a paper bag,

Question: Can the skin of the kiwi be consumed?

Answer: Yes, the kiwi skin can be eaten and is also extremely rich in its fibre content.