Tomato – Benefits & home remedies for skin, hair & health

Tomato is scientifically known as Solanum Lycopersicum. Tomato is a rich source of many minerals like iron, magnesium and phosphorous and lots of Vitamins like vitamin A, C, K, B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6. Tomato also contains many other essential nutrients which provide enormous health and beauty benefits. It is commonly used in the preparation of various dishes and also finds great use in many beauty treatments.

Benefits Of Tomato For Skin

1. Bleaching Property

Application of tomato juice on skin can work very well in lightening skin tone and removing blemishes. It gives a natural glow to your skin in the safest way. It transforms dull skin into smooth, glowing, and youthful skin.  

2. Reduces Excessive Oil Production

Tomato juice works great on oily skin. Direct application of tomato juice on the face reduces the excessive production of oil by sebaceous glands. Tomato juice contains antioxidants like lycopene which helps in washing away the sebum from skin pores. 

3. Relieves Skin Irritation

The anti-inflammatory property of tomato juice and its pulp help in relieving skin irritation and other symptoms like unusual redness, and scaling. 

4. Tightens Skin Pores

Face masks containing tomato juice works great as a natural astringent and reduces open skin pores. 

5. Reduces Acne

Our face has sebaceous glands which produce sebum. This sebum clogs the skin pores and sebaceous ducts which later lead to acne formation. Direct application of tomato juice on the skin helps a lot in lowering acne outbreaks. Tomato is an abundant source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. These vitamins along with the antioxidant properties of tomato reduce the production of sebum from sebaceous glands. 

6. Treats Sunburn

Tomato juice contains a high level of Anti Oxidants therefore direct application of tomato juice is proven to be very effective in curing sunburn.  

7. Prevent Signs Of Aging

Tomato has got the potential to increase the production of collagen fibres which maintains the skin’s elasticity and keep it soft, smooth and wrinkle-free. Consumption and application of fresh tomato juice can prevent signs of ageing. Tomatoes increase the ability of the skin to absorb oxygen and prevent the signs of aging. It is the safest natural way of making your skin look younger and healthy with less effort.  

8. Works Great As Natural Sunscreen

Tomatoes contain antioxidants like lycopene which provides protection to the skin against harsh UV rays. Direct application of tomato juice on the skin can provide protection against harmful UV rays. 

9. Fight Cellular Damage

Tomato is loaded with a high amount of antioxidant compounds which fight harmful free radicals. These free radicals harm the body cells. Consumption of tomatoes reduces the number of free radicals and gives you naturally glowing youthful skin. It keeps the skin moisturised and prevent fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of early ageing. 

How To Use Tomato For Skin – Home Remedies

• Remedy 1: For brighter and tighter skin

Ingredients: Tomato, Lemon 

Procedure : 

1. Take a tomato and a lemon.
2. Squeeze both of these food items to obtain their juice in a glass bowl.
3. Now mix the juice well in the glass bowl.
4. Apply this mixture to your face using fingers.
5. Leave it for 30 minutes and then wash your face with cold water.

• Remedy 2: For improving skin complexion

Ingredients: Tomato, Orange, Cucumber 

Procedure : 

1. Take a glass bowl and squeeze out the juice from the tomato and an orange.
2. Blend a small cucumber and collect its juice in another bowl using a strainer.
3. Add cucumber juice to tomato – orange juice.
4. Mix thoroughly.
5. Apply this face mask.
6. Leave the mask for 30 minutes and then wash your face with cold water.

• Remedy 3: For cleansing

Ingredients: Tomato, Sugar

Procedure : 

1. Take a tomato and cut it into two halves.
2. Now sprinkle crystalline sugar on one of these two halves.
3. Then rub it all over your face in a circular motion for few minutes. This will remove all the dirt and dead skin cells.
4. Wash your face with cold water.

• Remedy 4: To relieve skin irritation

Ingredients: Tomato, Yoghurt 

Procedure : 

1. Take a tomato and squeeze out its juice into a bowl.
2. Now add 1 teaspoon unsweetened yoghurt to this tomato juice and mix well.
3. Apply this mixture to your face.
4. Leave it for 20 minutes and then wash your face with cold water.

• Remedy 5: To reduce oiliness

Ingredients: Tomato, Avocado 

Procedure : 

1. Take a tomato and squeeze out its juice into a bowl.
2. Now take a ripe Avocado and collect its pulp into another bowl.
3. Mix the Avocado pulp with tomato juice and make a thick paste out of them.
4. Now apply this mixture all over your face.
5. Leave it for 20 minutes and then wash the face with cold water.

• Remedy 6: For natural bleaching

Ingredients: Tomato, Oatmeal, Yoghurt 

Procedure : 

1. Take a tomato and collect its pulp into a bowl.
2. Now take another bowl and add 1 teaspoon of Oatmeal, 1 teaspoon Yoghurt and 2 teaspoons Tomato pulp to it.
3. Mix all the ingredients well.
4. Apply this mask all over your face and neck and leave it for 20 minutes.
5. Wash your face with cold water.

• Remedy 7: To treat sunburn

Ingredients: Tomato, Buttermilk

Procedure : 

1. Take a tomato and squeeze out its juice into a bowl.
2. Now add 2 teaspoons buttermilk to the tomato juice and mix properly.
3. Apply this mixture all over your face and other sunburn areas.
4. Leave it for 30 minutes and wash it with cold water.

• Remedy 8: For skin lightening

Ingredients: Tomato, Milk

Procedure : 

1. Take few tomatoes and squeeze them to obtain their juice.
2. Collect half cup of tomato juice.
3. Add half a cup of milk to this juice and mix well.
4. Apply this mixture all over your face and neck.
5. Leave it for 20 minutes and then rinse off with cold water.

• Remedy 9: For tightening skin pores

Ingredients: Tomato, Cucumber 

Procedure : 

1. Take a half tomato and one-fourth peeled cucumber.
2. Blend both of these ingredients and make a paste.
3. Apply this mixture to the skin.
4. Leave it for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with cold water.

• Remedy 10: To get fairer and radiant skin

Ingredients: Tomato, Sandalwood, Lemon Juice 

Procedure : 

1. Take a tomato and blend it to make a thick paste out of it.
2. Now add one teaspoon sandalwood powder to this paste.
3. Add few drops of lemon juice to this mixture and mix well.
4. Apply this mixture all over your face and neck and leave for 15 minutes.
5. After 15 minutes wash it off with cold water.

• Remedy 11: For glowing radiant skin

Ingredients: Tomatoes, Papaya 

Procedure : 

1. Take 2 tablespoons of tomato juice in a bowl.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of papaya juice to it.
3. Mix well.
4. Apply this mixture on the skin of the face and neck.
5. Leave it for 20 minutes.
6. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.

Benefits Of Tomato For Hair

1. Gives You Shiny Hair

Tomatoes are loaded with a high amount of Vitamin A. Direct application of tomato juice on your hair will bring long-lasting shine to dull looking hair.  

2. Makes Hair Strong

Vitamin A makes hair stronger and tomatoes are a rich source of Vitamin A. Regular consumption of tomatoes makes the root and shaft of hair strong and reduces its tendency to break. Therefore, you must include tomatoes in your daily diet plan.

3. Prevents Hair Loss

Tomatoes contain important nutrients like Vitamin A, B, C, and E therefore consumption of tomatoes will help you in preventing excessive hair loss. 

4. Natural Conditioner

Tomatoes are amazing natural conditioners and provide natural shine to hair. They also work great as leave-in conditioners and makes hair soft, frizz-free and more manageable. 

5. Removes Odour

Application of tomato juice to the scalp will help you in combating bad odour.  

6. Provides Moisture

Tomatoes prevent hair from breaking. Regular application and consumption of tomatoes help to lock the much-needed moisture in the hair and prevent it from becoming dry and brittle. 

7. Cures Dandruff

Tomatoes work well in curing itchy scalp and dandruff. Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin C which fights dandruff. They also increase the production of collagen for proper tissue development of the scalp.

How To Use Tomato For Hair – Home Remedies

• Remedy 1: To get shiny hair

Ingredients: Tomato 

Procedure : 

1. Take few tomatoes and squeeze out the juice from them.
2. Directly apply this juice all over the shaft and roots of your hair and leave for 20 minutes.
3. Rinse off thoroughly.

• Remedy 2: To get rid of dandruff

Ingredients: Tomato 

Procedure : 

1. Take two tomatoes and collect pulp from them.
2. Apply this pulp directly to your dandruff affected scalp.
3. Leave it there for 30 minutes and then rinse off thoroughly.

Benefits Of Tomato For Health

1. Helps In Maintaining Good Health

Tomatoes are a rich source of natural vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6, B7, vitamin C, folate, iron, potassium, magnesium, chromium, choline, zinc, and phosphorus. Consumption of tomatoes helps in maintaining good health.  

2. Maintains Heart Health

Tomato is rich in lycopene and potassium. Both of these nutrients are good for the heart. Proper intake of lycopene prevents serum lipid oxidation and protects against cardiovascular diseases. Regular consumption of a diet rich in potassium controls heart rate and also helps in reducing the risk of heart strokes and other heart-related complications.

3. Improves Eye Health

Vitamin A plays a vital role in improving vision. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that fights away free radicals and will help you in maintaining normal vision. Therefore consumption of tomatoes also prevents night blindness and macular degeneration. 

4. Controls Blood Pressure

Tomatoes contain a high amount of Potassium which is a potent vasodilator or blood vessel dilator. Due to vasodilation blood circulation is increased which further reduces the stress on the heart for pumping blood to the whole body thereby eliminating hypertension. 

5. Makes Bones Stronger

Tomatoes contain abundant Calcium and Vitamin K. Regular consumption of tomatoes will strengthen your bones. 

6. Reduces Risk Of Prostate Cancer

Tomatoes have powerful antioxidants and fight away free radicals. They are also known to protect the body against all types of carcinogenic reactions. Tomatoes contain alpha-tomatine which has a special role in the prevention of Prostate cancer.   

7. Reduces Risk Of Breast Cancer

Various studies suggest that the consumption of tomatoes reduces the risk of breast cancer.

8. Improves Immunity

Regular intake of tomatoes increases the level of vitamin C in the blood which is known to reduce the level of stress hormone and strengthen the immune system. The antioxidant property of tomatoes also fights against the free radicals which damage the body cells. 

9. Boosts Energy

Tomatoes are a good source of proteins and carbohydrates; therefore, their consumption provides energy to the body to carry out different types of activities. 

How To Use Tomato For Health – Home Remedies

• Tomato – Watermelon Juice

Ingredients: Tomato, Watermelon, Ice cubes

Procedure : 

1. Take a small-sized watermelon and chop it into small pieces.
2. Take two tomatoes and chop them into small pieces.
3. Blend all the ingredients together and pour the juice into glasses.
4. Add ice cubes to the juice.
5. Serve chilled.

• Vegetable Smoothie

Ingredients: Tomatoes, Celery, Cucumber, Parsley, Salt, 

Procedure : 

1. Take 2 tomatoes and chop them into small-sized pieces.
2. Now blend all the ingredients together.
3. Pour the juice into a shaker.
4. Now add salt, pepper and ice cubes to the juice.
5. Serve chilled.

• Carrot – Tomato smoothie

Ingredients: Carrots, Tomatoes, Cucumber 

Procedure : 

1. Take 2 Carrots and chop them into small pieces.
2. Take 2 Tomatoes and chop them into small pieces.
3. Take a cucumber and chop it into small pieces.
4. Blend all the ingredients together.
5. Pour the juice into glasses.
6. Serve immediately.

• Tomato – Apple – Carrot smoothie

Ingredients: Tomatoes, Apples, Carrots, Ice Cubes

Procedure : 

1. Take 3 Carrots and chop them into small pieces.
2. Take 3 Apples and chop them into small pieces.
3. Take 2 Tomatoes and chop them into small pieces.
4. Blend all the ingredients together.
5. Add ice cubes and serve chilled.

• Healthy Vegetable Smoothie

Ingredients: Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Kale, Basil, Garlic clove 

Procedure : 

1. Peel a garlic clove.
2. Take 4 Tomatoes and chop them into small pieces.
3. Take 3 Cucumbers and chop them into small pieces.
4.  Blend all the ingredients together.
5. Add ice cubes.
6. Serve chilled.

• Liquid Sunset

Ingredients: Tomatoes, Apples, Ginger

Procedure : 

1. Take 3 Tomatoes and chop them into small pieces.
2. Take 3 apples and chop them into small pieces.
3. Peel a piece of ginger.
4.  Blend all the ingredients together.
5. Serve immediately.

• Vegetable Apple Juice

Ingredients: Celery, Carrots, Green Apples, Tomato, Kale

Procedure : 

1. Take a tomato and chop them into small pieces.
2. Take 2 green apples and chop them into small pieces.
3.  Blend all the ingredients together.
4. Serve immediately.

Precautions

1. Individuals who are allergic to tomatoes or their leaves should avoid eating it.
2. Wash the fruit well before consuming it.
3. Avoid excessive consumption of tomatoes as they may cause mouth sores, tongue sores, and even rashes.
4. Women should avoid eating raw tomatoes for few months after delivery.
5. Individuals suffering from diarrhoea should avoid eating tomatoes.

Side effects

1. Tomatoes and their leaves can cause allergic reactions.
2. Excessive consumption of tomatoes may lead to deposition of calcium and oxalate in the kidney which can result in kidney stones.
3. Tomatoes contain a high amount of acids therefore excessive consumption of tomatoes may result in heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
4. Excessive consumption of tomatoes may reduce the body’s immunity to fight against bacterial and fungal infections.

Myths And Facts

Myth: Tomatoes contain high levels of sodium

Fact: No. Tomatoes are extremely low in sodium. 

Myth: Tomato leaves are poisonous 

Fact: All the vegetables contain a substance known as an alkaloid. The glycoalkaloid which is present in tomatoes is Tomatin. This alkaloid is not poisonous but may cause gastrointestinal irritation in some patients.  

Myth: Tomatoes may cause migraine 

Fact: No. There is no such evidence that proves that the consumption of tomatoes can lead to migraines. 

FAQs

Question: Why the consumption of raw tomatoes for few months after delivery is not safe? 

Answer: Consumption of raw tomatoes for few months after delivery is not safe as it can reduce blood circulation around the abdominal area. 

Question: Can tomatoes be stored outside the refrigerator? 

Answer: Yes, tomatoes can be stored outside the refrigerator.