Holi will be celebrated with the usual frolic throughout the country in a few days. The primary risk which Holi brings along with itself is exposure to harmful chemicals in the form of Holi colours.

To play it safe, it is important to use non-synthetic colours which are not harmful to your skin. Here is a list of recipes for herbal colours:

•Depending on the colour of your choice you can use gram flour, turmeric, fuller’s earth, sandalwood powder and henna powder. These items can be used to make a myriad of colours.

•Flowers like Marigold and Gulmohar, and vegetables like beetroot can be easily used to create fine colours. Most of these ingredients are used in kitchens, so it’s also a bonus for the skin, and they smell great.

•Put some cut-up pieces of beetroot in boiling water and let it stay overnight. The next day you will have amazing coloured water to play with.

•Take some black grapes and amla and cut them in fine pieces. Put the pieces in boiling water and let the water cool down to get a nice black colour for Holi.

•Dry petals of Marigold flower and grind them in a mixer; you have the yellow coloured powder. You can also use turmeric powder since it is also very good for the skin.

•Prepare a green powder by putting spinach, mint and neem leaves in hot water and let it stay for some time. You can also make dry green colour by grinding dried leaves of spinach, mint and neem leaves.

Dr. Partap Chauhan, Director of Jiva Ayurveda, is an author, public speaker, TV personality and Ayurvedacharya

First Published: Mar 18, 2019 15:43 IST