Simple Home Remedies for Strong and Beautiful Nails

Are your nails the kind that can never grow? Do they chip and get brittle and eventually have to be cut off? Do your nails have a yellowish tinge and cannot survive a strong coat of nail colour? Do they appear to have 'wrinkly' lines and are pale and soft?

Fear not! Weak and brittle nails are a common problem and is suffered by men and women alike. Unhealthy nails are a result of poor diet, environmental conditions or just genes.

They are a number of factors that contribute to poor nail health, however, there are numerous remedies out there that are fast and effective and aid in giving a healthy beauty to the nails.

Beautiful and healthy nails give a pleasant appearance to the nails which also speaks volumes about a person's hygiene routine; and strong and healthy nails instantly attract and appeal more. Nails need not be inches long, but maintaining them is certainly important.

Here are a few tried and tested remedies for strong and beautiful nails that do not need a lot of time, and the ingredients are commonly found at home only.

Garlic

Garlic is an unsung hero when it comes to healing nails from fungus and making them grow longer and stronger. Simply take a peeled and cut garlic clove and rub it on to your nails. Leave on for ten minutes, apply lemon juice to get rid of the smell and wash off. Garlic also has antioxidant properties and one must make it an essential in regular nail care routine.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is a really versatile ingredient that can work for blemishes and scars and even dandruff and getting rid of lice. This oil also helps strengthen the nails by treating and preventing fungal infections that may be the cause of your brittle and weak nails. Add a few drops of Tea Tree Oil in lukewarm water and soak your nails in it for a few minutes. After the soak, massage your nails with a few drops of Vitamin E oil. Do this treatment at least four times a week.

Flaxseeds

Power packed with nutrients and minerals including potassium, B vitamins, zinc, magnesium and omega 3 fatty acids, flaxseeds are the ultimate health food. You can soak a tablespoon of flaxseeds overnight and grind them in the morning. Apply this gooey paste on the nails in the morning and keep on for at least 15 minutes. Massage and wash off. If this feels like a lot of hassle for you, just get some flaxseed oil, massaged onto your nails at night and leave overnight.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a universal beauty secret. It aids in achieving better skin, hair and nails. Adding olive oil to the diet is also beneficial for the body. For strong and beautiful nails, regular massages of warm olive oil can be done on the hands. Olive oil can be replaced with regular hand creams and fragrances and chemicals in such creams also damage the nails. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice into the olive oil before massaging onto your hands as it will also improve the tanning on hands, and give the nails a glow and shine.

Increase Protein Intake

Having a diet rich in protein aids in making the nails stronger and healthier. Nails are made up of keratin which is a form of protein, hence protein based foods help in making the nails strong. Salmon, chicken, eggs, lean meats, soybeans, tofu, quinoa and nuts are all rich in protein. You can also add a protein shake to your diet, or just add a spoonful of protein powder to a glass of milk. A doctor can also be consulted for protein shake supplements.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is also an essential component that aids in making the skin and nails healthy. Vitamin E can be added to your diet, or supplements can taken after the doctor's advice. Moreover, Vitamin E Oil capsules are also available that can used to massage the nails and hands before bed. Vitamin E makes the hands soft and supple, and also get rid of the brittleness around the nails and softens the cuticles too. If you love hand creams and cannot do without one, opt for hand creams that are rich in Vitamin E. With Vitamin E enriched nails, it will be easier to apply nail polishes. It would be great to use the best vegan nail polish available on the market.

Shea Butter

One great remedy to get soft and moisturised hands and strong and healthy nails is shea butter. Get your hands on some organic shea butter that is easily found at most farmer's markets. Massage your hands and feet regularly in this heavenly concoction, and get nails that look and feel healthy and beautiful. Shea also improves the skin, softens the cuticles, and gives brittle nails strength to recover themselves.

Along with these remedies, there are a number of other options that can be tried at home for healthy nails. Tomato juice, orange juice, coconut oil and apple cider vinegar all work wonders in aiding to the better health of the nails. Taking biotin supplements also give a boost to the nails, while taking care not to use an emery board roughly to file the nails, as moving the emery board back and forth can cause further damage. Regular manicures and moisturising the hands after every wash will also go a long way in maintaining strong and healthy nails.