Ancient Persian Beauty Secrets For Hair, Skin & Body: A Lotus Hair Gloss, Saffron Face Mask & Detox Scrub

The women always had a few things in common: extremely soft, luxurious, velvet, skin on their limbs; shiny, glossy hair; and clean, even skin. Grandmothers and mothers would pass down certain rituals to their daughters for centuries; therefore the lineage of these ancient methods are still alive today.

A kiseh is a cloth like a loofah that is used with sefitab, which is an exfoliating chunk of hardened minerals and sheep fat. Sefitab, which means "white water" looks a bit like a dense piece of chalk; however, it's an ancient formula made specifically for removing dead skin and polishing the skin until it's as soft as velvet. Supposedly this has been the tradition during bathing rituals since the Zoroastrian days.

While it's hard to DIY this at home and come up with a close substitute, if nothing else, investing in a loofah is the way to go, and I love using my Sea Siren Body scrub; I formulated it with blue-green algae, the purest form of algae full of enzymes, vitamins, chlorophyll, and amino and fatty acids that feed your skin.

Another ancient Persian beauty secret is using the herb sedr to promote glossy, thick hair. Sedr powder is from the leaves of the lotus tree. This tree is actually a relative of the buckthorn family. It is excellent for dandruff and to strengthen and condition the hair shaft. In fact, it gives many of the benefits that henna does but without the added color, if you don't wish to deposit color in your hair.

When I use the sedr herb, I feel like my hair is extra shiny and more bouncy. I definitely think the longer it is left the more you will see the benefits.

By now we all know the benefits of using rosewater on the skin. It is an excellent toner, hydrator, and can clear up skin ailments. Did you know that drinking some rosewater is also very soothing for the skin? Staying hydrated has been shown in studies to help enhance skin barrier health and dermal thickness1—and adding in rose water can take this a step further by supplying the body with antioxidants.

Simple: I drop a few drops into my water bottle and drink it throughout the day. I've noticed an elevation in my heart chakra, energy, a sense of renewal, and more. You can put some drops in your juice, tea, or cocktail. I have been on the hunt for a 100 percent organic brand that uses roses grown with zero pesticides. The company Royal Sense has a beautiful rosewater that I have been sampling now for six weeks, and I can see the results.

One of my most beloved ingredients is the delicate strands of saffron. Since I was a child I have been in awe of this precious spice. I have seen how it can make a simple rice dish go from a staple to a culinary sensation. The unusual flavor and beautiful golden red color come from the Crocus flower. It is said that it takes 4,500 crocus flowers to make up 1 ounce of saffron. Saffron has incredible healing properties that also are found in Ayurvedic traditions. For the skin, using topically can help with dryness, discoloration, dullness, and acne.

A saffron mask is easy to make and leaves your skin illuminated and glowing. Using yogurt (rich in zinc and B vitamins), which is a natural lactic acid, and combining it with enzyme-rich honey will allow the saffron threads to really penetrate the skin. Honey is a natural humectant and will keep the skin supple and soft.

Certain ancient beauty rituals have stood the test of time for one simple reason: They work. Being half-Iranian, I can attest to these Persian beauty ingredients that can give you glowing skin and shiny hair.