Go Organic This Holi – With Homemade Holi Colors

With the onset of summer, Holi (होली) or the festival of colors comes just like a silver lining on the cloud! The sight of splashing colors, color-smeared faces, music and Holi platter brings some respite. Kids are particularly attracted to this celebration of colors and arm themselves with pichkarees (पिचकारी), masks, hats and colors. But given the dangers of chemicals in the colors used to play Holi, it is no wonder that your child could end up with some serious skin issues, rashes and other skin allergies. For this reason, much has been discussed on celebrating Holi the natural way – making organic Holi colors at home.

• Why Should You Make Holi (होली) Colors At Home?
• How To Make Organic Holi (होली) Colors At Home?
• Making Red Holi Color At Home:
• Making Green Holi Color At Home:
• Making Blue Holi Color At Home:
• Making Yellow Holi Color At Home:
• Making Bright yellow Holi Color At Home:
• Making Black Holi Color At Home:
• Making Magenta Holi Color At Home:
• Making Orange Holi Color At Home:
• Making Purple Holi Color At Home:
• Making Brown Holi Color At Home:

Why Should You Make Holi (होली) Colors At Home?

In recent years, the chemicals used in colors have been questioned for their safety. Incidences of irritated skin, rashes, skin allergies, and effects on eyes have been highlighted. This happens because of silica and asbestos that are used in making Holi colors. Dry Holi colors are also lined with tiny glass pieces which can be rough on the skin and cause severe skin issues. Even the colors intended to be used wet are laced with various harmful chemicals. The immune system of young kids is not so strong and their skin is far more sensitive. Young skins absorbs chemicals from colors. These colors have been found to cause respiratory problems and impaired vision and even temporary blindness. The mica added to give a sheen effect to colors causes skin irritation and allergies. Therefore, there is need to adopt the concept of skin-friendly and eco-friendly Holi. Playing a safe Holi should be your priority and when you make Holi colors at home, you not only keep your kids safe, but also do your bit for the nature.

How To Make Organic Holi (होली) Colors At Home?

So this summer, ditch the synthetic colors and prepare flowery and aromatic colors in your own kitchen and that too with little effort. Below are few easy ways to make color which are 100% natural and safe:

Making Green Holi Color At Home:

• Henna: Henna leaves a greenish color on skin behind and is also considered to be an excellent conditioner for hair
  • Dry henna leaves, powder them and soak overnight in water for wet color
  • Mix powdered henna leaves with flour (atta-आटा) or refined flour (maida-मैदा) for lighter shade of green
• Spinach, Coriander & Mint: High in antioxidants and have a cooling effect on skin.
  • Grind together spinach, coriander and mint leaves to obtain green paste, which can be added to water for deep green color
  • Dry spinach, coriander and mint leaves, blend them in a mixer to obtain fine green powder
• Neem (नीम) leaves: Excellent anti-bacterial properties.
  • Boil neem leaves in water, leave it to cool and your fresh green color is ready
  • You can add a little turmeric to this to get a new bluish color
• Gulmohur leaves: Natural and safe.
  • Dry leaves of Gulmohur tree and powder them to obtain green powder

Making Red Holi Color At Home:

• • • Red hibiscus flowers: High in antioxidant, good for skin.
      • Soak hibiscus flowers in hot water to obtain beautiful red color
    • Kokum(कोकुम): High antioxidant content.
      • Soak kokum in water overnight for deep red color
    • Red sandalwood:
      • Mix red sandalwood powder with water for red color
    • Organic vermilion or sindoor(सिन्दूर):
      • Simply smear organic vermilion