The loofah sponge: a useful and natural product
The loofah sponge may soon become your best friend! Put it to the test in the shower and you will see that it will bring precious benefits to your skin such as softness, hydration and radiance. If you love a natural beauty routine made up of simple and effective gestures, also discover the secrets that Koreans reserve for their delicate skin. Watch the video and discover the most valuable and valuable tips of Korean skin care!
The loofah sponge, a plant of the pumpkin family
The name "luffa" derives from the Arabic Louff and indicates the plant of the pumpkin family, from which this sponge is obtained. The loofah plant produces, in fact, a fruit resembling a courgette or a cucumber. Its fruits have a pulp which, as it ripens, consolidates and becomes elastic. They can be eaten only if they do not dry out on the plant, otherwise the internal part decomposes. It is not very common as food due to its bitter taste. Once the skin is removed from the fruit, the loofah remains. , which must be cut into several pieces. This pint of oriental origin from which this sponge is obtained is also cultivated in Sicily and Sardinia, in the warmest areas of Italy. It also grows well indoors. From the dried pulp, therefore, are obtained sponges suitable for washing in the shower, but also useful for its abrasive properties even household cleaning, to clean sinks, tables, any type of washable surface. In fact, when they are dry, they seem very dry and hard, but as soon as they get wet with water they become soft like any other sponge and can be used, both for body hygiene and for household chores. This product is sold in various forms depending on its intended use. You can also buy it in health food stores, natural cosmetics stores and even online on Amazon.
The loofah sponge: its properties
The loofah sponge is hypoallergenic, non-toxic and suitable for cleansing all skin types during the shower and also for the face. Among other things, this sponge is very suitable for sensitive skin and is really precious for the epidermis, first of all because its massage activates the blood microcirculation and also makes the skin smooth and soft like velvet. Among the properties of the loofah sponge is the gentle exfoliation of the skin, with the removal of dead cells. From the loofah it is possible to obtain not only elongated tubular sponges but also round cleansing discs for cleaning the face, more ecological than synthetic sponges suitable for this purpose. They can also be useful as accessories to prepare the skin for hair removal. Passed dry or moistened on the skin to be depilated, they put the hair in the correct position, removing the ingrown ones. To use the loofah sponge correctly, gently rub the skin dry, then wet it, while you are in the shower, add some exfoliating shower gel and massage the whole body evenly in a circular pattern. After rinsing, thoroughly moisturize the skin with a specific cream to compensate for the dryness caused by the exfoliating treatment.
The loofah sponge: beware of mold and bacteria
The loofah vegetable sponge is an excellent substitute for the synthetic sponges on the market. Its hygiene is however very important and must be respected with simple procedures. After using the loofah sponge, rinse it with warm water and let it dry in the sun, so as not to run the risk of mold formation or the proliferation of bacterial agents. The sponge, in fact, can also host a bacterium that should not be underestimated, the Pseudomonas aeruginosa, sometimes causing serious infections. For this, wash the sponge before and after use and every now and then pass it in the microwave for about twenty seconds to disinfect it periodically. Another method of disinfection is to wash it with hydrogen peroxide. When it is completely worn out, it should be thrown into the wet container or into the compost in the garden.
The loofah sponge: how to grow it
If you want to grow the loofah plant, you can buy the seeds from a nursery or seedlings that have already grown. It is not difficult to grow and you can make useful ecological sponges. The best time to sow them is in spring, from March to May. Choose a sun-kissed area in your garden or large pots on your balcony. Before spreading the seeds in the soil, allow them to soak for a day to make them germinate more quickly. If you decide to grow it not in the vegetable garden or in the garden, but on the balcony or on a small terrace, use large pots and do not forget to put clay or gravel on their bottom, to facilitate drainage. Stagnant water can cause the plant to rot, which in any case needs regular and abundant irrigation and periodic fertilization throughout its development. You should then use special accessories such as solid metal nets, so that the plant can lean against it so as not to sag under the weight of its fruits. When these take a brownish color, you can collect them and store them to dry them in a place absolutely free of humidity. After removing the peel and seeds, extract the pulp, crushing the fruit. Then leave it to soak in water and bicarbonate to purify it. Watch out for parasites, which can attack the "white sickness". To restore the plant, use organic sulfur-based preparations, after removing the contaminated parts.
