Looking for a natural and effective way to strengthen your hair and bones? The answer might be simpler than you think—right in your kitchen. Garden cress seeds, commonly called halim or aliv, are small but incredibly powerful seeds packed with essential nutrients. For generations, these seeds have been a staple in Indian households, prized for their health benefits. Rich in iron, calcium, protein, and other vital minerals, halim seeds support healthy hair growth by nourishing hair follicles and improving scalp circulation. At the same time, they contribute to stronger bones by supplying calcium and other bone-friendly nutrients. Whether you’re struggling with hair thinning, brittle nails, or weak bones, incorporating garden cress seeds into your daily routine can offer a natural boost. From simple drinks to tasty snacks and even hair masks, there are many easy and practical ways to enjoy their benefits. Let’s dive into five effective methods to use halim seeds for better hair and bone health.
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Why Garden Cress Seeds Deserve Your Attention
Garden cress seeds, also known as halim, are small reddish-brown seeds packed with powerful nutrients. Despite their modest size, they contain iron, calcium, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and folate—nutrients vital for healthy hair roots and strong bones. These seeds have been valued in Ayurveda for centuries, especially for women, as they help reduce hair fall, strengthen bones, and support postpartum recovery. Today, nutritionists also recommend halim seeds as a natural health booster for anyone seeking better hair and bone health. If you’ve tried various hair serums or calcium supplements without much success, garden cress seeds might be the natural solution you need. Easy to include in your diet, these seeds offer a simple yet effective way to nourish your body from within and promote long-lasting wellness.
1. Halim Seed Water Shot – Start Your Day Right
Halim seeds are packed with iron and folate, two essential nutrients that support the production of red blood cells. These red blood cells improve blood circulation throughout the body, including the scalp. Better blood flow to the scalp means that more nutrients reach your hair roots, promoting stronger and healthier hair growth. This makes halim seeds especially beneficial for those experiencing hair thinning or hair fall. Additionally, if you often feel low on energy—especially during your menstrual cycle—drinking water soaked with halim seeds can provide a natural energy boost. This simple remedy helps replenish iron levels, reducing fatigue and supporting overall vitality. Including halim seed water in your daily routine can make a noticeable difference in both your energy levels and hair health.
- How to use: Soak 1 tablespoon of halim seeds in half a glass of water overnight. Drink this first thing in the morning.
- Tip: Add a few drops of lemon juice for better iron absorption.
Know more: 12 Delicious High-Protein Foods to Eat Daily for a Healthier You
2. Halim + Jaggery Energy Balls – Sweet and Healthy
These energy balls are rich in iron, calcium, and healthy fats, making them a powerful nutritional snack. Jaggery not only adds natural sweetness but also helps improve the absorption of iron in the body. Ghee contributes healthy fats that support bone health and overall nourishment. Traditionally, this recipe is given to new mothers to aid recovery, but its benefits extend to anyone looking to strengthen their nails, reduce joint pain, or combat hair thinning. These balls provide a natural boost of essential nutrients that support bone strength and hair growth. Easy to prepare and delicious, they can be included as a daily snack to enhance your overall health and well-being.
- How to use: Roast 2 tablespoons of halim seeds. Mix them with crushed jaggery and ghee. Roll them into small balls.
- Tip: Store these balls in an airtight container and have one every day after lunch.
3. Halim Smoothie with Almond Milk – A Modern Twist
This smoothie is a nutrient-packed drink rich in protein, calcium, and fiber, making it an excellent choice for vegetarians or those who avoid dairy products. By blending garden cress seeds with almond milk and natural fruits like banana, you create a delicious and wholesome beverage that supports overall health. The protein in this smoothie helps promote healthy hair growth by strengthening hair follicles from within. Meanwhile, the calcium content contributes to stronger bones, reducing the risk of fractures and bone-related issues. The fiber aids digestion and helps your body absorb nutrients more effectively. This smoothie is an easy and tasty way to include essential nutrients in your daily diet, supporting both your hair and bone health naturally and effectively.
- How to use: Blend soaked halim seeds with almond milk, banana, and a pinch of cinnamon.
- Tip: If you’re rushing through breakfast every morning, this smoothie is a quick and filling option. It tastes great and supports long-term health.
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4. Halim Hair Mask – For Direct Scalp Nourishment
Halim seeds possess natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that make them ideal for scalp care. When used as a hair mask, these seeds help soothe irritation and reduce dandruff effectively. The nutrients in halim seeds nourish the scalp, promoting stronger and healthier hair growth from the root. This natural treatment is especially helpful for those struggling with dry scalp or itchy skin, offering relief without the use of harsh chemicals or synthetic products. Regular use of a halim seed hair mask can improve scalp health, reduce flakiness, and prevent hair breakage. It’s a gentle and natural way to maintain a clean, balanced scalp while encouraging thick, resilient hair. This makes halim seeds a valuable ingredient for anyone seeking chemical-free hair care solutions.
- How to use: Grind 2 tablespoons of soaked halim seeds into a thick paste. Mix it with coconut oil or aloe vera gel. Apply it to your scalp and hair. Leave it for 30–45 minutes and rinse with a mild shampoo.
- Tip: Use once a week for visible results in a month.
5. Halim + Warm Milk Night Drink – Your Bedtime Buddy
Milk is a rich source of calcium, essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones. When combined with halim seeds, which provide protein and iron, this drink becomes a powerful natural remedy for bone repair and regeneration. Consuming this combination before bedtime supports the body’s healing processes during sleep, a crucial time for bone health and overall recovery. This nighttime drink is especially beneficial for people over 40, who may experience natural bone density loss, and for those recovering from bone injuries. Additionally, it can help improve sleep quality, allowing the body to rest better and repair itself more efficiently. Incorporating warm milk with halim seeds into your nightly routine is a simple yet effective way to promote stronger bones and better overall health.
- How to use: Mix 1 teaspoon of roasted halim seeds in a cup of warm milk. Drink it before bed.
- Tip: This drink has helped many people sleep better and feel less tired in the morning.
Check more: Top 10 Health Benefits of Eating Dry Fruits Daily
Halim-tastic Hair?
Halim seeds help improve the health of your scalp from within. They work on your hair’s roots and help reduce breakage and thinning. If you’re someone who has tried expensive shampoos or oils with no results, halim might be the missing link. Consuming halim regularly can also make your hair shinier and fuller over time.
Bones So Strong, You’ll Outrun Your Grandkids
Strong bones are not just about taking calcium supplements. Your body needs multiple nutrients to build and protect bone tissue—like iron, magnesium, and vitamin C. Halim seeds offer all these. If you have a family history of arthritis or osteoporosis, adding halim to your diet can help lower that risk.
Not Just a Seed – It’s a Superhero in Disguise
You’ve probably heard of chia seeds or flaxseeds. Garden cress seeds are just as powerful, if not more. They’re easier to digest and cost less. Plus, you get multiple health benefits from just one seed. This tiny superfood supports immunity, digestion, hormone balance, and even skin health. If your grandmother made you drink halim water or eat those sticky laddoos during winters, she was ahead of her time. These traditional habits are backed by modern science today. It’s time we listen to our roots and include such powerful foods in our routine again.
The Bottom Line!
Halim seeds may be small, but their benefits for your health are significant. Whether your goal is to reduce hair fall, strengthen your bones, or simply improve your overall nutrition, incorporating these seeds into your daily routine can make a real difference. Start by trying one simple method—like drinking halim seed water or adding them to your meals—and observe how your body responds. These seeds are a natural, effective way to support your health without relying on chemicals or supplements. Nature provides us with powerful remedies, and halim seeds are a perfect example. By using them consistently and thoughtfully, you can unlock their full potential and enjoy healthier hair, stronger bones, and improved well-being.
Culinary excellence has evolved over the years. It is highly shaped by global influences, technology and changing consumer expectations. Trends like sustainability, hyper-personalization, cultural storytelling, fine dining, wellness focus innovation and presentation are shaping up the market scenario. The global culinary market is projected to grow at a steady CAGR of 10–11%, reaching over $4 trillion by 2030.
Culinary skills are really important to expand their horizons as it gives a deeper understanding of food, culture and art. Chefs should have all the knowledge to enhance the culinary experience with guest satisfaction. While Culinary arts focus on mastering techniques, understanding ingredients and food science, and building skills in menu planning, costing, and food safety.
Comprehensive Training is Essential: Striking a balance between authenticity and innovation is a nuanced endeavor—stray too far, and the soul of the dish is lost; cling too tightly, and evolution is stifled. Comprehensive training in both classical and contemporary techniques ensures that consistency and creativity thrive in harmony.
Chef Ranjeet Yadav Executive Chef, Courtyard by Marriott Ranchi pointed that consistency and innovation with intent are really important. “Consistency plays a major role. Every plate that leaves the kitchen must reflect our standards. This comes from training the team rigorously, standardizing processes, and ensuring quality control across every step — from sourcing to plating.
Uncompromising Dedication to Premium Ingredients: Sourcing traditional ingredients sustainably, especially at scale, presents ongoing challenges. Chef Avishek Bagchi, Executive Sous Chef, JW Marriott Kolkata said, “At its core, sourcing the highest quality, freshest ingredients through ‘sustainable sourcing’ are non-negotiable—it forms the foundation of exceptional cuisine, amplifying both flavor and nutritional value.”
Commenting on the same, Chef Mohd. Merajuddin, Executive Chef, ITC Grand Goa Resort & Spa said, “At ITC Grand Goa, our foremost strategy is rooted in local sourcing and seasonal intelligence. We emphasize using indigenous Goan ingredients, from toddy vinegar to kokum, blending them seamlessly into global and regional cuisines. The second is team craftsmanship—investing in rigorous training, constant innovation, and collaborative creativity.”
Equally essential is inspirational & heirloom innovation—which fuels creativity without forsaking authenticity. “It involves continuously evolving techniques, integrating contemporary methods, and reimagining time-honored recipes to suit modern palates,” added Bagchi. Navigating these demands requires cultivating strong relationships with ethical suppliers and nurturing cultural sensitivity across teams.
Consistency & Innovation is the Key: One has to keep on innovating to stay ahead of the competitors. It helps in curating new dishes and innovations through unique presentations. Consistency is the key to everything.
“Innovation with intent. We don’t innovate for novelty; we do it to elevate the guest experience. Whether it’s curating local-inspired menus, embracing wellness trends, or enhancing presentation, the goal is to surprise and delight while staying true to the Courtyard brand ethos,” added Yadav.
Managing Rising Cost: The biggest challenge in a kitchen is managing rising ingredient costs, maintaining consistency with a large team, and adapting quickly to changing guest expectations.
Pointing his views on this, Chef Yadav added, “We overcome these with a proactive approach — regular cost reviews, seasonal and local sourcing to optimize pricing, and team empowerment through continuous training. We also take feedback seriously — not just from guests but internally — so we can fine-tune our operations in real time.”
Talent Retention: The solution lies in systems and soul: adopting smart kitchen tech for precision and planning while keeping the human touch intact. Chef Merajuddin shared that another challenge is talent retention. “We’re addressing it by creating an environment that’s about purpose, not just pressure—empowering our young chefs to grow with pride and accountability.”
Over the last few years, there is a significant shift in how diners approach food—it's no longer just about indulgence, but also about balance, variety and experience. Ideas such as "one by two" and "two by three" have their origins in India's dining culture, which is a long-standing custom of sharing meals that invites visitors to try a range of foods and take pleasure in the community dining experience.
As portion-sized offerings are gaining popularity, they naturally align with these changing preferences. Small plates, tapas-style servings, and curated tasting menus let guests enjoy a diverse range of dishes without feeling overwhelmed.
The Changing Shift of consumer's
There’s a clear shift in how people eat, especially among millennials and Gen Z. This younger crowd is all about healthy living and great experiences—even when it comes to food. They want to try more, waste less, and enjoy variety without messing up their fitness goals. The menu designs, food portions, and even pricing strategies are being impacted by this change in consumer preferences.
Unique Strategies by brands to reduce food wastage through portion control
Restaurants are serving small portion size food to reduce food wastage. Highlighting the unique concept by Ibnii, Sherry Sebastian, Managing Director, The IBNII Coorg explained, “At Ibnii, we observed that every day the food waste was piling up and our composting units were overworked with fourteen large bins collecting food waste. Guests would order food and then a lot of it would go to waste on their plates. This was despite reducing portion sizes and informing them that any number of orders could be placed.”
She added, “We came up with the idea of weighing the waste and charging a fee for the food wasted. This fee would go into a donation box. The funds would be collected and then they would be channeled to a not for profit and utilized to feed underprivileged children. Currently Ibnii is tied up with an orphanage in Madikeri for this initiative.”
The Challenges Faced
One of the main challenges with offering smaller portions is managing the perceived value as guests may expect lower prices that’s not always feasible due to the high quality of ingredients and the time required for preparation. Additionally, it requires operational training for staff to consistently and efficiently serve multiple small dishes.
Pawan Shahri, CEO & Co-Founder Chrome Asia Hospitality said, “We’ve tackled this by investing in systems that support efficient plating and clear storytelling on the menu, so the experience matches the expectation. Portion-sized offerings allow restaurants to present a more diverse menu and reduce food wastage significantly.”
Adding her views, Alisha Mehra, Co-Founder, BOMBA said, “Convincing customers to pay for smaller servings even if they’re healthier and made with better ingredients is a task. Added to that is the backend hurdles like consistent portion control, pricing it right, and adjusting kitchen operations. The key is balance and clear communication letting people know they’re getting quality, freshness, and an experience that values taste and well-being over just quantity.”
How portion-size serving helps?
For restaurants, it often translates into quicker table turnover, better inventory control, and the ability to highlight a wider variety of dishes without inflating food costs. It also fosters a sense of community dining, encouraging sharing, which enhances the overall atmosphere.
“When dishes are designed with precision, it not only minimizes excess but also ensures consistency in plating and quality. We have observed that structured portioning enables better forecasting, reduces spoilage, and streamlines kitchen prep—ultimately improving both profitability and sustainability,” added Shahri.
On an average, restaurants can save 30-40% on total food costs through portioned servings, primarily by reducing wastage and optimizing inventory and this helps in increasing profits.
Portion-sized food is not just a fleeting trend but a reflection of a broader movement toward mindful eating. With the rising health consciousness, increasing food costs, and a focus on sustainability, the move to balanced, intentional servings is a natural progression. It's about savoring quality food with awareness.
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