Dark Circles can be removed by applying peeled and grated potato overnight at least three times a week. Grate a cucumber, squeeze to take out its juice and refrigerate. Make a mixture of lemon juice, lanolin cream and cucumber juice and apply around the eye for 10-15 minutes. The most effective remedy for dark circles is also the most cliche. Thin slices of cucumber applied to your eyes not only helps to lighten the skin, but also soothes and cools the eyes. This can be especially comforting if you've been up late the night before or your eyes are red and tired from allergies or staring at a laptop screen.

Massage with almond oil under and around eyes at bed time daily for 2 weeks and see the improvement. Almond helps to remove dark circles, and is an excellent "skin food".

The caffiene in tea bags acts as a remedy for dark circles by diminishing puffiness. Caffiene in tea helps to diminish water in the tissues around the eyes (you'll notice that many early eye circle creams contain caffiene for this very reason). In addition, tea contains antioxidants that are beneficial to the skin.

We can seek the aid of yoga, yogic kriyas and some of the time-tested home remedies to treat these dark circles.

* A regular practice of Sarvangasana, a wonderful yogic posture gives good results. Then there is this ancient yogic practice of nasal irrigation Jal Neti that involves flushing the nose with salt water to help remove mucus.Studies have shown that it can help relieve symptoms of sinus, colds and allergies. These are some of the natural and highly effective ways of treating dark circles. However, you have to learn this procedure from an expert yoga instructor and not attempt it with half-baked knowledge.

The good old home-remedies

* Put slices of oil-rich avocado under each eye.

*Raw potato is yet another very useful aid. Put thin slices of raw potato over dark circles at least twice or thrice a day, every day.

* Grate raw potatoes, add few drops of water, wrap it in a clean cloth and spread it over your eyelids.

* Mix ground almonds and milk and apply under the eyes.

* Crush parijat flowers (night jasmine) (see pic), mix with curds and apply this pack under your eyes for 10 minutes. Then wash off with cold water.

* You may also try applying orange juice and glycerine around the eyes.

* Mix equal parts of tomato juice and lemon juice and apply.

* You can also apply mint (pudina) juice around your undereye area for treating your dark circles.

* Grated cucumber placed over your eyelids and around your eyes helps. You can also dab cotton pods in cucumber juice and place it over your eyelids. This would work too.

* Mix equal quantities of cornflour and yoghurt and apply.

* Mix a tsp of castor oil with 1 tsp of milk cream (malai) and massage it around the eyes.

* Make a paste of rose petals with milk and apply this paste around the eyes.

Nota bene:

* Drink sufficient water. Also include buttermilk and yogurt in your diet.

* Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially colored ones like carrot, papaya, mango, green vegetables like spinach, curry leaves, sprouts etc in your diet.

* Wash your feet well and massage castor oil over the soles of the feet. This will also stimulate the pressure points of your eyes located on the soles of your feet.