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What is “beauty”? Is it within or mere exterior perception?

While the debate on this age old subject can be tirelessly endless, it’s doubtless that our preoccupation with the body is intensifying. Simply because the body that is capable of exuding beauty is increasingly under the stress and rigours of modern living.

And interestingly, women are increasingly looking back to a time when their grandmothers and the generations before them, truly worked at looking their best.

For decades women have worked hard at keeping their exterior beauty. They have religiously exfoliated, cleansed, toned and moisturized their skin. And men are no exception these days.

In recent years, there is a growing recognition of natural products, all things non-narcotic and have no side-effects. Some are even easily available at affordable prices.

Besides consuming them, natural herbs are also turned into cosmetics or other forms for external use.

One Asian country that has one of the richest medical plant cultures in the world is India. There are over 8,000 species of plants being used by people in India.

From enhancing the body’s general immunity to anti-aging, from smooth, lush hair to brighter, clearer eyes, everybody wants the charm of youthfulness. Our new 8-part series, “Beautiful, Naturally”, will introduce some of Asia’s little known beauty tips to viewers.

In Taiwan, we visit the herbal plantations to find out why the locals have developed a taste for herbal foods. And in particular, we find out why flowers such as lavender, rosemary and sunflowers have a role in helping Taiwanese women exude beauty from within.

In Singapore, we crack the myth of eggs and uncover the good, bad and ugly sides of eggs. We’ll go nuts with coconuts and see how this tropical fruit can enhance our lives as food or an extract to apply on our body.

In China, we look at tea and native flowers help Chinese women help women in their quest for beauty. In Indonesia, we study jamu – the age-old recipes dating back to the royal palaces of Java, and how it is made relevant for modern Indonesian women.

Then there’s sesame, one of the earth’s first condiments as well as one of the first plants to be used for edible oil. Rich in manganese, copper and calcium, its usage dates back to 3,000 BC – an Egyptian tomb of 4,000 years depicts a baker adding sesame seeds to dough.

In the course of uncovering the great powers of herbs and fruits from some Asian countries, the series will have scour the kitchens of believers to share their “beauty cuisines” or “secret concoctions” that have passed from generation to generation.

Watch how some of practitioners from around Asia look to their backyards for nature’s treatments, and turn to their kitchen apothecaries to tap into an ancient heritage, producing something relevant for modern demands.