Turmeric is popularly known as the “Indian Saffron” because of its brilliant yellow color.The history of turmeric date back to 4000 years. Turmeric belongs to the ginger family. It is a native of southern Asia. The rhizomes when not used fresh are boiled for 30-45 minutes, dried in hot ovens and finally ground into dark orange-yellow powder.
Turmeric is an important constituent in Ayurvedic medicine.The main component of the turmeric is a volatile oil called turmerone. It also contains coloring agents called curcuminoids which are natural antioxidants.
Turmeric and Skin Health
Research studies show that turmeric/curcumin is highly beneficial for boosting your skin health. It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antineoplastic (prevents the growth and spread of tumors) properties. Turmeric has beneficial effects on skin conditions such as
- Acne
- Facial photoaging
- Alopecia
- Psoriasis
- Atopic dermatitis
- Oral lichen planus
- Pruritus
- Radiodermatitis
- Vitiligo
Research studies say that both oral and topical application of turmeric provides therapeutic benefits for your skin health.
Curcumin has skin regenerative properties and helps in wound healing. According to a review published in the January 2013 issue of the journal Biofactors. Curcumin protects skin by reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals. It regulates proteins involved in the healing process of wounds and influences enzymes involved in skin regeneration.
Beauty Benefits of The Golden Spice
Acne
Acne lesions may include whiteheads blackheads, nodules, small bumps, and cysts. You may suffer from acne due to the sensitivity of hormones, fatty acids within oil glands, combined with bacteria on your skin. You may experience acne on the face, chest, shoulders, and back;these are the sites of oil glands. Your acne may be aggravated due to fluctuating hormonal levels, picking or prodding of lesions and wearing hats, helmets, and headgear.
Turmeric on Acne. Turmeric has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It kills bacteria that causes breakouts. The curcumin present in turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to reduce inflammation, swelling, redness, and pain. Turmeric is antiseptic, and it removes the deposition of bacterial infection in skin pores.
Beauty Tip. Mix 4 tablespoons of turmeric powder with four tablespoons of raw honey and one tablespoon milk. Blend it to a smooth consistency and store in the fridge. Take a hot shower and dip a clean washcloth in hot water.
Gently press the washcloth onto the affected areas for 5 minutes. This action will bring the puss to the surface. Now apply the turmeric mixture. Massage for at least ten minutes. And leave it overnight. Wash it off in the morning. Use a gentle toner dipped in a cotton ball to remove the yellow stain on your face.
Aging
Your skin is at the mercy of sun, harsh weather,stress and bad habits. How your skin ages will depend on your lifestyle, heredity, diet and other personal habits. When you grow old, your skin may become rough, loose and transparent.There is a loss of fat below the skin in the cheeks, temples, skin, nose, and eyes. Exposure to the sun can also lead to premature wrinkles.
Turmeric on Aging. Turmeric is one of the highest antioxidant containing spices in the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity Scale. Studies show that turmeric inhibits an enzyme called elastase that reduces the production of elastin. Elastin is essential for your smooth and pliable skin.
The curcuminoids present in turmeric are healthy antioxidants. They have antioxidant activity comparable to that of vitamins And E.
Turmeric is known to treat conditions of oxidative stress.
- It increases the level of antioxidant enzymes
- Scavenges free radicals that cause oxidative stress
- Inhibits the oxidation of fats present in cell membrane leading to cell death.
- It is successful in stimulating antioxidant defenses in human dermal fibroblasts.
Beauty Tip. Mix one teaspoon each of turmeric, gram flour, jojoba oil, one tablespoon lemon juice and enough milk to form a paste. Rub onto wet skin and leave it for 10 minutes. Gently wipeoff the mask with fingertips and rinse with lukewarm water. You can apply this mask 1-2 times a week.
Dark Circles
Dark circles can be due to bad blood circulation. The skin around your eyes is thin anddelicate. So the accumulated pigments become more visible here than anywhere else. Stress, insufficient sleep, consumption of tobacco or alcohol and aging may be the causes of dark circles.
Turmeric on Dark Circles. If you suffer from “raccoon eyes’ then turmeric may be your best bet. Turmeric is a natural antioxidant,anti-inflammatory spice and significantly reduces dark circles. When taken internally, turmeric detoxifies your blood and liver and gives you a radiant skin. Turmeric reduces wrinkles and fine lines. It rejuvenates tired and sagging skin.
Beauty Tip. Gently mix one teaspoon of turmeric powder with some pineapple juice and create a thick paste. Apply this mixture to your dark circles and leave it for 10 minutes. Use a soft, warm, damp cloth to remove the mask gently. Repeat this routine once daily.
Skin Lightening
The Dull skin may make you look tired and old.Less skin moisture, failure to exfoliate, insufficient sleep, stress, pollutants, UV exposure, unhealthy foods and smoking habit are the causes of dull skin.
Turmeric on Skin Lightening. Curcumin present in turmeric helps to resolve hyperpigmentation and reduces melanin production. Melanin triggers include
- Sun exposure,
- Pituitary stress
- Skin damage
- Tumors
- Cushing syndrome and others.
These factors trigger the ACTH hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. ACTH hormone supports MCIR which is one of the proteins that stimulates melanin production. Curcumin helps to reduce the ACTH hormone and thus reduces hyperpigmentation and lightens skin.
Beauty Tip. Peel the skin of an orange, dry them under the sun until crisp and blend it to a fine powder. Mix two tablespoons of orange peel powder to 1 teaspoon of turmeric, one tablespoon of honey and water to make a fine paste.
Apply this paste onto your face and let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water followed by cold water. Repeat this procedure three times a week.
Teeth Whitening
If you feel that your smile is a tad duller when compared to the teeth of models and celebrities, then you need to do something about it.
Yellow discoloration may be due to dark-colored foods and beverages-they fall under the extrinsic stain category. Usage of numerous medications and too much fluoride are the intrinsic factors which lead to yellow teeth.
Turmeric on Yellow Teeth. Turmeric is an excellent natural remedy for sensitive teeth and other dental problems like toothache, tooth decay, and gingivitis because it has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It whitens your teeth by removing plaque.
Turmeric has astringent and abrasive properties that whiten your teeth. It consists of magnesium, selenium, calcium and vitamin C that improves your oral health. Curcumin helps to kill germs and other microbes causing gum and tooth problems.
Beauty Tip. Add two tablespoons of organic coconut oil, four tablespoons organic turmeric powder and two tsp baking soda. Give the mixture a gentle stir, and leave it in a cool place, so it forms a semisolid consistency. Take a little amount of the turmeric toothpaste and brush for about 2 minutes. Store the remaining toothpaste in a glass container.
To completely remove the stains rinse your mouth well with water. Use this turmeric toothpaste twice a week. Continuous usage will brighten your teeth naturally and enhance your oral health.
Cracked Heels
When your sensitive skin on the bottom of your feet becomes dry, it splits open leaving sharp cracks called fissures on your heels. Cracked heels may be the result of cold weather, dehydration, not moisturizing your feet or having diabetes.
Turmeric on Cracked Heels. Curcumin has excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It soothes your cracked heels and boosts circulation in your legs which increase cell turnover. This action helps to heal the fissures. The Turmeric is antiseptic which protects the wounds from infections and helps your heels to heal faster.
Beauty Tip. Neem has antifungal properties which protect your feet from getting infected. Blend 100 grams of neem leaves in a blender. Alternatively, you can use three teaspoons of neem powder or neem oil.
Mix it with four teaspoons of turmeric and one tablespoon of rose water or milk. Apply the paste onto your cracked heels and leave it for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water and towel dry. Repeat the regimen daily to get rid of cracked heels.
Hair Loss
Your hair may fall due to physical stress, pregnancy, lack of protein, heredity, male pattern baldness, female hormones, anemia, vitamin deficiencies, lupus, overstyling, and aging.
Turmeric on Hair Loss. Eating turmeric as part of your diet or drinking it as a supplement will give a boost to your body’s overall health. It will reinforce your immune system to stimulate hair growth. Turmeric extracts inhibit a5-AR enzyme which is the primary cause of androgenic hair loss.
TGF Beta 1 is a growth factor that plays a role in the death of hair follicles and results in hair loss. Turmeric inhibits its activity, boosts follicle health and helps in hair growth.
Beauty Tip. Mix turmeric powder with milk and honey and apply on your scalp by gentle massage.
Dandruff
When your scalp becomes dry or greasy, it produces white flakes of skin that appear in the hair or shoulders. Although it is harmless, it can be embarrassing for those who have it.
The real cause of dandruff is a yeast-like fungus Malassezia globose that lives on your scalp feeding your skin oils. The fungus utilizes enzymes known as lipases to metabolize the oil. It creates a byproduct called oleic acid. The acid penetrates your skin and causes skin cell shedding.
Turmeric on Dandruff. Turmeric has strong antiseptic properties. Studies show that turmeric can help prevent and treat both skin and systemic fungal infections.
Beauty Tip. Add one teaspoon of organic turmeric powder to 2 tablespoons of organic coconut oil or olive oil. Mix well and massage this paste on your scalp. Leave for 15-20 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water using a mild shampoo. Repeat it once or twice a week until you get rid of dandruff.
Burns
Burns is one of the most common household injuries. They can lead to severe skin damage that causes the skin cells to die. There are three primary types of burns first, second and third-degree burns. Each level is based on the severity of damage to the skin.
Turmeric on Burns. In laboratory studies, curcuminoids are said to provide anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Studies show that turmeric is very efficient on radiation burns. Researchers say topical application of turmeric provides excellent results in the treatment of wounds.
The key to curcumin’s effectiveness on burns and scalds is that it is a natural inhibitor of an enzyme called phosphorylase kinase which delays wound healing. Curcumin inhibits phosphorylase kinase and speeds up the healing process.
Beauty Tip. Mix one teaspoon each of turmeric powder and aloe vera gel to make a fine paste. Apply onto the burnt areas of the skin. Let it sit for a few hours. Continue using this mix for several times a day to disinfect and heal the burns and scalds.
Stretch Marks
Your stretch marks are the result of the stretching of the skin. It may develop during pregnancy, being overweight or due to weight loss and various other factors.
Turmeric on Stretch Mark. University of Michigan researchers have found that curcumin present in turmeric penetrates cell membranes.Once inside the cell it functions as a disciplinarian. It establishes order within the cell and enables the cell to control the flow of information.
It does not interact with the proteins in the cell but alters the physical properties of the membrane. By doing so, turmeric boosts the cells resistance to malignancy and infection.It helps maintain theproper balance of collagenand elastin to prevent these stretch marks.
Beauty Tip. Add coconut oil or olive oil to 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder.Alternatively, you can also use water. Apply the paste onto your stretch marks. Leave it for about 15-30 minutes then wash it off. You have to practice this regimen morning and evening daily to get rid of your stretch marks.
Conclusion
It is always best to use organic turmeric powder. You can easily find it in any Asian market or any online stores. You can take turmeric internally by mixing a pinch of it in your hot cup of milk. You can add turmeric to flavor your curries or soups.
When using turmeric, it causes yellow stains; you can easily remove it by applying a toner. You can prepare the toner by mixing raw milk in rose water. Turmeric may cause allergy to some people. It would be in your best interest to do a skin patch test before you use it.
If you have something to say more about the beauty benefits of turmeric just drop a line in our comments section below.