Turmeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, the medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries.
Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions.
Turmeric is a spice known in India as ‘haldi’ and it is derived from the roots of the curcuma longa plant. Native to South Asia, turmeric has been used in Indian cuisine for centuries and as an herbal remedy for many different ailments as well as being used as a dye and in cosmetics.
A truly versatile spice turmeric is ingrained in Indian culture and here are twenty ways that you make use of what is known as the Indian Saffron.
1. Use it to treat wrinkles
For an effective face mask that will reduce the appearance of wrinkles, mix turmeric, rice flour, yogurt and some avocado flesh into a fine paste and then apply to your skin. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash off with warm water and the mask will help tighten skin and reduce the fine lines on your skin.
2. Treat dark circles under the eyes
Another one of fabulous benefits of turmeric for skin is that it can help you treat dark circles under eyes. Add a pinch of turmeric to a tablespoon of plain thick cream. Apply the mixture under your eyes and leave it on for 10 minutes and it will lighten any dark patches under your eyes.
3. Reduce facial hair
You can also prepare a facial scrub with turmeric that will remove, and inhibit the growth of facial hair. Mix a pinch of turmeric with rice flour and water into a paste and apply to the face. After about a month of repeated use, facial hair will be reduced.
4. Boosts the immune system
Another one of great health benefits of turmeric is that it can help boost the immune system. Turmeric contains a substance called lipopolysaccharide, which stimulates the immune system. This, along with antibacterial properties and anti-fungal properties of turmeric, can help your body fight off infections like coughs, colds and flu.
5. Helps to heal wounds
If you don’t have anything else at hand, sprinkle some turmeric on a wound and the antiseptic properties of the spice will fight off any infection and help the wound to heal more quickly.
6. Treat cracked heals
The healing properties of turmeric can be a great help with cracked heels too. Make a paste of two teaspoons of turmeric mixed with some sweet almond or sesame oil. Apply to your heels and leave on for fifteen minutes and it will soften and soothe your skin.
7. Treats dandruff
Applying a mixture of turmeric and coconut oil to your hair and scalp will improve the circulation in your scalp, fight the dandruff and nourish your hair. Apply and leave on for twenty minutes, then wash out thoroughly.
8. Reduces cholesterol
Another one of wonderful health benefits of turmeric is that it can help reduce cholesterol levels. Research has shown that simply using turmeric as a spice in your food can help to reduce cholesterol levels, so check some recipe books for some delicious Indian cuisine ideas, and it will keep your cholesterol under control too!
9. Relieves arthritis
The potent anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric are ideal for relieving the symptoms of arthritis. It has been found that people who eat a lot of turmeric in their diet experienced a marked improvement in the pain in their joints.
10. Quickly soothes and heals burns
Add a pinch of turmeric to some aloe vera gel and you will have a soothing balm for minor burns. The antiseptic properties of the turmeric will fight any infection and the burn will heal much better. (But make sure that you are not allergic to turmeric and aloe vera before using it.)
11. Treat acne
Another one of good health benefits of turmeric is that it can also help treat acne. To treat acne, mix a pinch of turmeric with some sandalwood paste and apply to the affected area. The antibacterial properties of the turmeric will help to fight the bacteria that is often the main cause of the acne.
12. Improves skin elasticity
Benefits of turmeric for skin are numerous, and here is another one: turmeric is believed to be of immense use in improving the elasticity and the youthful appearance of skin. Applied to the skin, as an ingredient in face masks, it is said to stimulate the growth of new skin cells.
13. Lightens stretch marks
Mix a little turmeric into some yogurt and a little bit of lemon juice, and massage into your skin and it will lighten the appearance of any stretch marks and even out the skin tone.
14. Control diabetes
Turmeric is very good at reducing insulin resistance and controlling glucose levels in the blood, which can help to prevent the onset of type-2 diabetes. You should, however, not take turmeric, if you are already taking medication for diabetes, because it so good at reducing glucose levels that the combined effect could cause hypogly caemia.
15. Controls oily skin
Here’s a great recipe for controlling oily skin. Mix a teaspoon of turmeric with pure sandalwood paste and a squeeze off fresh orange juice. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for ten minutes, before washing off with warm water and it will leave your skin fresh and oil free.
16. A turmeric nighttime mask for healthier skin
You can make your own night mask by mixing a teaspoon of turmeric with some natural yogurt. Massage the mixture onto your face and leave on for 10 minutes. Do this twice a week and you will find that your skin becomes much softer and healthier looking.
17. Treats moderate hair loss
There is an active ingredient in turmeric called curcumin, which is a very strong antioxidant known to be effective in fighting what is known as, TGF beta one, one of the causes of hair loss. Mix a teaspoon of turmeric and a tablespoon of honey with some plain yogurt and massage it into your hair. Leave the mixture on your hair for fifteen minutes and then wash out.
18. Reduce skin blemishes
One of the well known benefits of turmeric for skin is that it is often used to lighten dark spots and blemishes on the skin. Mix a little turmeric with some milk or plain yogurt and rub into your skin. Repeat this regularly and, after a while, you will see any blemishes begin to fade. This is also a good remedy, if you’ve overdone the self-tanning lotion!
19. Use as a body scrub
Make a paste of a pinch of turmeric, rice flour, sugar and water and gently scrub your skin with it when you take a bath. This great homemade scrub will gently rub away any dead skin cells and the turmeric will help even out your skin tone.
20. Use to treat chapped lips
A mixture of turmeric and yogurt will gently remove the dead and dried skin from chapped lips and the antiseptic qualities of the turmeric will help to heal them too.
Do you know some other benefits of turmeric for beauty and health?
Here are 20 health benefits of turmeric:
1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.
7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Following are 3 recipes that you can make of turmeric – the wonders of nature.
1. Gingerbread of turmeric, cinnamon and ginger
Ingredients:
– 500 gr. Eco flour
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ginger and turmeric
– pinch of black pepper
– 300g of honey
– Juice of one lemon
– 1 dl. olive oil
Preparations:
Knead the dough of all the ingredients, shape into hearts, balls or other different shapes and bake them on baking paper in the oven (about 20 minutes at 160°C).
This delicious winter cookie is very healthy and nutritious – it will soothe, but also strengthen you immune system. It is a great treat for adults and children.
2. Paste against psoriasis and acne
Ingredients:
– 3 tablespoons green clay
– 1 teaspoon turmeric
– 2-3 drops of olive oil
Preparation:
Mix the ingredients and rub the obtained paste on the affected spots. After half an hour, rinse with lukewarm water.
The combination of ingredients will help you disinfect the skin, moisturize the painful areas and reduce inflammation of the skin. Because of the strong yellowing of turmeric leaves, watch for your clothes. To wipe your face, use paper towels.
3. Water for gargling for sore throat
Ingredients:
– 250ml of lukewarm water
– 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
– ½ teaspoon sea salt
Preparation:
Mix the ingredients. Use the water for gargling sore throat, several times a day.
It will help relieve the pain from severe swallowing and inflammatory processes.The effects can be noted for several minutes after application.
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