Can you imagine an Indian dish without turmeric? It forms an integral part of Indian cuisine. But, apart from being used as an ingredient in cooking, turmeric offers many health benefits. Turmeric contains more than 300 antioxidants, which makes turmeric a powerful healer. But turmeric not just heals you from inside; it also makes you more beautiful! It also works as a fairness agent. But is that all? Do all the 300 antioxidants work just to make us fairer? Not at all! It has several other benefits too!
Turmeric Health Benefits
1. Turmeric is said to prevent cancer and childhood leukemia with the aid of its main component-curcumin.
2. It helps in detoxifying the liver, which further prevents the risk of hepatitis, cirrhosis and jaundice.
3. It also aids in fat metabolism to help manage the weight along with improving digestion, reducing gas
and bloating.
4. Turmeric extracts or bitters when taken twice a day daily for two weeks prior to the expected menstruation cycle will help reduce the monthly menstrual cramps in ladies.
5. Turmeric has antibacterial properties along with anti- inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Thus, turmeric is a good healing agent.
6. It boosts the immunity on account of its strong antioxidant activity that fights off free radical attacks in the system.
7. Its strong anti-inflammatory property also acts against the development of rheumatoid arthritis and delays it.
8. When taken as supplements, it also aids in reducing joint pains.
9. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties also reduce inflation in the brain, which is believed to be the main reason behind Alzheimer’s disease. This can, therefore, also delay the onset of Alzheimer’s.
10. Turmeric regulates the homocysteine levels and, therefore, through its interactions in the level, it also controls the cholesterol level. It is also useful to ward off cardiovascular diseases.
11. Turmeric also moderates your insulin levels thereby having a limited level of influence over diabetes control.
12. Alzheimer disease is a severe neurological disorder in which the person suffers from gradual memory loss. It has many complications and side effects. Turmeric juice treats Alzheimer disease effectively. It tones down the brain inflammation by blocking the pathway of the COX-2 enzyme. The blocked pathway of the COX-2 enzyme leads to neural inflammation of the brain in Alzheimer disease.
13. Antioxidants are the key molecules that hamper and regulate the growth of free radicals in the human body. Free radicals are cancer-causing agents that interfere with the normal cell growth. Turmeric juice, which contains many antioxidants, keeps cancer at bay.
Turmeric Benefits for Skin
Turmeric has been used as a beauty product for centuries. It is an inexpensive and natural way of treating several skin problems and getting a flawless skin. It comes with a range of benefits for the skin.
14. Treatment Of Acne
How To Use
You can prepare a face pack by mixing turmeric powder and sandalwood powder and adding lemon juice to the mixture. Apply it on your face for 10 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water. For acne scars, apply a mixture of turmeric and plain water on the marks for 15 minutes.
Why Does It Work
Turmeric is effective in the treatment of acne due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties that fight pimples and breakouts to provide a youthful glow to your skin. Turmeric face mask not only helps to clear acne scars and inflammation, but also reduces the oil secretion by the sebaceous glands.
15. Facial Mask for Oily Skin
How To Use
For oily skin, make a paste by mixing 1 ½ tablespoons of sandalwood powder and a pinch of ground turmeric with 3 tablespoons of orange juice and apply it on your face. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.
Why Does It Work
Turmeric is beneficial for oily skin as it regulates the production of sebum, an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands. Sandalwood acts as an astringent and orange juice, being a source of vitamin C, helps clear the blemishes.
16. Facial Mask for Dry Skin
How To Use
If you have dry skin, you can make a face mask by combining 1 egg white, 2 drops of olive oil, fresh lemon juice and rose water and a pinch of turmeric. This can be applied to all dry areas such as the face, neck, elbows and knees. Allow it to dry completely and then wash off with warm water..
17. Treatment of Wrinkles
How To Use
Turmeric, in combination with other ingredients, is effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. You can prepare a face pack by mixing turmeric powder and rice powder with raw milk and tomato juice and apply it on your face and neck for 30 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water. This will reduce wrinkles as well as brighten your skin. If you have dark circles, you can add a pinch of turmeric to 2 tablespoons of buttermilk and apply it around your eyes for 20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water. This is effective in eliminating wrinkles as well as dark circles.
18. Signs of Aging
How To Use
Being an excellent exfoliating agent, turmeric can help eliminate the signs of aging. You can make a paste by mixing besan (gram flour) and turmeric powder in equal proportions with water. This paste can also be prepared in raw milk or even yogurt. Apply it evenly on your body and allow it to dry. Rinse off with lukewarm water and scrub your face gently in a circular motion.
19. Treatment of Stretch Marks
How To Use
Turmeric can help lighten stretch marks. For this purpose, apply a mixture of besan (gram flour) and turmeric with yogurt/raw milk/ water on the stretch marks.
20. Sooths Burns
How To Use
Turmeric can provide quick relief in case of burns, thanks to its antiseptic properties. You can apply a mixture of turmeric and aloe vera gel on the burn and experience the wound heal in no time.
21. Reduction Of Skin Pigmentation And Skin Tanning
How To Use
To remove skin tanning and pigmentation, apply a mixture of turmeric powder and lemon or cucumber juice on the affected area for 20-30 minutes and wash off with plain water. This should be done regularly for beneficial results.
22. Removal of the Facial Hair
How To Use
You can make a facial scrub by mixing kasturi turmeric with chickpea (gram flour). Applying this on your face can inhibit the facial hair growth. This paste should be applied consistently for about a month to get effective results.
23. Treatment Of Cracked Heels
How To Use
Turmeric is an excellent healing agent. If you have cracked heels, you can apply a mixture of 3 spoons of turmeric with a few drops of coconut or castor oil on your heels for 10 to 15 minutes before taking a bath. Doing this regularly will soften your heels.
24. Night Cream
How To Use
You can apply a paste made from turmeric and milk or yogurt on your face. Leave the mask overnight and rinse it off the next morning using a light cleanser. Alternatively, you can add a pinch of turmeric to your moisturizer and cleanse the next morning. This should be done twice a week to get beautiful, healthy and younger looking skin.
25. Treatment of Skin Conditions
How To Use
Being a natural antiseptic, turmeric with milk is effective in treating skin conditions like poison ivy, eczema and psoriasis. Eczema is quite itchy and a painful disease characterized by red, scaly patches on the skin. Topical application of a mixture of kasturi turmeric with milk can soothe the skin and reduce the redness and inflammation.
Turmeric Benefits For Hair
Not just the skin, turmeric can be beneficial for your hair in a number of ways. The use of turmeric with other ingredients can promote hair growth and can treat scalp conditions. Some of the benefits of turmeric for hair are given below.
26. Removes Dead Cells
How To Use
Make a paste by mixing gram flour and turmeric with water and apply it on your body. Scrub gently while taking a bath. Doing this regularly can rid you of dead cells to give you a glowing and spotless skin. Applying a mixture of turmeric and milk on your face and lips can cleanse your face as well as act as a healing agent for your lips to treat dry and chapped lips.
27. Treatment of Dandruff
How To Use
Dandruff and other scalp issues can be treated by applying a mixture of turmeric and olive oil on your scalp before taking a shower. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash off the mixture with a natural shampoo. It removes the signs of dandruff by increasing the circulation in the scalp and providing nutrition to the hair follicles.
28. Prevents Hair Loss
How To Use
Hair loss can take place due to various reasons like unhealthy diet, stress or disease. Curcumin is a component of turmeric that can inhibit the activity of the growth agent beta-one, known as TGF beta-one, which causes the death of hair follicles resulting in hair loss. Turmeric mixed with honey and milk can be extremely beneficial as they reduce the negative effects on your hair.
29. Natural Hair Dye
How To Use
The yellow hue of turmeric not only makes it usable as a textile dye but also as a natural dye for your hair to brighten your hair color. It can be combined with other yellow colored herbs and flowers such as saffron, calendula and chamomile tea. Boil this mixture and, after cooling, pour it over your head. Leave for 15 to 20 minutes and wash off to get a vivid color.
30. Treatment Of Scalp Conditions
Why does it work
Turmeric can be used in the treatment of various scalp conditions such as dermatitis and eczema that can lead to itchy, flaky skin, inflammation and thinning hair. Cicatricial alopecia is a scalp ailment caused by inflammation that damages the hair follicles and prevents the growth of new hair. Fungal infections can also cause hair loss. Curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, is effective against these ailments due its anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antioxidant, antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
Disclaimer :
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult an expert before use.
