Health benefits of turmeric

In India, you can’t think about a curry without turmeric in it. However, it’s only now that people are realizing that turmeric has some amazing powers and is more than a spice which can be relegated to a shelf on your kitchen. Turmeric is packed with loads of benefits and today, scientists are also substantiating this fact with research to prove it.
Turmeric is a wonder product that has gained fame in recent times although in India, people have been using it right from ancient times. At present, turmeric is one spice which will always be found in every Indian kitchen and is used to add flavor to curries and stir fries. But its skin benefits are more notable as turmeric is renowned for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Beauticians the world over are waking up to the amazing benefits of turmeric and it’s also being incorporated in beauty products. What’s wonderful about turmeric is that it’s easily available and you can use it in different ways using ingredients that are available right in your own house.
If you are able to procure pure turmeric powder, you can use it in many ways to make your skin glowing.

• Turmeric helps you reduce pigmentation on your face and even out your skin tone. It can be easily done at home. Mix a little turmeric with cucumber or lemon juice and apply to your face. Leave it for some time and wash off. A one-time application will be of little help and only regular use will give a soft glow to your face.

• Troubled with acne? Whether it’s for you or your teenager, turmeric is a beauty ingredient that is harmless and yet offers great results. Turmeric mixed with sandalwood powder and a little water, and applied to the face can greatly reduce the appearance of acne. It’s definitely a cheaper alternative to all those creams and gels that are often not as effective as desired or they claim.

• Here’s a great idea for an all over body scrub. Mix some turmeric with gram flour and water and use it to scrub all over your body before your shower. Doing this regularly will indeed help you get a glowing skin. Ask any bride in India and she will affirm that this is the beauty regimen that they dutifully follow weeks before their wedding to get a spotless skin.

• One problem that often besets pregnant women is the appearance of stretch marks on their abdomen. If you’ve wondered how stretch marks can be avoided, try applying a mixture of turmeric with yogurt to the abdomen and then it wipe off after five minutes. If you continue this regularly, it will help in maintaining the elasticity of the skin and prevent stretch marks.

• Turmeric has also been dubbed the wonder product because of its ability to fight free radicals. This excellent anti-oxidant is known to help prevent various diseases as well as cancer. In fact, turmeric is one of the best known remedies used to reduce the recovery time of various skin afflictions that are caused by chicken pox etc. Turmeric helps in reducing skin rashes as well.

• For those who want to reduce the hair growth on their face, turmeric again comes to the rescue. Regular washing with turmeric reduces facial hair growth significantly.

• Grandmothers in India often prefer to apply a paste of turmeric to minor cuts, bruises and bumps as it reduces the swelling just as an ice pack would do, without the discomfort. Its various antiseptic properties are perfect for using it for minor cuts, wounds and abrasions and it helps in quickening the healing process.

• If you’ve accidentally burnt your hand in the kitchen, here’s a quick remedy to ease the burn. Mix a teaspoon of turmeric with some aloe gel and apply to the burn.

• So far, we’ve read about the cosmetic effects of turmeric for the skin. But did you know that turmeric is a fantastic natural way to beat that cough that has been troubling you for so many days? Dump those expectorants and simply mix a spoonful of turmeric in hot milk and drink it down. The hot milk eases the throat and the turmeric fights infection in the throat.

• Turmeric helps reducing gum infections also! Apply a mixture of turmeric, rock salt and mustard oil to the affected area around two to three times a day. Follow this by washing your mouth with a little warm water.

• Feeling listless and tired? If you suspect you have anemia, then a teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed with honey, taken daily can help in countering anemia.

• Turmeric powder mixed with water is also known to help diarrhea.

Before you get started with any cosmetic or skin related treatments with turmeric, do make a note that it can stain the skin a light yellow. It’s a good idea to use it at night and then wash off with water and a gentle cleanser in the morning.
As you’ve probably figured out by now, turmeric is not only great for applying on the skin but has a host of wonderful benefits if you ingest it as well. It’s a sharp and pungent spice and no Indian food is complete without it. Try adding it to your meals while cooking and while it might give off a yellow tinge, remember all the wonderful benefits you will have. Of course, the amount of turmeric used in food is rather minimal but it’s a good food habit.
Different scientific findings about turmeric also show that it can actually prevent leukemia by protecting DNA from harmful pollutants. Turmeric is also known to minimize the ill effects of processed foods as well as smoking. One of the active compounds of turmeric, Curcumin, is held responsible for much of this benefit.