There is a good reason why turmeric is a popular spice in India, Asia and all around the world.
Turmeric benefits for skin, hair, and health has been widely known, thanks to its high anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory content.
If you haven’t included turmeric in your diet (and beauty routine), yet, you should start now!
Not sure why?
This post will answer the following questions for you:
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a Rhizoma from the ginger family. It has many names, depending on where you live, commonly known as Haldi in India, also named curcumin, turmeric roots, Indian saffron, and many others.
You might have used it in one of the curries when cooking an Indian dish. Still, this is only one of the many uses, which I will come to later in this post.
Turmeric was first used in India and Southeast Asia, mostly for dyeing and cooking. Then people started using it in traditional medicine. In India, they have also used it in the haldi ceremony at Hindu weddings. As well as being used in China for curing many diseases.
Turmeric powder has a warm, bitter, pepper-like flavor and earthy, mustard-like aroma.
Are Turmeric and Curcumin the same?
Curcumin is the active ingredient in the spice turmeric. Curcumin has compelling anti-inflammatory benefits and is a very strong anti-oxidant.
Curcumin only makes 3-5% of turmeric; still, by including turmeric in your diet, you could supply your body with a wide range of nutrients that your body needs.
Before digging deep into the benefits that turmeric could bring to your life, let’s check the nutritive value of turmeric.
Since it is loaded with anti-oxidants and minerals, turmeric is considered as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer food.
Notice that curcumin is rich in B6, B3, B2, C, and E, copper, iron, manganese, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. Not to mention that it is rich in fibers, too.
Cure High Cholesterol
One of the proven uses of turmeric is to treat high cholesterol.
A study suggests,
“Taking turmeric extract by mouth twice daily for three months reduces total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol, and triglycerides in overweight people with high cholesterol.“
On the other hand, there are health conditions that have no sufficient evidence. Still, taking turmeric regularly could help improve your overall health condition, and might help with the following conditions:
Copyright: sommai
Thanks to the many anti-oxidants present in curcumin, it has been used in beauty regimens for ages.
Here are the benefits for your skin.
Since curcumin is rich in Niacin (B3 vitamin), it helps cure dermatitis (also known as eczema).
Dehydrated skin is prone to eczema, which causes the skin to become very dry, itchy, red, cracked, and may suffer from inflammation.
One helpful homemade recipe is by using a mask composed of turmeric and coconut oil.
Coconut oil is a great natural moisturizer for the skin, while turmeric gives relief for itchiness.
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Since turmeric is an antibacterial agent, it helps small wounds heal faster by keeping bacterial infections at bay.
Mix turmeric and water to form a paste, then apply to the clean wound area. You can also use it for small-burned skin areas.
One of the most famous celebrations in India is the “Haldi” ceremony in which a mixture containing turmeric is applied to the bride and groom face and body.
On the other hand, a study found that Curcumin can counteract inflammation which is responsible for aging.
You can use this mask to fight premature aging, and to give your skin a boost of antioxidants, including vitamin C. Vitamin C promotes the formation of collagen in your skin; more collagen, fewer wrinkles!
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This simple homemade remedy will exfoliate your skin, remove all dead skin, and supplies your skin with anti-oxidants.
Tip: Extreme exfoliating makes your skin very sensitive; make sure you do not overdo it. And always moisturize your skin afterward.
Fact: applying butter to your tummy during pregnancy is vital for avoiding those ugly stretch marks.
What if you have not?
There are always natural remedies that could save your life and help you avoid complicated treatments and medications with side effects. Here is a homemade turmeric remedy for stretch marks.
Directions
Thanks to its antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, according to this study, turmeric helps to reduce scarring.
When using it regularly, it will even out your skin tone and provide a natural glow and luster to your skin.
To make turmeric mask to lighten your skin (and remove skin tan) you will need:
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According to this study, curcumin’s astringent effect helps heal wounds faster. It also improves skin’s elasticity, i.e., younger-looking skin, making it one of the most well-known turmeric benefits for your skin.
Another factor that helps wounds heal faster is that turmeric decreases inflammation.
A scientific paper states that curcumin has a significant impact on the healing process of wounds. It could help tissue formation, remodeling, and wound contraction.
When excess oil and dead skin cells clog your skin pores, your skin becomes prone to acne. Other causes of acne include hormone imbalances, poor diet, stress, certain medications, and smoking.
While sebum helps the epidermis to retain moisture and keep your skin soft and supple, too much oil could be problematic.
A study suggests,
“A cream of turmeric extract can potentially be used to regulate sebum production in human skin. Persons with excessively oily skin or are suffering from acne will greatly benefit from it”.
The research continues to state that fatty acids in turmeric are responsible for regulating the excess production of sebum, in other words, making your skin less prone to acne.
Here is an easy face mask recipe for acne-prone skin.
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Another face pack, which will help keep acne away, uses sandalwood paste, which is famous in India, usually used to reduce inflammation from mild skin irritation such as wounds, pimples.
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Not only could turmeric help heal your cracked heels faster, but also it makes your heels feel soft and smooth.
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Scalp infections and dandruff could be responsible for hair loss. So to have healthy looking hair, it is important to remember that a healthy scalp means healthy hair, too.
Curcumin (the active component in turmeric) could help cure any infection, itching, or other scalp problems that cause hair loss.
Turmeric Hair Mask
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This is the most misunderstood benefit of turmeric.
Many have asked me about it in the comments section below, and it was one reason why I updated this post.
So we need to clear things first before digging deep into the recipes you could use:
Now to the recipe, I prefer to use this recipe in the bathroom since turmeric could stain everything.
Turmeric Facemask to Slow Facial Hair Growth
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In addition to using turmeric on your skin and hair, there are several ways that you could benefit from it and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
#1 Turmeric supplements (or curcumin supplements)
Curcumin supplements give better results when combined with black pepper, so try to look for supplements that contain black pepper extract.
Turmeric roots and powder
Most recipes use turmeric in its powder form; still, in India, they also use fresh turmeric roots in some recipes.
There are lots of ways that you could include turmeric in your diet; there are smoothies, seasoning meat and chicken, turmeric tea, sprinkling some on hummus, and when making soup. Choices are endless.
I like to add it to most of my rice dishes, it has a mild flavor, so it will not alter the result that I am looking for, but it will add nutritional value to my dishes.
I also use turmeric for marinating chicken and meat along with other spices.
What is the secret ingredient that will improve turmeric absorption?
Curcumin is poorly absorbed by your body on its own. To enjoy the benefits of this yellow spice, you need to add black pepper or fat-soluble bases like milk or coconut oil. This will ensure that your body will absorb a much larger quantity, thus get the most of what you eat.
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Copyright: supergranto
The traditional Indian turmeric tea recipe consists of turmeric and water, flavored with honey, ginger, or lemon juice.
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Copyright: photosiber
When cooking chicken, I like to prepare a delicious broth that works great as a base for soups.
I like to add turmeric to my broth for an additional flavor, color, and benefits. You can also store the broth leftovers for future use.
Tip: Add turmeric just before you turn off the heat when making broth since curcumin loses its benefits when exposed to heat for a long time.
Tip: Add a sprinkle of turmeric to your breakfast egg, an omelet, or a scrambled egg.
Tip: Add a teaspoon of turmeric to your soup, dips, and sauce for extra flavor and color.
How to store turmeric?
Store in a cool, dark place, like an opaque, airtight container.
Taking turmeric has no side effects if taken in moderation. If you add turmeric to your dishes or apply a teaspoon of turmeric paste to your skin for a short time, there is nothing to worry.
Nevertheless, if you encounter any stomach upset or skin rashes, you should then stop using turmeric.
Special precautions and Warnings: [Source]
You can find turmeric powder in Indian grocery stores and the Spices & Seasonings section at Whole Foods. You can also order turmeric online.
This is Chetana, an Amateur Makeup artist from India and Founder of StyleCraze.com – India’s largest beauty network. I am completely addicted to Makeup & beauty especially the Color play and the process involved.
This post was updated by Dima Al Mahsiri
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View Comments
I'm very interested in the health benefits of turmeric. I have asthmatic bronchitis and I'm hoping it will help me get back to normal. I will also try your recipe for a facial to help fade my sun damage!
yes turmeric benefits are many, definitely you can try facial it helps lot.
I studied that Turmeric has been used as beauty product over the centuries. I will try turmeric hair mask. I want to share my mom recipe which she used to get rid of stretch marks. Mixture (gram flour) and turmeric in yoghurt/raw milk/water. Apply on your skin for one hour then wash it off. I hope it help. Thanks for sharing the post with us
thanks for sharing your views
how many times a day/a week should u apply the turmeric mask on your face
Twice a week would be fine for most, unless you have sensitive skin, you should then use once a week.
Mostly I heard that this turmeric powder was useful for skins especially in face. While reading this post I came to know that turmeric is also used for hair problem also. For now onwards I also take it for my hair problems.
definitely you need to try and turmeric is very helpful in all aspects i mean for hair,skin and health.
Turmeric is way too beneficial for hair growth too.. my wife have used it for hair growth and it was successful. Didn't know it has so much benefits for skin. Nice post!
Yes, it is!
This Indian spice works like magic for hair as well as skin and our health,too!
I'm slightly confused.. does turmeric help stimulate hair growth or slow it down? I see that it says that it does both and I am wondering how this is possible? Is it the way that turmeric is used (consumed, applied, mixed, etc.)? Thank you
Pls tell us what does turmeric actually do?Improve or reduce facial hair growth?
Curcumin main ingredient, present in Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties.A combination of milk and turmeric powder is a popular hair removal technique. However efficient hair removal also depends on many other factors: type of hair, thickness of facial hair.
Turmeric is found to remove thin and delicate facial hair when applied over a period of time. Raw turmeric for efficient hair removal also depends on many other factors: type of hair, thickness of hair. If the reason behind the hair loss is scalp infections and dandruff, in such cases curcumin (active component) present in turmeric helps to cure the infection, itching and soothes the scalp and removes flaking. Thus contributes to hair growth.
Hi Dima,
Thanks for your beauty tips,if using turmeric for hair and face, how to prevent not getting yellow color?, because turmeric has strong yellow color which doesn't wash away just with water, I am afraid if I put turmeric mask on my face or hair getting yellow color, what's your suggestion ?
Kind regards
Honey
Hi !
That's a good question! It is always recommended to try facial masks ( and hair masks) on a small portion of your face( or hair) in case it may irritate sensitive skin or adds a yellowish tone. You may try the facial mask at night and wash your face once again in the morning, it does give a yellow tone to your face, but it is gone after a second wash.
I used the turmeric mask.... Leave it for 20 minutes and then wash your face....what I did after is mixing sugar with milk and scrubing my face with it for about three times. It will reduce the yellowness but will not eleminate it.... Of course the more you wash your face the less the yellow.... But water alone will not get rid of the stain.
Hope this helps :-)
Thank you Eman for your helpful tips !
You are right about milk, it does reduce the yellow color after using turmeric mask .
Thanks for sharing. It has been 3 years since I suffer the problem of hair loss. I tried out all oils, hair care products, nothing could fix my hair. One of my friends said about going to a clinic for hair transplant Toronto. And yeah, I am considering a hair transplantation. I don’t think green tea could do anything more because it is just countable hairs left in my head!
This informative article was previously beneficial. I do not identify which you are however definitely you will some sort of renowned blog writer for those who are certainly not previously. Many thanks!
Hey Dima I'm a guy and I want to use turmeric for skin whitening (as I'm severely sun-tanned) but I don't understand that it inhibits facial hair growth.........
I don't want to lose my stubble :(
Turmeric is a medicinal herb which is known popularly for treating both hair loss and aiding hair growth. Skin of women is very delicate and thin so when applied on women's skin it helps to remove unwanted hair. However men's skin is more thick and becomes rough as they tend to shave more often. Hence turmeric will not be effective to remove beard on male skin. Generally women use turmeric as a beauty tip.
Turmeric is good for men face hair growth or it loss me face hair grow??
Hi Suhail,
Please check Chetana's previous comment about men's facial hair here.
It has really helps me alot