True scientific turmeric skin benefits

Growing up in the middle east, I knew turmeric as a regular never changing spice in our kitchen. We never had a meal without two constant spices, turmeric and pepper, and of course some salt. That was a staple in my mom’s cuisine. At that time I never thought about the medicinal properties and never assumed there is any. It was all about the taste and the colour it gives to the food. I also use it every day in my kitchen and until recently I never thought to apply some on my skin for its benefits. However, in Indian traditional medicine, it has been known for its medicinal properties. They have widely used turmeric as a spice and in herbal medicine from 4000 years ago until now. For sure you have seen its yellow colour in Indian curry. In this article, we want to know if there are true scientific benefits for the skin.

Turmeric as a spice with true scientific benefits for the skin

History of turmeric

Turmeric is a flowering plant of the ginger family. The plant is native to the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia. Turmeric powder is prepared from the plant roots. It has a warm bitter flavour with a mustard-like aroma. In Asian cuisine, they use turmeric powder as a flavouring and colouring agent every day.

The main constituent of turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin is approved as a food additive by the World Health Organization, European Parliament, and the United States Food and Drug Administration.

True scientific benefits of turmeric for skin

Consumption of turmeric in India and southeastern Asia

In Ayurvedic and  Chinese medicine, turmeric has been used as an anti-inflammatory, to treat digestive and liver problems, skin diseases, and wounds. They recommend using turmeric because it has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities that are great at combating acne, hyper-pigmentation, eczema and dark marks.

In India, people believe the topical application of turmeric paste to their face, makes their skin glow as well as improve their look and remove the blemishes. Particularly the brides apply it to have stunning skin on their special day.

Studies have shown that turmeric exhibits anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant properties and back up the traditional medicine.

Scientific evidence shows turmeric is effective in acne and some other skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, facial photoaging, oral lichen planus, pruritus, psoriasis, radiodermatitis, and vitiligo.

How to apply turmeric topically?

Preparing turmeric face mask for acne:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon rosewater

Preparation:

Combine all the ingredients and mix them well. Use it immediately on your skin otherwise it loses moisture and dries up. Apply a thin layer on your face and wait 20 minutes and then rinse your face.

The reason I use rosewater in this recipe is the fact that rosewater gives additive anti-inflammatory effects to this face mask and hydrate your skin so well.

Since it stains your clothes easily, be careful when making this mask and when applying on your face.

It may also make your face yellowish after rinse. What you can do, apply it in the evening before your shower. After your shower, apply your normal moisturizer. For sure, the next morning you are good to go out.  

You repeat this twice or three times a week and continue for about 4 weeks to see the full results.

Health benefits of turmeric

The health benefits of turmeric are linked to curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric. Curcumin has a lot of therapeutical properties in medicine.

Anti-inflammatory properties and treatment of arthritis

Research studies have begun to support traditional medicine for treating arthritis. Currently, there are some turmeric supplements that are recommended to the patient to take every day.  Oral administration of curcumin in instances of acute inflammation was found to be as effective as cortisone or phenylbutazone, and half as effective in cases of chronic inflammation.

Turmeric has antioxidant properties

Curcumin protects against free radical damage because it is a strong antioxidant. Water- and fat-soluble extracts of turmeric and its curcumin component exhibit strong antioxidant activity, comparable to that of vitamins C and E.

Turmeric protects the liver

It protects the liver from a number of toxic compounds such as carbon tetrachloride, galactosamine, acetaminophen (paracetamol), and Aspergillus aflatoxin. Turmeric’s effect on protecting the liver is mainly a result of its antioxidant properties. Curcumin increases bile output and solubility, which may be helpful in treating gallstones.

Turmeric prevents platelet aggregation

Studies have shown that turmeric prevent platelets from clumping together, which in turn improves blood circulation.

Turmeric has antimutagenic effects

Curcumin is antimutagenic as it potentially helps to prevent new cancers that are caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy used to treat existing cancers. It effectively inhibits metastasis (uncontrolled spread) of melanoma (skin cancer) cells and may be especially useful in deactivating the carcinogens in cigarette smoke and chewing tobacco.

Cardiovascular effects

Turmeric’s protective effects on the cardiovascular system include lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and blood thing effects.

Oral consumption of turmeric

Curcumin content of turmeric is not very high and it is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream.

Studies have shown that consuming black pepper with turmeric enhances the absorption of curcumin significantly. Moreover, curcumin is fat-soluble, consuming fatty foods with turmeric increases its absorption.

We always have turmeric, pepper and oil in our food. In fact, we learned it traditionally to optimize the consumption of our everyday spices without even knowing it.

The side effects of turmeric

Turmeric as spice is generally considered safe. It may however cause allergic reaction or irritate the stomach in some people.

You may have to be more careful when you take curcumin supplements. Curcumin has blood thing effects that may interfere with the blood thinner medications. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking medication and would like to start taking curcumin capsules.

Please share your experiences and leave your comments. Thank you!

Fatemeh

XOXO