Friday, January 27, 2017

Turmeric; 4 Ways this Golden Root is Great for Your Skin

Turmeric

Can you dry up oily skin, help minimize the appearance of dark spots, slow the appearance of aging, and protect your inner sun goddess, all with one natural ingredient?

If you’re talking about turmeric, the answer is yes.

The History of Turmeric

Turmeric has been considered an important part of Indian culture for at least 4000 years. It is regularly used as a spice for traditional dishes, as a medicine, and as a dye that offers a pretty yellow-orange color. As part of religious tradition in both Buddhism and Hinduism, turmeric is used to anoint the statues of deities and to represent purity in important ceremonies like marriage and birthing.

It was one of the first and most important spices in the Silk Road spice trade and because of its widespread use it has over 50 names in Sanskrit and is known all around the world by many more. Most commonly it’s known by its Latin name, curcuma. This can be tricky because there are over 100 curcuma plants worldwide and most of them are known locally, grow in rainforest climates, and have similar medicinal uses but the turmeric that think of is Curcuma longa.

Though this relative of ginger has been around for thousands of years, turmeric has enjoyed renewed popularity thanks to recent research confirming that it’s health benefits are nothing short of amazing.

Internal Uses for Turmeric

Along with being abundant and delicious, taking curcuma internally on a consistent basis is great for long term nourishment of the cardiovascular and digestive systems, the traditional peoples know this and that’s why it’s used in so many foods – and eating it with a little bit of black pepper makes it even more effective.

Modern medicine has embraced turmeric, with over 3,000 publications mentioning the root over the past 25 years because of an active constituent in turmeric called curcumin. The studies have shown that curcumin, when eaten on a consistent basis, may increase circulation, prevent blood clots, ease joint pain, delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, and help to improve memory in dementia patients.

Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for the kapha/vata type and is known as a gentle liver stimulating herb so it’s indicated for headaches that are caused by liver stagnation (bilious headaches), and for people that are sensitive to fatty food.

Turmeric is inexpensive, obtainable and it’s a powerhouse of an herb so we think that it’s worth adding a little bit to your dinnertime spice blend. Even though it isn’t something that will make an immediately noticeable change to your health, consistent use and extractions are contraindicated for people that are already taking blood thinning medications, have clotting disorders, or have a surgery in the near future.

Turmeric for Skin

Helps reduce oiliness

Turmeric has natural oil-controlling properties overtime! If you’re working with oily skin and clogged pores, try adding turmeric extract to your homemade masks. If you’re using the powder, be sure to mix it with other ingredients because it can leave a yellow stain on your skin if you’re using it for a long time on its own.

Delays the appearance of aging

Turmeric contains potent antioxidants known to protect against environmental stressors. With it’s internal benefits being so amazing, it makes sense that topical application of turmeric may also help delay the appearance of aging on the skin.

Fades the Appearance of Dark Spots

Natural sun worshippers can totally resonate with this one, we’re all tired of those dark spots! Turmeric is an ancient beauty ritual for lightening and brightening the skin. Young Indian maidens are said to use turmeric water to wash with every day for the illuminating effect.

Great for Sensitive Skin

Turmeric is such a gentle ally that it’s great to use for sensitive skin too. It is soothing to reactive, delicate skin while also being mineral and antioxidant rich and providing nourishment for that sensitive skin that needs a bit of extra love.

DIY Turmeric Mask

Making a mask with turmeric is easy! We suggest mixing your powdered turmeric with other ingredients because using it by itself can leave a short-term stain on your skin.

Since Curcuma longa is amazing for any type of skin, we want to offer a mask recipe here that anyone can do but you we encourage you to add turmeric to any type of homemade mask! You just want to make sure that you’re choosing the right facial mask for your skin type.

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon oatmeal or oat flour (a course ground oat will add gentle exfoliant)
  • 1 tablespoon greek or coconut yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon of raw honey

Mix these together well and apply it to a clean face. Leave for 15-30 minutes and rinse using warm water or a washcloth.

Note* turmeric will stain fabric, so we suggest wearing an old shirt and drying with an old towel.

What’s your Favorite Way to Use Turmeric? Share your recipe below!

References:

Alfs, M. (2003). 300 Herbs Their Indications and Contraindications. New Brighton, MN: Old Theology Book House.

“‘Curry’ Cream May Fade Wrinkles.” WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2017.

Hobbs, C., & Gardner, L. (n.d.). Grow it, heal it: Natural and effective herbal remedies from your garden or windowsill.

Mars, B. (2007). The desktop guide to herbal medicine: The ultimate multidisciplinary reference to the amazing realm of healing plants, in a quick-study, one-stop guide. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Pub.

Prasad, Sahdeo. “Turmeric, the Golden Spice.” Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 25 Jan. 2017.

“The Religious Significance of Turmeric.” Our Everyday Life. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2017.

The following post Turmeric; 4 Ways this Golden Root is Great for Your Skin was first published on Annmarie Gianni Skin Care.

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