This story was updated in February 2019.
That bright yellow powder that we see in almost every South East Asian home is fondly called turmeric, or haldi in Hindi. Turmeric is an essential spice in any Indian household. Almost every dish cooked calls for a little bit of turmeric. A lot of these recipes call for turmeric due to the rich orange-yellow colour it imparts to the food but also because of its multiple health benefits.
What Is Turmeric?
Turmeric is also known as Cucrcuma longa, that’s the name of the plant it originates from. Turmeric when raw is similar to ginger, it is then dried and ground to create the powder we all refer to as Haldi. Turmeric has a plethora of health, wellness and beauty benefits. It gets all its benefits from an active bioactive agent present in it known as Curcumin. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Turmeric also contains potassium, vitamin B6, Vitamin C, magnesium and fibre. Research shows that one ounce of turmeric contains 26% of manganese, 16% of iron required for your body on a daily basis. Source
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What Are The Uses Of Turmeric?
Turmeric is mainly used in cooking in most South Asian countries. It imparts rich colour and flavour to food. Turmeric also has application in Ayurvedic medicines and herbal skin care treatments. The beauty industry has long reaped benefits of this wonderful herb because of its skincare benefits. It helps heal skin infections, acne, blemishes and gets rid of a tan. Turmeric supplements are also sold by herbal and ayurvedic companies to help protect your body from the inside out. To reap the benefits of turmeric when consumed as a supplement, a little bit of black pepper added to the concoction helps your body absorb all the nutrients better.
What Are The Benefits Of Turmeric For Skin?
Turmeric has curcumin extract which as we mentioned is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in nature, this makes it a wonderful remedy for most skin ailments. Turmeric has been used for absolutely everything from skin brightening, scar fading, acne to hair removal. The herb is truly magical for your body and skin. The humble haldi has a host of beauty benefits. We’ve already told you the significance of using haldi in wedding ceremonies. Here are 10 amazing beauty benefits of turmeric to get your skin glowing flawlessly!
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1. Gets Rid Of A Tan
Haldi is one of the most effective ingredients for removing a stubborn tan. If you’ve returned from your beach honeymoon with a tan, all you need to do is whip up a paste of turmeric powder, sandalwood powder and lemon juice to take care of it! It really works!
2. Reduces Facial Hair
Yes, it’s true! Turmeric is used as a natural way to reduce facial hair. If you have small facial hair that you want to get rid of, we recommend using a paste of turmeric, besan and rose water on it. Apply the paste to areas that you have facial hair and leave it on till it’s 70% dry. Rub it off in upward circular motions to get rid of all that fine little facial hair. Use this paste once a week to see results!
3. Lighten Elbows, Knees and Underarms
A lot of us have knees and elbows that are darker than the rest of our skin. Some of us even have dark underarms as a result of tight clothing or hormonal imbalances. Turmeric is an ingredient that can help solve this problem. Using a mixture of turmeric, gram flour and lemon juice on these areas will lighten them over time
4. Anti-Ageing Benefits
Haldi is used for the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles that tend to appear on our faces. A paste made of turmeric, raw milk and rice powder, when applied on the face and allowed to dry for 30 minutes, is very helpful in reversing signs of ageing!
5. Gets Rid Of Acne
Turmeric has a lot of antibacterial and antiseptic properties, making it a godsend for fighting acne. All you need to do is apply a paste of turmeric powder and water on your face and wash it off after 15-20 minutes! Within a few weeks of regular use, you will notice a visible reduction in the number of pimples and blemishes left behind from old pimples!
6. Natural Exfoliator
Want smooth and flawless skin before a big occasion? Haldi can help with that! Apply a mixture of gram flour and turmeric to your body before you take a bath and scrub gently while bathing. This will remove dead cells from the skin to leave it smooth and soft! Use this home remedy once a week to see some amazing results! Looking for more ways to make your skin glow? Check out this post! How To Make That Bridal Glow Last Even After The Wedding
7. Improves Skin Elasticity
The host of antioxidants found in turmeric help keep your skin youthful and glowing. Turmeric is known to help stimulate the growth of cells and improve skin elasticity, so we suggest you start using it on your face with honey to keep that golden youthful glow!
8. Fades Scars, Blemishes and Pigmentation
If you have scars or marks that you want to lighten naturally, then turmeric should be your go-to remedy. It is excellent in lightening marks and acne scars on the face and body! Start using turmeric on your scars every week for a couple of months and you’ll see the difference it makes to your skin in just a few uses.
9. Controls Oil Secretion
Anyone with oily skin can benefit from turmeric as it reduces the oil secretion by the body’s sebaceous glands to keep your face shine-free. Apply a mix of sandalwood and turmeric powder with fresh orange juice on your face, and rinse it off with lukewarm water after 15 to 20 minutes. A mixture of these ingredients will brighten, lighten, exfoliate and keep your face oil free all day long!
10. Boosts Your Skin’s Glow
Overall, using haldi is a brilliant and easy way to get a radiant glow on your face. People with oily skin can make a face pack using turmeric, gram flour and tomato to get clearer and brighter skin instantly. If you have dry skin, mix a couple of drops of olive oil in your turmeric face and honey mask and you’re good to go. These were the few turmeric benefits for skin.
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What Are The Benefits Of Turmeric For Health?
1. Improves Digestion And Aids Weight Loss
Consuming turmeric on a daily basis has been known to decrease inflammation in your body resulting in better digestion. It also lowers the bad cholesterol level and blood sugar levels in your body resulting in lesser fat deposits and therefore turmeric benefits weight loss.
2. Is A Natural Painkiller
Turmeric, when combined with water and applied locally to the aching body part, is known to be a natural painkiller. Because of its ability to relieve your body from inflammation internally and externally, it has proved beneficial especially in cases of arthritis.
3. Relieves Menstrual Pain
In ancient Ayurveda, turmeric is known to relieve menstrual pain, this is owing to its properties to aid digestion and fight inflammation in your body.
4. Improves Liver Health
Turmeric stimulates the production of bile in your gallbladder. Bile is produced to help flush out toxins from your body and people with poor bile production often have poor liver health. Turmeric improves the health of your liver and the ability to effectively produce bile thus acting as a natural detox agent.
5. Improves Immunity And Helps Fight Diseases
The curcumin extract present in turmeric is an anti-inflammatory agent, it reduces the bad cholesterol and blood sugar levels in your body thereby helping it to fight heart disease and obesity. It reduces the deposits of bad fat in your body and promotes your digestion thereby aiding in weight loss. The nutritional profile that turmeric has, gives your body a boost of antioxidants and an overall boost because it reduces inflammation in your body.
6. Boosts Your Skin’s Glow And Delays Aging
Because of the natural antioxidants present in the curcumin extract, turmeric helps fight free radical damage and delay the signs of ageing while improving the clarity of your skin.
DIY Home Remedies Using Turmeric / Turmeric Face Masks
There are multiple ways you can reap the benefits of this magical herb. Common uses of turmeric in skin care are by way of face masks and body masks. Turmeric is commonly used as an ingredient in most home remedies and face packs. It’s also a key ingredient used in a popular home remedy to get rid of body hair – Ubtan. Turmeric is also a key ingredient that’s used at Indian weddings for the brides Haldi ceremony. This is because it’s believed that turmeric boosts the skin’s glow and improves its appearance. You can add a pinch of turmeric to absolutely any homemade face mask, here are some popular recipes for face masks using turmeric
1. Gram Flour, Rice Flour, Turmeric and Milk
To make a face mask that will brighten, exfoliate and soften your skin combine a spoon of besan, rice flour and milk with a pinch of turmeric. Add some more milk or rose water as required. Apply this to your face and body and leave it on for 20-30 minutes. Wash it off with warm water in gentle circular motions. With regular use, this face mask will brighten your skin and help get rid of all those dead skin cells and sun damage.
2. Curd, Lemon Juice and Turmeric
If you don’t have sensitive skin, combine a spoon of lime juice with a tablespoon of curd and a pinch of turmeric. This face mask tackles hyperpigmentation, blemishes, wrinkles and brightens dark uneven skin. Apply this to your face and neck, you could even apply this to other areas that need brightening like elbows, knees or underarms. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and wash with warm water. Don’t forget to use a light moisturiser after!
3. Turmeric And Honey
If you need to soothe and calm irritated skin, combine a teaspoon of honey, aloe vera gel and a pinch of turmeric in a small bowl. Apply this to your face and neck. It will help soothe and moisturise your skin while getting rid of inflammation.
Best Turmeric Products In The Market
Given the sheer nature of benefits, turmeric has to offer, it’s commonly used in a lot of beauty products. Here is a comprehensive list of some of the best, most effective turmeric products in the market.
1. Etheric Wild Kasturi Turmeric Powder
An organic turmeric powder that you can add to your skincare, haircare or DIY home remedies.
Price: Rs. 175; Buy here
2. Auravedic Ritual Mask- Turmeric Sandalwood and Saffron
This face mask combines the best of skin healing ingredients. It has turmeric to soothe and heal your skin, sandalwood to brighten and lighten and saffron to give you a pinkish glow. It’s perfect for the lazy girl who doesn’t want to spend time mixing all the ingredients to make the mask
Price: Rs. 370; Buy here
3. Kama Ayurveda Turmeric and Myrrh Skin Brightening Soap
To give your entire body a bright, tan-free glow use a soap that has natural turmeric extracts. This one from Kama Ayurveda is perfect to use on your face and body. Since it has all natural ingredients, it will lighten and brighten pigmentation, tan and uneven skin on your entire body.
Price: Rs. 575; Buy here
4. Organic India Turmeric Capsules
Don’t want to apply turmeric externally? You might find it easier to take consume turmeric orally. You can do this in the form of turmeric milk or take these organic turmeric supplements. They help with skin troubles, bone health, immunity, cold and cough, bloating and digestive disorders.
Price: Rs. 240; Buy here
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5. Onlyleaf Turmeric Ginger Tulsi Green Tea
If you’re a fan of green teas, it might be worth switching your regular cup of green for a herbal, organic green tea that has turmeric extracts. A cup of this tea will energise and reinvigorate you while helping your body heal and boosting your immunity.
Price: Rs. 240; Buy here
6. Soulflower Turmeric Essential Oil
If you don’t want to change any of the products you use on a regular basis but still get the benefits of turmeric into your skincare and haircare routine, this essential oil is perfect. You can dilute it with any skincare and haircare products. Add a drop into your bath water, moisturiser, shampoo or hair oil to soothe and heal your skin, hair and scalp.
Price: Rs. 450; Buy here
7. SOULTREE Ayurvedic Turmeric and Indian Rose with Forest Honey Face Wash
If you have normal to dry skin, this moisturising face was has turmeric, honey and aloe vera extracts to gently cleanse and brighten your skin. With regular use, it will help you cleanse your skin and get rid of any acne-causing bacteria.
Price: Rs. 375; Buy here
Images: Shutterstock
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