In India Turmeric Used For Beautiful Skin By Sudipta Roy

Chapter I: Introduction about Turmeric.

Turmeric, commonly known as as ‘Haldi’ (Hindi), ‘Pasupu‘ in Telugu, ‘Manjal‘ in Tamil, ‘Manjal‘ in Malayalam, ‘Arasina‘ in Kananda, ‘Haldar‘ in Gujarati, ‘Halood‘ in Bengali and ‘Halad‘ in Marathi is a spice derived from the roots of the curcuma longa plant. Being native to South Asia, this spice has been used in Indian cuisines from centuries. The turmeric plant is a rhizomatous, perennial plant belonging to the ginger family. This spice has formed a part of the Indian culture and tradition since times immemorial and is considered as an herbal remedy due to its anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties. It is often used in the rituals, particularly the ‘haldi’ ceremony of Indian weddings, where a paste of turmeric is applied to the bride and groom’s body as part of the marriage preparations. Being a natural cosmetic, it is used to beautify their skin. Curcumin, on the other hand, can treat an array of diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, allergies, arthritis and other chronic illnesses. Being the most widely used spice, it is often referred to as the ‘Indian saffron’.

Turmeric is a popular ancient spice that is used as a flavoring and coloring agent in food items and as a medicinal herb for treating several disorders Turmeric has been used in Asian cuisine and medicine for centuries to treat various conditions. Since it possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, turmeric has also been used for thousands of years to treat various skin diseases and heal wounds.

Chapter II: Benefits of Turmeric for skin.

  • Treatment of Acne:
  • Turmeric is effective in the treatment of acne due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties that fight pimples and breakouts to provide a youthful glow to your skin. Turmeric face mask not only helps to clear acne scars and inflammation, but also reduces the oil secretion by the sebaceous glands. You can prepare a face pack by mixing turmeric powder and sandalwood powder and adding lemon juice to the mixture. Apply it on your face for 10 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water. For acne scars, apply a mixture of turmeric and plain water on the marks for 15 minutes.
  • Facial Mask for Oily Skin:
  • Turmeric is beneficial for oily skin as it regulates the production of sebum, an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands. Sandalwood acts as an astringent and orange juice, being a source of vitamin C, helps clear the blemishes. For oily skin, make a paste by mixing 1 ½ tablespoons of sandalwood powder and a pinch of ground turmeric with 3 tablespoons of orange juice and apply it on your face. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.
  • Facial Mask for Dry Skin:
  • If you have dry skin, you can make a face mask by combining 1 egg white, 2 drops of olive oil, fresh lemon juice and rose water and a pinch of turmeric. This can be applied to all dry areas such as the face, neck, elbows and knees. Allow it to dry completely and then wash off with warm water.
  • Treatment of Wrinkles:
  • Turmeric, in combination with other ingredients, is effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. You can prepare a face pack by mixing turmeric powder and rice powder with raw milk and tomato juice and apply it on your face and neck for 30 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water. This will reduce wrinkles as well as brighten your skin. If you have dark circles, you can add a pinch of turmeric to 2 tablespoons of buttermilk and apply it around your eyes for 20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water. This is effective in eliminating wrinkles as well asdark circles.
  • Signs Of Aging:
  • Being an excellent exfoliating agent, turmeric can help eliminate the signs of aging. You can make a paste by mixing besan (gram flour) and turmeric powder in equal proportions with water. This paste can also be prepared in raw milk or even yoghurt. Apply it evenly on your body and allow it to dry. Rinse off with lukewarm water and scrub your face gently in a circular motion.
  • Treatment of Stretch Marks:
  • Turmeric can help lighten stretch marks. For this purpose, apply a mixture of besan (gram flour) and turmeric with yoghurt/raw milk/ water on the stretch marks.
  • Soothes Burns:
  • Turmeric can provide quick relief in case of burns, thanks to its antiseptic properties. You can apply a mixture of turmeric andAloe Vera gelon the burn and experience the wound heal in no time.
  • Helps in healing of cuts / wounds etc.
  • Topical turmeric ointments, lotions, creams and masks can help reduce localized inflammation caused by acne, psoriasis, eczema and burns.
  • It has anti-bacterial properties that help treat wounds and hasten healing, therefore preventing spread of infection.
  • Turmeric and aloe vera combine to make a soothing paste for sunburned skin. It can also help bruising of the skin.
  • Turmeric and manuka honey paste is known to do wonders on cuts and wounds. It is also known to reduce the scaring of the wound.

Skin Cancer.

  • Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancers.
  • Several factors such as UV rays, chemicals and genetics affect the occurrence of this disorder that starts in the top epidermal layer of the skin and spreads in the underlying layer.
  • Cancer of the skin not just affects the inner skin makeup but also deteriorates the appearance. The skin is affected by lesions and inflammation. Turmeric has been shown to provide relief not just on the outside of the skin in the affected area but also helps reduce the tumor on the inside.
  • Turmeric has powerful antioxidant activities which helps reduce the growth of tumor cells of the skin.
  • Curcumin in turmeric also regulates certain growth factors and signaling molecules, in the tumor cells that ultimately arrest the growth of these cells.
  • When applied outside on the skin, turmeric reduces inflammation and pain in the affected cancerous area.
  • All these properties of turmeric combined and used together in the form of ointments, masks, and edible food agents help in relieving skin cancer effectively.

Helps in Psoriasis.

  • Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disorder in which the immune system dysfunctions and causes skin lesions with white colored patches. It occurs majorly on the elbows, knees, scalp, back of the ears and neck but can occur in any area of the body.
  • In this disease, the immune system causes the inner skin cells to rise up to the surface of the skin very fast. A chronic version of this disorder is called arthritic psoriasis in which not just the skin but the joints are also affected.
  • Oral consumption of turmeric has been scientifically proven to control the psoriasis causing T-lymphocyte autoimmune proliferation.
  • Controlling these cells helps reduce their attack on the skin.
  • Applying turmeric as oils, masks and creams on psoriasis affected skin can help reduce inflammation and scaling.
  • Those with psoriasis can ensure they add turmeric in their daily cooking.
  • This can be in tea, milk, curries, stews, roast vegetables, eggs or as a general seasoning.
  • As a nighttime soothing treatment for psoriasis, mix turmeric powder with purified water and apply to inflamed areas.Leave this for a few minutes and wash off. It is important that turmeric should be of best quality for this to work.

Helps in Treating Eczema.

  • Eczema is a term, collectively used for a number of conditions that cause swelling, bruises, itching, redness and inflammation in the skin.
  • Also, called dermatitis, eczema is usually caused by irritants, stress, allergens, genetic makeup or other diseases. It is not contagious and is common in children.
  • The most common type of eczema is atopic eczema that causes dry and itchy skin leading to cuts and breaks.
  • Though turmeric has been shown to alleviate many types of eczema, most research and scientific evidence is available for atopic dermatitis and other common variants of this disease.
  • Turmeric has been shown to reduce the skin irritation, rashes, itching, swelling, inflammation and redness associated with most types of eczema.
  • It has the power to restore the hydration in the skin affected with atopic eczema and prevent the drying and scaling of the same.

Helps in Acne.

  • Acne is one of the most common skin conditions that affect millions of people worldwide.
  • Inflammatory acne can ruin one’s appearance and can affect work and social life. Home remedies using turmeric can benefit acne.
  • There are pastes and masks using turmeric, which when applied to acne affected areas can provide relief.
  • Turmeric has the potential to kill the P.acnes bacteria that cause acne and reduce the amount of oil produced by the sebaceous glands.
  • Specifically, turmeric mixed with glycerin or vitamin E and applied overnight on the acne has shown to dramatically reduce the size of the same.
  • When combined with eggs, yogurt, honey and several other proven agents that are healthy for skin, and applied regularly, it prevents appearance of acne and also improves the texture of the skin.
  • The scientific reason shown behind acne reducing action of turmeric is its antioxidant property. It reduces the amount of sebum secretion, controls the microbial growth on the skin, cleans up the pores and combats the reactive oxygen species that harm the skin.

Other skin issues (dry skin, inflammation, redness, etc.)

  • Dry skin is caused due to excessive usage of medicated soaps and cosmetics, the sun and wind. When skin becomes dry, it feels rough and can even develop cracks.
  • These cracks will begin to itch. Itching can lead to sores and bleeding. Allergic skin reactions can be caused by allergens in plants or chemicals, food or certain medications.
  • Severe allergies must be referred to your doctor immediately. For mild skin allergies and dry skin, your doctor could recommend turmeric ointment to be applied on the cracked skin.
  • Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that relieve swelling, inflammation and redness. Wounds heal faster and itchiness reduces with a topical application of turmeric.
  • Its anti inflammatory action and soothing effect helps hydrate the skin and keep it healthy. Consuming turmeric with food helps cleanse the body internally and prevent the skin problems from arising on the surface.

Chapter III: Side effects of Turmeric.

Turmeric is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth or applied to the skin appropriately for up to 8 months.
Turmeric usually does not cause significant side effects; however, some people can experience stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea.

Chapter IV: Dosing of Turmeric.

Dosage.

  • Turmeric taken as a spice has no side effects but excessive turmeric can cause some issues.
  • If you are taking 1.1.5 tsp of turmeric a day you have nothing to worry about. You can do this without any fear of side effects etc.

Precautions while using turmeric for skin.

  • Apart from staining of the skin and clothes, turmeric does not produce any side effects when used on the skin.
  • When taken internally, excess of turmeric can cause diarrhea or nausea.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women must not ingest turmeric for it can stimulate the uterus.
  • Others who are due to have surgery must avoid turmeric for it is an anti-coagulant.
  • Those who have gallbladder problems or are taking anti-coagulants or anti-platelet drugs must inform their doctor for turmeric supplements can interact with them.

Chapter V: Conclusion and Summary.

  • Skin is the largest organ of the body and is the first line of defense for our internal systems. It protects the internal body from water loss or dehydration, heat, allergens, microbes and all the other environmental and chemical compounds that can harm us.
  • It harbors beneficial microorganisms and helps our body stay healthy. It also makes vitamin D when exposed to sun.
  • It is the major player in the regulation of the body temperature and helps us feel things like heat, pain, cold etc.
  • Skin is one of the most important parts of our body and one of the most plagued ones too. It encounters all sorts of stressors to protect the inside of our body. Its health not just ensures the protection of the body but also the status of our appearance.
  • Many things such as dust, sun, harmful microbes, fungi, genetic and immune problems etc. can cause disorders of the skin. The irritants can cause clogging in the skin pores or activate immune system that may lead to swelling, inflammation and many other problems as well.
  • Disorders such as hives, acne, rashes, eczema, psoriasis, corn, dandruff, cellulites, dermatitis and many more are commonly found aroundthe world and their prevalence is based usually on the external environmental conditions and genetics of a particular area.
  • As mentioned, turmeric has powerful antioxidant and healing properties and is very efficient is treating a number of skin disorders; as trivial as redness to as grave as skin cancer.
  • It has been scientifically proven to be effective in treating acne, eczema, rashes, inflammation, cancer and bruising etc.

Turmeric Masks.

  • Turmeric masks help to rejuvenate the skin and treat acne, eczema, rosacea and psoriasis.
  • It can reduce the incidences of pimples, redness, itchiness and inflammation, which are the different symptoms that these skin conditions cause.
  • This is a basic recipe using turmeric, which can benefit your skin:
  • Add 4 tbsp turmeric powder to 1 tbsp milk and 4 tbsp raw honey to form a smooth paste. Apply this to clean and dry skin, leave for 20 minutes and wash off.

Turmeric Tea.

  • Apart from tasting delicious, turmeric tea offers many health benefits especially in reducing instances of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Since it has anti-oxidant properties, turmeric tea could also help improve the appearance of your skin.

Turmeric Milk:

  • Turmeric milk provides a natural cure for many ailments.
  • It is safe to use and delicious to drink.
  • It can fight free radicals that damage the skin and cause it to lose glow and elasticity. This is due to the anti-oxidant properties that turmeric possesses.
  • Turmeric combined with milk can also make a soothing lotion to reduce redness of the skin or patches caused by different skin conditions.

Summary.

  • Turmeric that was originally used only in Indian kitchens and as an ingredient in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine is now gaining popularity in the Western world for the many benefits it offers to treat various skin conditions.
  • Even those who do not have any of the above ailments can benefit from the medicinal properties that this ‘Indian Saffron’ possesses to halt aging, rejuvenate skin and enjoy glowing healthy skin.