I fell in love with studying Ayurveda, the ancient science of life. There’s something amazing to learn every single day. Turmeric is one of the most amazing herbs I discovered during my studies. It is a bright yellow spice scientifically known as Curcuma longa. Turmeric has a bitter taste and people usually use it in cooking in curries. In Ayurveda, turmeric has been used for its medicinal properties for hundreds of years. It is considered a Varnya herb, meaning it has the ability to enhance the complexion. Traditionally, turmeric, along with other herbs, are used by the bride and groom on their wedding day to give their faces a special glow.
Benefits of turmeric
Turmeric has excellent antioxidant properties which reduce premature aging of the skin and may provide glow to the skin. The anti-bacterial, cleansing, and antioxidant properties of turmeric help in achieving healthy looking skin. Turmeric has a bioactive component called curcumin which makes it anti-inflammatory therefor it is great to help heal wounds and acne scarring and decreases oxidation. Studies have found that turmeric can positively affect tissue and collagen as well. A study in Phytotherapy Research suggested that turmeric can help with eczema, alopecia, lichen planus, and other skin issues.
Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory powers are a major boon to thinning hair, as it may stimulate growth as well. Treating the hair with turmeric can keep the scalp healthy because of its anti-bacterial benefits, so it’s great against dandruff.
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities are good for your entire body, they may help your psoriasis by controlling flares and other symptoms. You can use turmeric as a supplement or by adding it to food.
Despite the yellow color and the possibility to stain, turmeric can be even use to whiten your teeth.
There are plenty of ways to use this amazing herb to enhance our complexion, all of them natural and vegan, of course. Let’s see a few of them below.
NOTE: When applied to the skin, turmeric can temporarily stain the skin or leave a yellow residue.
Before using test if you’re allergic to turmeric. Avoid using turmeric directly on your skin if you’re allergic to it. It may otherwise lead to swelling, redness, or irritation.
Ways to use turmeric for beauty: Skin, teeth, hair
Homemade Turmeric Mask
Ingredients
- 1 tbs turmeric powder
- 1 tbs sandalwood powder
- 1 tsp maple/rice syrup
- water
- 1 bowl
Steps To Follow
- Take a bowl and put the turmeric powder and sandalwood powder together.
- Add maple syrup to the powder mixture.
- Add a sufficient amount of water to make the paste thick.
- Mix it well.
- Apply it to your face and keep it for 10 to 15 minutes
- Rinse it off with warm water.
Turmeric Acne Mask
Ingredients
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoons turmeric
- 1 tbsp maply syrup
- 1 tbsp plant milk
Steps To Follow
- Soak a cotton wool ball with apple cider vinegar and gently rub it onto the face.
- Leave it for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix the turmeric, maple syrup, and plant milk until well combined.
- Apply it to the face and leave for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse the mask off with warm water and watch the redness and irritation slowly decrease.
Turmeric Cleanser
Ingredients
- Plant Milk
- 1 tbs turmeric powder
- 1 tbs chickpea powder
Steps To Follow
- Pour turmeric powder and chickpea powder in a bowl.
- Mix them well with a few drops of plant milk.
- Make sure that the paste is thick and not watery.
Apply the paste on your face evenly. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Then wash it off with fresh water. It will clean off all the dirt and kill acne-causing bacterias.
Deep Cleansing Scrub for Softening, Cleansing, and Exfoliating
Ingredients
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- half a spoonful of sugar
- 1 tsp maple/rice syrup
- plant milk
Steps To Follow
- Combine turmeric powder with sugar.
- Stir in maple syrup and a few drops of plant milk.
- Mix well.
- Apply to the skin and massage for two minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
Hair mask
Ingredients
- 1 part of turmeric powder
- 1 part of olive oil (depending on hair length)
Steps To Follow
- Depending on the length of your hair mix together equal parts of turmeric powder and olive oil.
- Apply the mask evenly and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, allowing the ingredients to soak into the hair.
- Rinse and cleanse your hair with shampoo and conditioner.
Teeth Whitening
Ingredients
- 1/2 ts turmeric powder
- 1/2 ts baking soda
- 1/2 ts coconut oil
Steps To Follow
- Mix together coconut oil, baking soda and turmeric in a small bowl.
- Make sure the paste is consistent.
- Dip your toothbrush in this golden paste and brush your teeth as you would normally.
Turmeric Milk
Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- one cardamom pod
- cup almond mik
- 1-2 saffron strands (optional)
- a pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Steps To Follow
- Boil one cup of almond milk with a pinch of organic turmeric.
- Add one cardamom pod for two minutes.
- For added results, add one to two strands of saffron to the boiling mixture.
- To promote deep sleep, add a pinch of nutmeg.
- Drink while warm.
Apart from face masks, packs and cleansers, there are other ways to use turmeric powder for skin. Rinsing your face with turmeric-infused water, drinking turmeric juice may also help you achieve your skin goals.
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Photo: Kevin Laminto via Unsplash
