Whether you’re an avid chef or a skincare connoisseur, you are most likely familiar with the brightly colored superfood turmeric.

Turmeric, otherwise known as Curcuma longa, is a vivid yellow spice with a long list of benefits pertaining to many fields. Indeed, since ancient times, people have used this spice in cooking, fabric dyeing, medicine, skincare, cosmetics, and more. 

This spice comes from the rhizomes, or roots, of a flowering plant that grows mainly in India and Southeast Asia. Though it has been around for centuries in Asia, it seems as if turmeric has experienced a surge in popularity in the West in recent years. 

Turmeric is a powerful spice that has so much more to offer than its flavorful taste. There’s one vital ingredient we have to thank for giving turmeric this multitude of powers—curcumin.

Curcumin is the primary active substance in turmeric. It’s a pigment that gives the spice its signature yellow color, as well as its anti-inflammatory properties. Ultimately, curcumin is the reason that turmeric offers us so many health benefits and uses.

Now, let’s discuss some of the most compelling ways that we can use turmeric to our advantage.

Health Benefits of Turmeric 

 

Let’s begin with the most prevalent subsection of turmeric uses: medicine and health.

Organic turmeric is a powerful and all-natural ingredient that serves many purposes. Here are a few of the most powerful ways that turmeric may support your health:

 

Turmeric Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties

 

As we mentioned earlier, the curcumin in turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory substance. What does that mean, exactly?

Well, it means that turmeric reduces and blocks inflammation in the body. 

Inflammation is the process in which our bodies’ white blood cells protect us from things like infections, bacteria, and viruses. Though it’s a necessary bodily function, inflammation can become a problem if it gets out of control. Sometimes, the body will trigger an inflammatory response even if there’s no invader to fight. Chronic inflammation is linked to multiple life-threatening ailments, like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and asthma.

This is why the anti-inflammatory nature of turmeric is so beneficial to us. It blocks the body’s inflammatory molecules, which ultimately reduces inflammation.

 

Turmeric Is an Antioxidant

 

You’ve probably heard this term before, but what does it really mean? 

Well, basically, antioxidants protect the body against free radicals, a group of highly reactive, chemically active atoms in the body. These molecules may harm the body’s cells, which can lead to cardiovascular disease. So, antioxidant-rich foods like turmeric help the body protect itself. 

In addition to cardiovascular disease, turmeric may also reduce the risk of other issues, like cataracts and glaucoma. This spice really can do it all.

 

Turmeric May Ease Depression

 

There’s still plenty of research to be done regarding the mystifying powers of turmeric, but one exciting possibility is that turmeric may improve the effects of depression.

In a study of 60 people, scientists found that curcumin served as an effective antidepressant. Apparently, the substance increases the body’s levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein that, when reduced in amount, is linked to depression.

 

Turmeric Might Help Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease

 

This is another potentially game-changing use for turmeric. The curcumin in the spice may be able to cross the blood-brain barrier and reduce inflammation and the buildup of protein plaques. Such buildup is connected to Alzheimer’s disease. 

Again, curcumin is a powerful ingredient that surely has many uses to still be discovered.

 

Turmeric May Help the Body Battle Cancer

 

Again, this promising claim still needs to be investigated more intensively. However, several studies on animals have revealed that turmeric can stop the growth of tumor cells and support detoxifying enzymes in the body.

There’s no doubt that turmeric is one of the most powerful superfoods out there. Sure, some of these claims still require further research. However, one thing is certainly true: turmeric is good for you, and consuming more turmeric won’t hurt. With any luck, you’ll enjoy all the wonderful benefits of this multifunctional spice.

 

Uses of Turmeric In Skincare

 

Now that we’ve explored the most relevant health benefits of turmeric, let’s turn to another area: skincare.

Visit any given drugstore or supermarket, and you won’t just see turmeric used in food and supplements. As we’ve mentioned, it’s incredibly useful in many fields. One of those fields is skincare, an industry that has fully embraced the healing properties of this spice.

As you could probably guess by now, the turmeric craze in skincare is more than just a marketing ploy. With antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties, turmeric does wonders for the skin.

If you’re considering adding turmeric to your skincare routine, take a look at our list of  all the ways that turmeric supports healthy skin:

 

Turmeric Gives Your Face a Natural Glow

 

Again, we have turmeric’s potent anti-everything qualities to thank for this one.

Turmeric rejuvenates your skin by targeting your pores, soothing your skin, and bringing out your natural glow. So, if you want to give your skin an easy pick-me-up, consider a treatment like a turmeric face mask.

 

Turmeric Powder in Skincare Products Serves to Even Your Skin Tone

 

As if replenishing your face glow wasn’t enough!

This occurs because turmeric decreases the breakdown of the skin and reinforces your natural collagen. In doing so, it helps your skin look perfectly even and smooth.

 

The Curcumin in Turmeric Has Healing Properties

 

Because it reduces inflammation and oxidation, turmeric helps the body heal its wounds. 

 

Turmeric May Alleviate Acne Scarring, Psoriasis, and Other Skin Issues

 

If you suffer from problems like these, you may want to consider turning to turmeric.

Again, because of its anti-inflammatory nature, turmeric soothes the skin, reduces scarring, might even clear up breakouts. Similarly, regarding psoriasis, turmeric reduces visible flare-ups. 

Likewise, turmeric may help with soothing other conditions, like eczema, alopecia, and lichen planus. Currently, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to confirm this theory, but scientists will certainly continue to study the spice. Hopefully, we’ll get more info on the mysterious effects of turmeric in the near future.

 

Finally, Turmeric Has Anti-Aging Abilities

 

This is because the spice slows down the aging process of the skin. As such, it reduces wrinkles, improves elasticity, and more.

So, if you’ve been wondering why turmeric seems to show up in so many products, now you know the answer. It’s a powerful ingredient, and everyone should be taking advantage of it.

Turmeric is used in tons of products: cleansers, moisturizers, night creams, face masks, and much more—whatever you can imagine.

If you want to experience the power of turmeric for yourself, consider trying a healing face mask like our Vitamin C Clay Mask. Trust us—you’ll see amazing results right away.

 

Final Thoughts On Turmeric 

 

Is there anything turmeric can’t do? With so many amazing properties, why aren’t we putting turmeric in everything?

Personally, we’re huge fans of turmeric. Even though we still have much to discover about the spice, it is clear that turmeric has a lot to offer. The fact that people have been using it in their food, cosmetics, fabrics, medicine, and more since ancient times just goes to show how potent the spice really is.

Hopefully, this article has given you all the info you need about turmeric. As research continues, we will certainly discover even more benefits of the superfood. 

For now, be sure to take advantage of this powerful ingredient!

Sources:

12 Scientific Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin | Everyday Health

Inflammation: Definition, Diseases, Types, and Treatment | WebMD

Slideshow Health Benefits of Turmeric | WebMD