Most of us are already familiar with this spice, we use it in our cooking, it’s used during wedding festivities and yogis mix it into their milk and drink it for health purposes. But why turmeric and not any other spice? What makes this plant so popular that Dr. Sanjay Gupta shared his creamy tea recipe with Dr. Oz and millions of viewers?
Turmeric has been used in many ways in ancient Chinese and Indian medicine. It has many medicinal properties, Natalie Kling, a Los Angeles-based nutritionist says it best, “As an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiseptic, it’s a very powerful plant.” According to scientific research, turmeric proves to be of use in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease.
Putting aside the scientific part, many cosmeticians stand behind this plant as well. Whether you’re looking for a glow, an evening out, pigmentation or even anti-aging solutions, look no further! Turmeric has many properties that can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, battle acne and gives you a glow without staining your skin. Need to lose a tan? Mix Turmeric and lemon or tomato juice together; use it twice a week on the areas of concern and it’ll lighten your skin visibly.
To reduce pigmentation and to even out your skin tone sounds like a long process, however it’s not. You can easily do it from the comfort of your home by mixing turmeric and lemon juice together and rubbing it on your face. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and then wash off, the more often you do this, you will see results fast.
Removing facial hair through various methods can be costly, painful and can also leave marks on your skin if not done properly.
Turmeric can also help with facial hair reduction. Mix turmeric with water, then apply a thin layer onto the face – you can leave it on for an hour or two. Some women prefer to sleep with it on and wash their face in the morning, but I do warn, just because it doesn’t stain your face, it doesn’t mean it won’t stain your sheets. Do this 3-4 times a week and you’ll notice the difference. By using this technique, your skin will also benefit from the natural glow that you’ll gain!
It’s no wonder that the Indian custom of making turmeric paste and applying it directly to the skin is still practiced. However, brides nowadays opt for the creams instead of the paste. The cream still possesses many key ingredients that are beneficial for the brightening and softening of the skin. One example is Vicco Cream. It is an oil based cream that protects the skin from drying out. It also rejuvenates the skin resulting in a youthful appearance.
Overall turmeric has many bonuses and is advised by nutritionists around the world to be incorporated in our daily diets and beauty regimes. Used for centuries and researched for years, this spice is effective in many ways. Beauty starts from the inside out and as cliché as it sounds, it is the honest truth.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s Calming Creamy Turmeric Tea
• 1 cup almond Milk
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp honey
• ¼ tsp ginger
Heat almond milk in the microwave or stove; add the rest of the ingredients and drizzle the honey on top. Simple and delicious!
Turmeric Facial Mask
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 tsp rice flour (you could also use garbanzo flour or finely-ground oats)
• 3 Tbsp plain yogurt (you could substitute milk, cream, or sour cream)
Mix everything together until it starts forming into a paste and then slather it on clean face. Let it dry for 15-20
minutes, and then rinse off, gently scrubbing as you go. Beware it will stain clothes, so wear something that you don’t mind getting stained.
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