Turmeric is a product that has been used as an aromatic spice since the beginning of time. Today, it is a very popular ingredient in the kitchen, perfect for shaping countless dishes.
However, it hides much more than it seems because turmeric has interesting health properties and a long series of benefits that you would not expect. If you want to know everything about turmeric, I encourage you to read this post.
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric, with the scientific name Curcuma longa, is characterized by an intense yellow color and an odor that very few can confuse.
It comes from the orange root of a plant derived from the Zingiberaceae family, native to both India and Indonesia.
There is some evidence that it was already used between 610 BC – 320 BC for one of its most unique properties: it is able to change the color of the wool to yellow or deep orange.
You will be able to learn much more about what turmeric is by analyzing in detail its properties.
Properties of Turmeric
– Anti-inflammatory action: turmeric has a compound known as curcumin, a phenolic derived from the rhizome of the plant, which, among other advantages, gives turmeric the property of being an antioxidant.
– Activate the metabolism: in addition to giving flavor to our meals, it also has the power to activate the metabolism, thus facilitating the elimination of fats.
– Regenerative property: in particular, it is thought that it could help with macular degeneration (a disorder in which a sensitive part of the retina is lost, affecting eyesight). Curcumin could help the regeneration of retinal purpura.
Benefits of Turmeric: What It’s Good For
Here are some of the most outstanding benefits of turmeric.
Antioxidant
As I have already told you, turmeric has been widely researched for its anti-inflammatory properties. This property derives from curcumin, the main active ingredient.
However, the curcumin content that can be found in turmeric is rather low, around 3% of its weight.
Therefore, if you want to achieve any significant results with the consumption of turmeric, the recommended approach would be to consume curcumin supplements.
In addition, these supplements should be combined with the consumption of black pepper, as it reinforces the assimilation of turmeric into the body.
If you want to know more about the antioxidant properties of turmeric, we recommend you take a look at this study.
Acts against free radicals
Free radicals act against certain crucial elements in the organism, such as DNA, proteins, or fatty acids.
Curcumin actively protects us against these free radicals due to its antioxidant properties.
Thus, it helps you neutralize free radicals because its chemical structure makes this possible.
It also increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes in our bodies.
In other words, it offers double protection against free radicals: it blocks them in the first instance and increases the body’s defenses to reinforce the natural antioxidants.
Turmeric for weight loss
Because it is able to accelerate the metabolism, it could also help us to lose weight.
Metabolism is a succession of chemical reactions that take place in our body, which have the function of ensuring good health and the proper functioning of our organs.
To carry out these functions, you need to burn a certain number of calories. With turmeric, you will burn more calories at rest, encouraging weight loss.
It also prevents fat accumulation. Curcumin would act against large fat deposits, reducing them so that they are more easily assimilated by the body.
A good way to take turmeric for weight loss is through a tea prepared with fresh turmeric root.
Just add a teaspoon of coconut oil or a pinch of black pepper to this infusion and drink it twice a day on an empty stomach.
You will see how you will improve your digestion, combat food cravings, and even improve your self-esteem.
For acne
Turmeric offers very interesting benefits to the skin. This is because it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties and can be useful for treating certain skin conditions, such as acne.
Above all, it helps those people who, at some point in their lives, have suffered from it in an aggressive way and now still have scars from that time that they would like to neutralize.
To do this, we will have to prepare turmeric masks.
A very simple one to do is as follows and requires:
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder from organic farming
- 2 teaspoons of mint infusion
Start preparing the mint infusion and separate two teaspoons of it in a separate glass.
Add the turmeric to form a uniform paste.
This mixture should be applied to your face with a brush so that it is evenly distributed. Let stand for about 30 minutes.
Rinse your face with warm water and apply a moisturizer if you notice that your skin is a little dry.
You will see how, little by little, you will be able to fade the effect of acne marks.
Turmeric for hair
Are you looking for a remedy to improve your hair growth? I’m going to tell you how turmeric can also help you with it.
Due to its antibacterial and antiseptic properties, it is able to regulate the excess sebum in the hair, in addition to eliminating those bacteria and microorganisms that should not be there.
There are many dermatological conditions that could affect your scalps, such as dandruff, flaking, eczema, and excess oil, among many other ravages.
The way to apply turmeric to the hair is to make a mask.
It works very well if it is mixed with olive oil and spread with small circular massages. You will have to leave some time for it to work.
Another good idea is to mix milk, turmeric, and honey. Leave on for five minutes and then rinse with warm water.
Preparing soap with turmeric
Many people have problems with the commercial soaps that we can find in the market, especially if our skin is somewhat sensitive.
In this case, you should opt for natural soaps.
We recommend buying a soap that has been prepared with turmeric and other 100% natural ingredients. This way, you will be able to wash and disinfect your hands, avoiding any kind of irritation.
But you can also prepare the soap on your own. Here is the recipe:
- 1 bar of glycerin soap
- 2 tablespoons ginger powder or grated organic ginger
- 2 tablespoons organic turmeric powder
- 10 drops of organic chamomile essential oil
- molds for soap making
Start by grating the glycerin soap and place it in a saucepan in a bain-marie.
While it is kept over medium heat, stir the mixture to dissolve.
Carefully add the 10 drops of chamomile oil and stir.
Now it is time to add the turmeric and grated ginger.
Let the composition boil for three minutes and remove from heat.
This mixture should rest for a few minutes before transferring it to the molds.
Let them cool for a couple of hours, and then you can use the turmeric soap.
To whiten teeth
Turmeric has been used since ancient times for its power to dye certain materials, and the curious thing is that you can also get a similar effect on your teeth; it can whiten them.
Not only that but while it whitens them, it will also be able to kill bacteria in your mouth.
All you have to do is add some pure turmeric powder directly to your toothbrush and brush your teeth in a conventional way.
However, do not rinse immediately, but allow time for the product to act.
Then rinse and brush with your conventional toothpaste.
If you follow this process for a few weeks, you will begin to notice how your teeth will indeed begin to whiten.
May combat arthritis symptoms
Some studies have shown that the consumption of turmeric in people suffering from arthritis may even be more effective than taking anti-inflammatory drugs.
This is due to what I mentioned before, in relation to the fact that its intake could be compared to the effects of taking ibuprofen, but without so many side effects.
However, further studies would have to be carried out in order to draw conclusions.
Help with depression
Other research has traced a line that links turmeric consumption with the reduction of symptoms that lead to depression.
A study focused on 60 people divided into three groups. One of them took Prozac, the other 1g of curcumin and the other Prozac and curcumin.
The results revealed that curcumin was as effective as the antidepressant, with better results found in both the second and third groups compared to the first.
But further studies would also have to be carried out to reach any conclusions.
How to Take Turmeric
There are different ways to ingest and use turmeric. Although I have already shown you many of them throughout the post, here I will compile all of them so that you do not miss any:
– In powder form: it is used as a condiment to flavor and enhance the flavor of our dishes.
– In the form of infusion: generally, it is taken in the form of an infusion accompanying other plants. Most commonly it is dissolved in 20 grams per liter of water and taken at the rate of three glasses per day of discontinuous treatments.
– In capsule form: there are capsules that concentrate the properties of turmeric. Experts do not recommend exceeding the dose of 50mg per day.
– Supplements: we can also find curcumin supplements that are usually combined with trace elements. In this case, the recommended dose is about 500mg per day, at a rate of three times a day.
– Turmeric oil: previously diluted or mixed with a carrier oil, this essential oil can be applied to various skin inflammations and eliminates pain when massaged on sore limbs. It is also a powerful fungicide and a practical insect repellent.
– In the form of syrup: if combined with lemon juice, turmeric syrup could help you to lose weight with its satiating power, in addition to purifying the body (detoxifying power).
– Poultices: it is also possible to apply it directly on the skin in the form of a poultice to cure some ravages such as acne, as well as other impurities.
Turmeric Contraindications: Precautions
Generally, it is rare for turmeric to present side effects, but it is not recommended to take turmeric continuously for more than eight months or to take very high amounts per day exceeding 3000 mg.
It is not safe to consume turmeric during pregnancy. Some experts indicate that it could stimulate the uterus, and this could jeopardize the pregnancy.
Consumption is not recommended if you are taking medications that prevent blood clotting since turmeric could slow blood clotting.
It is also not recommended for people suffering from diabetes since it could reduce blood sugar.
Consuming high amounts of turmeric could lead to iron deficiencies, as it could affect the absorption of iron in the body.
In addition, it is recommended not to consume it if you are going to undergo surgery. In this case, we should stop consuming it at least two weeks before the intervention takes place.
Consume turmeric in moderation, and you can benefit from these interesting properties.
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