What are the health benefits of turmeric (curcumin)
What are the health benefits of turmeric (curcumin)
Turmeric is a yellow spice, it is a root similar to ginger. It is used in most Indian dishes. The bright yellow powder has a slightly bitter taste. It is often misspelled tumeric. The main health ingredient is curcumin. In the west we are quickly leaning about how this wonder spice is actually very beneficial to many ailments. There is a very long list of uses, lets take a look at some of the most popular uses of turmeric.
Skin Care
Women in India use the spice for skin care all the time. It is made into a paste often with wheat flour and water and applied to the skin. It is said to make skin glow. Usually the paste is applied for 15 minutes or so then washed off when dry. People with light skin can use milk or a good lotion to remove the yellow stain it leaves. Some people leave it on overnight. It makes the skin softer and lighter.
Hair Removal
The women of India also use the paste to dye body hair and make it softer. The active ingredients of turmeric first make dark hair lighter thanks to the colouring properties. It then makes the hair silky soft, and after using for a while it will help to stop hair growth. It can also help people suffering from baldness, but it needs to be ingested for this.
Cancer Treatment
You certainly should not rely on turmeric to cure cancer. However there is growing evidence that it may help. Medical studies are scarce but it is said to limit the growth of certain cancer cells. For such a serious problem it would be wise to see professional advice.
Others
Turmeric is a powerful anti inflammatory agent. It is used for injuries and Indians will put some paste on cuts. It is also said to help maintain a health liver. There are many more uses too.
If you are using it as a paste it can be mixed with lemon to reduce the staining effect. For skin care try adding it to wheat flour and milk or water. It can be added to many food dishes, but try and cancel out the bitterness with a dairy product (milk, cream or yoghurt), or citrus (lemon or lime). It is easiest to drink as a tea.
Side effects are mostly due to the staining properties in the spice. Wash with milk to remove the stain easier. Sunlight will also help to remove the yellow stain. Cancer patients