Turmeric, the beautiful yellow colored spice is being used across the globe in various cuisines, since ages. It is also used in many health care and beauty products like soaps, ointments, face packs, and crèmes for it natural goodness. It is full of health benefits and medicinal properties. Turmeric is available everywhere and is one of the most affordable spice or ingredient for health, beauty and personal care. Turmeric is available in powdered form in the market that are sold under various brand names. It is also available in whole form, either raw or dried. It is always better to go for the fresh variant as it has not gone through any processing or refining. However, a good quality powdered brand will also do and will be more convenient to use. In this article, we have listed some of the health and beauty benefits of turmeric and their medicinal properties.
1. Provides Relief From Arthritis Pain:
Turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming a small quantity of turmeric everyday in cooked food helps in getting relief from arthritis, knee pain, joint pain and similar other pain or inflammation. Mix some turmeric in a glass of warm milk if you have body pain. Applying a paste of raw turmeric over joint or knee pain affected area externally provides relief from pain.
2. Helps In Losing Weight:
When you are trying to lose weight, it is essential to include turmeric in your weight- loss diet, apart from physical activities and weight-loss regime. Turmeric improves metabolism and cleanses the digestive tract. It is an excellent fat burner which keeps breaking down the fats in the body even when you are just sitting idle or in sleep.
3. Relieves Upset Stomach:
If you experience irritable or upset stomach, turmeric is one of the best and the quickest home remedy. It helps in managing acidity and heart burn and soothes the digestive track. However, it should be taken in moderation as excess consumption of anything as its own side effects.
4. Helps Manage Depression:
Turmeric consists of an antioxidant called curcumin which works like an antidepressant and helps in dealing with depression. It is an excellent spice, not only for physical health, but also mental well-being. However, if anyone in the family is suffering from clinical depression, it is important to undergo medical treatment and it is best to go for any home remedy only on the recommendation/approval of the concerned doctor.
5. Promotes Healthy Heart:
Consuming turmeric every day keeps all cardio-vascular diseases and conditions at bay. It helps in lowering the risks if heart attacks and strokes. Turmeric aids in breaking up the cholesterol in blood which are otherwise responsible for creating blockage in the arteries. In order to maintain a healthy heart, besides regular check-ups and doctor’s recommended medicines and lifestyle, turmeric is also important.
6. Helps In Lowering Cholesterol Levels:
The curcumin in turmeric prevents the accumulation of bad cholesterol by enhancing the liver function. If you have high cholesterol in your blood, it is important to consult a cardiologist first, and bring dietary and lifestyle changes that will help in bringing it down. Simultaneously, there is no harm in adding a little turmeric in your diet and you may consult your doctor first when you are doubtful.
7. Provides Remedy Against Cancer:
Cancer is one of the most dreadful diseases and what can be better if you already have remedy against it in your own kitchen. Regular intake of turmeric along with food helps in reducing the risk of formation and growth of cancer cells in the body. Eat a small piece of raw turmeric along with a little jaggery every morning, empty stomach for protection against cancer formation.
8. Provides Skin Care:
Turmeric helps in getting a healthy and glowing skin. It has immense beauty benefits. It soothes the skin, acts as an antiseptic against skin infections and inflammation, removes impurities and dust from the skin and protects the skin from acne and pimples. It has skin lightening properties which make the skin radiant and flawless, when applied regularly.
9. Helps In Managing Diabetes:
Turmeric is very useful in managing diabetes. It lowers the insulin resistance and regulates the level of sugar in the blood. So, you can add it in your diet, besides regular consultation with your doctor. However, consumption of turmeric and simultaneous use of insulin and other diabetic medication can bring down the sugar level drastically. Therefore, the approval of your doctor is very important before going for turmeric intake.
10. Provides Protection Against Free Radicals:
The curcumin in turmeric also provides absolute protection against free radicals in the body. This in turn, helps in preventing the risk of many diseases and keeps the body healthy. Turmeric is an everyday food spice ad unless anyone has a medical condition; it can be used externally as well as internally, in moderate quantity in order to shut out the harmful effects of free radicals.
