Turmeric, commonly known as ‘Haldi,’ is a spice derived from the roots of the curcuma longa plant. Being native to South Asia, this spice has been widely used in Pakistani dishes. The turmeric plant is a rhizomatous perennial plant belonging to the ginger family. The rhizomes are boiled, dried and ground to make turmeric powder. This powder is deep orange-yellow and has a distinctively earthy, warm, slightly bitter, slightly pepper taste.
This spice has formed a part of Pakistani culture and is considered as an herbal remedy due to its anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties. Being a natural cosmetic, it is used to beatify the skin. Haldi contains compounds, called curcuminoids, which can treat many diseases. Curcumin is the active ingredient of haldi and the main curcuminoid.
Haldi for Skin
Treatment for Pimples
Turmeric is effective in the treatment of acne due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties which fight pimples and breakouts to provide a youthful glow to your skin. Turmeric face mask not only helps to clear acne scars and inflammation, but also reduces oil secretion by sebaceous glands. You can prepare a face pack by mixing turmeric powder and sandalwood powder and adding lemon juice to the mixture. Apply it on your face for 10 minutes and rinse off with warm water. For acne scars, apply a mixture of turmeric powder and water on the marks for 15 minutes.
Facial Mask for Oily Skin
Turmeric is beneficial for oily skin as it regulates the production of sebum, an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands. For oily skin, make a paste by mixing 1.5 tablespoons of sandalwood powder, a pinch of ground turmeric and 3 tablespoons of orange juice. Apply it on your face and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes after which rinse with warm water. Sandalwood acts as an astringent, a chemical compound that tends to shrink or constrict body tissues, and orange juice being a source for vitamin C helps to clear blemishes.
Facial Mask for Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, you can make a facial mask by mixing 1 egg white, 2 drops of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, rose water and a pinch of turmeric powder. This can be applied to all dry areas of the skin including face, neck, elbows and knees. Allow it to dry completely and then wash off with warm water.
Treatment of Wrinkles
Turmeric in combination with other ingredients is effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. You can prepare a face pack by mixing turmeric powder and rice powder with raw milk and tomato juice. Apply it on your face and neck for 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. If you have dark circles, you can add a pinch of turmeric powder with 2 tablespoons of buttermilk and apply it around your eyes for 20 minutes, then rinse with cool water. This will reduce wrinkles and brighten your skin.
Signs of Aging
Being an excellent exfoliating agent, turmeric can help eliminate sign of aging. You can make a paste by mixing besan (gram flour) and turmeric powder with equal proportions of water. This paste can also be made with raw milk or even yoghurt. Apply it evenly on your body and allow it to dry. Scrub your face in gentle circular motion, and then rinse with warm water.
Soothes Burns
Turmeric can provide a quick relief in case of burns, thanks to its antiseptic properties. Apply a mixture of turmeric powder and aloe vera gel on the burn and experience pain relief.
Reduction of Skin Pigmentation
To remove skin pigmentation, apply a mixture of turmeric powder and lemon or cucumber juice on the affected area for 20-30 minutes and wash off with warm water.
Removal of Facial Hair
You can make a facial scrub by mixing turmeric powder with chickpea. Applying this on your face can inhibit facial hair growth. This paste should be applied consistently for a month to get good results.
Treatment of Crack Heels
Turmeric is an excellent healing agent. If you have cracked heels, apply a mixture of 3 spoons of turmeric powder with a few drops of coconut oil on your heels for 10 to 15 minutes before taking a bath. Doing this will regularly soften your heels.
Treatment of Skin Conditions
Being a natural antiseptic, turmeric with milk is effective in treating skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Eczema is quite itchy and a painful disease characterized by red scaly patches on skin. Topical application with a mixture turmeric powder and milk can soothe the skin and reduce redness and inflammation.
Haldi for Hair
Not only for skin, but turmeric can be beneficial for your hair in some ways. Use of turmeric with other ingredients can promote hair growth and can treat scalp conditions. Some of the benefits of turmeric are given below.
Treatment of Dandruff
Dandruff can be treated by applying a mixture of turmeric and olive oil on your scalp before taking a shower. Leave it for 15 minutes and then wash with a natural shampoo. It removes the signs of dandruff by increasing the circulation in the scalp and providing nutrition to the hair follicles.
Prevents Hair Loss
Hair loss can take place due to various reasons like unhealthy diet, stress or disease. Curcumin is a component of turmeric that can inhibit the activity of growth agent beta one known as TGF beta one which causes the death of hair follicles resulting in hair loss. Turmeric mixed with honey and milk can be extremely beneficial as they reduce the negative effects on your hair.
Treatment of Scalp Conditions
Turmeric can be used in the treatment of various scalp conditions such as dermatitis and eczema that can lead to itchy, flaky skin, inflammation and thinning hair. Cicatricial alopecia is a scalp ailment caused by inflammation that damages hair follicles and prevents the growth of new hair. Fungal infections can also cause hair loss. Curcumin is effective in treating these conditions due to its antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antioxidant and antiseptic properties.
Haldi for Health
Turmeric is said to prevent cancer and childhood leukemia with the aid of its main component curcumin.
- It helps in detoxifying the liver, which further prevents the risk of hepatitis, cirrhosis and jaundice.
- It aids in fat metabolism to help manage weight loss along with improving digestion, reducing gas and bloating.
- Turmeric extracts when takezn twice daily two weeks before expected menstruation cycle will help reduce the menstrual cramps in ladies.
- It boosts immunity on account of its strong anti-oxidant activity which fights off free radical attacks in the system.
- Its strong anti-inflammatory property also acts against the development of rheumatoid arthritis (read 10 Tips to Reduce Arthritis Pain”) and delays it.
- The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties also reduce inflammation of the brain which is believed to be the main reason of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Turmeric regulates the homocysteine levels and therefore controls cholesterol. Thus it is useful to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
- Turmeric also moderates your insulin levels thereby having a limited level of influence over diabetes control (read 10 Tips to Control Diabetes”)
The Takeaway
Haldi is an amazing spice to use as an ingredient in foods. It not only has many benefits for health and disease control, but it can also be used as a cosmetic for hair and skin health. Make sure you follow some of these tips if you suffer from any of these health problems. Let Team HTV know how haldi has been beneficial to you!