Turmeric, commonly known as haldi in India, is a spice derived from the roots of the Curcuma longa plant. This powder is deep orange-yellow in color and has a distinctly earthy, slightly bitter and slightly peppery taste, and a mustardy smell due to the presence of a substance called curcumin.
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 facemask not only helps to clear acne scars and inflammation but also reduces oil secretion by sebaceous glands. Moreover, being a natural antiseptic, turmeric with milk is effective in treating skin conditions like poison ivy, eczema, and psoriasis. Eczema is a quite itchy and painful disease characterized by red scaly patches on the skin. Topical application of a mixture of Kasturi turmeric with milk can soothe the skin and reduce redness and inflammation.
Not only is turmeric great for the skin, it is also beneficial for hair. Applying a mixture of turmeric and olive oil on your scalp can treat dandruff and other scalp issues by removing debris and increasing circulation in the scalp. Additionally, it assists with the prevention of hair loss due to the activity of Curcumin, which is a component of turmeric that can inhibit the activity of “growth agent beta one” (TGF beta one) which causes the death of hair follicles resulting in hair loss. Furthermore, 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 the hair follicles and prevents the growth of new hair. Fungal infections can also cause hair loss. Curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, is effective against these ailments due to its anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antioxidant, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties. That’s a lot of properties!
