What is turmeric? - Elation Naturals

What is turmeric ?

In its raw form, turmeric looks a bit like ginger and for cooking it’s usually boiled up, dried in the sun and then ground down into a fine powder. The turmeric plant itself is called ‘Curcuma Longa’ and is mainly found growing in Southeast Asia and India. It’s the root of the plant that is ground up to make the bright yellow turmeric powder that we all recognise. The flavour is warm and it carries a mild aroma ideal for curries, but as well as cooking, turmeric was traditionally used for colouring fabric, medicinal purposes and hair and skin care. Despite its use in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, the western world are only now catching up with preliminary clinical trials showing astonishing results. In terms of beauty, turmeric proves to be both effective, versatile and dynamic which ties in well with Avedas belief that nature is our best asset, with natural ingredients creating effective results that stay in harmony with the body.

Benefits

Fights free radicals and boosts anti-oxidants

Antioxidants protect your body from highly reactive, unpaired atoms or molecules known as ‘free radicals’. These free radicals are considered a health risk because they attack healthy cells, proteins and DNA.

Boosts brain power and fights degenerative brain disease

Brain function is determined by the forming of new connections between neurons, via brain growth hormone BDNF. Brain disorders such as Alzheimers and depression are linked to a reduction in levels of BDNF.

Prevents and treats some cancer types

According to Cancer research, curcumin is of huge interest and shows potential as a means for both cancer prevention and treatment. A number of lab studies have shown the anti-cancer effects of curcumin to include seemingly able to kill cancer cells; Better still, prevent more from growing

Natural Pain killer

Turmeric is a natural effective pain killer, containing polyphenol, a powerful anti-oxidant to free radical damage. The anti-inflammatory property in curcumin can help reduce pain as well as aiding post-surgical pain and burn injuries. Curcumin is also found to relieve neuropathic pain (similar to pins and needles sensation).

Decreases risk of heart disease

Heart disease is the single most common cause of death globally. Studies have shown curcumin to have beneficial effects on several factors known to affect heart disease.

Anti-inflammatory

We all need Inflammation. It not only aids the body in fighting foreign bacteria, but also takes a role in repairing damage. So in the short term, inflammation is a good thing, but not when it becomes a permanent feature.

Evens and brightens your skin tone

Turmeric can also brighten and even out your skin tone. The neutralising of the free radicals remove problems in the skins function. Aveda’s Tulasāra™ Wedding masque contains turmeric extract for this reason and was inspired by the Haldi (meaning turmeric) ceremony from India, a pre-wedding tradition where a homemade turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom for radiant glowing skin on their wedding day).

Stimulate hair growth and thicken hair

Turmeric is both gentle and invigorating and makes for a wonderful exfoliator cleanser for the hair and scalp. Aveda have discovered that turmeric can reduce hair loss, adding it to shampoo specifically for thinning hair as well as in thickening conditioner that will improve your hairs health and reduce loss through breakage.