Turmeric has been a staple in people’s lives since the beginning of time. For over 4,000 years people have used turmeric for medicinal purposes, and with good reason, and now it's been proven by science. Those that suffer from chronic pain often incorporate turmeric into their diet using it as a seasoning or through supplements, but there’s so much more to this spice than pain relief. It has myriad applications for overall health and beauty, too. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of turmeric!
The Benefits

The health benefits of turmeric, and it’s active ingredient curcumin, are numerous. One of the biggest benefits is its anti-inflammatory properties. Those suffering from pain due to inflammation can greatly benefit from it. Not only that but the spice is also great for joint health and mobility. Those suffering from pain on a daily basis should certainly consider adding turmeric to their diet.

It isn’t only people suffering pain and mobility issues that can benefit from the supplement. You can also improve cholesterol and support the cardiovascular system. And, if stress is part of your life, you’ll even have the added benefit of a boost to your stress tolerance level. This can, in turn, improve your immune system because stress is known to hamper the immune system.

Turmeric also supports weight management and a healthy metabolism as well as maintaining normal blood sugar levels.


The spice is also wonderful for the skin. Not only can it give the skin a radiant look, but it can improve acne scarring, heal wounds, and help with psoriasis. Its anti-inflammatory properties can also help with redness due to inflammation.

You can also reap the benefits of antioxidants, improved digestion, improved mood, and better cognitive function and memory, but one of the most tantalizing effects being studied now is how turmeric affects cancer.

From the Mayo Clinic: "Laboratory and animal research suggests that curcumin may prevent cancer, slow the spread of cancer, make chemotherapy more effective and protect healthy cells from damage by radiation therapy...Studies of curcumin in people are still in the early stages...Research is ongoing, and there isn't enough evidence to recommend curcumin at this time. As always, talk with your doctor before using any herbal supplement. It's unclear how curcumin may interact with medications."

This is very exciting, so keep a watch out for new studies! Turmeric is a great overall supplement to add into your diet, but as always, check with your doctor first.


Uses

Turmeric can be found as a fresh root, ground in the spice section, and as a supplement in tablet or capsule form.

If you love to cook, you can add the spice to roasted vegetables, to curry, steep it for tea or a latte, add it to your baking, and even sprinkle it into your smoothies. The spice isn’t for everyone, though. It does have a subtle bitter flavor that people either love or hate.

If you find you’re not a fan of the taste, you can take it as a supplement.

When buying supplements, you want to buy from a high-quality, regulated brand. The supplement should contain both turmeric root and extract, and if you're shopping a smaller organic/all-natural/non-GMO brand that's using whole ingredients, the ingredients list should also contain black pepper to help with absorption. A good brand will have been tested for heavy metals and packed in an opaque plastic or dark-colored glass container.


Of course, you can also use ground turmeric in your beauty products! Because the spice is great for skin, add it to Greek yogurt along with honey to create a face mask.

Give my Turmeric mask here a try to help calm down angry skin and get an all-around gorgeous glow!

Do note that it can stain the skin. Test a patch of your skin to make sure you’re not allergic before applying to your face. It can take up to 48 hours for a reaction to occur.


Turmeric is a wonderful, natural spice that can aid in health and beauty. Whether you suffer from chronic pain or want to improve the look of your skin, this supplement should definitely be a part of your daily routine.

WARNING: Always check with your doctor to ensure that turmeric is safe to take with your current medications. You want to slowly increase your intake. Taking too much turmeric too soon can cause diarrhea, dizziness, and/or an upset stomach. Some people are allergic to turmeric, take with caution if you’ve never had it before. Lastly, if you’re pregnant, small amounts of the spice in food have been deemed safe, but larger amounts can stimulate the uterus and cause miscarriages.


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Do you currently use turmeric in your cooking or as a supplement? What are your favorite ways to use it? I love to read your comments!