Hi There,
I am back with my long pending post on Turmeric. As you all might be aware turmeric is a very potent herb and is used extensively in Indian and Asian cuisines, some people like to drink it with milk, use it to heal small cuts and wounds and it is also used as a dye in the clothing industry. Turmeric extract is also used in a plethora of medicines due to its anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti- fungal properties among others.
Turmeric is extensively used in its powdered form in the kitchen and in DIY skin care formulations as its easily available and convenient to use. In medicines, usually turmeric extract is used. However, freshly harvested turmeric root is the best and most effective form of turmeric as it is juicy, full of flavor as well as extremely potent.
In this post I will be sharing a few ideas on how we can incorporate turmeric into our daily skincare routines.
Firstly, the Turmeric face Steam.
You can boil one liter water until it bubbles up and add a table a table spoon of turmeric powder to it. Hover your face above this bowl and let your face soak in the steam. This will help in opening up the pores on the face as well as removing pollutants, dirt, grime that clog your pores. This treatment is particularly beneficial for people with pimple prone skin.
Caution: We are dealing with hot boiling water here so please exercise caution while performing this. Keep away from children and once completed discard the water.
Ideally it is suggested to use a face steamer which is easily available in pharmaceutical stores. I prefer using steamers as there is less risk of burning ourselves and I am particularly clumsy!
Turmeric and Aloe Vera gel mask
For those of us who feel lazy and would like an easy but effective treatment requiring least effort after a long tiring day, this gel mast is the best solution.
All you have to do is:
- Mix 1 table spoon aloe vera gel with
- 1/3 tea spoon turmeric powder
- 3 drops of almond oil
Apply on your face and neck. Massage in circular motion for 2 – minutes and let is sit for about 2 minutes and rinse off.
Turmeric body scrub
Using turmeric as a body scrub helps reducing ingrown hair after waxing and break outs.
For this scrub we need the following:
- 1/2 cup powdered oats
- 1 table spoon Turmeric powder
- 2 table spoon Curd/yoghurt (Can substitute with milk for dry skin)
- 2 tea spoons lemon juice
- 1 table spoon olive oil (Optional for dry skin)
- 2 tale spoon brown sugar (optional for more scrubbing effect)
Mix all the ingredients to form a paste and apply on skin and scrub in circular motions. Oats powder is a good base for a very mild scrub and can be used for children also. It gently exfoliates and removes dead skin and also helps with removing tan and uneven skintone. Lemon juice helps in brightening the skin and reduces blemishes.
Olive oil can be added for extra moisturisation while brown sugar can be added for a more effective scrubbing effect.
Turmeric and clay face mask
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoon white clay/ fullers earth
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Rose water
Mix all ingredients and apply on clear This is a very mild face mask and can be used regularly to reduce tan and reduce blemishes.
Turmeric foot soak
Finally we have come to my most favorite and regularly used remedy. We need the following to prepare the foot soak:
- 1/2 cup epsom salts
- 1/2 cup himalayan pink salt
- 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
- 2-3 drops of peppermint/tea tree essential oil
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 table spoon citric acid (optional)
Mix all these ingredients well and store in a dry, sanitized glass jar. Use 1 cup of this mix in half bucket of water fir every use.
Historically, turmeric was smeared on feet by women in south India to prevent infections between the toes and to help with cracked heels.
The eposm salts in this formulation help in reducing pains and aches while the essential oils, turmeric and citric acid fight bacteria and odour. olive oil helps keep the foot skin moisturised and baking soda keeps skin soft and supple.
These are my ideas using turmeric! If you know any other interesting ideas, do share them with us!
That’s all for now! Will be back soon.
Very useful