The popular super-spice has some less-than-usual uses
As its name suggests, Naturevibe Botanicals is in the business of providing natural, organic supplements that are designed to enhance consumers’ general health and well-being. The company’s turmeric root powder is no exception. Created with curcumin for a higher absorption rate, this 100% natural, organic member of the ginger family is highly therapeutic. A natural detoxifier and antioxidant enhancer, turmeric can prevent cancer, control diabetes, reduce weight and the risk of heart disease, heal wounds, and improve cognition and digestion. In addition to enhancing your overall health, turmeric can also contribute to a more holistic lifestyle in five interesting ways.
Turmeric in Soap
Making homemade products à la Martha Stewart can be fun. When it includes turmeric, it can also be healthy. Why not combine your knack for DIY projects with your passion for personal health by making your own soap? Surprisingly, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. You can find soap molds at your local craft store, and there are numerous recipes online to get you started. You can also mix turmeric with coconut, jojoba, or olive oil to treat dandruff; prevent hair loss; and condition your hair and scalp before washing with your regular shampoo. It might not be able to keep you from the hair transplant clinic forever but you would be shocked at just how much of an impact it can have on the condition of your hair.
Turmeric in Foundation and Moisturizer
While beauty suppliers do their best to provide a diverse array of products, finding makeup that matches your exact skin tone can be a challenge – especially as your skin tone can change throughout the year based on sun exposure. If you’re lucky, your tinted moisturizer, foundation, or bronzer of choice will simply melt into your natural skin tone, leaving you with a healthy, luminescent glow; but for those with more of a yellow undertone to their skin, ashy- or pink-toned products just aren’t going to work. If your skin tone always seems to fall somewhere between the shades that are available to you, adding turmeric to your foundation or tinted moisturizer, like actress Thandie Newton, may help. This will allow you to customize your foundation throughout the year, while repairing your skin and soothing your capillaries with its anti-inflammatory properties.
Turmeric in Toothpaste
Somewhat paradoxically, given its ability to dye clothes, turmeric can also act as a natural teeth whitener. An ancient dental formula used in India and other parts of the world, turmeric and curcumin have antibiotic, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties that can relieve gingivitis, toothache, and sensitive teeth. Former Miss USA Susie Castillo adds organic turmeric to her toothpaste, using a homemade recipe approved by her holistic dentist, Dr. Silkman. Turmeric can also be used alone, added to tea, or mixed with ingredients like baking soda and coconut oil.
Turmeric in Tea
If natural, organic toothpaste isn’t your thing, you can also do your teeth and body a favor by ingesting turmeric in various foods and beverages. One of the more interesting ways to do this is by adding it to your tea of choice or even using it as the primary ingredient. The people who live on the Japanese island of Okinawa drink turmeric-infused tea daily, which may explain the fact that they hold the world record for the longest average lifespans. Adding a natural sweetener, like honey, to the tea will sweeten the turmeric’s earthy flavor.
Turmeric in Food
Besides tea, there are a surprising number of ways to utilize this super-spice in various drinks and dishes. An excellent popcorn topping, it can also be used as an additive for juice, smoothies, lattes, and even cakes. Turmeric and other natural ingredients – such as beets, blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries – make fun, alternative food coloring for eco-friendly Easter eggs. Turmeric can also reduce the cancer-causing HCAs that form on grilled and heavily cooked meats.
If you enjoy experimenting with safe, natural remedies with proven health benefits, make turmeric your go-to spice for health and beauty projects. Start your day with a morning cup of turmeric tea, brush your teeth with your specially formulated turmeric toothpaste, or season your dinner with turmeric spice. Turmeric can also be used to treat external issues like cuts, burns, and stretch marks, as well as internal problems like indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, stomach aches, and neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. With so many applications, turmeric is a welcome addition to any spice cabinet, even if you only use at a seasoning.