Source: Canva
The Benefits of Turmeric
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This yellow-orange-ish spice is full of amazing benefits! I've heard a lot about turmeric's anti-inflammatory benefits but when I discovered it as an ingredient popping up in some of my skincare products, it made me wonder what other benefits it offers. As it turns out - a lot!
Turmeric is sooo good for our health in general. Here are a few of the benefits that resonated most with me, as well as three ways to add more of this spice into your life to fully reap its benefits!
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As a natural anti-inflammatory, it helps our bodies build a strong immune system and fight off inflammation. Studies show the effects of turmeric (and its active component curcumin) match the effectiveness of common anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or aspirin (source).
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It's also amazing for our skin - supporting skin clarity and brightness and fighting off free radicals from environmental pollutants. All this explains why it's in so many skincare products! (source).
- It improves brain function and memory by boosting levels of the brain hormone BDNF. BDNF is a growth hormone that helps fight various degenerative processes and increases the growth of new neurons in our brains (source).
Three Ways to Add Turmeric Into Your Daily Routine
From the more common (cooking!) to the not as common (skincare?!), here are three ways to add turmeric into your daily routine.
Mix up a Golden Milk Latte
Deliciously creamy (and easily dairy-free), soothing and comforting, a Golden Milk latte originated in India, more specifically in Ayurveda. A Golden Milk Latte can be as simple as hot milk (dairy or dairy-free) mixed mixed with turmeric or more complex with other spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon mixed in. I love having a Golden Mix Latte in the afternoon as a pick-me-up or as part of my wind-down routine in the evening before bed.
If you're interested in adding it to your routine, find a recipe here to DIY it or do as I do and use our Golde Turmeric Latte Blend because #easy. This blend includes turmeric (of course!), cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and coconut milk powder so it mixes as a creamy drink from the start (as you can see above) - no need to add any additional ingredients unless you want to.
Source: Beautycounter
Incorporate it in Your Skincare Routine
Thanks to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and brightening components, turmeric is an amazing ingredient for your skin. It helps reduce inflammation, even skin tone and improve the skin's overall appearance.
I've noticed it as an ingredient in a couple of serums I love, including this one by Beautycounter and this one by Ranavat. I use the Beautycounter serum daily and the Ranavat one as more of an occasional treat (it looks amazing before applying make-up) since it's a littttle pricier. My skin GLOWS with both of these serums so you really can't go wrong with either! There are a lot of other turmeric beauty products on the market as well, but these are two I use and love and feel confident recommending.
You can also DIY your own turmeric mask using ingredients you have it home (think yogurt, milk, honey, etc). This is a great idea for anyone who likes to experiment - try different one-time use variations and then make the one you love in bulk. For some inspo, here's a few recipes I thought sounded cool! Or add a small amount of loose turmeric to your favorite moisturizing mask to get the best of both - moisture along with brightening.
Source: Canva
Add it to a Variety of Foods & Drinks
While it may be obvious to add turmeric to any Indian-inspired dish, it can also easily be added to so many other foods! With a light sprinkling, the flavor is subtle enough to add just a touch of earthy sweetness to your dish - while gaining the turmeric benefits! Sprinkle it on eggs, use in soups, dust on fruit (it pairs particularly well with any golden colored fruit like mangos, pineapple, kiwis, and papaya) or veggies (avocado, carrots, pumpkin), mix in smoothies or add to baked goods (especially ones calling for cinnamon and nutmeg). I suggest starting with a small amount and then increasing if you prefer a stronger flavor.
I hope you found this post helpful! If you have any other ways to incorporate turmeric into your daily routine, share below so we can all be inspired!
