The best spice for beauty and brains

Would you like to turn back the clock and reduce the signs of aging from the inside out?

If so, I’ve got a spice for you that boosts both beauty and brains — and provides more health benefits than you can shake a stick at.

So, ditch the chemical laden creams and skip the dermatologist. Those botox and filler injections carry multiple unnecessary risks anyway.

A long history of healing

Instead, turn to the natural power of turmeric.

You may be familiar with turmeric as a spice used in Indian cuisine. And I recently wrote about why many people are turning to turmeric for brain health — especially if you want to fine-tune your memory.

But did you know it’s also great for your skin?

This gorgeous spice has been used in ancient Indian or Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.

And, it’s been shown in a number of studies to help reduce inflammation, improve joint pain, and promote healing for your liver. The active compound in turmeric, called curcumin possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and anticancer activities.

But, that’s not all when it comes to the benefits of turmeric…

Turmeric also has natural anti-aging and anti-acne properties.

It works by cleansing and detoxifying your blood (by supporting the liver) which improves the appearance and coloration of your skin. This also helps to clear up any acne problems you might be experiencing.

Additionally, the fact that turmeric is as an anti-oxidant gives it its anti-aging abilities.

Anti-oxidants work by neutralizing free radicals and reducing the damage they cause — like the premature aging of cells throughout your body, especially the ones you can see that result in fine lines and wrinkles.

How to use turmeric for more beautiful skin

There are many ways to use turmeric and you can try as many as you like to reap the most benefits for your skin. Here are some great options:

1. Take a supplement – Probably the easiest way to add turmeric into your daily routine is through supplementing. Look for one that has at least 95% curcuminoids and take 400-600mg of turmeric extract per day.
2. Drink turmeric tea or Golden Milk– You can make your own or buy turmeric tea online or in your natural health food store. If you choose to make your own, here’s a simple recipe. Boil three cups of water and one teaspoon of ground turmeric. Let simmer for about 10 minutes and strain. Feel free to add honey, stevia, or agave syrup to sweeten. Avoid sugar—it’s a skin-sagging food.
3. Cook with it – You can also simply add turmeric to your normal recipes. It’s especially good in rice dishes or even smoothies to add some extra antioxidant power.
4. Make a face mask – Applying turmeric to directly to your skin through a face mask is a great way to boost its anti-aging effects. Making the mask is simple. Just add a teaspoon of turmeric to a teaspoon of organic, plain yogurt and mix in another teaspoon of honey. Apply the mixture to your face and let dry. Leave it on for approximately 20-30 minutes, then rinse.

Choose a few of the options above to add to your daily routine and your friends will be talking about how you’ve got it all — brains and beauty!

Sources:

1. http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/supplements-herbs/guide/turmeric.php

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19811613

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19811613