
Turmeric (aka Indian saffron, turmeric, haldi) is a plant of the ginger family native to Southeast Asia. Its roots, ground into ocher powder, have been added to food as a spice since ancient times. The main constituent substance, curcumin, is used as a basis for the manufacture of the E100 food additive, which gives products (mayonnaise, cheese, butter) a beautiful yellow tint and, therefore, an attractive presentation. In India, turmeric is "our everything": Indians consume on average 1.5-2 grams of spice a day (1 / 4-1 / 2 teaspoon), as it, along with coriander and pepper, is part of the famous seasoning curry.
Turmeric is by far the most studied plant in the world. Over the past few years, the medicinal properties of curcumin have been the subject of over 5,600 peer-reviewed and published studies (trust me, that's a lot!). Where does this surge of interest come from? After all, this plant is mentioned in medical treatises of India, China, Tibet, dated BC, and is almost the main component of Ayurvedic (ancient Indian) medicine. In a nutshell, curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. In scientific experiments, it turned out to be more effective than drugs such as Prozac (a well-known antidepressant), aspirin and ibuprofen! But most importantly, it turned out that curcumin slows down the growth of cancer cells (it is especially effective in colon, liver, stomach, ovarian, and leukemia cancers). The famous psychiatrist David Servan-Schreiber, who in 2008 released the world bestseller "Antirak", was a popularizer of turmeric. In the book, the author recommends making turmeric a must-have in your daily diet and provides helpful advice on how to use it. The fact is that for effective assimilation, turmeric should be mixed with black pepper. It is noteworthy that Taiwanese scientists tried to treat cancers with pure turmeric in gelatin capsules, but the results, unfortunately, did not please anyone. Turmeric simply didn't break the gut barrier. And pepper increases the absorption of turmeric by the human body by two thousand times (remember the composition of curry and admire the ancient Indian wisdom). In the book, the author recommends making turmeric a must-have in your daily diet and provides helpful advice on how to use it. The fact is that for effective assimilation, turmeric should be mixed with black pepper. It is noteworthy that Taiwanese scientists tried to treat cancers with pure turmeric in gelatin capsules, but the results, unfortunately, did not please anyone. Turmeric just didn't break the gut barrier. And pepper increases the absorption of turmeric by the human body two thousand times (remember the composition of curry and admire the ancient Indian wisdom). In the book, the author recommends making turmeric a must-have in your daily diet and provides helpful advice on how to use it. The fact is that for effective assimilation, turmeric should be mixed with black pepper. It is noteworthy that Taiwanese scientists tried to treat cancers with pure turmeric in gelatin capsules, but the results, unfortunately, did not please anyone. Turmeric simply didn't break the gut barrier. And pepper increases the absorption of turmeric by the human body two thousand times (remember the composition of curry and admire the ancient Indian wisdom).that Taiwanese scientists tried to treat cancers with pure turmeric in gelatin capsules, but the results, unfortunately, did not please anyone. Turmeric just didn't break the gut barrier. And pepper increases the absorption of turmeric by the human body two thousand times (remember the composition of curry and admire the ancient Indian wisdom).that Taiwanese scientists tried to treat cancers with pure turmeric in gelatin capsules, but the results, unfortunately, did not please anyone. Turmeric just didn't break the gut barrier. And pepper increases the absorption of turmeric by the human body two thousand times (remember the composition of curry and admire the ancient Indian wisdom).
Turmeric can be combined with any vegetable or with soy - soybeans or tofu. Ideally, it should be dissolved in oil. For example, mix 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric with a tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of black pepper and use as a salad dressing.
How does turmeric behave in cosmetology? As diligently as in medicine. As we mentioned, curcumin is a potent bactericidal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent, which is why it is especially effective against acne. Curcumin also enhances the properties of sunscreen cosmetics (for this purpose, it can be taken as a liquid supplement). And thanks to its antioxidant properties, curcumin gives the skin a glow.
In an interview, Indian actress Priyanka Chopra shared her recipe for using turmeric: “In India, everyone loves turmeric and is often mixed with milk. I add it to any cream or yogurt and make a scrub. Try it, you will be pleasantly surprised by the radiant appearance of your skin."

If you shy away from hand-made recipes, pay attention to the novelty of the Kiehl's brand - the Turmeric & Cranberry seed mask for skin radiance (1640 rubles, kiehls.ru). Apply in the morning for a boost of antioxidants and smoothness and radiance along with it (turmeric, thanks!), Or in the evening - the crushed cranberry seeds in the formulation exfoliate the skin and prepare it for a nourishing treatment.
Text: Tatiana Koroleva