Benefits of Turmeric - skin, brain & health

I've got a new favorite essential oil! (I say that with each one I buy) But ya'll turmeric is awesome! It's helps with skin, hair and overall health. I originally got it for my young mildly achy bones. My knees and shoulders tend to hurt (yay high school sports) and I read that turmeric oil, beyond just being amazing in curried chicken, could possible help my joints. AND IT DID. Yes, I start off smelling like I'm seasoning chicken to cook for later but that's okay because I don't hurt. (priorities right?)

SO I began looking into turmeric to see what else it could do. Did I want to diffuse it? Was it kid friendly? Or was it just for my bones? The answer my friend, is for so much more: hair, skin, digestive, depression, and so much more. The warm, spicy, earthy, orange oil is very useful.

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Chemical Makeup of Turmeric 

So we know that essential oils don't just smell good, they have good chemicals in them that do awesome stuff. It's that chemical make up that allows the essential oil to do certain biological properties that they contain.
Turmeric has a lot of chemical components (over 300) including: turmerone, curcumin, alpha-turmerone, beta-turmerone, ar-tumerone, zingiberene and 6-gingerol.  Its major compounds are sesquiterpenes meaning they are able to pass through the blood brain barrier delivering nutrients and oxygen to the brain.  So let's begin there.

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Turmeric,  the Brain & Cells

Turmeric is able to work on a cellular level and its molecules are small enough to pass through the blood brain barrier bringing nutrients and oxygen to the brain. Turmeric is able to help with cognitive functions and even may help with many issues that affect the brain. But why? Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) declining is a key issue when it comes to many disabling brain diseases like Alzheimer's.  Turmeric can help BDNF to increase.

In it's conclusion, a 2010, study stated that curcumin (a component of turmeric) shows a strong chance of being able to prevent or event treat age-related brain diseases like stroke,  Alzheimer's,  and Parkinson's.

Ar-turmerone (an aromatic part of turmeric) hinders microglia which is a type of brain nd spinal cell that proves the presence of disease. 

​There have also been many studies that show turmeric may help against cancer this is because of the curcumin and one study suggests its pairing with turmerone.  Thisstudy points out curcumin can selectively kill cancer cells and not normal cells. While many of the studies were looking for items to help create drugs to fight cancer, why not use the components where they are naturally found? In Turmeric. 

Other health benefits on the cellular level: 

• It helps the body recover from chronic stress
• Combats depression and promotes a positive outlook
• It causes the body to release bilirubin which is an antioxidant that comes rom the breakdown of red blood cells and is excreted by the liver. 
• Promotes hormonal balance and liver health 
• Supports healthy glucose and lipid metabolism
• Enhances cellular antioxidant enzymes 
• Stimulates glands

Turmeric, Skin & Hair 

Pimples, where? Not with turmeric. You can use it as a spot treatment or an all over face moisturizing mask. Turmeric also can help lighten scars and heal wounds, bruises and other skin issues. Of course to apply the essential oil topically you'll want to dilute in a carrier oil depending on the strength desired (usually 2%).

Here are a few recipes, mix with: 
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SKIN 

• tamanu oil as a natural acne cure 
• argan oil (a healing moisturizer) to reduce blemishes 
• jojoba oil to help with sunburn
• almond for anti-aging benefits as it also prevents damage from free radicals  
• emu oil (good for healing) for wounds 
• castor oil (detoxing) for feet and heels 
• can help heal herpes as it speeds the blister healing and improved overal immunes system to reduce outbreaks 

HAIR 

• neem oil for dandruff and lice 
• olive oil for hair growth (helps keep the scalp healthy) 

Turmeric & The Body 

Turmeric, when ingested, helps with bloating, excessive gas, and cramping. The zingiberene and 6-ginerol help stimulate the digestive system and increase gastric juices.  It also acts as an anti worm and parasitic compound. 

When applied topically turmeric can help with arthritis and other muscle or joint pain. It inhibits actions of inflammatory compounds and prevents swelling.
Other health benefits for the body:

• After working out, turmeric can help with recovery.
• Good for detoxing 
• Adding turmeric to toothpaste can help with periodontist disease. 

Remember, I am not a doctor. I am only sharing information I have researched and use for my own and my family's health. If you have any health concerns and want to use turmeric to help talk to your natural practitioner or family doctor.