Description
Turmeric has always been a chef’s favorite, but its amazing benefits have come to light in recent years. Turmeric essential oil is derived from the root of the turmeric plant and can be used in many ways to boost health and immunity. A highly-concentrated anti-inflammatory compound makes it effective in soothing inflammation associated with headaches, arthritis, joint disorders, gout, and chronic intestinal diseases such as Crohn’s. When applied to the skin, antioxidants reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve elasticity, and make skin look and feel younger while protecting against irritation.
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- Spicy scent.
- Antibacterial qualities to treat skin conditions.
- Antioxidants fight cell damage.
- Helps combat acne.
INGREDIENTS
100% Essential Oil of Turmeric
HOW TO USE
Essential oils have the natural ability to heal, soothe, and stimulate. With antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, essential oils have a wide variety of uses.
Sniff essential oils right from the bottle for an instant pick-me-up, to relive anxiety, or to induce relaxation. Add to carrier oil, such as jojoba, and use in a soothing massage. Place a few drops in diffuser to eliminate household odors. Add to cleaning products for more antibacterial and antimicrobial power. During cold and flu season, diffuse daily to stimulate immunity. Mix with carrier oil and apply to the skin to heal wounds. Add a drop or two to your face serum and apply daily to and protect skin against the signs of aging.
Before applying to skin, do a patch test.
How to patch test – Wash, clean, and dry the area on your upper arm near the crook of your elbow. Apply small amount of essential oil and cover with a bandage. Leave the bandage on for 24 hours, then remove and check for irritation. If skin looks clear and there is no reaction after the allotted test time, the oil is presumably safe to use. If you feel irritation at any time duringthe test, remove bandage and wash area with soap and water.
Turmeric Essential Oil
Earthy, warm, and a tad bit spicy — turmeric is a staple spice in Indian and Southeast Asian cooking. But, did you know that turmeric essential oil itself has a lengthy chapter in history, too? A lot more concentrated than powdered turmeric, turmeric essential oil sure packs quite a punch.
In this article, we will explore everything about turmeric essential oil. From what it is made of to its extraction and myriad benefits. Let’s start!
What is Turmeric Essential Oil Made Of?
Turmeric essential oil is derived from the bright orange rhizomes of the Curcuma longa plant. Native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, the plant thrives in temperatures between 20 °C and 30 °C. It also requires quite a bit of annual rainfall.
The plant can reach up to 1m tall and has bright yellow flowers. For the most part, flowering is usually in August.
How is Turmeric Essential Oil Extracted?
Usually, turmeric essential oil is extracted by steam distillation. This involves pushing hot pressurized steam through the roots or rhizomes of the plant. The purpose of this is to release the essential oil within. Then, the steam is condensed and, eventually, the essential oil is collected.
Benefits of Turmeric Essential Oil
1. Excellent for skin
Turmeric essential oil has long been used as a natural remedy for skin conditions and irritations. For centuries, actually. With its potent antiseptic and antioxidant properties, the essential oil is definitely perfect for this purpose.
For example, the oil helps to dry out acne and its antibacterial properties prevent even more breakouts. To use turmeric essential oil to fight breakouts, mix 3 to 4 drops of the essential oil with a carrier oil and apply it to the areas affected.
Besides that, turmeric essential oil also helps to reduce blemishes and scars. Add a drop of the essential oil to a healing carrier oil (like argan oil) and apply the mixture to the blemish.
If you want to use the oil to treat sunburn, on the other hand, blend a drop of turmeric essential oil with jojoba oil to ease redness and pain.
As turmeric essential oil is chock-full of antioxidants, you can diminish the signs of aging with this wonderful oil, too. Simply add a drop or two of the essential oil to your serums, creams, and lotions.
2. Promotes healthy hair
Rich in antioxidants, turmeric essential oil is often used to stimulate new cells for hair growth. Just add a few drops of the essential oil to your daily shampoo or conditioner.
On top of that, its anti-inflammatory nature also aids in getting rid of dandruff. Simply blend 4 to 5 drops of turmeric essential oil with a carrier oil and massage onto your scalp. Neem oil, which is great at keeping dandruff at bay, is excellent here.
3. Relieves inflammation
Thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric essential oil can potentially fight inflammation at the molecular level.
For instance, the alpha-curcumene in turmeric essential oil helps to reduce inflammation associated with various chronic diseases, joint pain, aches, and more.
For quick relief, mix a few drops of turmeric essential oil with coconut oil and massage on the affected area. Repeat as needed.
4. Boost the immune system
If you are feeling sluggish, weak, or sick, give turmeric essential oil a try. The oil has some powerful ingredients in it to help to boost your body’s natural defense.
Part of the reason for this is because turmeric essential oil activates bilirubin — a vital antioxidant that helps to strengthen your immune system.
Simply diffuse 4 to 5 drops of the oil in your diffuser and let it work its magic on your immune system.
5. Treats colds and the flu
Curcumin, a compound in turmeric, has been shown to help fight a number of viruses and infections.
For quick relief, add 4 to 5 drops of turmeric essential oil to a bowl of hot water. Hold the hot water close to your face and drape a towel over your head. Inhale deeply for 10 to 15 minutes. The steam should help to relieve any congestion as well as to ward of the flu.
Alternatively, diffuse 4 to 5 drops of the essential oil in your diffuser right before you go to bed.
6. Helps to manage depression and its symptoms
It was suggested in a 2014 study that turmeric is potentially as effective as Prozac in treating depression. It appears that this is, again, courtesy of the active compound of curcumin.
For a little boost in mood, you can inhale the essential oil directly from the bottle when you are feeling a little down. Alternatively, rub a few drops of turmeric essential oil between your palms. Then, cup your hands over your face. Breathe in deeply to feel its full effect.
You can always diffuse a few drops of turmeric essential oil in your diffuser, too. This will be perfect whether you are winding down after a long day, getting ready for bed, or even just meditating.
7. Promotes good oral health
With its excellent antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, is it really all that surprising that turmeric essential oil can help to reduce inflammation of the gum as well as promote good oral health?
A 2011 study in the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice showed that turmeric as a mouthwash “can be effectively used as an adjunct to mechanical plaque control methods in prevention of plaque and gingivitis”.
Simply add a drop of turmeric essential oil to your toothpaste to help treat inflamed gums. Alternatively, mix 2 to 3 drops of the essential oil with some water. Then, use it as a mouthwash daily.
8. Helps with arthritis as well as muscle and joint pain
There is a reason why you often see turmeric used as a supplement for muscle and joint pain, arthritis, inflammation, and muscle stiffness. The active compounds in turmeric help to block inflammatory enzymes and chemicals that cause swelling. Besides that, it also has a warming effect that works wonders for pain relieve.
Simply blend turmeric essential oil with a carrier oil such as jojoba, moringa, or coconut oils. Then, massage deeply onto the affected areas. Repeat this twice a day.
Besides that, you can also try adding turmeric essential oil to a warm bath to take care of muscle cramps and aches as well as joint pain. About 5 to 10 drops of the essential oil should be enough.
Mixing Turmeric Essential Oil with Other Essential Oils
Turmeric essential oil’s spicy and earthy scent pairs well with ginger, black pepper, vanilla, and cardamom essential oils.
Apart from that, you can also try blending it with citrus essential oils such as blood orange, wild orange, and grapefruit essential oils.
Other Good-to-Know Information
While generally safe, always test essential oil on a small area before using it on larger areas. One rather obvious downfall of turmeric essential oil is it tends to stain clothing. In fact, it can permanently dye your clothes yellow. So, be extra cautious when you are using the essential oil
Besides that, the oil can also potentially cause your skin to be more sensitive to UV light. So, bear in mind to always exercise extra caution.
Is Turmeric Essential Oil Right for You?
While its scent may not be for everyone, the truth is its extensive benefits more than made up for any misgiving you may have for its fragrance. Try it out and it may surprise you.
