Hailing from South Asia, turmeric essential oil has caused a sensation hotter than the taste of curry itself. Its reputation for health benefits stems from its long use as a treatment in Ayurvedic medicine and in recent decades, researchers have been excited by early signs of its usefulness for a wide variety of ailments. Turmeric root has also been proven to hold antioxidant and antiseptic properties, one of the main ones being curcumin – a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. While most uses for turmeric have involved the fresh or powdered root, adding turmeric essential oil into your routine shows a number of health benefits for external applications.
Improve Your Skin
Turmeric has been used for centuries for brighter, smoother skin. Owed to concentrated antioxidants, using turmeric essential oil in modest amounts can brighten the skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and protect the skin from irritation and infection. Turmeric's antiseptic properties can also lessen the appearance of certain kinds of acne.
How to use?
Consider adding 2-4 drops of turmeric essential oil to 1 tbsp of carrier oil, like coconut oil, sweet almond or jojoba and gently massage into the skin as a moisturizer.
Traditional beauty mask recipes include adding a turmeric to a clay or yogurt mask for soft, glowing skin. Blend together 1 tsp of turmeric essential oil, natural yogurt and raw honey and apply over entire face. After 20 minutes, rinse with warm water.
For mature skin, pair turmeric with rose essential oil to take advantage of turmeric's antioxidant properties and to pamper your skin with a golden glow.
Healthy, Dandruff-Free Hair
If the reason you've been scratching your head is a head-scratcher in itself, try turmeric. The antioxidant-rich oil is known to stimulate the growth of new cells and keep your hair follicles healthy and strong, preventing hair loss and aiding the hair growth process.
How to use?
Some users add a few drops to their shampoo, whereas others prefer to add it to their conditioner. Some make homemade hair masks designed to address multiple hair and scalp concerns at once. Turmeric's properties make it suitable for all hair types.
Aromatherapy
Need to boost your mood? Turmeric essential oil has a longstanding reign of being used in aromatherapy blends for anxiety, PMS, depression and stress relief. Studies have shown that inhaling curcumin, the main compound in turmeric, can have a positive impact by releasing hormones from the brain that improve happiness levels, such as endorphins and serotonin.
How to use?
Turmeric's sharp and distinctive aroma blends well with a variety of other oils. To boost warming properties, blend it with ginger, black pepper, cardamom or cinnamon essential oils. Add 2-4 drops to a diffuser while you relax, pray, meditate or at any time you need to feel calmer.
Arthritis & Muscle Aches
There’s a reason why turmeric is known as one of the most effective essential oils when it comes to reducing muscle and joint pain, inflammation and muscle stiffness associated with arthritis. Turmeric essential oil can serve well as a topical massage oil when accompanied with a carrier oil. Like ginger, turmeric roots share a warming property that can soothe aching joints and sore muscles.
How to use?
Paired with black pepper essential oil or ginger essential oils, they can create a deep warming sensation that can reach the toughest knots. Most users add 3-5 drops of each essential oil per 250 mL of carrier oil, such as sweet almond or grapeseed oil.
The soothing properties of turmeric also work in a muscle soak. Making a custom turmeric soak is as easy as adding 3-5 drops of turmeric essential oil to one cup of Epsom or Dead Sea Salts for overstrained muscles or arthritis.
Precautions
It’s possible for turmeric to stain in essential oil form, and some users have found that vinegar or dish soap works well to remove the stains. Turmeric's warming properties can irritate delicate or abraded skin, so be careful if you are having a soak after taking a tumble.
Modern researchers are still studying turmeric's properties, however, there are centuries of tradition attesting to its safety and modern personal experience to show its promise. Let your medical professional know if you use turmeric regularly.
For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
