Turmeric, skin's spicy helping hand!

Turmeric is a perennial herbaceous plant from South Asia that looks a lot like ginger. Sometimes referred to as 'poor man's saffron', turmeric is prescribed in oriental medicine as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Turmeric is one of the most widely used spices in India. It doesn't just add colour and flavour to curries, but is also used for cosmetic purposes. The benefits of turmeric come from its principal active ingredient: curcumin, a powerful antioxidant. And that's not all - it's also packed with potassium and vitamins including ascorbic acid and beta-carotene. Used instead of pepper to spice up dishes, turmeric can also be mixed with olive oil to season salads or infused with ginger to make a delicious tea.  

Stress, pollution and an unhealthy diet can wreak havoc with skin, causing adult acne, early wrinkles and age spots. Turmeric combats free radicals. These are naturally present in small quantities in our bodies, but when their numbers increase it can have a detrimental affect on our health. Large amounts of free radicals can cause premature ageing skin and cellular mutations that may lead to certain cancers. By adding turmeric to your dishes, you can limit the proliferation of free radicals. At the same time, it's best to choose a high-quality turmeric. You should go for tumeric that contains at least 95% curcumin.  

A turmeric face mask is easy to whip up. It will moisturise and exfoliate your skin, whilst reducing red patches. You skin will look fresh, clean and glowing! You'll need:- 2 tablespoons of turmeric- 2 tablespoons of flour- 1 tablespoon of milk for oily skin or 1 teaspoon of olive oil for dry skin- 1 teaspoon of honey- 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice  Gradually mix in the ingredients and stir until you get a smooth paste. Apply the mask evenly over your entire face. Remember to apply it under your eyes - turmeric's anti-inflammatory properties make it great for zapping dark circles! Leave on for 20 minutes, rinse off and you'll be left with supple, moisturised, glowing skin.