We’ve been hearing about this super food for moths, if not years now – but what is it?
A powder?
A root?
A magical health elixir?
Thankfully, MAHALO’s turmeric benefits guide is here to answer your questions!

THE BASICS. WHAT IS TURMERIC?
Turmeric is a tropical perennial plant in the same family as ginger, native to India, and cultivated throughout the tropics around the world (it grows plenty on Hawaii and the island of Kauai). Growing to a height of about three feet (one meter), it bears pairs of lance-shaped leaves on alternate sides of the stem. At the base of the stem, there is a knobby rhizome somewhat resembling ginger. Turmeric is most popularly used in two forms: raw and dried. Turmeric has been used for almost 1000 years in cuisine, medicine, makeup, skin care, and clothes dying.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF TURMERIC?
Many of the healing of benefits of turmeric have been attributed to curcumin, a group of antioxidant compounds found in the rhizome. Although curcumin is available as a standardized extract, the whole herb may be more beneficial for you than the curcumin extract: Only very small amounts of curcumin are absorbed into the bloodstream. Turmeric as a whole herb stays in the digestive tract longer than curcumin, releasing antioxidant curcumin along with other beneficial substances.

When ingested, turmeric has historically been used to heal stomach and liver ailments. Turmeric powder concoctions have been used to bring down fevers. It can also be used as an anti-bacterial salve on open wounds. Those who consume turmeric on a regular basis report a reduction in arthritis pain, heartburn, sensitive stomachs, headaches, colds, and menstrual cramps. It may also help those with diabetes, depression, Alzheimer’s, and certain types of cancer.

WHAT CAN TURMERIC DO FOR MY SKIN?
Turmeric has been used as beauty product over the centuries. There is a long list of skin care benefits associated with turmeric, including the treatment of acne blemishes, blackheads, dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Turmeric, with its anti-inflammatory and redness reducing properties, can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions including eczema, allergic hives, and even chicken pox! It helps heal and prevent dry skin, and to slow the skin aging process, and is used to diminish wrinkles, keep skin supple and improve skin’s elasticity. This sunny bright spice is also being used as an ingredient in sunscreens.

MAHALO’s PELE MASK maximizes the healing properties of turmeric by combining it with clays and bioactive botanicals!

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS OF INGESTING OR TOPICALLY APPLYING TURMERIC?
There are no known side effects for applying turmeric directly onto the skin. When ingesting turmeric, however, it is important to remember that turmeric is a blood thinner. Consuming turmeric daily makes it more difficult for your blood to clot, so lessen your turmeric intake if you take medicine that thins your blood.

Regular turmeric can temporarily stain the skin. Kasturi turmeric (curcuma aromatica) is non-staining and has the same properties for clearing acne, inhibiting facial hair growth and brightening the complexion. It is not edible and therefore not used for cooking and should only be used externally.

Still have questions about turmeric and its uses? – start a conversation below.

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Turmeric is one of the power-actives in the following MAHALO products: