Turmeric: The Ancient Wonder Ingredient
So there’s this ‘new’ ingredient that’s popping up in the US in health supplements, skincare, and exotic dishes that’s raved about as uber healthy with anti-cancer properties: Turmeric. We often nod “oh, yes, that plant.” But what is it, and why is it so awesome? Oh, let me count the ways. For one, it’s one of Indonesia’s most revered spices/ingredients used in its herbal medicinal tradition and beauty rituals for centuries, but that’s not all. Hopefully this brief overview will leave you the most interesting person at your next dinner party when you can quip up on the wonders of this spice – and leave people wanting to try it out!
What is it? Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a 5000 year old herb in the ginger family, and is known to grow wild in Southern Asia including India (oldest origin), Indonesia, Indochina, nearby Asian countries, and even in Hawaii. It is less fibrous than ginger, and has a nutty, slightly funky herbal/gingery smell to it and a nice, peppery and warm flavor.
What is it used for? Many things. Its roots are used in cooking as a spice, medicine, and even dye to color fabric/food. Known for its bright yellow color that can stain, turmeric has been used as a food colorant and dye for cloth historically as a less expensive alternative to saffron. Indonesian and Indian cuisine frequent this ingredient, especially in curries, because it is not only yummy but healthy! In Indonesia, we use Turmeric in hundreds of healthy concoctions from a princess spa ritual to brighten skin to drunken medicines to help cleanse blood and liver. In Bali, a traditional healer mixed turmeric with sandalwood and water to create a paste he massaged in my sprained ankle to help reduce swelling and induce rapid healing! (For those of you who saw Eat, Pray, Love, yes – those healers do exist, I can personally attest to it!) Turmeric is also widely used in Indian Ayurvedic systems, most widely used to purify blood.
What’s the magic ingredient? Curcumin is the power ingredient in Turmeric that has many of the anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and blood purifying properties. Though studies conducted are still in the early stage, curcumin has shown positive effect on preventing cancer through its ability to suppress the proliferation of a wide variety of tumor cells and to inhibit harmful molecules and enzymes. Topically, like in our Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask, the curcumin in our turmeric complex brightens skin and naturally fights discoloration and age spots naturally. It gives your skin a natural glow – just try it! 15 minutes and you’ll notice a difference.
What does it do, in a nutshell? Overall, turmeric is an amazing antioxidant, thanks to an ingredient in it – curcurmin. Turmeric can detoxify the liver, reduce cholesterol, brighten skin complexion (see our Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask), is naturally antiseptic and antibacterial, and does a whole lot more. So take your dose or turmeric – in capsules like a health supplement, fresh, or in a spice powder, in Jamu (Indonesian tonics), or in our JUARA Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask. Enjoy!
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Heading outside? Protect yourself from the sun
Summertime heralds splashing in backyard pools, beach vacations and outdoor activities of all types. We like to think of it as a happy-go-lucky time when the whole family can enjoy reveling in the sunshine. Those happy rays, though, carry invisible dangers in the form of ultraviolet rays. Protection from dangerous UV light is so important that both the National Weather Service and Environmental Protection Agency provide a daily UV index.
To help ensure that everyone enjoys summer safely, Anthony James Petty, MLT, RMA, CMA and medical program chair at Brown Mackie College – Miami, shares helpful information on protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful effects.
“Overexposure to the sun causes premature aging,” says Petty. “Ultraviolet light affects the outer skin layers, or epidermis, and is the primary agent responsible for sunburn. Long-term effects of the sun also include a higher risk of developing skin cancer.”
The 2009 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SunWise Program report, Health Effects of Overexposure to the Sun, states, “The incidence of skin cancer in the United States has reached epidemic proportions. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and one American dies every hour from this devastating disease.”
Petty describes the process of burning and its effects on the skin. “Everyone has melanocytes, or pigment-producing cells, in the skin. As exposure to UV light begins to burn the skin, melanocytes send a color-producing pigment called melanin to the surface for protection. This causes the tan color, but each time it happens, it dries the skin and robs the melanocytes of their ability to respond.”
Petty recommends using sunscreen with SPF 15 protection or above, nothing below. “SPF 15 filters 92 percent of UV rays. Without protection, a fair-skinned person would begin to burn in just 10 minutes. Applying SPF 15 sunscreen lets that same person stay in the sun fifteen times longer before burning, or 150 minutes,” he continues. Petty notes it is important to reapply sunscreen every two hours, more often if you’re swimming. Chlorine from pools and salt from the ocean break down sunscreen formulas and weaken their effectiveness. Another consideration is the specific time of day you spend in the sun. Rays are strongest between noon and 3 p.m.
Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going out into the sun. “The skin needs time to absorb the lotion,” says Petty. “The lotion is absorbed, but the chemicals in the sunscreen are rejected and form the protective layer.” While it is recommended to re-apply lotion periodically, it is equally recommended not to overuse sunscreen. “Overuse of sunscreen can enable toxins to enter the bloodstream. This is dangerous and can lead to liver damage,” he continues.
How to treat sunburn
If you do end up with sunburn, Petty offers tips on how to treat it. “First make sure you cover up. Don’t burn on top of burn,” he says. “It can be dangerous. Second-degree burns cause painful blisters on the skin. Popping the blisters raises the chances of infection. If blistering appears, see a doctor.”
Advice for sunburn includes a cool shower, not hot, or an oatmeal bath. “A cool compress often helps,” says Petty. “Aloe is a natural emollient that is commonly used to keep skin moist.” Anyone suffering from sunburn should drink plenty of water. A headache that accompanies sunburn signals dehydration. “Nothing functions well without hydration. Drink water before you feel thirsty,” Petty says. “Colas and iced tea should be avoided, as caffeine will actually cause further dehydration. Sports drinks, however, will replenish electrolytes and hydrate faster.”
A little knowledge can go a long way to help ensure you stay safe in the summer sun. Protection from UV light now can lower the risks of documented health problems proven to result from overexposure to the sun’s harmful rays.
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