Turmeric (Curcuma longa), the main spice in the Indian dish curry, is one of the most thoroughly researched herbs in science. Turmeric’s vast benefits make it arguably one of the most powerful herbs for healing and potentially reversing disease. Turmeric grows in India and other Southeast Asian countries and is a member of the ginger family. Curcumin found in the dried root of the turmeric plant gives it its distinctive yellow color.
In Ayurvedic medicine, Turmeric is used to reduce inflammation, breathing problems, improve heart health and prevent cancer. Today, turmeric has been used to reduce blood clots, lower the risk of heart disease, reduce inflammation and cancer, protect against sun damage, reduce depression symptoms, treat Alzheimer’s disease and help patients with arthritis. Additionally, turmeric has become very popular today for skin health, including fighting acne, acne scars, and dark circles. Recent studies also suggest that turmeric has amazing hair benefits including combating hair loss, promoting hair growth, and removing dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
Turmeric Compounds
One tablespoon of Turmeric powder contains:
0.5 milligram manganese (26 percent DV)
2.8 milligrams iron (16 percent DV)
0.1 milligram vitamin B6 (6 percent DV)
170 milligrams potassium (5 percent DV)
1.7 milligrams vitamin C (3 percent DV)
13 milligrams magnesium (3 percent DV)
The active compound in turmeric is curcumin which possesses powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial effects. Let’s investigate how these properties in curcumin affect our hair.
Curcumin Research
Laboratory research suggests that curcumin may help to combat hair loss in several ways. In studies where turmeric was consumed regularly, patients noticed a boost in their body’s immune system to fight autoimmune illnesses, arthritis, cancer, etc., this may indirectly stimulate hair growth in those who have hair loss associated with autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata.
Other studies indicated that turmeric has properties like synthetic hair loss drug finasteride. Finasteride works as a 5-alpha-reductase (5-AR) inhibits which reduces the body’s ability to convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This is important because many patients with androgenic alopecia are shown to have high levels of 5-alpha-reductase. Turmeric just like finasteride has been shown to inhibit 5-AR which allows the damaged hair follicles to heal and stop hair loss. Also, studies have shown that curcumin in turmeric can inhibit the effects of DHT- which causes hair loss and thus restore hair growth of those with androgenic alopecia.
In other studies, the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties in curcumin have shown positive effects in reducing hair loss and encouraging growth by healing the scalp from seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.
In other studies, the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties in curcumin have shown positive effects in reducing hair loss and encouraging growth by healing the scalp from seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.
How to Use
Have you used Turmeric in your diet?
