Spice is nice but bright golden turmeric might just have the edge. We asked a 40-year old friend who’d had adult acne how come her complexion looked so clear and bright… Answer: a daily cup of turmeric tea. 

Turmeric is the must-add spice for giving flavour and depth to dishes such as curries and stir-fries. Like many herbs and spices, turmeric is a true health-enhancer, brilliant as an anti-inflammatory for aches and pains and also shown to have activity against cancer cells (see here for more on that).

But that’s not all, turmeric – known as the ‘Golden Goddess’ in India, with its own festival that’s just taken place  – is a natural skin clearer and beautifier. Inflammation is a big factor in skin problems such as acne and eczema, causing the unsightly redness and swelling, as well as soreness.

As well as being anti-inflammatory, the main constituent of turmeric – curcumin – has strong antioxidant activity, which can discourage wrinkles and help keep your skin looking younger longer. The natural polyphenols (a type of antioxidant) help prevent moisture loss, encourage collagen production and also protect against free radical damage.  

So turmeric helps defend your skin from environmental pollutants including UV, and it may also benefit people with skin conditions such as psoriasis and vitiligo, which can involve free radical damage.

Turmeric tea (we get ours from Victoria Health – here) is seen as one of the effective ways to consume this golden spice. But do remember to follow Pukka’s directions and add a bag to boiled water then leave for 15 minutes, otherwise it won’t be as well absorbed.

£5.98 for 40 sachets – buy here

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