Turmeric For Infants : Kn ...
Turmeric For Infants : Know The Benefits
Turmeric looks like ginger in structure and it belongs to the ginger family. Just like ginger root is widely used. Turmeric is a relatively mild spice and just like ginger it is used either fresh or dried and ground into a fine powder which is deep yellow and comes with a natural fragrance. It is slightly bitter to taste. Turmeric is well known for its medicinal value and is a common ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine, taken both internally and externally. However, when it comes to infants, all mothers are anxious about the safety part of everything which is used internally and externally.
Here, we're looking at this richly colored spice in a little more detail. Continue reading to know more about what is turmeric used for, what is turmeric good for, the health benefits of turmeric for babies, and so on.
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Why Is Turmeric Important For Babies?
It is important to incorporate turmeric into baby's diet from as early as six months onwards. This is why;
- It is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent and can effectively combat any disease that is marked by inflammation
- It is a strong antioxidant. In fact, turmeric is equal to or even better than vitamin E and C and other natural antioxidants
- It can effectively fight microorganism. In fact, it has potential similar to strong antibiotics when it comes to combat infections
- Turmeric boosts the DHA level in the brain. Therefore, incorporating turmeric can naturally enhance memory and cognition in children
What Are The Uses Of Turmeric For Infants?
Just like in the case of adults who use turmeric for beauty and health purposes, most of the properties of this herb are beneficial for infants as well. Here are some of the health benefits of turmeric for infants:
Turmeric for kids to combat eczema:
Turmeric is one of the safest herbs used widely in the treatment of skin disorders. The active ingredient in turmeric, Curcumin, has a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial property. Use of turmeric for babies to combat the itching and other annoying symptoms of eczema is highly beneficial. Majority of the mothers vouch that turmeric works better than many of the medicated lotions and creams- Turmeric –milk paste can be applied over the itching area
- If the milk is not suiting the baby's skin. You can apply neem leaves- turmeric paste which is more beneficial
- Turmeric milk can be given to the child to drink as it will help to fight the itching and inflammation from inside as well
- Turmeric oil mixed with neem oil can be applied on the infected area
Turmeric for babies to get rid of the bug bites:
Bug bites are one of the common worries of the mothers with small children. Babies can be bitten by different types of bugs such as mosquitoes, ants, fleas, houseflies, bedbugs, and even occasionally by wasps, bees, centipedes, etc. while some bug needs medical attention (depends on the toxins injected, location of the bite, sensitivity of the baby, etc.), others can be treated from home itself. Turmeric is excellent for infants to get rid of the itchiness and swelling caused due to insect bites- Turmeric paste (turmeric powder+ little water), when applied in the area of the bug bite, will help to bring down the inflammation and irritation significantly
- Applying sandalwood paste along with turmeric helps to cure bug bite in babies. While the sandalwood paste gives a cooling effect the turmeric will fight the inflammation and irritation with its antiseptic properties
Turmeric for the child experiencing joint pain due to injuries or juvenile arthritis:
Turmeric's anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect makes it a good option to bring down the pain and swelling in the joint- When the child experiences joint pain as a result of some injuries or juvenile arthritis, apply turmeric paste with lime to the area. This will help soothe their pain and bring swelling down
- For sprains, you can apply turmeric paste and salt liberally to the affected area with a bandage
Turmeric helps to prevent childhood leukemia:
Childhood leukemia is not that common in children in Asia when compared to other parts of the world. It is believed that this is because turmeric is widely used in Asian cuisine than western cuisine and the infants once start to have the solid food will have it on their daily menu. This incorporation of turmeric from the early childhood will be the factor that helps to prevent leukemia by limiting the damage caused by environmental pollutants and other risk factors. Also, Curcumin in turmeric has potential enough to destroy the cancer stem cells, even before they develop into a fully functioning cancerous mass
Other Benefits Of Turmeric For Infants:
Other turmeric benefit includes:
Heals burns and wounds:
Turmeric paste mixed with coconut oil helps to heal wounds faster. Curcumin's analgesic property makes turmeric paste excellent for healing burns.
Boosts immunity:
Incorporating turmeric in baby's diet helps to boost the immunity, shielding the child from common and mild infections
Prevents fungal infection:
Turmeric oil with its antifungal properties is excellent for preventing/ treating fungal infection.
Makes baby skin fair:
The turmeric and milk paste plays an important role in making the baby skin fair. Being rich in vitamin A milk enhances skin lightening significantly. On the other hand, turmeric shields the baby's skin from rashes and other baby skin issues. Apply it 15 minutes before bathing. Bathe the child normally without applying soap for best results.
Enhance the resistance to allergies:
During allergic reactions, a type of immune cells called mast cells gets activated thereby releasing a chemical called histamines that bring out the annoying signs of allergy. Curcumin in turmeric inhibits this activation of mast cells in response to the allergens. Therefore, incorporating turmeric in baby's diet helps to develop resistance to allergies.
Good for digestion:
Turmeric is good for digestion as it increases the production of gastric juice. It also helps to maintain a smooth bowel movement. It removes gas and prevents baby from bloating issues which is quite common when they are being introduced to new foods.
Helps to combat diarrhea in children:
buttermilk boiled with turmeric is an excellent home remedy for diarrhea in children.
When Should I Introduce Turmeric For My Child?
Once your baby starts to eat solid food you can start to incorporate a pinch of turmeric in their food. That is from around 6 months old babies can have turmeric. Turmeric can be added to baby soup, vegetable puree, omelet, and porridge. However, turmeric milk which is excellent to cure colds and increase bone strength is advised to give the baby only after one year as babies under one year cannot digest cow's milk.
Did you find these tips on turmeric uses for infants useful? Would you like to share more with fellow parents? Please do comment below; we’d love to hear from you.
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