Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that causes redness and often red, pus-filled lesions on your face, MayoClinic.com says. Although people often notice that rosacea worsens for a few weeks or months and then lessens before flaring up again, others notice that untreated rosacea worsens. No cure exists for rosacea, but some treatments, such as curcumin, may help reduce the signs and symptoms associated with the condition.
Curcumin Description
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has helped treat a variety of health conditions for over 4,000 years, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The turmeric plant's roots and bulbs produce turmeric powder when boiled and dried. The yellow color of this powder shows the presence of beneficial polyphenolic compounds. Both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine have used curcumin as an anti-inflammatory to treat skin disease and wounds. Curcumin also has antioxidant properties that help protect your skin cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Curcumin For Rosacea
Rosacea may respond to curcumin you ingest or curcumin applied directly to the affected area. Health stores offer curcumin as capsules, extracts or teas for oral consumption, as reported by the National Center Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM. To apply the curcumin directly to your affected skin, mix 1 tsp. curcumin with 10 to 15 drops of coconut oil to form a paste. Apply the paste to the affected skin and allow to dry for 10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Use caution when applying curcumin, as it can stain your hair and fabrics. It can even stain your skin if used too often.
Scientific Evidence
Natural treatments and home remedies often have little scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness. Similarly, the only research conducted on the effectiveness of curcumin as an anti-inflammatory occurred in labs on animals, according to the NCCAM. Although this suggests it can reduce inflammatory processes, including rosacea, in humans, no scientific studies have included research on humans.
Safety
As with most medications and alternative treatments, curcumin can cause side effects. MedlinePlus notes that curcumin can cause stomach upset, gallbladder contraction, heartburn, hair loss, weakened immune system, decreased blood sugars, inhibited platelet coagulation and decreased blood pressure. These effects can increase the effect of medications such as anticoagulants, high blood pressure medications, aspirin, blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering medications and other medications and herbs.
Considerations
Speak with your health care provider before using any natural remedies, including curcumin. Each person reacts differently to different substances. Your doctor can help monitor for serious side effects and help find a treatment regimen designed for your rosacea.
