Lakadong’s Golden Tonic, Turmeric 

In the often days, a piece of turmeric was gifted to people as a sign of good luck. For centuries people have valued this spice and have used it to stave away many illnesses. 

The value of this golden spice has trebled manifold. From the valleys of Wai in Maharashtra to the hills of Erode in Tamil Nadu, turmeric is grown but nothing is as valuable as the turmeric grown in the hills of Meghalaya. 

Here the curcumin is more potent. To be precise, Lakadong turmeric is proven to have 7 to 12% of curcumin content while generic turmeric has 2 to 3% of curcumin content.

The higher the curcumin, the better the benefits. For skin enthusiasts, this is a wonder spice. As Indians we are obsessed with fair skin. And turmeric works as a skin lightening agent for your skin. The curcumin in it reduces the excess melanin production and lightens the skin tone. 

So add a pinch of turmeric with besan or Bengal gram flour paste and use it as a mask. You can kiss your dark spots and pigmentation good bye. Or at least see it lessen alongwith your skin tone. 

The benefits of turmeric extend to revitalising skin and making it look younger and more supple. It could add a lustre to the skin and remove dark circles. It is also used for the treatment of acne. 

The cool climes of Meghalaya make the turmeric more potent and in great demand. The spice is also exported to many countrie's as India is the largest producer and exporter of turmeric in the world. 

The rituals of royal women taking bath in milk laced with turmeric paste still remain fresh in my mind from the various stories that we read in Amar Chitra Katha comics as children. So what if we are not royalty, we certainly can treat our skins like the royalty of yore with just a pinch of turmeric paste, especially if it’s from the Northeastern state of Meghalaya.  

About the writer

Chuman Das is a journalist who has travelled far and wide. Her experiences are personal and in depth. She directs digital ad films and is a content developer.