The Different Uses of Turmeric

For thousands of years, the use of turmeric in the field of alternative medicine has proven to be effective. In fact, because of such high level of effectiveness, it is now commonly used as an ingredient for the dietary supplements in the marketplace with the promise of being able to promote better health. Its many medical applications have made it a popular choice in alternative medicine, especially considering the fact that it is free from toxic ingredients that may deliver adverse side effects. You do not have to worry about taking turmeric as it is proven to be safe and effective.

Used As Food

Before people realized the medicinal value of turmeric, it was first used as a flavoring for food, especially in Indian curries. It is the one responsible for the unique color you can see in a curry. This is used to make sweet and savory dishes, all of which are sure to provide your taste buds with a unique treat. It can be mixed basically with just any food, depending on your personal preference.

Used as Dye

Another traditional application of turmeric is as a dye, specifically in the robes of monks and Indian clothing. It is still popular in spite of the fact that the color fades quite quickly. Aside from being used as a dye for fabric, it is also known for being a good choice for natural food coloring.

Used as Ceremonial Component

In ancient traditions, turmeric plays a significant role as well. It is a major component in a lot of Hindu rites and it is considered to be sacred in India. Monks are using it as a coloring for their robes. The bright color that is produced by turmeric is similar to the yellow sun, which is indicative of the solar plexus chakra. Turmeric plants are also given as holy offerings to ancient Indian gods. When Indian couples get married, they also traditionally wrap turmeric tubers on their wrists, which functions like a wedding ring.

Used as Medicine

Among other things, this is perhaps the most popular application of turmeric to date. It is abundant with a compound known as curcumin, which is basically the one responsible for the wealth of health benefits it can provide. It is believed to be abundant in antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it do wonders for your general state of health.

In recent studies, a lot have been said about how turmeric can aid in the prevention of the growth of cancer cells, delaying visible signs of aging, prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, treatment of skin problems, enhancing the immune system, improving cardiovascular health, treatment of depression and treatment of arthritis, among others.

To be effective when used as medication, it is important to take the right dosage of turmeric. Generally speaking, the right dose will depend on what is recommended by the manufacturer. To be sure, however, a better idea is to consult with a medical professional first before taking turmeric supplements. While it can be integrated in your diet, it will be hard to enjoy its full range of benefits as its nutritional value will be minimal. To maximize effectiveness, whole extracts should be consumed, which is found in supplements commercially available.

Turmeric – 20 Reasons Why!

20 Reasons Why Turmeric Should be Part of Your Diet

If you ask an expert in the field of alternative medicine about the best herbs with a wealth of health benefits, for sure, turmeric will be mentioned. Also known as Curcuma Longa, it is rich in a compound known as curcumin, which is responsible for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Keep on reading and you will know more about how it can help in your health in ways more than one.

As an antibacterial and antiseptic agent, it can help in the treatment of wounds and burns, allowing you to not suffer from infections.
Turmeric mixed with cauliflower can help in the prevention of prostate cancer. Even for those who already have prostate cancer, it can also help to stop it from getting worse.
Several studies have also noted how turmeric can be helpful in the prevention of the spread of breast cancer to lungs.
It is also known to be an effective agent in the prevention of melanoma.
For children, turmeric will also be good for the prevention of leukemia.
For many years, turmeric has also gained reputation as a popular choice for liver detox. The impurities in the liver can initiate a variety of health problems, which makes it important for such to be flushed out of the body.
Turmeric is also helpful in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. This works by removing the plaque in the brain that is responsible for the progression of the disease.
Many researches in the past have also supported claims on how turmeric prevents the growth of cancer cells.
Turmeric is also rich with potent anti-inflammatory problems, making it effective in the prevention of inflammation.
In a research that has been conducted in mice, it has been concluded that turmeric slows down multiple sclerosis progression.
As it is rich in COX-2 inhibitor, which makes is an effective painkiller, which does not contain toxic ingredients.
Turmeric is also a popular choice for weight management. When it is complemented with diet and exercise, this will help get rid of excess fats in the body.
In ancient Chinese medicine, this herb is also famous for the treatment of depression.
Because turmeric is abundant with anti-inflammatory compounds, it is considered to be effective in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Another benefit of turmeric is its ability to help enhance the effects of chemo medications. It also helps in the reduction of the possibility of suffering from adverse side effects.
Several studies have also been initiated to prove how this plant can be effective in the prevention of pancreatic cancer.
Another common subject tapped in recent studies deal with the ability of turmeric to aid in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
It is also believed that turmeric is effective in halting the development of new blood vessels in the tumor.
For many years, turmeric has also gained a favorable reputation for its cosmetic applications. It can prevent the breakout of acne and can also be an excellent exfoliating agent.
With its ability to fight inflammation, turmeric has been a common ingredient in supplements meant for treating psoriasis. When used in supplements, it is often available on 250 to 500 milligrams pills.

Curcumin – The Facts

Curcumin- What you didn’t know about it

There is an African saying that goes, “Don’t go to Sokoto to look for what is already in your shokoto”. Sokoto is a business center in Nigeria and shokoto are trousers. This adage is used to show people that many times the solutions they are seeking “out there” are right “in here”, in their shokotos.

Likewise there are many medicinal benefits that we forfeit in our bodies by looking them “out there” in the “Sokotos” of complex medical science b and yet they are readily available in the plants that we interact with daily. One such plant or spice is the turmeric, from which we get the miracle substance called curcumin.

What is Curcumin?

c its color, culinary and medicinal value and strength. It is extracted from the root of the turmeric plant. Though it makes up for only 3% of the total mass of turmeric,yet without it turmeric will not “remain turmeric”.

Health benefits of Curcumin

Detoxification-this substance contains molecular properties that have detoxifying capabilities. This means it removes toxic elements from your body that are can cause body fatal dysfunctions including the growth of cancer cells. This capability cuts across all forms of cancer.

Curbing inflammation in the body-curcumin has the capacity to aid in the decrease of inflammation in the body. Inflammation in itself can create a conducive environment for the other disease processes to take place e.g. the growth of cancer cells.
Prevention of Alzheimer’s disease-this is a disease for which even our modern medical science has not been able to find a cure.Research has shown that in those countries where people consume curcumin in heir diets(through turmeric spice),there are lower cases of Alzheimer’s disease compared to those where it is not.
Blood sugar stability– curcumin is also known to have the ability to stabilize blood sugar levels. It contains Curcuminoid polyphenols, which are its primary antioxidant in the turmeric root. When blood sugar is not balanced, the body is stands vulnerable to all forms of inflammatory conditions.
Combating obesity-this benefit is due to its ability to regulate blood sugar levels. Many cases of obesity are directly associated with diabetes while diabetes as a disease is directly associated with blood sugar levels that are left uncontrolled and unregulated and , which curcumin lends a helping hand in regulating and stabilizing these sugar levels in the blood.
Joint pain relief-this natural spice is also known to help in relieving joint pains associated with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Heart health and protection-since curcumin fights inflammation, which is a key culprit in many heart diseases, its intake has a big share in maintaining a healthy heart.

Recent studies have indicated that curcumin protects heart functions and strengthens the body’s own internal repair systems after suffering a heart attack. It also reduces triglycerides and cholesterol level and for that reason it imparts immense benefits to your circulatory system.

Conclusion

Curcumin may not be panacea to all medical conditions, but it goes a long way in helping to secure your health, especially at the preventive level. This is because the health benefits associated with it protect and benefit the vital organs such as the heart and vital metabolic processes the likes of sugar regulation and deoxidization.

Why You Should Eat Turmeric

Turmeric is loaded with antioxidant compounds, including its primary active constituent curcumin which is believed to neutralize age-accelerating free radicals. Used for thousands of years in Asian culinary and wellness traditions, turmeric has many benefits including aiding in joint comfort, promoting razor-sharp brain health, boosting immune performance and more. Research is now showing what countries such as India and Sri Lanka have long known — that this yellow spice has more benefits than boosting food flavor. Used for more than 4000 years to treat a variety of ailments, curcumin — the active ingredient in turmeric — could possibly fight off dementia and prevent cancer.

Cancer researchers believe that turmeric and its consumption has a great positive effect on cancer and dementia diseases. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory, it inhibits the growth of new blood vessels in tumours and it’s a powerful antioxidant. Unfortunately, a lot of the studies have not been conducts on humans. They have been done on animals and test tubes. However, because it’s been used in Chinese and Indian medicine for a long time it is generally accepted as having the health benefits below.

1. Fights off Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers believe that curcumin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may be strong enough to break down the plaques in the brain that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Helps to prevent cancer

There are at least 30 studies showing that curcumin may have an anti-tumour effect either reducing the number or size of tumours or the percentage of animals who developed them. Note — these are not human studies and more human research is definitely needed.

3. Reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes

Curcumin also has a positive effect on cholesterol. Animal studies have shown that it may help lower cholesterol and prevent the build-up of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) in the blood vessels.

4. Combats inflammatory diseases

Turmeric’s natural anti-inflammatory qualities mean it may work as well as some anti-inflammatory medications, without the side effects. Early research shows it may help with inflammation of the eye (uveitis), inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis) and multiple sclerosis.

5.Fights colds and flu

Preliminary studies show that turmeric may help reduce the severity of bacterial and viral infections.

6. Helps with digestion and weight loss

Curcumin stimulates the gallbladder and produces bile. Because bile helps digest fat, experts believe this improves digestion and may help control weight. At least one study found it treats indigestion, reducing symptoms of bloating and gas.

7. Assists diabetes sufferers

Turmeric may improve glucose control or insulin activity; in animal research it was shown to cause blood sugar levels to drop. If you add turmeric to your diet make sure to keep monitoring your blood sugar levels with your doctor.

How do I take it?

Turmeric can easily be added to your diet. There are also many health supplements available. A word of caution — There are a variety of products on the market and sorting through them and selecting the best one for your needs can be confusing. Many companies trying to cash in on trends do not really care about the quality of their product, therefore their products may be ineffective.

Turmeric Nutritional Benefits

Turmeric Nutrition Facts

Turmeric is an underground rhizome (root), which is made of unique pigment compounds that impart an intense flavor, color, and distinctive fragrance to the recipes it is added to. Turmeric has its roots in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Considered to be a cleansing herb, turmeric is used in herbal medicine practices to aid liver and digestive problems, including upset stomach, flatulence, and abdominal cramping. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties are considered to have beneficial effects on rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The active compound in turmeric, curcumin, has antioxidant properties. As a topical skin remedy, turmeric’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties aid insect bites, fungal infections of the skin, minor wounds, and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Curcumin is also believed to increase bile production and flow from the liver, enhancing the breakdown of fats during digestion. In traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medical system, turmeric has been used to aid digestion and liver function, relieve arthritis pain, and regulate menstruation.

The Turmeric root has a dark brown skin on the exterior and deep orange-yellow flesh internally. Its leaves as well as rhizome features unique flavor and fragrance. Its taste is described as mild peppery to warm and bitter. Its fragrance is sweet and pleasant, slightly reminiscent of a mix of orange-zest, and ginger to which it is related. Once harvested, the root is boiled, dried, and ground to prepare distinctive bright yellow spice powder.

Health benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric has many wide ranging health benefits. Some of these benefits include:

Turmeric has been in use for hundreds of years for its anti-inflammatory (painkiller), anti-gas and anti-bacterial properties.
The herb contains health benefiting essential oils such as termerone, curlone, curumene, cineole, and p-cymene.
Curcumin, a poly-phenolic compound, is the principal pigment that imparts deep orange color to the turmeric. Laboratory animal studies have found that the curcumin may have anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-arthritic, anti-amyloid, anti-ischemic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
This popular herb contains no cholesterol — conversely, it is rich in anti-oxidants and dietary fiber, which helps to control blood LDL or “bad cholesterol” levels.
It is very rich source of many essential vitamins such as pyridoxine (vitamin B6), choline, niacin, and riboflavin, etc.
Fresh root contains impressive levels of vitamin-C. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and a powerful natural anti-oxidant, which helps the body develop immunity against infectious particles and removes harmful free oxygen radicals.
Turmeric contains high amounts of minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, copper, zinc, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.

Nutritional Information

100 g of turmeric provides : 53% of dietary fiber, (% of Recommended Daily Allowance, RDA per 100 g)
138 % of vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine),
32% of niacin,
43 % of vitamin C,
21 % of vitamin E,
54 % of potassium,
517 % of iron,
340 %of manganese and
40 % of zinc.
0% cholesterol.

Only a few grams of turmeric per day either in the form of powder, crushed root or fresh root will provide enough nutrients to help you keep healthy and strong,