Turmeric is a spice from a perennial shrub found in India; is used to make Curry, and it’s yellow; very yellow.
Besides being known as the yellow compound in Curry, Turmeric has quite a health reputation. In Ayurvedic medicine, Turmeric is known as a whole body cleansing herb, and has much to offer in the way of health.
The active ingredient in Turmeric is called Curcumin; which gives turmeric its therapeutic benefits, its strong yellow color, and its pungent flavor. As an antioxidant, Turmeric is about 8x more potent than Vitamin C, and has a huge list of natural health benefits.
Here’s my huge list of Turmeric Health Benefits. Feel free to add to it:
- Turmeric has thermogenic qualities: boosts the metabolism naturally.
- It reduces inflammation by increasing the production of a hormone that decreases inflammation, therefore reducing joint pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.
-Turmeric consumption can eliminate the need for hydrocortisone and anti-inflammatory drugs like Motrin that come with side effects.
- Protects and aids the liver in eliminating toxins by increasing liver detoxification enzymes.
- Its high antioxidant activity helps to eliminate free radicals that cause premature aging, and help protect against diseases like cancer by preventing tumors from forming.
- Curcumin, as a powerful antioxidant, stops the growth of certain cancer cells, and has proven to be particularly effective in the colon, where cell mutations occur rapidly.
- As a digestive aid, turmeric helps to digest fats by increasing bile production.
-Helps in wound healing and smoothes damaged skin.
-May be an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease by reducing inflammation.
-Curcumin has cholesterol lowering effects by helping the liver to clear more LDL cholesterol from the body.
-May help prevent Alzheimer’s disease by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. The inflammation forms plaques that harden and disrupt brain function.
Turmeric side effects are low, and is considered to be a safe herb.
Normal anti-inflammatory doses for adults are about 300 to 500mg, 3x per day. People with gall bladder issues or obstructed bile ducts should not take Turmeric.
When choosing Turmeric for health benefits, make sure to choose a high quality, standardized extract with at least 95% curcumin or higher….organically grown if possible, and unprocessed for full potency. To enhance absorption, piperine (pepper) and bromelain may be added to enhance its bioavailability. A coating will enhance absorption as well.
Choose pure Turmeric powder to cook with rather than Curry powder, which typically has low levels of Curcumin. Be aware that heat destroys some of the health benefits, which is why you should consider taking an oral supplement.
Have you discovered a need for Turmeric? Comments and recipes welcome!
