Turmeric Health Benefits
Turmeric is an ancient root used for its healing properties for centuries. Turmeric comes from the rhizome (rootstock) of the Curcuma longa plant. To manufacture it, the roots of the plant are boiled, dried and then ground into a powder. Traditionally used in Chinese and Indian folk medicine, turmeric benefits are amazing and able to treat a wide range of illnesses. The powerful anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities of turmeric have made it a precious commodity for ages!Referred to as “Indian saffron” in medieval England, turmeric wasn’t understood or valued for a long time. People used it as natural food dye instead of as the unbelievable healing agent it really is. The many turmeric health benefits are truly incredible!
With a peppery, warm and bitter flavor, the mild fragrance of turmeric resembles orange and ginger, which makes it a national favorite in curry dishes dating back centuries. Today, it’s widely used in yellow mustard and as a natural health supplement.
Next to essential oils, few natural remedies have reached mainstream use like turmeric has these past few years. Interestingly enough, you’d expect that Americans would catch on sooner, considering that we’ve doused our Ball Park franks in yellow mustard since 1904. That was the year R.T. French Co. first started to use turmeric as a preservative and color agent for “creamy salad mustard.”
The Key to Turmeric Health Benefits
The key to turmeric’s healing power is the chemical compound curcumin. Nearly 7,000 peer-reviewed scientific articles are
published evaluating its effectiveness, and although some side effects
are reported, the resounding feedback from the research community is
that turmeric and its primary component, curcumin, hold some profound
healing benefits for the entire body. Take, for instance, just a few of
the most recent research studies published within the past few months
showing that curcumin can:- Increase lifespan. (1)
- Protect the liver oxidative stress. (2)
- Kill fungus more effectively than ginger, clove and oregano. (3)
- Induce tumor cell death in the deepest parts of individual cells. (4)
- Kill bladder cancer cells. (5)
- Destroy lung cancer cells. (6)
- Lower blood cholesterol levels. (7)
- Protect against cognitive/memory defects from heavy ion irradiation. (8)
Top 7 Proven Turmeric Health Benefits
The list of healing powers attributed to turmeric curcumin seems to go on for days. Of the 7,000 studies testing its effectiveness and safety, very few report any side effects whatsoever. Although inherent dangers exist for certain people, the vast majority of research findings center on the turmeric health benefits and its healing properties.Some health conditions turmeric helps with are:
1. Chronic Inflammation and Pain
The
journal Oncogene published the results of a study that evaluated
several anti-inflammatory compounds. It found that aspirin (Bayer, etc.)
and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) are least potent, while curcumin is among the most potent anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative agents in the world. (9)
This means turmeric not only has great promise with chronic pain, but
since it has less side effects, it may provide safe, lasting results!
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Due
to its high anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is highly effective
at helping people manage rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A recent study out
of Japan evaluated its relationship with interleukin (IL)-6, the
inflammatory cytokine known to be involved in the RA process, and
discovered that curcumin “significantly reduced” these inflammatory
markers. This suggests that regular turmeric use could be a potent
strategy to prevent the onset of RA from developing to begin with! (10)
3. Depression
Researchers
from the Government Medical College (Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India)
published the results of the first study this past April to evaluate
curcumin’s ability to manage depression
in a controlled setting. Taking 60 volunteers diagnosed with major
depressive disorder (MDD) and diving the group to determine how patients
treated by curcumin compared against fluoxetine (Prozac) and a
combination of the two, it discovered that that the principal
curcuminoid in turmeric is not only as effective as Prozac in managing
depression, it doesn’t carry with it all the dangerous side effects as
anti-depressive drugs do. According to the paper, “This study provides first clinical evidence that cur cumin may be used as an effective and safe modality for treatment in patients with MDD.” (11)
4. Diabetes
Turmeric
is shown to lower blood glucose levels and reverse insulin resistance.
For instance, an article published in Biochemistry and Biophysical
Research Communications shared a study out of Auburn University that
discovered curcumin suppresses glucose production in the liver.
Fascinatingly, researchers proved that it’s actually 400 times more
potent than Metformin (a common diabetes drug) in activating AMPK and
its downstream target acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). Turmeric acted as an anti-diabetic and antioxidant in diabetes, especially type 1 diabetes (12), improved metabolic function and reduced the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries of type 2 diabetes patients (13).
5. Cancer
Recent
studies show turmeric is a powerful adversary to cancer. Curcumin shows
a marked ability to inhibit cancer cell growth, boost antioxidant
levels and the immune system, and kill cancer cells. It seems to work on
improving mitochondrial function at a cellular level, and it improves
metabolism. Even against drug-resistant strains of leukemia, curcumin
caused cell death of cancer cells.
6. Skin and Aging
Turmeric
has many healing properties for skin. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory
so it reduces redness or other skin irritations. It’s antibacterial, so
it’s great for blemishes, acne and skin balance. Turmeric is wonderful
at improving the texture of the skin because it is an exfoliant but also
rich in antioxidants. It’s a wonderful natural treatment inside and
out!
7. Brain Health and Memory
It’s
all in your head … literally. This vital organ is the fundamental
keeper of everything you’re able to think, act or dream. By taking
turmeric, you can improve the oxygen intake of the brain, which helps in
all of the brain’s functions and processes. Turmeric is extremely
healing for the brain and for increasing memory function. Not
surprisingly, when your brain functions at its best, then you increase
the uptake of hormones, such as seratonin and melatonin. So, by healing
the basic functioning of the brain, you can also heal other mental
illnesses.Turmeric vs. Modern Medicine
Turmeric curcumin is so effective at managing these health concerns that after examining the research, I found that turmericbenefits go well beyond that of these 10 drugs:
- Anti-inflammatories
- Anti-depressants (Prozac)
- Chemotherapy
- Anti-coagulants (aspirin)
- Pain killers
- Diabetes drugs (Metformin)
- Arthritis medications
- Inflammatory bowel disease drugs
- Cholesterol drugs (Lipitor)
- Steroids
Turmeric Dosage
Turmeric dosage mainly depends on age. For instance, adults are generally recommended to follow these guidelines: (14)- Supplement: 450 milligrams of curcumin capsules each day or up to 3 grams of turmeric root daily (divided into several doses).
- Tea: 1 to 1.5 grams of dried root steeped in 5 ounces of water for 15 minutes twice daily.
- Oil: ½ tablespoon of turmeric oil three times daily.
Turmeric Side Effects
While the pros of turmeric health benefits usually outweigh the cons, it’s important to know that there can be some side effects with turmeric. Some people report allergic reactions to turmeric, especially after skin exposure. Typically, this is experienced as a mild, itchy rash. In addition, high doses of turmeric have been observed to cause: (17)- Indigestion
- Heart burn
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Liver problems
- Increased risk of bleeding
- Increased liver function tests
- Hyperactive gallbladder contractions
- Alopecia (hair loss)
- Hypotension (lowered blood pressure)
- Uterine contractions in pregnant women
- Increased menstrual flow
Turmeric Uses
You
can take turmeric in many ways depending on what you want to treat. For
healing and medicinal properties, it’s easiest to take in capsule form.
If you want to enjoy the turmeric benefits of beauty enhancing and
anti-aging qualities, add it into your face mask or buy a turmeric
facial scrub. Lastly, and certainly not least, you can add turmeric to
your food. Try it in soups or a marinade, or add to your rub next time
you grill! It’s so versatile and delicious!You can also try it in my delicious Turmeric Tea Recipe to experience all the turmeric health benefits in an easy to drink form!
Turmeric Tea Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon turmeric (powder or grated root)
DIRECTIONS:
- Pour coconut milk and water into the saucepan and warm for 2 minutes
- Add in butter, raw honey and turmeric powder for another 2 minutes
- Stir and pour into glasses.
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