Turmeric
Introduction
Turmeric helps with these ailments
References
Introduction
Turmeric is an amazing natural healing spice. It has been used as a traditional remedy in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory (1,7,10) that helps prevent blood clots (2). It is also delicious, and I use it almost daily in my food preparation. Turmeric adds a deep yellow, almost orange colour to your food, and has a unique, mild flavour.
Turmeric (curcuma longa) is a root, and the fresh turmeric looks a little like ginger root. It is a deep orange colour, and stains when you cut it or touch it. If you can get it as a raw root, that is great as it is the most potent in that fresh form.
Turmeric has many valuable components, but the one that seems to be getting the most attention is curcumin. (8) Curcumin is only soluble in fat, so when using turmeric it is best to combine it with fats (think coconut milk, coconut oil, ghee, butter etc.
Crush a piece the size of a fingernail (or more), add it to a salad with olive oil, or use it in a smoothie. Fresh turmeric roots are often available at Indian or Asian stores, and are not expensive. If fresh turmeric is not available, buy turmeric powder from a health food or asian store - again, it is inexpensive. Do NOT buy capsules, they have often been processed and have harmful additives.
Turmeric tea: 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, 2-3 cardamom pods (optional), 1/2 cup boiling water. Simmer the turmeric and optional cardamom for 5 minutes, then add 2 tablespoons of almond oil, bring to boiling point then remove from heat. After cooling add raw honey and milk to taste. WARNING - do not heat honey! Sip slowly as a warm tea.
Turmeric paste: Mix one part of turmeric powder or crushed turmeric with one - two parts oil, to make a paste. Coconut, sesame, almond, macadamia and other skin oils that agree with your particular skin are suitable, use organic and cold-pressed oils. Apply the paste to problem areas, inflammed skin.
Turmeric helps with these ailments
Here is a list of ailments where turmeric has successfully been used as a cure:
- Allergies, including hay fever
- Stuffy nose, sneezing, restricted breathing
- arthritis (5)
- Boils
- Eczema
- Asthma
- Menopause symptoms calmed
- Acne
- Skin infections
- Wound healing (9)
- Cysts cured
- Blood clots, blood platelet clumping; possibly high blood pressure and heart and arterial disease (2)
- Digestive disorders including loose stools, diarrhoea, excessive gas, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory and irritable bowel syndromes (6)
- Inflammation - skin and all parts of the body (10)
- Sinus inflammation
- Gum inflammation
- Goiter
- Headaches and migraines
- Memory - improves memory. Alzheimers disease is significantly lower in places where turnmeric is part of the diet
- Fatigue relieved, energises, lifts mental fog
- Cancer prevention and healing (3,4)
- Diabetes - blood sugar normalisation
- Menstrual cramps, PMS (within minutes)
Excessive turmeric consumption can lead to constipation (so drink plenty of water), accelerated heart beat, and excessive blood thinning.
References
1. Menon VP, Sudheer AR.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 2007;595:105-25.
Article
2. Baum L. et al.
Curcumin effects on blood lipid profile in a 6-month human study.
Pharmacol Res. 2007;56(6):509-14.
3. Darvesh A.S., Aggarwal B.B., Bishayee A.
Curcumin and Liver Cancer: A Review.
Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2011 Apr 5.
4. Dorai T., Cao Y.C., Dorai B., Buttyan R., Katz A.E.
Therapeutic potential of curcumin in human prostate cancer. III. Curcumin inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and inhibits
angiogenesis of LNCaP prostate cancer cells in vivo.
Prostate. 2001;47(4):293-303.
5. Funk J.L., Frye J.B., Oyarzo J.N., Kuscuoglu N., Wilson J., McCaffrey G., et al.
Efficacy and mechanism of action of turmeric supplements in the treatment of experimental arthritis.
Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Nov;54(11):3452-64.
6. Hanai H., Iida T., Takeuchi K., Watanabe F., Maruyama Y., Andoh A., et al.
Curcumin maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis: randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006 Dec;4(12):1502-6.
7. Jagetia G.C., Aggarwal B.B.
"Spicing up" of the immune system by curcumin.
J Clin Immunol. 2007;27(1):19-35.
8. Pari L., Tewas D., Eckel J.
Role of curcumin in health and disease.
Arch Physiol Biochem. 2008;114(2):127-49.
9. Phan T.T., See P., Lee S.T., Chan S.Y.
Protective effects of curcumin against oxidative damage on skin cells in vitro: its implication for wound healing.
J Trauma 2001;51(5):927-931.
10. White B., Judkins D.Z.
Clinical Inquiry. Does turmeric relieve inflammatory conditions?
J Fam Pract. 2011 Mar;60(3):155-6.