7 Health Benefits of Turmeric You Should Know

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The herbal medicinal traditions of ancient civilizations such as those in India have a large collection of plants that have been used for centuries in cooking as well as a healing remedy.

The most fascinating herb folklore used in India is Turmeric, known as the “spice of life“ used to relieve gas, arthritis, to purify the blood, for bruises, sores, chest pain, ringworm, for abdominal pain, peptic ulcer or to prevent a number of cancers.

Turmeric is also cultivated in India, Bangladesh, China, Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines. The earliest reference about turmeric can be seen since Ca. 6000 yr B.P.

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This most outstanding healing herb with the orange-yellow rhizome used to be regarded as the “herb of the Sun.” It is a member of the ginger family and contains yellow curcumin, key active ingredient.

The name turmeric originates from the Latin name terra merita meaning deserved earth. In English, turmeric was known as yellow root and Indian saffron. Indian turmeric is regarded as the best in the world market because of its high curcumin content.

In the past, turmeric with his musky flavor and aroma was widely used as a spice, food preservative or as a coloring agent to dye clothes such as wool, cotton or silk. In cooking, turmeric powder is used in the preparations of curries, fish, meat products, etc. In modern times, the coloring ingredient of turmeric (curcuminoids) is used as a safe food color in spices, cheese, mustard or cereal products. And, while Hindu priests use turmeric to color their robes others use this herb to color French mustard.

In Europe and the West turmeric became popular as a powerful antioxidant and inflammatory agents.

Turmeric Nutrients

The genus Curcuma longa is the most investigated species. The name of the genus Curcuma came from the Arabic word “kurkum,” which originally meant “saffron,” but is now used for turmeric only.

Turmeric contains gum, starch, minerals, cellulose, volatile oil and a yellow colorant. Nutritional composition of turmeric is: ash, calcium, phosphorous, sodium, potassium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, ascorbic acid, vitamins A, B1-2-3, and C, tumerone, iron, zinc.

Curcuminoids from turmeric are reported to have anti-oxidative, antibacterial, exerting anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and anti-carcinogenic properties.

Health Benefits of Turmeric

Curcumin, the key element found in turmeric has antioxidants that not only exerts direct radicals, but also neutralizes existing free radicals and enhances the antioxidant activity. Here are health benefits of turmeric:

1. Liver
   Protects the liver from toxic damage (boosts the liver’s ability to eliminate environmental toxins from the body). In India turmeric is also used to treat jaundice.
2. Cholesterol
   It lowers cholesterol levels in the blood and reduces the development of hardened and blocked arteries.
3. *Inflammatory condition*s
   Good for all arthritic conditions and post-operative inflammation. It also reduces inflammation in shoulders joints, knees and elbows.
4. Skin
   Excellent for skin conditions including psoriasis.
5. Stomach
   Effective in the treatment of indigestion and nausea, gastritis, stomach ulcers and inflammatory bowel conditions, such as Chron’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It stimulates bile flow.
   Curcuminoids possess potent anti-inflammatory properties
6. Cancer and Tumor
   It inhibits tumor growth, thus it has been extensively used as a cancer preventative, especially colorectal cancer and for gastrointestinal cancer.
7. Cardiovascular disorder
   It stops the oxidation of cholesterol, thus protecting against the formation of plaque in the arteries.
8. Turmeric protects your brain cells. This herb is especially good for people suffering from BRAIN FOG condition.
   
   
   In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is used to strengthen the overall energy of the body. The reason why herbal experts consider turmeric as one of the greatest gifts of Mother Nature is because it has a great amount of healing properties, thus used to ease up different kind of conditions ranging from those of gastrointestinal problems to menstrual conditions. In several animal studies it has been also confirmed that turmeric has wound healing abilities, applied either orally or as a local application.

Recent claims are that curcumin’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions may be useful in preventing Alzheimer’s dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

Turmeric can be found in capsules, as a powder or in tablets. Recommended daily dosage is between 500mg and 1.000mg.

Please note: when you are buying your turmeric make sure it has standard extract that contains 95% curcumins.