Turmeric, an orange or golden colored spice is part of the ginger family and has been a staple spice in Indian cuisine. Turmeric probably originated in India, deriving from the wild species C. aromatica (India, Sri Lanka, E. Himalayas), as this is the area where the greatest diversity of spices is found. However, it is now common throughout Southeast Asia, China and southern Australia and in fact it has been naturalized in all wet tropical regions of the world. Today it is widely cultivated throughout the tropics, though most is still grown in India and never leaves that country;))
Turmeric gives a bright color to curries, it can even be used in scrambled eggs ( the eggy smell disappears, I posted a picture of scrambled egg with turmeric and grilled turmeric salmon with Brussels sprouts rice bowl), beta-carotene in carrots and pumpkins is better retained when a quarter spoon of turmeric is added to it, you may add to tea ( pic included) or smoothie too! However, it is important to use turmeric sparingly as it is an extremely pungent ingredient, it has an earthy taste and a little can go a long way!
Curcumin is the healing substance which supplies its vibrant color to turmeric. Turmeric is rich in compounds that contain medicinal properties.These compounds are known as curcuminoids, and the most important among them is curcumin.It is the main active turmeric ingredient.It is best known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Sadly, curcumin cannot be absorbed into the bloodstream completely.That is why it is recommended to take black pepper with it, which contains piperine, a substance that boosts the curcumin absorption by 2000%!
Cholesterol starts in the gut with digestion and absorption of fats. In order to preserve health, one has to control that absorption, curcumin modulates, reduces, and regulates cholesterol absorption.Turmeric does not leave any toxic traces on your body, one of the biggest advantages of curcumin is that it protects healthy cells, particularly those found in the colon region and colon itself, from agents that stimulate and ultimately cause cancer.Curcumin also helps the body to destroy mutated cancer cells, thus preventing them from having the chance to spread to other areas.Researchers have come up with a conclusion that curcumin is beneficial in treating cancer because it affects cancer growth, development and spreading at the molecular level.
According to studies, it can reduce angiogenesis (new blood vessels growth), metastasis (cancer spreading), and contribute to removing cancerous cells. Research is still on, it is uncertain whether high-dose curcumin can aid fighting this disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is known to be the most common neurodegenerative disease. It is notorious because it leads to dementia. Regrettably, a cure is not yet found treatment for Alzheimer’s yet.However, it can be prevented from occurring in the first place. Curcumin has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, curcumin can fight Alzheimer’s disease by preventing a buildup of protein tangles known as Amyloid plaques, which are a key feature of this disease.
Turmeric has proved to positively influence beta cell function, which are the cells in the pancreas.A study conducted by The Journal of Endocrinology showed that turmeric regulated insulin secretion. In addition, it also enhanced pancreatic function. Fascinatingly enough, researchers also found that turmeric is 400 times more effective than Metformin, one of the most common drugs for regulating diabetes.Moreover, turmeric is an incredible herb and lowers the cholesterol rates and the risk for heart disease.Maybe the main cause why curcumin is beneficial for fighting heart disease is because it improves the function of the endothelium, which is the lining of the blood vessels.Endothelial dysfunction has proved to be the major driver of heart disease. Moreover, this disorder leads to an inability of the endothelium to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting and various other factor. In a study conducted on 121 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery, they were given 4 grams of curcumin per day. As a result, the group had a 65% decreased risk for a heart attack.
Turmeric may well be the reason that India has half the cancer rate as the United States and one of the lowest Alzheimer’s rate in the world.
Turmeric relieves pain, if you sprain your knee for instance, you may follow the RICE protocol - Rest, Ice, Compress,Elevate, but add an extra step and use a turmeric wrap. Research states that it may even be more effective than ibuprofen for those suffering from osteoarthritis. Curcumin stimulates the gallbladder to produce more bile, which may aid digestion. The German Commission E, a scientific advisory board equivalent to the FDA, approved turmeric for digestive problems.
Turmeric serves as a first aid too, it can be used to treat wounds, cuts, rashes, bruises, insect bites, and swelling. Topical application of curcumin has a great therapeutic effect on skin wounds. Also, a 2006 study concluded that it accelerated wound healing.For a turmeric paste to use topically all you need is 1 part turmeric powder and 8 parts of water (the paste keeps in the freezer). Warning: Do NOT use on open wounds that can get infected.
In Ayurveda Turmeric is widely used as a cure for respiratory illnesses. In fact it is called ‘Kaphahara’ where ‘Kapha’ refers to phlegmatic conditions and any cure for it is called ‘Kaphahara’. This is because turmeric contains anti-purulent (purulent is accumulation of pus that causes inflammation) and anti-inflammatory properties that are useful in treating bronchitis. A turmeric volatile oil is available as an oral drug and has been found very effective in treating bronchial asthma and cough. Turmeric can treat coughs of various etiologies like whooping cough or dyspnea.You can use turmeric for treating bronchitis. You may gargle with a pinch of turmeric and lukewarm water or drink warm milk with ½ tsp turmeric thrice a day to ease symptoms. This is one of the best home remedies for bronchitis. Drink the turmeric milk first thing in the morning on an empty stomach to enjoy the best effects for bronchitis. Inhaling fumes of hot water with turmeric gives instant relief for symptoms of cold and clears mucus in the airways in bronchitis.
It is a potent herb and helps you look younger;)) one can add to a face mask or simply buy a turmeric scrub for their face!
You can get in pill form, but dear friends why don't you have it naturally? Turmeric can be incorporated into your healthy diet in many dishes. It can be used to enhance pastas and grains, soups, stews and leafy green sautés. Sprinkle turmeric over open-faced cheese sandwiches before broiling, add a pinch to an egg-white omelet or tofu scramble, and increase the curcumin quotient! How about adding it to soups or marinades, or simply rubbing your grill with it! If you use it in your cooking, make sure to use a small amount of healthy fat like healthy coconut oil or any cooking oil to maximize flavor. By rubbing turmeric on meat and putting it into curries and soups you will enhance the color and flavor. Turmeric has a slight peppery aroma and musky taste.Beware of turmeric's property to leave a yellow stain...use a spoon always, food industry employs it as a colorant for cheeses, sausage and confectionary.
I decided to write about turmeric because I saw that turmeric curcumin has been revolutionizing the health industry. This ancient spice has been used widely for millennia in India but researchers are only beginning to discover how integral it is to our overall wellbeing! Unfortunately its popularity has resulted in cheap and ineffective products. Manufacturers have taken advantage of the fact that many of us don’t know how turmeric curcumin works, or what to look for in a quality supplement. As I wrote earlier, try it in its natural form;))
