Turmeric Benefits Top Health benefits of turmeric
Turmeric is generally thought of as a kitchen spice that is used primarily in East Indian cooking. But this beautifully deep yellow-orange colored condiment has centuries of history as a powerful anti-inflammatory in both Indian and Chinese medicine. In our food turmeric is best recognized as an ingredient in yellow mustard and curry dishes.
Traditionally called Indian saffron, turmeric is also a potent healing remedy, and is even used as a dye for textiles. Turmeric’s healing properties are known to relieve the pain and symptoms of a number of conditions from toothache to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The power is in the pigment of turmeric which is called curcumin. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effects are known to be comparable to both prescription and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory products. While pharmaceutical drugs often have toxic effects, curcumin does not produce toxicity.
Turmeric For Your Digestive Health
Encouraging research has found turmeric to be very effective in inflammatory digestive diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. It is believed that antioxidant activity reduces the activity of these conditions and that even a small amount of turmeric supplied by diet is quite effective.
Turmeric For Arthritis and Much, Much More
People who have arthritis look to turmeric for natural relief from pain and swelling, and more. The ability of turmeric’s antioxidant activity is important in many diseases because this activity helps to seek out and destroy damaged radical cells. This antioxidant activity also helps to strengthen the immune system’s defense mechanisms which bring more relief and prevent illness.
Clinical research is showing great promise in the potential of curcumin as a natural treatment for cystic fibrosis. It is recommended that a qualified medical practitioner be consulted about proper dosages and possible interaction with prescribed drugs.
Other serious diseases that respond to the combination of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of turmeric are cancers including childhood leukemia. Animal studies have shown that turmeric can help prevent colon cancer. And, as a natural health protector, turmeric may provide protection from Alzheimer’s disease.
Obviously, turmeric and its medicinal compound curcumin are together an extremely valuable tool because of strong therapeutic properties. After more than 5,000 years as a part of ancient natural medicine, turmeric has proved to be just as valuable today. Turmeric’s popularity will continue to grow as research continues less
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