posted July 17, 2009 10:27 PM         

Turmeric is one of nature's most powerful healers. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Tumeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye.

The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's disease.

Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:

1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.

2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.

3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.

4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.

5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.

6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.

7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.

8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.

9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.

10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.

11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.

12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.

13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.

14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.

16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.

17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.

18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.

19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.

20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.

Once you start using turmeric on a regular basis, it's fun to find new ways to use it in recipes. My favorite way to use it is to add a pinch of it to egg salad. It adds a nice flavor and gives the egg salad a rich yellow hue.

posted July 18, 2009 01:27 PM         

at my spa we use turmeric for a body scrub - unfortunately the dye factor is a problem for people who don't like being orange, but yogurt applied afterwards dispels the colour.

posted July 19, 2009 09:49 AM         

I thought it might help me with my occasional edema. What's worrisome is my dad had it really bad and I have it too. My body is like a female version of his (i was always amazed looking at his hands - how they were so much like mine, except huge man-hands lol). From what I'm reading, this points to heart failure or a kidney problem and too much salt in the body. He had to take a water pill. Have GOT to start taking better care of myself. I came across it by chance and the supplemtent I am using also has ginger and some other vitamins in it. Hopefully it's doing my body some good.

quote:

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I just need to eat right and continue to take the supplements that are helping.....

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posted July 19, 2009 05:54 PM         

Turmeric is an ancient spice, and although I like the taste in some dishes, I don't eat curries every day. So to get the benefits without sprinkling it on my cereal or fruit , I take the caps.....

About:

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a perennial shrub which belongs to the ginger family, has long been regarded as an important spice in Asian cuisine. The Chinese name that is given to turmeric is jianghuang, which means yellow ginger.

Today, turmeric is cultivated throughout the Indian subcontinent, Southern China, Indonesia, and parts of Africa. It is usually harvested from February to April. The rhizome (the tuber-like root) is cut in pieces, boiled for 5 to 10 minutes, and then dried in the sun.

~ The Golden Touch ~
Ground turmeric has long been used as a yellow food coloring agent, a natural dye, and as a spice. Its warm spicy taste and golden, yellow color does much to enhance the quality of a meal. Turmeric can be used to provide a rich, natural yellow color for mashed tofu, rice, salad dressings, puddings, egg and cheese dishes. It is also a major ingredient in curry powders, and has been used to accentuate the flavor of pepper.

Turmeric is considered safe in the amounts commonly used in foods. Turmeric carries a GRAS status by the FDA, which means it is Generally Recognized As Safe to use as a food additive.

~ Medicinal Uses ~
In addition to being an important culinary spice, the dried rhizomes of turmeric also have a long history of medicinal use. Traditionally, turmeric has been used for a variety of purposes. It has found use as an appetite stimulant, a digestive aid, a general tonic, as well as for treating diarrhea, dyspeptic complaints, flatulence, and gallbladder complaints. It is also commonly used as an anti-spasmodic in different ethnic communities.

The German Commission E has approved the use of turmeric for its bile-stimulating action, for its anti-inflammatory activity, and in the treatment of digestive complaints.

Turmeric is widely used in the Indian medical system [Ayurveda] and in traditional Chinese medicine [TCM]. It has found use externally in ointments and lotions for the treatment of wounds, ringworm, eczema, and inflammations. In Indian medicine, turmeric has a long history of use as an anti-inflammatory agent. Specifically, it has been used in the treatment of arthritis. The volatile oil of turmeric (which is rich in sesquiterpenoids) and the yellow pigments in turmeric are both partly responsible for its anti-inflammatory activity.

~Gold Means Protection ~
The yellow-orange color of turmeric is derived from curcumin, a bright yellow, phenolic pigment. Curcumin is an antioxidant which is considerably more powerful than vitamin E. It has anti-mutagenic activity, as well as the ability to inhibit the growth of certain cancers.

The anti-tumor activity of curcumin is possibly due to its ability to inhibit topoisomerase enzyme activity and protect DNA strands from breakages. The latest research shows that turmeric can suppress the development of stomach, breast, colon, lung and skin tumors.

~ Other Functions ~
The starch found in the rhizomes of turmeric contains special polysaccharides (called arabinogalactans) which enhance immune function by stimulating white blood cells to action. Turmeric also possesses some anti-microbial action, and has been used to treat inflammations of the mouth.

It may also play a very minor role in protecting against cardiovascular disease. The yellow pigment curcumin has mild anti-thrombotic activity since it inhibits platelets from clumping together.

~ How Safe Is It? ~
Generally speaking, reports of side effects from the use of turmeric are rare. However, persons with gallstones should exercise caution. The use of turmeric is contraindicated in cases of bile obstruction, since it does stimulate the secretion of bile from the gall bladder. Turmeric is also not recommended for use during pregnancy. The excessive oral use of turmeric, or heavy use over an extended period of time, may cause some gastrointestinal disturbances.

Typical dosage is 0.5 to 1.0g capsules used two to three times a day between meals. Tea preparations are not recommended since the active constituents have a low solubility in water. Turmeric should be protected from light, and stored in well-closed glass containers.

Turmeric has had a long history of human use, both internal and external use. It adds a rich golden color and pleasant flavor to food. In addition, it has been used safely and effectively as an anti-inflammatory agent and for the treatment of digestive problems.

Author: Winston Craig, MPH, PhD, RD.

posted July 19, 2009 11:04 PM         

and i'm not sure but iodine (kelp) helps your thyroid and endocrine system in general which should help too.

posted July 21, 2009 10:32 AM         

Thanks for the tips.

posted July 21, 2009 01:26 PM         

I used to fill capsules with Turmeric,
but that was tough on my stomach.

Triphala is awesome, too:
http://www.google.com/search?q=triphala&hl=en&sourceid=gd&rls=DLUS,DLUS:2007-45,DLUS:en

posted August 17, 2009 01:43 AM         

When I had a persistent cold once, a coworker recommended milk with a lot of turmeric stirred in it - for sore throat and the cough. It was remarkably efficient!

The yellow color of turmeric is so beautiful to me.

(Oh, and thank you for letting me know one can get Neem from stores! I will give it a try as a substitute for toothpaste.)

posted August 17, 2009 08:06 AM         

Just to let you know that neem is a godsend for most skin conditions. It is widely used in India - especially ground in a mortar and pestle and the paste applied directly onto one's skin in a mixture of turmeric, gramflour, yoghurt.