Health Benefits of Turmeric

What are Some Health Benefits of Turmeric Spice?



Turmeric contains a powerful active chemical compound called curcumin. This compound is not only responsible for its vibrant yellow-orange color and its distinctive zing, but is also this spice's most powerful medical constituent, bestowing it with powerful health benefits.

1. A Safe Yet Potent Anti-Inflammatory
Turmeric has traditionally been used as a remedy for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. For literally thousands of years, it has been the standard anti-inflammatory in Indian and Chinese systems of medicine.

Both laboratory and animal studies have provided evidence of this spice's powerful anti-inflammatory activity. In fact, the potency of turmeric's anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects have been equated with that of the popular pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin and hydrocortisone – without the potential side effects and toxicity of these manufactured drugs. A 1986 study, for example, showed that a daily dosage of curcumin was even more effective in easing post-surgical inflammation as the regular anti-inflammatory prescriptions.

Recent research attributes turmeric's anti-inflammatory mechanism to its powerful capacity to inhibit the activity of the enzymes COX-2 and lipoxygenase. It also eases the inflammation caused by the body' allergic reaction to histamines, as well as trauma, injury and the stiffness of over- or under-inactivity.

2. A Potent Anti-Oxidant
Clinical studies have shown that turmeric has potent anti-oxidant properties. Anti-oxidants are essential disease-fighting compounds that work to protect your body cells by neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules in the body, which cause great tissue damage through oxidation.

The combined effect of turmeric's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties work to provide relief from the painful symptoms of arthritis. Free radicals have been shown to contribute to the pain of inflammation and the damage caused to the joints that is common with rheumatoid arthritis.

3. A Proven Anti-Carcinogen
Ayurvedic medicine recommends turmeric for treating cancer, particularly breast and uterine cancers, as well as benign tumors. A number of early but promising animal and laboratory clinical studies show its anti-cancer properties to be helpful in treating other types of cancer, including skin, pancreatic, prostate and colon cancers.

Turmeric helps to prevent the formation of cancer-causing enzymes, reducing the risk of cancerous cell-formation and cell growth. One of turmeric's anti-cancer mechanisms involves inhibiting the activity of the enzyme Topoisomerase, which is essential to the replication of cancer cells. This, in turn, limits the ability of cancer cells to metastasize, spreading to other healthy parts of the body. It also prevents cancerous tumors from growing new blood vessels, in effect starving them of nutrients and inhibiting their growth.

4. A Natural Liver-Protective
Turmeric has significant liver-protective effects, helping to minimize damage from pathogens and toxic compounds such as heavy metals, radiation, nicotine and other chemicals. It helps prevent damage resulting from prolonged use of alcohol and drugs such as paracetamol, both of which tax the liver and may cause liver disease. One of the mechanisms by which turmeric protects the liver is by promoting the secretion and movement of bile. In effect, turmeric keeps the liver healthy, helping it function optimally as the body's primary detoxifier.

5. An Effective Antiseptic and Antibiotic
Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibiotic that has historically been used as an herbal salve to treat everything from minor cuts and scrapes to scabies, skin ulcers and even leprosy. Turmeric essential oil is a powerful topical antibiotic that helps prevent infections and sepsis in wounds. Acne, psoriasis, eczema and other skin conditions also benefit from turmeric spice.

In addition to disinfecting and preventing infection, turmeric also helps to stop pain and swelling while promoting the healing of damaged skin tissue. It has also been traditionally used in India for cosmetic purposes, for clearing up blemishes as well as giving a natural glow and radiance to the skin.

Link:
http://herbs.lovetoknow.com/Health_Benefits_of_Turmeric
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ChangeIsGood....Zaharah

Turmeric - A magical plant with healing properties










I grew up eating turmeric in the various dishes that my mom crafted
in our home. I did not know that turmeric had any
other properties other than the ability to turn things yellow (sometimes
permanently). Then I saw the weirdest thing. a pregnant goat nearing the end of her
gestation period. As she lay on her side in the backyard, bleating away,
my mother prepared a drink for her. One of the ingredients in it was:
you guessed it, turmeric. This will save her from infection after she
has given birth, explained my mother. I was confused, but hey whatever
my mom thought was best, I just wanted to play with some kids.




Turmeric roots. [Photo by Wikipedia]

About 10 years later, in my biology class, my professor sang
the praises of a magical herb known as turmeric. I was very excited to
hear that an ingredient I never even gave a second thought to, and which
made up at least 5% of most of the foods my mom made, was such a
powerful anti-oxidant. I told my mom right away, and she told me that
back in the day where there were no ointments (or even present day in
households that can’t afford ointments), turmeric was applied in a paste
form on wounds to help heal them quickly. Later on, as my final project
for the class, I would make a presentation on turmeric, where I would
learn a whole lot more.

The turmeric Indians use in their foods is in powder form. It is
added in for flavor and color. However, I am sure that it began as a
medicinal additive. You see, in India, spices are very commonly found in
foods. This is because the climate in India and the lack of strict
sanitation exposes the people to many illnesses. The spices used in
foods help kill off the bacteria that cause these illnesses.

The main component of turmeric is Curcumin. This little guy is great
when it comes to preventing tumor growth. Curcumin inhibits the growth
of telomerase. Telomerase is an evil enzyme that causes tumorigenesis by
adding repeating sequences to the end of DNA strands. Tumorigenensis is
the production of tumors, and anything that adds on DNA is a no-no when
battling cancer. Inhibiting the actions of telomerase is definitely the
way to go, and Curcumin can do that.




Chemical structure of Curcumin, main ingredient of turmeric

Further research and funds going into the study of turmeric and its
magical ingredient Curcumin is necessary. It is a natural and
non-harmful way to battle cancer. Chemotherapy, really a very archaic
method, is such a debilitating treatment. It leaves the patient in no
better condition than the actual cancer itself. With our advances in the
world of science, medicine and therapy, more effort should be made to
shut the door on the poisonous ways of chemotherapy. This can only occur
when more attention is paid to natural and safe methods and a remedy is
developed. For now, we can all add a dash of turmeric to our boiling
pots of stew.