Turmeric Health Benefits – The REAL Spice of Life

Turmeric is the Yellow Superfood! If I had to chose just one herb spice to increase my well being and live a long healthy life it would be turmeric. It helps you when young, when middle-aged, and in old age. It helps both men and women for different reasons.

Turmeric is called curcumin in the science community.

“Curcumin is proven to improve immune function with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties.  Curcumin has also been shown to act as an immune modulator, helping regulate immune cell function against cancer.” ~ Medical News Today

If a drug company could patent turmeric, it would be more popular and lucrative than Viagra and aspirin combined.

The shortlist of benefits shown in controlled scientific studies and long term population analysis includes prevention and treatment in:
•    Inflammation
•    Arthritis
•    Cystic fibrosis
•    Cancer
•    Cardiovascular problems
•    Cholesterol
•    Alzheimer’s disease
•    Childhood Leukemia
•    Liver function
•    Skin
conditions

Tumeric large
The thing you notice right away about turmeric is its bright yellow colour. This is what gives the traditional curry spice it’s colour but also is the colouring of mustard and many other prepared and preserved foods like pickles, salad dressing, cheeses and even textiles.  Most curry blends and prepared foods have minimal amounts of turmeric in them though so if you want the health benefits you should go for the straight powder.

Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic systems of medicine have used turmeric as an anti-inflammatory agent to treat a wide variety of conditions, including flatulence, jaundice, menstrual difficulties, bloody urine, hemorrhage, toothache, bruises, chest pain, and colic.

Curcumin, thought to be the primary pharmacological agent in turmeric, has been shown to be a more potent anti-inflammatory than prescription drugs like hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone as well as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory agents such as Motrin but WITHOUT TOXIC SIDE EFFECTS.

Curcumin may provide an inexpensive, well-tolerated, and effective treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.

Turmeric’s combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects explains why many people with joint disease find relief from arthritis when they use the spice regularly.

Curcumin’s powerful antioxidant actions plus its ability to alter the genetic expression of certain proteins are possible factors in its demonstrated ability to prevent and even treat cancer in as shown in controlled experiments on mice and large populations.  Many more clinical studies are underway but traditional health systems have already been using turmeric for thousands of years.

Turmeric supports the liver in naturalizing toxins in the body. This is why it is known in traditional health systems as a purifier. It helps the liver clear away the LDL (bad) cholesterol and also prevents the oxidation of cholesterol in the system.

Research has shown that curcumin is able to cross the blood-brain barrier to reduce inflammation and specific damaging chemical aging processes.  This is why it may prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.

This is a very good way to get turmeric and ginger into your body.
Turmeric Curcumin 95% Curcuminoids with BioPerine & Ginger
Turmeric with Ginger is arguably one of the most powerful herbs on the planet. Curcumin specifically, one of the primary compounds in turmeric powder, has been reported to be one of the most advantageous herbs.

Specially processed turmeric is used in India topically to produce healthy glowing skin and prevent facial hair growth in women. Different processed turmeric is also available which is rubbed into the skin so that it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream and bypasses the digestions and liver functions which can slow it’s effects down.

Tumeric has also been known to have spiritual and ritualistic value in Eastern and near eastern cultures. (perhaps because of its obvious practical effects)
It is widely used in all parts of India during the wedding ceremony.

The ONLY CAUTION with turmeric is that if you spill it on even a slightly porous surface it can stain.  Wash immediately.

We use turmeric in many of our seasonal 2-5-30 Healthy Diets to help with detoxing and digestion.

READ Inflammation: Is it Good or Bad for Your Body?

We hear about inflammation often but do we really know what it is? Inflammation is an important immune system function. When it is out of control, it can cause serious damage. Inflammation has been linked to major diseases such as Alzheimer’s, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and signs of aging. There’s good news: many foods are naturally anti-inflammatory. Adding Natural Anti-Inflammatory Foods to your meals is a very good way to reduce inflammation. Antioxidants found in foods protect your cells from the effects of free radicals and can help reduce an overabundance of inflammation in your body.

Try these recipes to get some turmeric into your diet:

Pineapple, Banana Turmeric Smoothie Is Delicious and Very HealthyThis delicious ‘Pineapple Banana Turmeric Smoothie’ is full of extra healthy amazing superfoods. Pineapple, banana and chia seeds are tasty and good for you. It is great for breakfast or an afternoon snack!

 Vegan Curry Recipe That is Delicious and Easy to Make – This vegan curry recipe is delicious and so easy to make! It is full of nutritious nutritious superfood vegetables and spices that your body loves. Also, if you are like me and don’t like hot spicy food, you can make this curry without it being hot.

 Mango Chutney is So Tasty and Healthy Too – This mango chutney recipe really is delicious and so healthy too. It is made without white sugar and white vinegar so it is much healthier. The cayenne is optional for extra spice for those of us who don’t like spicy food.

 Curried Green Beans and Potatoes – Another curry meal. Green beans, carrots, and potatoes become extra special and yummy when made into a simple curry.

 Curried Popcorn Is A Healthy Yummy Snack has become my current favourite healthy snack for me. I like the curry flavour in my vegetables so I thought why not in popcorn.  It is so yummy that I can easily eat a large bowl full all by myself!

Crunchy Vegetables with Almonds and Savory Spices Recipe – A meal of crunchy vegetables with almonds is so tasty that I could eat it at least once a week. The spices in this delicious meal are very much like the ones used in curries but without the cayenne pepper.  I don’t like hot spicy food so I leave it out.

 

vital healt assessment

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32 thoughts on “Turmeric Health Benefits – The REAL Spice of Life”

    1. A full teaspoon in water might taste quite STRONG. If you can handle that – fine but it is traditionally taken with milk and sweetner. You can substitute almond or soy milk if you don’t eat dairy. The richness of the milk tempers the taste. Even with milk, a full teaspoon might be strong so you might have to break it into two glasses with 1/2 teaspoon each time.

  1. Turmeric is one of my favourites in my dispensary and my kitchen. I use it in nearly all my cooking. As an herbalist I tend to dispense it in tincture form, but frequently make recommendations to my clients that they make a point of including it in their cooking. It can be used in capsule form too, and it is often recommended to take it with enzymes to improve its absorption and utilization. It also makes a great addition to Chai.

  2. It would be wonderful if you could share some recipes we could put it in instead of taking it by the spoonful. Do you or any of your readers know what it goes best in?
    Some friends of a friend who wanted to see the horses were visiting from India and brought a picknic lunch for everyone. Their dishes were so spicy that I could barely eat them. They tasted good but the spices made me sweat!
    After reading this I'm thinking that maybe I need those spices to drive more toxins out. The funny thing is I cook with tons of spices most people associate with Italian cooking and used to eat  Szechuan Chinese dishes that were really spicy but just can't eat Mexican hot sauces at all.
     

  3. Hi Valerie

    Everyone has different tolerance to the heat of spices depending upon their body type. You may be a 'fire' type that already has enough heat or your body OR as you said the cleansing my be good for you.  The real heat from Indian spices often comes from the cayenne. It's hot! Many people can't take very much of this . But there are spices like tumeric, cumin and coriander which are sweet and warm and very good for you. 

    So here's a quick recipe:  Mix half a teaspoon of any curry (which already has some tumeric) with half a teaspoon of tumeric and heat in a tablespoon of clarified butter  (called ghee). The ghee drives the good effects of the spices deeper into the body. Use this to fry anything you wish –  tofu slices with tamarie sauce, green peas or even scrambled eggs. Add enough salt at end.

  4. Thank you for explaining that, Randy. I did not realize that Indian food used cayenne and I am particularly sensitive to it. I knew that because I don't do spicy Mexican food either. I'll have to try your recipe with fresh gathered eggs.

  5. Whaaa Hello! Great work once again. I enjoy visiting your website because the writers often provide great posts. Informative blog post…I will bookmark this blog. I am going to subscribe to the websites feed as well.

  6. I have had arthritis in my knee for years. My doctor has prescribed celebrex which I take very infequently only when I absolutely need it. Instead, I rely on tumeric taken in capsule form. It really does have anti-inflammatory properties and makes a huge difference. 🙂 (I also swim everyday which helps with the pain and stiffness).

  7. In September 2011 I came down with a bad case on Pneumonia. I have had very chronic inflammation since then in my chest and facial area and its now February 2012. I started taking Turmeric in December, a little before christmas. I take 500 mg a day (one capsule) and it has worked wonders. Im still not 100% healthy but even going back 2 months ago I am so much better. I take mine before I go to bed with a fish oil (the fish oil with travel it through your body easier) and I take it before bed because I believe our immune system works better while we are sleeping. Hope this helps someone =)

  8. July17 2012
    The very 1st time i heard of Turmeric was about 2 yrs ago on coast to coast radio,
    a Dr.Merola was mentioning it and it’s attributes inflammatory properties.
    At that time my gums were very sensitive & painful,I started to put a 1/4 tbs in
    my oatmeal porridge each morning. All i can say it really has greatly improved my
    situation.

  9. Dortha Haverstock

    I always take turmeric because it is an immune system enhancing supplement. I also grow a turmeric plant in our backyard. ;*.*”

  10. frances stewart

    this is great medicine. l take tablespoon of turmeric and tablespoon of honey, mix it togethere and eat it. help my right hip.

    1. Thanks Frances for your story. I have heard many stories like yours but not that particular combination. Tumeric is such an easy healthy choice.

    1. That is great news. I wish all doctors would be suggesting such natural approaches.
      Just a reminder that tumeric is extremely low cost. To eat it in your foods costs practically nothing.
      By heating it up in ghee, (for fying) it’s effects penetrates the body even more effectively.

  11. Thanks for the person who is taking turmeric and fish oil together, I am planning adding turmeric for my husband’s joints, his 1000mg fish oil doesn’t seem to do enough–
    he takes no pharma drugs, has type 2 diabetes with normal sugars, as I have
    created herb/supplement formula for him, don’t really like the glucosamine thing.
    Hoping turmeric added will be ok. Thanks!!

  12. I have been brushing my teeth with turmeric and baking soda. Makes my gums feel good and my teeth white.

  13. Hello Randy,

    You mention heating turmeric and ghee / clarified butter,
    to cook foods such as eggs with, could coconut oil be substituted for clarified butter?

    Thanks…

    1. Hi Glenn,
      Yes certainly you could use coconut oil – as long as you like that coconut taste in your eggs. Coconut oil is very healthy for you but in a different way than ghee.

  14. Just saw this website. My Pastor just came home from hospital with pneumonia. (on lots of meds) will turmeric help ? He is about 70 years old. Thanks for your comments.

    1. Dear Georgia, Tumeric will help most people. Because it is such a strong plant, it has a few cautions when taking with medications. This is from webmd.com.
      “Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with TURMERIC
      “Turmeric might slow blood clotting. Taking turmeric along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
      Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.”

  15. I started taking a teaspoon of turmeric within the last couple weeks and you wouldn’t believe the difference it has had on my stomach. It really helps to rid you of a fat tummy. I immediately see and feel the difference. My arthritis is there but not as severe as it was prior to taking the spice. An agent at an herb store suggested it to me. Best advice I’ve had in a while.

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