Turmeric, A Magical Spice!

I first heard of turmeric when was researching Dr. Andrew Weil's Anti-Inflammatory Diet. In his pyramid, along with teas, dietary supplements, whole soy foods, asian cooked mushrooms, he has a recommended assortment of spices and herbs that help maintain your health. Among the obvious were, garlic, ginger and cinnamon, and then there was one of them being turmeric.

Under Herbal Remedies, on his website he gives a rather in depth description of the root and the tea:

Technical Name:	(Curcuma longa) Rhizome related to ginger
Used for:	Arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis; it acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent
Available In:	As culinary spice, in powdered form; as medicinal extract, in tablets or capsules. Labeled as standardized turmeric extract or curcumin.
Herb Drug:	None known
Interaction:	In rare instances, daily use over extended period of time can cause stomach upset and/or heartburn. If pregnant, do not use without your doctor's approval. Do not use if you have gallstones or a bile duct dysfunction; however, curcumin, an active component of turmeric, can increase bile solubility and is recommended for the condition.
When Buying:	Look for products standardized for 95% curcuminoids. Products made by New Chapter containing curcumin are highly recommended. For cooking, brightly colored and aromatic powder is best.
Dosage and Warning:	400 to 600 mg of extracts (tablets or capsules) three times per day or as directed on product. Dried spice is not effective for treating conditions.
Child Dosage:	Do not give to young children.

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/REM00019/Turmeric-Dr-Weils-Herbal-Remedies.html 

Balanced Living: Healthy Turmeric Tea 
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02833/turmeric-tea 

         I then went on to research more benefits and found amazing articles on turmeric face masks, lotions etc. and most of them are home remedies! As I ate my broccoli scrambled eggs powdered with a little sea salt, pepper and lots of turmeric (all cooked along with the eggs), I read this article from HealthyDiaries.com on the 20 health benefits of turmeric:

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.

Because of all these properties, the root powder makes for an amazing face mask for problem skin!! check out my posting from Anam Saleem’s Blog!! 

Contraindications: Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction. Though turmeric is often used by pregnant women, it is important to consult with a doctor before doing so as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant.

http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-turmeric.html

The links to blogs with recipes for facial masks for acne, belly butters for pregnancy, etc can be found on my tumblr at : 

http://inthehabitofsmiling.tumblr.com/post/29334799413/turmeric-is-anti-bacterial-freshens-the-skin#notes

I hope you give this spice a try sometime! I now take it daily in capsule form along with my fish oil !