Hi guys! Let’s talk about health benefits of tumeric. Tumeric also known as turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is nature’s gift to humanity. This is a herbaceous, perennial plant, native to Southern India and Indonesia. It equally thrives in other rainy, tropical areas. It grows about 3ft tall with grass like leaves and green-yellow flowers.
In ancient times, it was used in perfumes, as a spice in food preparation and in medicinal preparations for cough, diabetic wounds, hepatic and cardiovascular disorders. Although all the parts of this herbaceous plant are useful medicinally but the root (better referred to as the rhizome) is the one mostly used for its health benefits.
The fresh tumeric rhizome looks more like ginger in appearance but when cut open reveals a bright orange/yellow colour. The colour stain is strong. It has a pepper like aroma and somewhat bitter warm taste. The rhizome can be used fresh or in dry powdered form, or the essential oil extract and in recent times there are pharmaceutical formulations of turmeric supplements.
WHAT MAKES TUMERIC A HERB/PLANT OF INTEREST IN THE HEALTH INDUSTRY?
Tumeric contains some polyphenolic compounds known collectively as curcuminoids and essential oils. One of the curcuminoids, curcumin is responsible for most of the health benefits of tumeric. However, the curcumin content of tumeric is low and also poorly absorbed into the blood stream so it means that , there will not be enough level in the blood to be beneficial to our health. Hence the addition of a little quantity of ground black pepper that contains an active compound called piperine, enhances the absorption of curcumin. In fact even curcumin supplements contain piperine to make it substantially more effective.
The major properties of turmeric that makes it beneficial in most health issues are its anti-inflammatory effects and very strong antioxidant property. In both preclinical and clinical studies, conducted by most researchers, tumeric has proven valuable in management, treatment and prevention of some disease conditions like Alzheimer’s, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Tumeric also exhibits some antiseptic, antiviral, hypoglycemic (ability to lower blood sugar), anticoagulant (not allowing the formation of clot) properties etc.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF TUMERIC
Here we want to look at the various aspects and areas of our bodies and the effect of turmeric on them:
TUMERIC IN INFLAMMATION:
Inflammation is the body’s natural response in the fighting against foreign invaders that harm it like infections, injuries and toxins in an attempt to heal itself. Acute, short-term response is beneficial but when prolonged and chronic, it begins to attack the body’s own tissue and this process is implicated in most diseases/health issues.
The use of tumeric in inflammatory conditions like arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis etc. is common in Ayurveda and Eastern Asian medicine. Tumeric not only reduces existing inflammation but equally stops the body from producing chemicals that initiate inflammations like most over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers do.
ON DIGESTIVE DISORDERS:
Tumeric has been discovered to aid digestion and also beneficial in handling gas, bloating and inflammatory bowel disease.
PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF CANCER:
Although research in this area is limited but there are suggestions in some studies that due to the high antioxidant property and anti-inflammatory properties of tumeric, it can be used in some form of cancers like breast, stomach and skin cancers but should never replace the usual cancer treatments.
DIABETES MANAGEMENT:
Tumeric has been shown to help in controlling blood sugar in diabetic and pre diabetic stage. Curcumin is specifically responsible for this action.
BENEFITS OF TUMERIC FOR YOUR HEART:
Tumeric has been very valuable in maintaining a healthy heart due to its properties that help control blood cholesterol and also lowers the blood pressure. This basically is achieved due to its effect on improving the functions of the lining of the blood vessel (endothelium) and consequently reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Caution should be exercised if you are on antihypertensive medication and will want to be on turmeric or curcumin supplement so as not to lower your blood pressure much. You can do well to consult with your doctor or pharmacist for proper guidance.
AS A STRONG ANTIOXIDANT/IMMUNE BOOSTER:
An antioxidant is a substance that protects the cells of the body against the damaging effects of free radicals. Common examples are Vitamin C and Vitamin E. These free radicals are produced when the body breaks down food or is exposed to pollutants such as tobacco smoke, insecticides, pesticides used in food storage or radiation. Their presence in the body results in serious health conditions linked to oxidative stress like high blood pressure, stroke, Alzeihmer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease etc.
Curcumin in turmeric has been shown to have a strong antioxidant property thereby helping to protect the body and boosting immunity by helping the body mount defense against invading organisms including viruses.
TUMERIC AND YOUR BRAIN HEALTH:
Prevention they say is better than cure. This can be exemplified in the use of curcumin, the potent constituent of turmeric in reducing the risk and prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (most common form of dementia that has no cure) and improving cognitive performance.
Curcumin in turmeric has also be proven to improve the mood in depressed persons thereby showing relevance in management of depression. This is because it increases serotonin and dopamine in the brain (chemical substance that affects mood).
TUMERIC AND YOUR LIVER:
Tumeric assists the body in detoxification by improving liver function thereby reducing hepatic disorders (liver diseases). Caution should be applied here as it has equally been discovered to lower liver enzymes, which could result in failure of the organ.
EFFECT ON MEN’S SEXUAL HEALTH:
Some studies have shown that the compound curcumin in turmeric has the ability to increase testosterone level (a sex hormone essential to muscle development and sperm production). This in turn increases libido (desire for sex), satisfaction, strength and energy thereby making turmeric a potential natural libido booster for men. It has been equally suggested that turmeric may have some activities in the prevention of prostate cancer by stopping the growth of prostate cancer cells.
TUMERIC AND YOUR SKIN:
Tumeric can be used for cosmetic purposes to make your skin glow when applied topically and even when taken orally due to the antioxidant property. It is important to note that turmeric is rich in glutathione (an antioxidant) that reduces melanin level and promotes fairness. Tumeric has equally shown to be valuable in the treatment of eczema, acne, ulcers and psoriasis.
You can use turmeric topically as a mask on the face or even all over the body by mixing one tablespoon of gram flour (or corn starch), two tablespoonful of curd, half teaspoon of turmeric powder and half teaspoon of honey in a small glass bowl and mix properly before applying evenly on your skin (face mostly), after application allow for 15minutes before you wash off. This can be done three to four times a week before noticeable effects on your skin can be seen.
HAIR HEALTH:
Tumeric can help to prevent premature hair loss and dandruff. It also promotes shinny and silky hair. To achieve this, mix half teaspoon of turmeric powder and two tablespoonful of coconut oil, mix together properly in a glass bowl then massage into the root of your hair and allow for about 20minutes and wash off with normal water.
TUMERIC AND YOUR ORAL HEALTH:
Tumeric is good for maintaining teeth and gum health. It can take care of mouth odor. All that is needed here is a pinch of rock salt, a pinch of turmeric powder and one teaspoon of mustard seed oil. Deep your brush into the mixture and use to brush your teeth properly for about 2-3minutes; you can also massage your gums to make them strong. Allow to touch everywhere in your mouth. Do this three times a week and you will be surprised.
WOUND CARE:
A paste of turmeric and water when applied to a wound act as an antiseptic and may help to stop bleeding.
TUMERIC AND SORETHROAT:
Gargling with half teaspoon of turmeric and half teaspoon of rock salt in a glass of warm water morning and night can help take care of sore throat in 5-7days.
SUGGESTED WAYS OF USING TUMERIC TO GET MAXIMUM HEALTH BENEFITS:
You can use half teaspoon of turmeric powder with a pinch of ground black pepper in a glass of warm water. Drink on empty stomach and allow like 30minutes before you eat breakfast.
You can have it as turmeric milk. Add half teaspoon of turmeric powder and a pinch of black pepper in a warm glass of milk and take like 30minutes before going to sleep.
You can also take curcumin or turmeric supplements. These are available in Pharmacies. Tumeric can also be taken in combination with other herbs like ginger and garlic tea. This has some added advantage.
WHO SHOULD NOT USE TUMERIC?
Despite many health benefits of tumeric, it isn’t suitable for everyone and might worsen their health condition. These are people with:
- Gallbladder problems
- Bleeding disorders.
- Iron deficiency
- Pregnant women.
- Those who are being prepared for surgery
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- On drugs that reduce stomach acid (i.e. most ulcer drugs) as turmeric may interfere with the actions of these drugs.
In conclusion, caution should always be exercised and moderation applied when using turmeric in all forms and on no account should you replace your prescription drugs with tumeric without due consultation with the doctor. When applied topically, it should not be allowed to stay on the skin for more than 15-20minutes.