Turmeric

turmeric

The turmeric plant has been known for thousands of years as a spice plant with many medicinal properties and as a natural (yellow) pigment. He is from the ginger family and is a relative of Ginger and Cardamom. It originated in East Asia and is now common in countries around the world.

In Indian medicine (Ayurveda) it is known to be used for indigestion and strong general cleansing while in Chinese medicine it is known as a plant that strengthens and moves the blood. In Western medicine it is recognized as having the ability to treat a wide range of problems and is suitable for prolonged use.

The part used for medicinal purposes is the rhizome similar to ginger and the plant stems can reach a height of up to 3 meters. Turmeric contains an anti-inflammatory substance called curcumin.

The spice is extracted from the root and is rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant. It lowers blood lipid / cholesterol levels, encourages tissue regeneration and improves peripheral blood flow.

Turmeric contains high number of calories (350 per 100 g), carbohydrates, fats and some protein. In addition, it contains important vitamins and minerals such as calcium, sodium, iron, vitamin C, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, vitamin B, E and K folic acid and a variety of omega 3,6 and 9 acids.

It can be consumed in a wide variety of forms, fresh, dried, powdered, oiled or extracted.

Medicinal properties:

  1. Anti-inflammatory
    The curcumin found in turmeric helps inhibit inflammatory processes in the body by inhibiting the synthesis of inflammatory mediators and inflammatory enzymes. It helps a lot in reducing pain in rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory conditions in the body without side effects. It is found to be particularly effective in conditions of gastritis, Alzheimer’s (resulting from the development of an inflammatory source), eye infections, intestinal infections and multiple sclerosis.
  2. Antioxidant
    Curcumin also has very strong antioxidant abilities. It protects the body from free radicals thus preventing disease and protects against cancer cells. It is several times stronger than powerful antioxidants like vitamin C and E and effective against strong radicals like hydroxide and proxil.
  3. Detoxification
    Curcumin has the ability to neutralize toxins from the liver and encourages the production and balance of liver enzymes that reduce the amount of toxins in the body. It is especially effective in conditions of fatty liver and hepatitis.
  4. Encourages cell regeneration
    By being an antioxidant, curcumin encourages tissue regeneration and helps slow down the aging process, gives the facial skin a radiant and fresh look, helps treat skin lesions and infections and reduces scars.
  5. The heart and blood system
    Curcumin reduces platelet aggregation and thus reduces the risk of blood clots, the development of atherosclerosis and general heart disease. It helps lower cholesterol (LDL) and lowers fat levels in the blood.
  6. Improves memory
    Studies have shown that consumption encourages the improvement of memory, thinking abilities and reason.
  7. Reduces pain
    The anti-inflammatory abilities help in reducing the intensity of the pain. It helps especially in cases of pain resulting from arthritis.
  8. Effective against depression
    Studies have shown that curcumin is the same as fluoxetine (Prozac) and helps reduce depressive symptoms, increasing serotonin and dopamine levels, which are responsible for mood regulation and other body functions.

Turmeric is a plant with a wide range of medicinal properties and is also a spice that adds a wonderful flavor and yellow color. It is beneficial both for external use on the skin and for internal use. Curcumin is a mostly fat molecule and therefore needs a carrier to help to transport and absorb it in the body. It is recommended to combine consumption with natural oils such as avocados, nuts and almonds, seeds and in addition black pepper which is known to increase the absorption of curcumin in the body by up to 2000%. So, add turmeric to your daily menu, in cooking, as an extract or ointment on the skin.

 

To read more about herbs and their medicinal properties click here.

Turmeric Blossom

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