I love Indian food. The different spices from India have proven to have healing benefits for our wellness. One of the spices, turmeric has proven to outperform many pharmaceutical medicines in its effects against chronic, debilitating diseases. The study was done by James A Duke Phd in the October 2007 issue of Alternative and Complementary Therapies.
What is turmeric you might ask? Since we know that most Indian food is curry, turmeric, curcumin, coriander is added to give the food its exotic taste and flavor. Turmeric, curcumin is the main ingredient in curry and it makes a mustard yellow color. It has been the most promising disease preventative due to its anti-inflammatory action. Doctors have been known to call it the miracle spice.
Some of the health benefits of turmeric includes:
Relief of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Turmeric’s combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. When used daily, many people with joint disease find relief by using the spice. It helps to shorten duration of morning stiffness, helps in lengthening walking time, and reduces joint swelling.
Cancer Prevention. The anti-oxidant actions enable it to protect the colon cells from free radicals that can damage cellular DNA. Turmeric helps the body to destroy mutated cancer cells, so they cannot spread throughout the body to cause harm. It also inhibits cancer cell growth by the regular use of turmeric. It lowers the rates of prostate, lung and colon cancer. When you combine onion, quercitin, an anti-oxidant in onions, there is a reduction in the size and number of precancerous lesions in human intestinal tract, and it helps to prevent colon cancer.
Scientist have found when turmeric and cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower are used together, it is an effective therapy, not only to help prevent prostate cancer, but it inhibits the spread of the cancer. Turmeric also helps to lower your cholesterol. Research suggests the protection against Alzheimer’s disease, and it also helps in weight loss.
You can add turmeric to many recipes, for example making an egg salad, add turmeric to give it that special taste. Also add it to your vegetables and rice dishes to name a few. Turmeric is an excellent source of iron and manganese. It also contains B6, dietary fiber and potassium. Your turmeric should be kept in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry and dark place. Fresh turmeric rhizone should be kept in the refrigerator. Try to use organically grown turmeric.
Some form of side effects can be had when you take a high dosage of turmeric. They include indigestion, heart burn, nausea, diarrhea. It can also affect medications you are taking, so you should consult your doctor before you start any alternative regiment. The recent popularity of turmeric is owed to the many research and findings of the therapeutic and healing properties of this amazing spice called turmeric.