Turmeric and its health benefits from nature
Turmeric has health benefits, most notably the anti-inflammatory property, it may also reduce the risk of blood clots and prevents the formation of plaque in the blood vessels, this helps in the battle against stroke and other clot-related diseases.
Turmeric is a plant from ginger family which is native to southwest India. Traditionally turmeric is used in Indian cuisines. It also plays a key role in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine due to its medicinal properties for more than 3000 years.
It is also called by the name Curcuma longa. Pepper-like aroma, sharp taste and golden color are the unique characteristics of turmeric. People all over the world use this herb for cooking as well as medicinal purposes.
Did You Know ? Turmeric needs temperatures between 20 and 30 °C (68 and 86 °F) and a considerable amount of annual rainfall to thrive
Curcumin is an active ingredient in turmeric, which is known to have a wide range of therapeutic effects. This widely researched component of turmeric has high medicinal qualities and is used in various drugs and pharmaceutics mainly because of its immunity boosting and anti-oxidant properties.
Turmeric contains lipopolysaccharide, which helps to stimulate the body’s immune system. The antibacterial, anti fungal and antiviral agents in turmeric help to strengthen the immune system. A strong immune system plays a key role in reducing the chance of suffering from diseases like colds, flu and coughs. If you are suffering from cold, cough or flu, you can feel better, by taking a glass of warm milk mixed with one teaspoon of turmeric powder. Drinking it once daily may provide relief from these diseases.
It has natural Anti-inflammatory Properties
Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, responsible for the potent anti- inflammatory properties. Inflammation is a normal process that occurs when your body is exposed to foreign bacteria or viruses and it sends over white blood cells and antibodies to counter these. Inflammation is important, as it helps the body fight foreign invaders and also has a role in repairing damage. Without inflammation, it would be easy for pathogens like bacteria, virus etc to take over our body, causing irreparable damages.
However, excessive inflammation in the body can cause pain, swelling, redness and heat. It is also responsible for Asthma, cell mutation, allergies, heart diseases, auto-immune concerns, cognitive decline and numerous other conditions. Curcumin plays an important role in curbing these conditions.
Can protect us from certain Liver Diseases
Liver is the largest and one of the most important organs in our body. It helps to convert food to energy, cleans toxin from the body, produces bile – a liquid that aids in digestive. Chronic alcohol consumption, oxidative stress, medications and drugs, cancer, viruses such as hepatitis can compromise your liver function. However, turmeric can have a positive effect on liver function.
Some studies reveal that turmeric may improve liver function by increasing its detoxification ability. Further it may protect the liver from oxidative stress by improving glutathione production
Provides relief for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Arthritis is a common disorder characterized by joint inflammation. Since curcumin present in turmeric is an antioxident, its able to neutralize free radicals and chemicals that can travel through the body and cause great amounts of damage to cells and cell membranes. This gives relief against arthritis, where free radicals are responsible for the painful joint inflammation and eventual damage to the joints. The combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric helps patients with joint diseases. Arthritis patients may find relief when they use the spice regularly.
Did You Know ? Turmeric is known as golden spice of India which were were cultivated by Harappan civilization earlier in the 3000 B.C.
Turmeric may help to prevent Cancer
Studies have shown that the frequent use of turmeric may lower the rates of lung, colon, prostate and breast cancer. The presence of curcumin is responsible for this property. It affects the growth and development of cancer cells at the molecular level.
According to studies curcumin may reduce angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels in tumor), spread of cancer and contributes to the death of cancer cells. It may also destroy mutated cancer cells, so that they cannot be spread through the body and cause more harm.