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Turmeric
Curcuma longa
Family:
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has long been a staple of Indian cuisine. Without it, Indian curries would lack their distinctive flavour and characteristic yellow colour.
Turmeric has also been a staple of Ayurvedic (Traditional Indian) and Chinese systems of medicine.
The active constituent in Turmeric is curcumin which has been shown to have a wide range of antioxidant and therapeutic actions. |
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| Tumeric - natures anti-oxidant |
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What does this powerful antioxidant do?
Oxidation can be compared to rust on an automobile, while an antioxidant is the paint that protects the vehicle from rust damage. In the body, oxidation causes free radicals to form and free radicals damage cells and form toxic cells which can lead to disease. Many researchers attribute much of the ageing process to the incessant damage caused by free radicals and the subsequent decline in the body's ability to effectively regenerate damaged cells. Antioxidant nutrients protect cells from free radical damage.
The most publicised antioxidants are vitamins C and E, beta carotene and zinc. However, new research is uncovering herbal antioxidants that have the same, if not more, power. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is one of those powerful, antioxidant herbs and has been found to be over five times more potent than Vitamin E at quenching a wide range of free radicals.
| Tumeric tubers a favourite ingredient in Thai cuisine |
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Anti inflammatory for pain and arthritis
It also reduces inflammation by lowering histamine levels and possibly by increasing production of natural cortisone by the adrenal glands. In human studies Turmeric has been found to equal and in many cases exceed, the benefits associated with both cortisone and phenylbutazone treatment. Additionally, clinical trials of persons suffering from rheumatoid arthritis showed a signific improvement after six weeks at a dosage of 1200mg per day. It may also benefit people with osteoarthritis.
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Turmeric has been shown to reduce pain in post herpetic neuralgia and arthritis, as it blocks the formation of Substance P, a neurotransmitter of pain.
Tumeric is over five times more potent than Vitamin E
Cardiovascular help
Other studies have focused on Turmeric's benefits to the cardiovascular system, it has been shown to reduce blood platelets clumping together, which in turn improves circulation and helps prevent atherosclerosis. Turmeric appears to lower cholesterol. It may also help defend against blood clots that trigger heart attacks and some strokes.
Digestion and fat absorption
Researchers showed Turmeric protects the liver from a number of toxic compounds and enhances gall bladder function. They concluded that one of Turmeric's medicinal effects is to induce contraction of the gall bladder, helping it to expel beneficial bile into the duodenum (small intestine), activating certain enzymes, aiding metabolism of fats and the absorption of fat soluble vitamins A, D and K. Studies have also found Turmeric to be helpful for people with indigestion.
Boost for the immune system
Preliminary studies indicate Turmeric could be useful to AIDS patients. Specifically, it may reduce the HIV viral load. In fact, curcumin appears to be active against acutely and chronically HIV infected cells.
According to researchers at Leicester University Turmeric may stop cancer tumours forming. Curcumin the active ingredient is thought to interfere with certain enzymes that help trigger uncontrolled cell division. |
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Tumeric flowers
powerful immune system booster |
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