Don’t Try This At Home

Just like the image for this blog, I once tried applying turmeric powder made into a paste mixed with water in an attempt to get rid of my acne.

I’m sure this might work for some people such as for my friend, Vidya, from India, who had suggested that I try this natural remedy.

While her heart was in the right place, my pale face turned a yellowish orange color and stayed that way for 3 days!

From then on, I decided that I would only use this ancient and amazing spice, turmeric, for recipes.

I recently have found that turmeric can be utilized as a medicinal supplement to improve health.

Not Just For Flavor Anymore  

Turmeric spice or root and it’s active chemical compound, curcumin have gained much attention at health food stores and holistic/alternative health practitioners in the last few years.

“The use of turmeric dates back nearly 4000 years to the Vedic culture in India, where it was used as a culinary spice and had some religious significance. It probably reached China by 700 ad, East Africa by 800 ad, West Africa by 1200 ad, and Jamaica in the eighteenth century.” – National Center for Biotechnology Information

Turmeric has so many healing powers that it is used in Pakistan and Afghanistan to cleanse and heal wounds due to it’s anti-microbial properties.

I briefly mention turmeric in my blog: Ayurveda Part 2  as well as, Anti-Inflammatory Foods.

Because turmeric significantly reduces inflammation in the body, it has been proven in clinical case studies to reduce pain for those suffering from aches in their joints, arthritis, neuropathy, sciatica and even stomach pain.*

Curcumin, Cardiovascular Health & Cancer Cells

One study in particular caught my attention which prompted me to begin suggesting curcumin supplements to clients.  (Remember that curcumin is the active or medicinal component of turmeric.)

The Japanese study as published in the American Journal of Hypertension found that in post-menopausal women, the intake of curcumin significantly improved the health of the vascular endothelial cells which are the cells that line blood vessels.

We see through the above study and other similar studies that turmeric is beneficial for the overall health of the heart.

The endothelial function is also involved in growth and proliferation of tumor cells.  I predict that more studies will arise with results leaning in the direction that turmeric may also slow cancer cell growth.

Such research has already been done in the United Kingdom.

“A number of laboratory studies on cancer cells have shown that curcumin does have anticancer effects.  It seems to be able to kill cancer cells and prevent more from growing.” – CancerResearchUK.org

Let’s go through a list of other health benefits of turmeric.  (Please note that results may vary from person to person and always follow recommended dosage on supplement containers.)

Health Benefits of Turmeric

Anti-aging/Anti-oxidant

Improved skin

Mood support

Heart health

Memory/Cognitive support

Liver detoxification

Wound healer/protectant

Lipid peroxidation

Anti-parasitic (Dispels worms)

Anti-inflammatory

Joint pain relief

Anti-cancer

To Purchase

To purchase turmeric powder or curcumin supplements, check out your local health food or independently owned vitamin store.  Most likely they will carry a variety of products to choose from for your specific health needs.

Be well always!

Cynthia

P.S. If you’re in the Sarasota area, it’s a must to stop by Crop Juice for their cold-pressed juice including their Anti-Inflammatory shot which contains, you guessed it – Fresh turmeric!

*(Please be aware that a higher dose of turmeric may increase bile production and therefore, may have a cleansing effect on the body.  This might be uncomfortable for those with digestive issues.  Please always consult your physician before taking any of my nutritional advice – See Disclaimer on About page.)