Indian Spice Turmeric

Indian Spice Turmeric Health Benefits.

Indian spice Turmeric has been used for years to treat a variety of conditions. Studies show that turmeric may help fight infections and cancers, reduce inflammation, and treat digestive problems, and it has gotten a lot of press lately.

Turmeric is widely used in cooking and gives Indian curry flavor. Turmeric has been used in both Ayurveda and Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory, to treat digestive and liver problems, skin diseases, and wounds.

Cur-cumin is also a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants scavenge molecules in the body known as free radicals, which damage cell membranes, tamper with DNA, and even cause cell death. Antioxidants can fight free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause.

In addition, cur-cumin lowers the levels of two enzymes in the body that cause inflammation. It also stops platelets from clumping together to form blood clots.

Turmeric may be helpful for the following conditions:

Indigestion or Dyspepsia

Cur-cumin stimulates the gallbladder to produce bile, which some people think may help improve digestion. The German Commission E, which determines which herbs can be safely prescribed in Germany, has approved turmeric for digestive problems. And one double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that turmeric reduced symptoms of bloating and gas, indigestion.

Ulcer colitis

Turmeric may help people with ulcer colitis stay in remission. Ulcer colitis is a chronic disease of the digestive tract where symptoms tend to come and go. In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study, people whose ulcer colitis was in remission took either cur-cumin or placebo, along with conventional medical treatment.

Stomach Ulcers

Turmeric does not seem to help treat stomach ulcers. In fact, there is some evidence that it may increase stomach acid, making existing ulcers worse.

Osteoarthritis

Because of its ability to reduce inflammation, researchers have wondered if turmeric may help relieve osteoarthritis pain. One study found that people using an Ayurveda formula of herbs and minerals with turmeric, winter cherry, boswellia, and zinc had less pain and disability. But it’s impossible to know whether it was turmeric or one of the other supplements — or all of them together — that was responsible.

Heart Disease

Studies suggested that turmeric may help prevent atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque that can block arteries and lead to heart attack or stroke. In animal studies, an extract of turmeric lowered cholesterol levels and kept LDL “bad” cholesterol from building up in blood vessels. Because it stops platelets from clumping together, turmeric may also prevent blood clots from building up along the walls of arteries.

Cancer

Turmeric’s anti-cancer properties, Evidence from test tube and animal studies suggests that cur-cumin may help prevent or treat several types of cancers, including prostate, breast, skin, and colon cancer. Its preventive effects may be because it is a strong antioxidant, protecting cells from damage. More research is needed. Cancer should be treated with conventional medications. Don’t use alternative therapies alone to treat cancer. If you choose to use complementary therapies along with your cancer treatment, make sure you tell all your doctors.

Bacterial and Viral Infections

Test tube and animal studies suggest turmeric may kill bacteria and viruses. But researchers don’t know whether it would work in people.

Uveitis

A preliminary study suggests cur-cumin may help treat uveitis, an inflammation of the eye’s iris. In one study of 32 people with chronic anterior uveitis, cur-cumin was effective as corticosteroids.

Source: Turmeric | University of Maryland Medical Center

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/turmeric