TURMERIC ROOT
Botanical: Curcuma longa Family: Zingiberaceae (ginger) Other common names:Curcumin, Curcuma, Haridra, Circuma Rotunda, Gauri, Haldi, Indian Saffron, Indian Yellow Root
Turmeric is a staple of Indian cuisine and medicine. It should also be a staple in your herbal closet as an overall health tonic for supporting improved liver, gallbladder and digestive functions. Women in India are often praised for their beautiful skin, and they, in turn, praise Turmeric as the reason for it. Try it for the relief of aches and pains of sore joints, arthritis and rheumatism. More importantly, Turmeric is now the subject of many studies that show great promise in the treatment of malignant disease, including prostate, colon and breast cancers.
History:
Turmeric (also known as Curcumin) is an herbaceous perennial that is a native of India and southern and eastern Asia. It thrives in loose, alluvial well-drained soil in full sun, growing to a height of about three feet. The plant has a slightly acrid taste (somewhat like ginger) and is a warming herb that has been used as a spice by Indian cooks to flavor food for thousands of years (it is the main ingredient in Curry). Turmeric has been cultivated in China and Malaysia, and has also spread to Australia, Central and South America, the West Indies and Africa. The herb has been around for at least four thousand years in the folk medicinal literature of India, where it was called haridra in the ancient Sanskrit, the classical standard language of India many centuries ago, and the herb figured prominently in the earliest system of Indian medicine, dating back to about 3000 B. C. Turmeric is thought to be a symbol of prosperity and is revered as a prized charm in India, where small pieces are frequently suspended around the necks of newborn babies for protection. It was (and is) considered a very important herb in Ayurvedic medicine (in fact, the centerpiece) and was used for its aromatic, stimulant and carminative properties. Turmeric continues to be used in India to treat anorexia, liver disorders, cough, diabetic wounds, rheumatism and sinusitis. There are interesting developments on the horizon regarding the use of natural herbals in the fight against prostate cancer. Rutgers University scientists injected laboratory mice with Turmeric (also called Curcumin) and PEITC (phenethyl isothiocyanate), which is found naturally in cruciferous vegetables (Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, etc.) - after introducing human prostate cancer cells into the animals - either alone or in tandem. They reported that when Turmeric or PEITC was injected separately in new cancerous tumors, the growth of the tumors was retarded, but in well-established tumors, there was little effect. However, when the combination of Turmeric/Curcumin and PEITC was injected in combination, the results produced even stronger effects and significantly reduced tumor growth. The botanical genus, Curcuma, and its common names, Curcuma and Curcumin, are derived from the Arabic, kurkum, which means "saffron," referring to the herb's deep yellow/orange hue, and aside from its important service to herbal medicine and cuisine, Turmeric is also a rich yellow and orange dye and natural food coloring. It is an important pigment for dyeing silk and wool and provides the intense orange color for the robes of Buddhist monks. Some of the constituents in Turmeric include curcumin (its principal active ingredient), a volatile oil, gum, starch, calcium chloride, fiber, caffeic-, cinnamic-, p-coumaric- and other acids, limonene, calcium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, beta-carotene, B-vitamins and vitamin C.
Beneficial Uses:
Turmeric (sometimes called Curcumin) is considered vital therapy for the liver. In ancient Ayurvedic medicine, the herb was a key therapy for good liver health, and in traditional Chinese medicine, Turmeric is still used regularly to treat liver and gallbladder problems. Today's research claims that this warming herb protects liver cells, and its curcumin content is beneficial for treating liver disease and may reverse liver damage caused by very excessive iron consumption and alcohol. Turmeric is known to increase bile production and boost the production of enzymes that digest sugar and fat and, thereby, may inhibit cholesterol from crystallizing into gallstones.
Because Turmeric boosts the production of enzymes that digest sugar and fat, it is said to cut fat from the blood and may be helpful in weight loss regimens. Indian healers have used Turmeric for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine to control weight problems.
For good digestion, Turmeric has a long and venerable history as a warming herb that stimulates the digestive tract. Its mild aromatic properties have been used for thousands of years to stop stomach irritation when not overused. The exact mechanism is not entirely understood, but modern research confirms that the herb does protect gastric mucosa, helping to ease indigestion and other digestive problems. It is known to reduce intestinal gas formation and acts as a fine carminative, helping to expel intestinal gas. This warming herb is also thought to stimulate the appetite and is sometimes used to treat anorexia.
Turmeric is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory that has been very beneficial in the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis. Again, the curcumin content in Turmeric apparently deactivates immune cells that may cause inflammation, without harming other parts of the immune system that are essential in fighting infection. It is said to curtail inflammation of both osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis and reduces swelling in recent bruises, wounds and insect bites. Moreover, it is considered helpful for easing muscle pains and sports injuries, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and bursitis.
For supporting healthy heart function and better circulation, Turmeric is said to improve blood vessel health and stimulate the entire circulatory system. The curcumin content is considered a vasodilator that helps to relax blood vessels, which helps to regulate blood pressure, thereby possibly lessening a risk of heart attack. It is also thought to reduce tissue damage during an attack. Additionally, Turmeric appears to lower serum cholesterol in the blood and to diminish platelet aggregation (blood clumping), which also helps to combat arteriosclerosis.
As a warming stimulant, Turmeric enhances the respiratory system and is often used to relieve head colds, sinusitis and coughs, and ease chest congestion.
Turmeric has helped ease the discomforts of women's monthly menstruation and regulate its flow. It has also been called a uterine stimulant and has been thought to be helpful in treating uterine problems.
Turmeric is said to stimulate the immune system, and recent research claims that it appears to effectively fight free radicals. An active ingredient in Turmeric seems to be a potent anti-mutagenic and antioxidant that scavenges and combats damage-causing free radicals and epoxides. It seems to activate and enhance the activity of the gene p53, which may reduce the risk of serious colorectal and breast disease. Estrogen interacts with an anti-malignancy gene known as gene p53, which is a "molecular patrolman" that ensures that genetically defective cells do not multiply. In addition, the herb's cell-protective properties behave in the same way as the nutrient antioxidant vitamins C and E, which are also thought to inhibit free-radical reactions. Turmeric is said to work well in conjunction with, and aid recovery after, chemotherapy drug and radiation treatments. Recent studies completed at Johns Hopkins have indicated that compounds in Turmeric (Curcumin) may, in fact, help prevent colon cancer, and we have provided the direct link to bring you up to date on this recent science. (Click here to read the entire article)
As an overall cleansing herb, Turmeric is thought to accelerate the detoxification process in the whole body. It is an antiviral and fights viral infection. There is some indication that Turmeric may help to inhibit HIV infection from progressing to full-blown AIDS by acting as a protease inhibitor. It is considered an antibacterial and has been known to kill parasites, fight skin infection (acne) and improve the texture and smoothness of the skin. The herb is also said to possess antifungal properties, inhibiting yeast overgrowth. Finally, the herb appears to be an effective tonic that normalizes energy flow, enhances the immune system and improves overall good health.
**Provided itself beneficial in research that involved people, endorsed by Germany’s Commission E for Therapeutic use, Gallbladder Problems, Hepatitis, Indigestion, Infections, Lack of Appetite, Scabies.
*Provided itself beneficial in research that did not involve people, the study could have been done in a test tube, petri dish or animals for Therapeutic use, Alzheimer’s Disease, Arthritis, Asthma, Athlete’s Foot, Boils, Bunions, Bursitis, Cancer (especially Breast and Colon). Cataracts, Colic, Dermatitis, Diarrhea, Eczema, Fibrosis, Gallstones, Gas, Hardening of the Arteries, Heart Disease, High Cholesterol, High Triglycerides, Inflammation, Intestinal Pain, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Jaundice, Lack of Menstruation, Lymph Gland Problems, Menstrual Pain, Morning Sickness, Pain, Psoriasis, Sprains, Ulcers, Wounds, Yeast Infection.
Contraindications:
Not recommended for use if pregnant, bile duct obstruction, painful gallstones. Turmeric is said to work best when taken on an empty stomach.
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Disclaimer: The information presented herein by Organic Herbs Medicine Cabinet is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.