HEALING BENEFITS OF TURMERIC

This Indian Spice Shows Promise as an Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant and Antibacterial.

Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:

1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.
7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

Turmeric belongs to the family of plants that includes ginger. It comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, which may grow to heights of 5 to 6 feet. Turmeric is an attractive plant that has a tough brown skin and a deep orange flesh, with a large yellow and white flower spike surrounded by long leaves. While the majority of turmeric is cultivated in India, it is also grown and harvested in other regions of the world.

Turmeric has been used throughout history as a condiment, healing remedy and textile dye. While it is occasionally shredded and used fresh, turmeric is generally dried and powdered for use. It is oftentimes referred to as "Indian saffron" because of its deep yellow-orange color.

Turmeric is one of the key ingredients in many Indian curries. Curcumin is the part of turmeric that gives curry food its golden color. Curcumin provides turmeric with curcuminoids, which are believed to have antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities.

Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.