The Health Benefits of Turmeric.
The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Turmeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye. The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease.
TURMERIC LEMONADE (SERVES 4)
Ingredients:
4 cups of filtered or sparkling water
2 tablespoons of freshly created or powered turmeric
4 tablespoons of 100% maple syrup or honey
Juice of 1 ½ lemon or lime
Juice of 1 blood orange (optional)
Mix all ingredients into a glass jug, stir well, serve with a slice of lemon or lime!
Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:
- It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
- When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
- Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
- May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
- Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
- Is a natural liver detoxifier.
- May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
- May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
- It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
- Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
- Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
- May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
- Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
- Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
- Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
- Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
- Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
- Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
- May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
How to add Turmeric to your daily meals.
This winter when you are wanting a warm drink, lean towards a Power drink is Instant Miso Soup with ½ teaspoon of Turmeric and cayenne pepper.
Turmeric you can add to your casseroles before you serve them.
Make a homemade mayonnaise with avocado, greek yoghurt and turmeric.
Potato mash and potato salad give it a lift and add turmeric.
Turmeric in rice salads and salad dressing.
Be creative and use turmeric every day in your meal plans.
Written By
Debbie Majella Nolan