What is Turmeric?
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a perennial plant of the ginger family. It is largely used as a spice in Indian curries, as well as, is used to impart color in American mustard yellow. It has an anti-inflammatory action and is used against chronic, debilitating diseases, as well as, a disease-preventive agent.
James A. Duke, Phd., published a review of turmeric in the October, 2007 issue of Alternative & Complementary Therapies, and this was summarized in the July, 2008, issue of the American Botanical Council publication HerbClip. Duke concluded that turmeric appears to outperform many pharmaceuticals in its effects against several, and does so with virtually no adverse side effects.
Why Use Turmeric?
Turmeric possibly affects kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, irritable bowel disease, cancer and diabetes. In Duke’s research, some examples of the impact on diseases included:
• Cancer: Curcumin and/or turmeric were effective in animal models in prevention and/or treatment of colon cancer, mammary cancer, prostate cancer, murine hepatocarcinogenesis (liver cancer in rats), esophageal cancer, and oral cancer
• Alzheimer’s disease: The reports indicate that extracts of turmeric contain a number of natural agents that block the formation of beta-amyloid, the substance responsible for the plaques that slowly obstruct cerebral function in Alzheimer’s disease.
• Arthritis: Turmeric contains more than two dozen anti-inflammatory compounds, including six different COX-2-inhibitors (the COX-2 enzyme promotes pain, swelling and inflammation; inhibitors selectively block that enzyme).
In Your Diet
• Turmeric Tea – A lovely blend, particularly with ginger
• Turmeric extracts in tablet and capsule form available in health food stores; look for supercritical extracts in dosages of 400 to 600 mg, and take three times daily or as directed on the product.
• Cook or consume more curried dishes
• Add to your eggs, rice or toss it with your roasted vegetables
• Blend into your smoothie
Go Green this Spring