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Reader's Questions: Turmeric is good for what health problem?
Sep 25, 2008
In my inbox this morning was a question from Norway asking: "turmeric is good for what health problem?"
Turmeric is good for so many things it's hard to know where to begin, Ayurvedic expert Dr David Frawley is quoted as saying that if he could only take one herb to a desert island, he would choose turmeric.
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is the dried and ground root of a plant called curcumin longa. If you have ever seen the ingredient "curcumin" listed on food packaging - that's turmeric, or at least it's what researchers have determined to be it's active ingredient. The Turmeric plant is a member of the ginger family. It is cultivated for it's underground rhizomes which are very similar looking to ginger root, except that they are bright yellow inside.Turmeric is used as the yellow colouring in many Asian foods and is available in it's powdered form in the spice aisle of most supermarkets.
Turmeric and Health Problems
Turmeric has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries as a potent anti-inflammatory, and also for stimulating circulation, reducing blood clots, healing severe bruising and detoxifying the liver.
Ayurveda calls Turmeric "the internal healer" and reveres it as a powerful natural antibiotic and as an excellent blood purifier. Some Ayurvedic physicians have such faith in Ayurveda that they would recommend turmeric as the first response to any bacterial infection.
Turmeric is also rich in iron and antioxidants and is currently undergoing extensive research for it's reputation in preventing and fighting cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Taken internally as a tea, or in hot milk, turmeric can reduce pain and inflammation (which makes it helpful in treating arthritis), bladder infections and throat infections and used externally it can heal boils and reduce swelling.
How to Use Turmeric and Honey to Soothe Sore Throats
Written by Ananga Sivyer. Join me on Facebook or Twitter
Photo "Turmeric Man" by bengal*foam
Other articles you might find interesting:
Ayurveda on Home Remedies for Tinnitus Relief
How to Use Turmeric for Natural Relief for Cystitis and Bladder Infections
Turmeric Gargle - Quick and Easy Remedy for Sore Throats
Turmeric Natural Remedy for Relief from Swollen Uvula
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Reader Comments (1)
Turmeric “the golden spice of life” is one of most essential spice used as an important ingredient in culinary all over the world. Besides flavoring food, to purify the blood and skin conditions remedy is probably the most common use of Turmeric in Ayurveda is
1.The main organs that turmeric treats are the skin, heart, liver and lungs. Turmeric Plant
2.Turmeric is used for epilepsy and bleeding disorders, skin diseases, to purify the body-mind, and to help the lungs expel Kapha. Turmeric usage dates back from 3000 B.C. in India. From a significant part in daily cuisine to treating diseases like cancer, turmeric is beneficial to mankind. It is impossible to think of Indian food without turmeric.