9
Curcuma
Turmeric, or Curcuma longa, is a perennial herb in the Zingiberaceae (or ginger) family. Curcuma is native to South India and grows well in hot and humid climates. It is the rhizomes, or root system, of the plant that is most often used.
Turmeric reaches a height of around 3 feet. Its roots are yellowish-orange in color, and have been used in Asia for thousands of years as both food and medicine. Turmeric is often used in curries in Asian cuisine. And it’s added to mustard, which is why mustard is yellow.
Where turmeric is grown locally, the roots are often used fresh like ginger root. The leaves are also sometimes used to wrap and cook food in. Besides Asia, turmeric is popular in the Middle East, and South Africa, where it is often added to white rice giving it a nice golden color.
The main active ingredient in turmeric, and that which is responsible for its bright yellow color, is called curcumin. Curcumin, along with several other active compounds, is responsible for turmeric’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.
Curcuma Benefits
There have been thousands of studies done on the effects of Turmeric, specifically the Curcuma longa variety. However, many of its benefits stem from one powerful ability. And that is its ability to reduce inflammation.
Chronic inflammation exists when the body initiates an immune response even when there’s no threat, which causes an excess of inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been linked to many diseases, including the 80 or so autoimmune diseases, heart disease, and cancer.
One problem with chronic inflammation is that it can exist in the body for years undetected. Until suddenly your body is in a serious state of disease. And if you think anti-inflammatory drugs solve the problem, they don’t. They merely mask it. And they cause other problems (side effects, they call them) requiring more prescription drugs.
One 2014 study on the effect of curcuminoids in turmeric on systemic inflammation found significant improvements across the board.[46] Eighty subjects were given self-assessments on their quality of life, as well as several tests which examined inflammation levels in the body. The result was a “significantly greater improvement in quality of life scores compared with the placebo group.” As well as significant improvements on test scores measuring inflammation.
The curcumin and essential oils in turmeric have demonstrated some pretty powerful anti-inflammatory protection. And without the risk of side effects. Check out this video, as Dr. Weil will tell you about two powerful anti-inflammatories. One is turmeric and the other is … guess you have to watch the video.
Turmeric benefits also include …
- Improved lung health
- Alzheimer’s protection
- Improved liver function
- Cardiovascular protection
- Cancer prevention
- Rheumatoid arthritis relief
- Treatment for inflammatory bowel disease
- Cystic fibrosis treatment
- Treatment and prevention of auto