Turmeric or Curcuma longa is part of the ginger family and has gained popularity over the years for its medicinal properties.
Turmeric is a flowering plant primarily used as curry powder and as a coloring agent. However, studies are being conducted and papers are being published on the medicinal utilities of turmeric.
Turmeric is a plant that grows up to a height of 5ft. in Southern Asia and has trumpet shaped-yellow flowers.
Turmeric has a sharp, pungent taste. The parts which are used for medicinal properties and food preparations are the underground roots and rhizomes. To get the typical yellow powder, the roots are boiled and then dried.
Turmeric has strong antioxidant properties which are rich in vitamins C and E.
Over the years turmeric has been used in both Indian traditional medicine of ayurveda and in Chinese medications as well for treating digestive disorders and liver problems.
Turmeric is also used for treating skin diseases and rashes and healing of wounds. The ingredient that has been the focus of study in turmeric is curcumin. It has been however experimented more on animals than on humans. Curcumin stimulates the production of bile and helps in the emptying of the gallbladder.
Turmeric also protects the liver and has anti-tumor properties. It helps in fighting against infections and reduces inflammation.
Though most of the research about the effectiveness of turmeric has been conducted on animals, there are still evidences enough to prove that it has been helpful on humans as well.
Turmeric is often prescribed for digestive disorders as it encourages bile flow and helps in the breaking of the fat. Extracts from
turmeric roots have minimized secretion of acid from the stomach and provides protection against ulcers, gastritis and other digestive disorders.
Turmeric when applied on wounds helped it to heal fast. Turmeric oil acts as antibiotic preventing wounds from bacterial infections. A research conducted on humans has shown that
turmeric along with zinc has helped in osteoarthritis. However, it is difficult to state precisely whether it has been the success of
Turmeric alone or presence of other herbs as well. Studies on animals also suggest that turmeric contains anti cancer properties and also helps in curing various forms of cancer like breast, skin and colon. Turmeric also protects the liver from a number of dangerous substances like carbon tetrachloride and acetaminophen. However, most of these studies have been conducted on animals. You can take turmeric in the form of fluid extract, tincture and powder.
