What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is one of the strongest herbs on the planet and the most powerful superfood. It has incredible healing properties that range from fighting cancer, reversing diseases, healing depression, and soothing inflammation throughout your body. Before we go farther into what this incredible herb can do, I want to share with you where it comes from. Adding this herb to your lifestyle will positively affect your body and mind in more ways than I will share in this post. There are currently over 10,000 articles published proving the benefits. This puts it as the #1 referred to medicinal herb in science.
Turmeric comes from the Curcuma longa plant, which grows in Southeast Asia. The root of this plant is ground into the beautiful yellow powder we recognize. There are several chemical compounds found in turmeric, but the most powerful and important one is curcumin.
There are many ways you can take this herb. The powder can be added to foods, soups, smoothies, and drinks. The oil is also a powerful health agent, and it can be mixed into salves and creams.
Health Benefits
1. Antidepressants
Research has proven that this can correct depression symptoms. A study was done in 2016 that studied 60 volunteers who were diagnosed with maniac depression and bipolar disorder. They found that it was just as effective as Prozac, but without any side effects. It is a safer and healthier way to manage depression.
2. Anti-Inflammatory
The is one of the most powerful uses of curcumin. Cancer, ulcers, arthritis, and high cholesterol are a result of inflammation. The journal Oncogene published the results of a study that proved turmeric was more powerful than ibuprofen and aspirin. The key with beating diseases with this herb is in it’s ability to reverse diseases and keeping inflammation low.
3 Healthier Skin
Turmeric is packed with antioxidant properties that can do incredible things for your skin. It can speed up the healing process, calming acne, healing acne scarring, controlling psoriasis. When using this on your skin, some people have had allergic reactions or have stains on their skin, so be sure to do a test on a small part of your skin before applying too much. Wait at least 24 hours before applying more.
4 Soothing Arthritis
Curcumin is known for its pain reducing qualities and anti-inflammatory agents. With those suffering from arthritis can use curcumin topically, as a supplement or added to their food. A study was done on 45 people who suffer from arthritis and the results were amazing. The test proved curcumin was more effective than the common drugs, such as Diclofenac sodium, that many patients are prescribed.
5 Weight Loss
We know that the liver is very important for weight loss, and what this golden spice does is it detoxifies the liver while accelerating your metabolism so that you burn more calories and your liver can process and function the way it was designed. It also aids in lowering bad cholesterol levels, and inflammation throughout the body.
6 Improves Heart Health
Heart issues have become way too common, but turmeric is an incredible herb to protect your heart because of its anti-inflammatory action and anti-platelet activity. It also can protect against heart attacks. Curcumin is found to respond to the cells that are responsible for cardiac repair and cardiac function after a heart attack. So it aids in healing the heart quicker and stronger. It also helps reduce the risk of plague build up in the blood vessels due to elevated fats and cholesterol. This is called Atherosclerosis.
7 Hormonal Imbalance
Estrogen affects the central nervous system, and the lowering and increasing of a woman’s hormones can lead to many discomforts. Curcumin has the ability to balance out the estrogen levels whether they are too high or too low.
8 Fighting Cancer
Researchers have been studying curcumin as a beneficial herb in treating cancer. Studies have shown that it can decrease the growth of cancer cells and inhibit the growth of tumors. There is also evidence that has been found that helps cancer from growing in the first place. Sounds like a great herb to add to your lifestyle doesn’t it?
While there are many turmeric supplements on the market you have to make sure (like all supplements) that it is a high quality product. Some of the turmeric supplements use all types of fillers or low quality forms of curcumin, which have minimal to no effects. As a matter if fact, these may do more harm than good on your body. If you want a high quality turmeric supplement, I use Daily Defense in my personal health regime.
The beauty of this herb is that it is pure, natural and has little to no side effects. But remember, everything should be taken in moderation and it is good to always speak to your doctor before adding something to your lifestyle. God created turmeric to bring health and healing to your body. Adding this herb to your life will bring wholeness from the inside out.
For more information, resources, and supplements click here.