Turmeric - An Amazing Healer

[Guest guest]

http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Regular/mcintyre73.htm Turmeric –An Amazing Healer by Anne McIntyre Introduction Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is much more than the familiar spice that gives curry blends their yellow colour and imparts to them a slightly bitter or astringent taste. It is an amazing healing plant that has not only been valued for its therapeutic properties in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years but also has a significant role to play here in the West in the prevention and treatment of a wide range of modern day problems. It is an excellent natural antibiotic, and one of the best detoxifying herbs by virtue of its beneficial effect on the liver, a powerful antioxidant with health-promoting effects on the cardiovascular, skeletal and digestive systems. Through its beneficial effect on the ligaments, it is highly valued by those who practise Hatha Yoga. The medicinal part of turmeric comes from the fleshy underground rhizomes of a perennial plant from the same family as ginger with large lily-like leaves that can grow to about 3 feet high. The rhizomes are harvested in winter, boiled or steamed, and then dried. Most turmeric is available as a powder.Beneficial Properties Turmeric not only enhances the flavour of food but also aids digestion, particularly of protein, promotes absorption and regulates metabolism. It is an excellent spice to add to cooking if concerned about weight. Turmeric helps to regulate intestinal flora and is well worth taking during and after a course of antibiotics and by those suffering from Candida or thrush. It has a long history of use for eradicating worms. I have frequently prescribed turmeric for digestive problems such as indigestion, heartburn, wind, bloating, colic and diarrhoea. It has a soothing and bolstering effect on the mucosa of the gut and boosts stomach defences against excess acid, drugs and other irritating substances ingested and from the effects of stress, thereby reducing the risk of gastritis and ulcers. It is said to lower blood sugar in diabetics. Turmeric has beneficial effects in the liver, which include stimulating the flow of bile, protecting against damage from toxins1 and improving the metabolism of fats. By enhancing liver function, turmeric helps to cleanse the blood of toxins and impurities. It has been shown to lower harmful cholesterol levels, to inhibit blood clotting by blocking prostaglandin production2 and to help prevent as well as remedy atherosclerosis, thus playing a significant role in the prevention of heart and arterial disease. Turmeric contains constituents including curcumin, tumerone and zingiberone as well as high amounts of a carotene, equivalent to 50 IU of vitamin A per 100 grams.3 Probably the most important component is curcumin which gives turmeric its intense yellow colour. Curcumin is a powerful, yet safe anti-inflammatory agent, excellent for treating inflammatory problem such as arthritis, liver and gall bladder problems. It has been found to block the production of certain prostaglandins and to have effects on a par with cortisone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.4,5 I have observed that taking turmeric daily has an excellent anti-inflammatory effect, improving morning stiffness, joint swelling and pain with movement experienced by rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. Turmeric has powerful antioxidant properties, is reported to protect against the development of cancer, and has a long history of use in the treatment of various cancers; enhancing the production of cancer-fighting cells,6,7 protecting against environmental toxins, with an immune-enhancing effect and powerful antibacterial properties. In China it is used to treat the early stages of cervical cancer. An alcohol extract of turmeric applied externally in skin cancer has been shown to reduce itching, relieve pain and promote healing. In fact turmeric has been found to be highly effective at inhibiting recurring melanoma in people at high risk.8 Research has also demonstrated its protective effects against colon and breast cancer. Turmeric has long been popular as a remedy for treating respiratory infections such as colds, sore throats, coughs and fevers, skin problems such as acne and psoriasis, and kidney and bladder problems. It can successfully inhibit infection whether bacterial, viral or fungal.Dietary Inclusion and Applications Turmeric can be eaten regularly and liberally as a culinary spice. To treat infections and digestive problems the powder can be added to herbal teas, stirred into honey or hot water. The usual daily dose of turmeric is ¼-½ (one quarter to one half) a teaspoon of the powder two to three times daily between meals. Alternatively you can take two or three cupfuls of the tea between meals. To make the tea, place ½ (one half) a teaspoon of powder in a small pot, pour over a cup of boiling water, leave to infuse for five minutes, then strain. You can add ginger or cardamom to add more flavour. Curcumin can be taken in capsules as a supplement, at a dose of 250-500 mg three times daily. Combining curcumin with bromelain may enhance its absorption and activity. Powdered turmeric mixed with water or Aloe vera gel can be made into a paste and applied to insect bites, spots and pimples, inflamed and infected skin problems including scabies and fungal infestation, and infected wounds. I have found it very successful when treating acne, eczema and psoriasis although care has to be taken with the amount of turmeric used because it can colour the skin yellow. Mixed with honey or Aloe vera gel, it has been used traditionally to treat sprains, strains and bruises. A little powder stirred into warm water makes an excellent mouthwash to treat inflamed gums and relieve toothache.

[Guest guest]

---if I were only allowed to have 1 herb ,this would be the one

women should pay special interest, due to its ability to regulate

that time of month among others

karl

 

 

In , " Elaine " <mem121@a...> wrote:

>

http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Regular/mcintyre73.htm

 

>

> Turmeric -

> An Amazing Healer

> by Anne McIntyre

>

>

> Introduction

> Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is much more than the familiar spice

that gives curry blends their yellow colour and imparts to them a

slightly bitter or astringent taste. It is an amazing healing plant

that has not only been valued for its therapeutic properties in

Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years but also has a

significant role to play here in the West in the prevention and

treatment of a wide range of modern day problems. It is an excellent

natural antibiotic, and one of the best detoxifying herbs by virtue

of its beneficial effect on the liver, a powerful antioxidant with

health-promoting effects on the cardiovascular, skeletal and

digestive systems. Through its beneficial effect on the ligaments,

it is highly valued by those who practise Hatha Yoga.

> The medicinal part of turmeric comes from the fleshy

underground rhizomes of a perennial plant from the same family as

ginger with large lily-like leaves that can grow to about 3 feet

high. The rhizomes are harvested in winter, boiled or steamed, and

then dried. Most turmeric is available as a powder.

> Beneficial Properties

> Turmeric not only enhances the flavour of food but also aids

digestion, particularly of protein, promotes absorption and

regulates metabolism. It is an excellent spice to add to cooking if

concerned about weight. Turmeric helps to regulate intestinal flora

and is well worth taking during and after a course of antibiotics

and by those suffering from Candida or thrush. It has a long history

of use for eradicating worms. I have frequently prescribed turmeric

for digestive problems such as indigestion, heartburn, wind,

bloating, colic and diarrhoea. It has a soothing and bolstering

effect on the mucosa of the gut and boosts stomach defences against

excess acid, drugs and other irritating substances ingested and from

the effects of stress, thereby reducing the risk of gastritis and

ulcers. It is said to lower blood sugar in diabetics.

> Turmeric has beneficial effects in the liver, which include

stimulating the flow of bile, protecting against damage from toxins1

and improving the metabolism of fats. By enhancing liver function,

turmeric helps to cleanse the blood of toxins and impurities. It has

been shown to lower harmful cholesterol levels, to inhibit blood

clotting by blocking prostaglandin production2 and to help prevent

as well as remedy atherosclerosis, thus playing a significant role

in the prevention of heart and arterial disease.

> Turmeric contains constituents including curcumin, tumerone

and zingiberone as well as high amounts of a carotene, equivalent to

50 IU of vitamin A per 100 grams.3 Probably the most important

component is curcumin which gives turmeric its intense yellow

colour. Curcumin is a powerful, yet safe anti-inflammatory agent,

excellent for treating inflammatory problem such as arthritis, liver

and gall bladder problems. It has been found to block the production

of certain prostaglandins and to have effects on a par with

cortisone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs but without the

side effects.4,5 I have observed that taking turmeric daily has an

excellent anti-inflammatory effect, improving morning stiffness,

joint swelling and pain with movement experienced by rheumatoid

arthritis sufferers.

> Turmeric has powerful antioxidant properties, is reported to

protect against the development of cancer, and has a long history of

use in the treatment of various cancers; enhancing the production of

cancer-fighting cells,6,7 protecting against environmental toxins,

with an immune-enhancing effect and powerful antibacterial

properties. In China it is used to treat the early stages of

cervical cancer. An alcohol extract of turmeric applied externally

in skin cancer has been shown to reduce itching, relieve pain and

promote healing. In fact turmeric has been found to be highly

effective at inhibiting recurring melanoma in people at high risk.8

Research has also demonstrated its protective effects against colon

and breast cancer.

> Turmeric has long been popular as a remedy for treating

respiratory infections such as colds, sore throats, coughs and

fevers, skin problems such as acne and psoriasis, and kidney and

bladder problems. It can successfully inhibit infection whether

bacterial, viral or fungal.

> Dietary Inclusion and Applications

> Turmeric can be eaten regularly and liberally as a culinary

spice. To treat infections and digestive problems the powder can be

added to herbal teas, stirred into honey or hot water. The usual

daily dose of turmeric is ¼-½ (one quarter to one half) a teaspoon

of the powder two to three times daily between meals. Alternatively

you can take two or three cupfuls of the tea between meals. To make

the tea, place ½ (one half) a teaspoon of powder in a small pot,

pour over a cup of boiling water, leave to infuse for five minutes,

then strain. You can add ginger or cardamom to add more flavour.

Curcumin can be taken in capsules as a supplement, at a dose of 250-

500 mg three times daily. Combining curcumin with bromelain may

enhance its absorption and activity.

> Powdered turmeric mixed with water or Aloe vera gel can be

made into a paste and applied to insect bites, spots and pimples,

inflamed and infected skin problems including scabies and fungal

infestation, and infected wounds. I have found it very successful

when treating acne, eczema and psoriasis although care has to be

taken with the amount of turmeric used because it can colour the

skin yellow. Mixed with honey or Aloe vera gel, it has been used

traditionally to treat sprains, strains and bruises. A little powder

stirred into warm water makes an excellent mouthwash to treat

inflamed gums and relieve toothache.