remedy turmeric

[Guest guest]

rom: S

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 16:59:13 -0700 (PDT)

remedy turmeric

 

 

 

 

 

Turmeric

 

Turmeric, Curcuma longa, is my favorite herb, so much so that my

students nicknamed me " Turmeric Doctor. " Though curcumin was isolated

in 1842 as the active constituent of turmeric, this fascinating spice

has, until very recently, been much neglected by Western herbalists.

Turmeric is a tropical plant related to ginger; it grows in Asia and

the West Indies as well as Hawaii where it is known as olena. Turmeric

is probably best known as the ingredient that imparts to curry its

yellow color. As its color may suggest, turmeric is high in vitamin C.

It also contains a significant amount of potassium. Though many herbs

have an effect on carcinogenicity, turmeric is the only culinary spice

to be considered in this section on herbs (galangal was mentioned

mainly in reference to its external use in the escharotic pastes). As

a seasoning, turmeric is primarily bitter and only secondarily

astringent and pungent.

 

It is the root of turmeric that is used in both cooking and medicine.

The root is boiled, dried, and then powdered. Clinical studies

discussing the medicinal properties of turmeric are just beginning to

be published. Preliminary findings, based on studies with mice, showed

that turmeric reduced the number of tumors as well as their

mutagenicity (tendency of cells to divide). This should come as no

surprise to Eastern herbalists because turmeric is known to reduce

fertility, i.e., to limit proliferation. In a Chinese study, turmeric

was shown to be 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy in

female rats.

CANCER SALVES 180

 

Turmeric also has a potent effect on fats and oils. As a digestive

aid, turmeric stimulates the flow of bile and hence fat metabolism. It

also protects DNA against oxidative injury. Turmeric can be added to

oils to prevent rancidity. Laboratory studies indicate that turmeric

is a more powerful antioxidant than vitamins C and E. It is also a

free radical scavenger or inhibitor of free radical reactions.

Turmeric has been shown to protect the liver from damage, even damage

caused by alcohol, drugs, prescription medicines, and carcinogens.

 

Earlier in this book, it was noted that turmeric can be used to arrest

bleeding and reduce scar formation. Traditionally turmeric was used

both internally and externally to promote rapid healing and to reduce

scar formation. To understand its action, it may be easiest to think

of turmeric as preventing clumping, clotting, and coagulation so that

wherever there is a tendency for tissue to thicken or adhere to other

tissues, turmeric tends to break up this stickiness. When applied

externally, it is an effective topical anti-inflammatory agent. In

Hawaii , fresh turmeric root is used to treat fungal infections.

 

In animal studies, turmeric was toxic to cancer cells within thirty

minutes. Clinically, turmeric has been found effective in inhibiting

the growth of lymphomas, perhaps because of its emulsifying

properties. In addition, it gives symptomatic relief (from itching and

pain) when used externally on cancerous lesions. Turmeric has also

been shown to reduce the odor of cancer (in 90 percent of cases). Since

it is tasty and has no known harmful side effects, it can be used,

freely as a seasoning or medicine by anyone wanting to improve

digestion and perhaps also reduce the risk of cancer.

(Cancer Salves, Naiman, pgs 180, 181)