Turmeric is the main spice used in curry around the world, and is now becoming known as the most powerful spice on the planet for fighting and reversing disease. What makes it so powerful is the healing compound, curcumin. Curcumin counters inflammation, supports liver detox, helps with oestrogen detox, supports the body as an antioxidant to combat free radicals, helps with high blood fat ratios, and boosts immunity. New recognition for this mighty spice are making the way into studies and reports regularly. It is now becoming well known for preventing and treating cancers. This puts turmeric on the top of the list as one of the most popular studied herbs, (yes a spice, but considered an herb)!
So, what does turmeric do and how does it compare to conventional medicine? Well, the more I read, the more information I discover on how curcumin is better to heal over many common medications with no side effects! I would like to discuss some of these here.
Hypertension, (high blood pressure) is a common condition I see in many of my clients and the list of blood thinning drugs is long, (aspirin, Diclofenac, Lovenox, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Warfarin, etc.) With these drugs some common side effects can include headaches, back pain, difficulty breathing and nausea. For those who are at risk for blood clots and experience arterial thrombosis, curcumin is an excellent option!
Another common condition I see is depression. Many manage their depression through anti-depressants and for some it works really well, (depending if it is mild or severe), but if medical journals have published research to conclude that turmeric is especially effective in correcting depression then wouldn’t you want to try it out? Studies have found that curcumin is as effective as Prozac in managing depression, proving that it can be used as a safe and effective therapy for treatment in patients with depression…what great news!
One of the most common reasons I suggest turmeric to my clients is for it’s anti-inflammatory benefits! Inflammatory conditions such as IBS, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, fibromyalgia and more can be treated with curcumin. Inflammation is what leads to disease, so if turmeric can keep inflammation at bay then it is key to disease reversal as well!
So, to recap, turmeric packs a mighty and powerful punch as an anti inflammatory helping with chronic pain. It’s effective in reversing disease and used frequently now in cancer treatment. It is used for lowering blood sugar and reversing insulin resistance in diabetes. Lastly, it is often used to help treat gastrointestinal issues such as IBS, Crohns and ulcerative colitis by healing the gut and supporting the growth of good bacteria.
There is no right or wrong way to take turmeric. You can use it on your food in your favourite dishes, supplement daily with a capsule, use fresh cut root or even fluid extract. It is suggested to take around 400 – 600 mg three times daily of powder. I”m still researching different brands, but I would suggest you find an organic form of this mighty herb and enjoy the benefits daily!
