Turmeric (Curcuma longa L), the ancient and sacred spice of India known as 'Indian saffron' is an important commercial spice crop grown in India. It is used in diversified forms as a condiment, flavouring and colouring agent and as a principal ingredient in Indian culinary as curry powder.
Curcumin is a component of the Indian spice turmeric (Curcumin longa), a type of ginger. Curcumin is one of three curcuminoids present in turmeric, the other two being desmethoxycurcumin and bis-desmethoxycurcumin. These curcuminoids give turmeric its yellow color and curcumin is used as a yellow food colorant and food additive.
The use of turmeric dates back nearly 4000 years to the Vedic culture in India, where it was used as a culinary spice and had some religious significance.
Uses of Turmeric
It contains a yellow-colored chemical called curcumin, which is often used to color foods and cosmetics. Turmeric is commonly used for conditions involving pain and inflammation, such as osteoarthritis. It is also used for hay fever, depression, high cholesterol, a type of liver disease, and itching.
1) Helps Arthritis & Joint Pain
One of the most common uses for turmeric extract is combating the discomfort from joint pain and arthritis. Severe arthritic symptoms include limited range of motion, joint stiffness, excessive swelling, and lack of mobility.
2) Helps to Reduces Chronic Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s immune system responding to irritants or threats. Inflamed areas often swell up, turn red, or become painful. Turmeric’s antioxidant activity also helps reduce oxidative stress, a process linked to low-grade inflammation.
3) Weight Loss
Obesity can lead to several different health issues, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and others. If you’re an otherwise healthy individual, weight loss can be pretty straight forward. However, if you have a pre-existing metabolic disorder, things can be a bit more complicated.
4) It Improves Skin Health
Our skin is the all-important, outermost protective layer of our body. Skin keeps us safe from harmful microbes and regulates our internal body temperature. At times, unwanted skin conditions may arise that require treatment such as chronic acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
5) It is Natural Blood Thinner
Blood clots occur when blood cells called platelets, move to a damage site to plug the wounded area. This occurrence is a normal bodily function. Without clotting, small paper cuts would become catastrophic. At times, certain health conditions arise that require blood thinning to prevent blockages.
6) It Helps to Fight Disease & Chronic Conditions
The potent antioxidant properties may be one of the most significant turmeric benefits. Curcumin has shown an innate ability to boost immune system function and protect against disease by directly inhibiting free radical cell damage and reducing oxidative stress.
7) It Enhances Brain Function
Several clinical trials have shown that turmeric extract can influence neurotransmitter balance in the brain. Thus, it may be a good complementary treatment for depression.
8) It Improves Allergies & Asthma
An allergy transpires when the immune system mistakenly identifies a foreign substance as harmful to the body and overreacts to it. The anti-inflammatory activity of turmeric powder can help fight off many allergy-related symptoms and decrease the likelihood of asthma attacks.
9) Aids in Liver Detoxification
A liver detox, also known as a cleanse, involves the removal of toxins from the blood and the metabolizing of nutrients to ensure our body gets what it needs. A healthy liver is paramount to optimal physical and mental health.
Several trials have demonstrated curcumin’s ability to limit the damage done to the liver from harmful substances by interrupting inflammatory pathways.
10) It Helps Headaches & Migraines
Headaches and migraines are tremendously difficult to handle. The immense pain and discomfort can arise from many factors including stress, fatigue, insufficient sleep, inflammation, poor posture, neck tension, and several other causes. The benefits of curcumin that have shown the most potential in treating headaches and migraines are its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
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