You’ve probably walked past fresh turmeric rhizome numerous times in the produce section and never thought twice about picking it up. Well, not for long! After learning more about this powerful healing root, it may be the first item on your next grocery list!
Turmeric rhizome looks like a small, orange ginger root and is known as the golden spice. Turmeric and ginger are members of the same botanical family Zingiberaceae, which explains the physical similarities. This indigenous plant of Asia has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for more than 4,000 years. Turmeric is most famous for its anti-inflammatory properties, which have the potential to help fight illnesses such as cancer, arthritis, heart disease, and digestive disorders. The medicinal properties of curcumin, its major polyphenolic constituent, have been the subject of thousands of studies to date.
In natural healing, turmeric is considered one of the greatest gifts because it is endowed with a multiplicity of curative properties. Here’s why:
HEALTH BENEFITS OF TURMERIC
- Diabetes: A 2012 study in the journal Diabetes Care proposes that turmeric can prevent type 2 diabetes. Curcuminoids appears to reduce much of the inflammation and oxidation damage that leads to diabetes. Several lines of evidence suggest that curcumin could play a valuable role in lowering blood glucose levels and in improving the long-term complications of diabetes. Curcumin has also been shown to have an anti-hyperglycemic effect and the capacity to improve insulin sensitivity.
- Hepatoprotective & Anti-Cancer: Turmeric loves your liver and wants to keep it healthy. Turmeric boosts liver cell regeneration and helps protect the liver from inflammation. Turmeric also boosts the liver’s ability to eliminate dangerous carcinogenic toxins. Turmeric prevents tumors from growing, protects cells from free radicals that can damage cellular DNA, inhibits cell proliferation, and induces apoptosis (cell death).
- Anti-inflammatory: Turmeric curbs inflammation. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory effects analogous to cortisone and phenylbutazone, the standard drugs for inflammation. Taken orally, turmeric inhibits the response of the body to inflammatory agents both directly and indirectly. Topically, it can be used as a poultice to reduce inflammation and swelling due to sprains, cuts, and bruises.
- Additional Ailments: Turmeric may also help reduce depression, ulcerative colitis, hepatic fibrosis, ibs, parasites, eczema, obesity, autoimmune disorders, chest congestion, joint pain, jaundice, diarrhea, sinus congestion, atherosclerosis, dermatitis, and headaches to name a few.
I juice 2-3 small pieces of organic turmeric and mix it with my vegetable juice. This is my favorite way of consuming turmeric. From my experience, root juices (beets, turmeric, and ginger) tend to ferment quickly so I drink mixtures with these ingredients right away. Turmeric works best with either ginger or cayenne added. However you consume turmeric, it’s a great addition to your health building routine!
