Nutritionists, health food gurus and chefs all hold turmeric in high regard. Have you ever wondered why that is? It’s great healing spice, and we are going to show you how it can heal you.
This yellow/orange spice comes from the curcuma longa plant, and it is most often used in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Its name actually comes from the same word for saffron in Persian, which denotes their similar colours.
The spice is used for more than just its colour, though. It has a pleasant aroma and an earthy taste that makes it a great addition to many drinks and dishes. It is often mixed into curry powder or used as a topping for fish or eggs, and it is incredibly versatile.
Turmeric is more than just a colourful and tasty spice, though. It is also considered an excellent healer.
Eastern medicines have used turmeric to treat a variety of medical problems, and many ancient cultures used it just as much for its medicinal qualities as well as for its cooking properties. Some ancient cultures also used turmeric to treat inflammation or to fight off infections in the body.
Only recently has the western world started to adopt turmeric use for treating health problems, and we are just now recognising it as a superfood. It’s quite rare to see any superfood list without turmeric included.
Turmeric has even started showing up in cafés, and you can order a turmeric latte the next time you are in one. That’s how thoroughly this spice has penetrated our culture.
This spice is very similar ginger, which is also a favourite healing spice of the ancients. The active ingredient is the key to it all- curcumin.
There are lots of folk tales and traditions that point to turmeric being medically beneficial, and now those tales are supported by hard science. Let look at what those medicinal properties are and how you can use turmeric to your advantage.
Fight Inflammation
A lot of people know that turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, and people who suffer from deep vein thrombosis can definitely benefit from it. Someone with that condition may be told by their doctor to eat plenty of turmeric or ginger.
Blood Sugar Regulation
Any diabetics who would like some help in fighting their condition can benefit from turmeric as well. Curcumin and a healthy diet working together can regulate blood sugar. Curcumin may also help to prevent diabetes, stopping prediabetes in its tracks before it can become more serious.
Brain Benefits
Curcumin is also useful for combating dementia, as well as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.
Boosts Joint Health
You can get rid of inflammation and stiffness in the joints with turmeric. It is very useful for treating osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. There are also studies to show that it can prevent inflammation from ever occurring.
Digestive Benefits
Many traditional medicinal practices use turmeric to improve digestion and to fight bloating.
High Cholesterol
If you have high cholesterol levels, then using turmeric in your diet can decrease the unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels by ensuring your body breaks down and eliminates that kind of cholesterol faster.
Turmeric is often recommended by dieticians and nutritionists all throughout Australia as part of a healthy diet.
Nutritionists are now encouraging people to use a wide range of spices and herbs into their diets that will serve as antioxidants. That can protect their health, and turmeric can be incorporated into the diet in a few different ways. It can be ground up or grated, and we are going to show you a few ways to use it.
Soup Stock
Adding a bit of turmeric to soup stock can give it a wonderful earthy tone and imbue it with some nutritional benefits.
Smoothies
The digestive benefits of this spice make it a great addition to many smoothies and other drinks. Add it to your juices for a great anti-inflammatory boost.
Salad Topping
Adding a little ground or grated turmeric on your Asian salad will create a wonderful taste that’s reminiscent of ginger.
On Eggs
You can grate some over eggs for a pleasant added taste and some additional colour.
This is powerful healing spice and one of the few superfoods that legitimately earns its name. It will continue to be used for a long time to come as one of our most important spices.
The preliminary finding of a new recent studies show that turmeric may be useful in fighting off cancer and inflammation and that it is a powerful antioxidant. We may only just be discovering what this spice can do, and we look forward to seeing new uses for it in the future.
Any turmeric additions to your diet are certain to be beneficial, and there are no real unpleasant side effects to be concerned about. If you aren’t using it already, you should consider adding it to your diet and start enjoying the health benefits.
