Turmeric Has Many Benefits!

Just this week alone, I have recommended using turmeric capsules about four separate times. Because I do not carry this product at my office (this is about to change), I reluctantly had to recommend my patients find it at other local establishments or the internet. The medicinal use of turmeric dates back about 4,000 years for the treatment of infections, digestive problems and other ailments.

It is a commonly used herb in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine as it has impressive anti-inflammatory qualities.

For those of you who are thinking that this sounds familiar but can't quite pinpoint what turmeric is - here is a refresher. You may be more familiar with how it is used in cooking. Turmeric is what gives Indian curry its flavor and brilliant yellow color.

The active chemical in turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant that can prevent free radical damage in the body. Curcumin lowers the levels of inflammatory enzymes and may prevent platelets from clumping together to form blood clots.

For this reason, anyone taking prescribed blood thinners or those scheduled for surgery would be best advised not to take turmeric. Digestive issues are one of the areas that turmeric/curcumin shows potential.

Turmeric may stimulate the gallbladder to produce bile, which may improve digestion. It may even inhibit the growth of H. Pylori. Ulcerative colitis patients did far better taking curcumin when compared to the placebo group in a study done in 2004. For those suffering with stomach ulcers, turmeric did not seem to help. Because of turmeric's anti-inflammatory ability, it is a common ingredient in many popular herbal pain remedies.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is one condition in which turmeric/curcumin has some impressive results and is definitely something you should consider if you suffer from this disease. Tumor reduction is another are that has seen promise with the use of this super spice.

There has actually been a great deal of research on turmeric's anti-cancer properties. Breast, prostate, skin, and colon cancer may be benefited by turmeric's very strong antioxidant qualities.

One of my most unique experiences with the power of turmeric involved a woman who came to see me for hives. she was on the elimination diet, which usually removes all allergens from your diet. She still suffered. Some of my testing at the time pointed to a mold common to hay and barns. She walked daily, and told me she was surrounded by horse farms, which made this dd discover something we needed to look into. I had just read an article on turmeric and told her to give this a try.

She bought the organic form of the spice and made her own capsules. She took two daily and within just a few days, the condition improved dramatically. I have no explanation, it was just a hunch - but it worked. Do some of your own research. Turmeric is a food and considered safe. My only caution is with the use of blood thinners as mentioned above and also in its potential to lower blood sugar, which would be a consideration and caution for diabetes.

Turmeric is available in capsules, extracts, and tinctures. You will often find bromelain on combination formulas as this helps potentiate absorption. Common doses are 1-3 grams per day. Extract dosage would be 30-90 drops per day and a tincture would be 15-30 drops 3-4 times per day. Remember that quality is a must. Certified organic is the only way to go if you want to benefit from healing herbs and spices.