Turmeric is a yellow spice commonly used in Indian curry dishes. Did you know it can also benefit your health? Learn more about how turmeric can help detoxify your body, heal your stomach and may even help prevent you from getting cancer!
Health Benefit 1 – Detoxifies the Body
Those who have chronic autoimmune disease often have an overgrowth of candida yeast and bacteria in the body. Fibromyalgia , chronic fatigue syndrome , Crohn’s disease , celiac disease, lupus and multiple sclerosis are just a few of the common autoimmune diseases the may be caused, at least in part, by this overgrowth.
Turmeric may be used as a powerful detoxifier to flush out these body “invaders” and strengthen the liver, giving the immune system a chance to heal and normalize so disease can be overcome naturally.
Health Benefit 2 – Heals the Stomach
If gas, bloating and indigestion are a common occurrence, turmeric may help ease these symptoms in a few key ways. First, turmeric’s potent antibacterial and antiviral properties can help to flush out candida and bacteria. Second, this spice will cut down on inflammation in the gut and bowels, decreasing pain and indigestion. Third, in those with leaky gut syndrome , turmeric will help strengthen the intestinal walls by contracting the proteins in the bowel lining , making it less porous.
Health Benefit 3 – Eases Inflammation
Another health benefit of ingesting turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties is its ability to help those suffering with arthritis or gout. Turmeric may be also be used topically in the case of inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. For a simple turmeric paste recipe, click here .
Health Benefit 4 – May Prevent Cancer
In India, where turmeric is most widely used, incidents of cancer of the breast, prostate, colon and lung are ten times lower than in the United States . Turmeric is said to work by destroying mutated cancer cells before they can spread to the rest of the body and also prevents normal cells from turning cancerous.
Body-wide inflammation caused by the American processed-food diet and environmental pollution is one of the top causes of disease. Turmeric can aid in the fight against cancer by reducing this inflammation and increasing liver function, which helps rid the body of toxins.
Dosing
Turmeric can be used in cooking to spice up everything from chicken to rice and vegetables. It can also be taken in supplement form or mixed into a glass of warm water (one quarter of a teaspoon) and sipped. It is recommended that the turmeric you purchase, as well as all of your spices, be organic to get the most medicinal benefit and avoid genetically modified versions.
Important Note: Women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid turmeric. Those with anemia or other blood disorders should not use turmeric without first consulting their healthcare provider.
Sources:
http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-turmeric.html
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/03/24/Holy-Powder-Makes-Membranes-Behave-for-Better-Health.aspx
http://www.naturalnews.com/028043_turmeric_candida.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/026501_arthritis_natural_remedies.html
http://www.betternutrition.com/supplements/howto/852
