We have been using turmeric for a while now and we knew it was good for fighting inflammation, but what else does it help your body with? To say we didn’t know nearly as much about it as we do now since the creation of this article is an understatement. So, we got curious about what all it really does for your body and started to do more research. We want to know what it was, was it a plant, a mineral, what? We found out some really cool stuff turmeric does and uses. We take two capsules a day and that in conjunction with our other supplements helps keep our joints feeling great! But, read along and learn all the great stuff about turmeric that we did!
It is around $20/ bottle on Amazon.
GET MORE INFO
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a herbaceous perennial from the ginger family. It is native to the tropical and humid areas of Southeast Asia. The stem is erect, branched, can grow up to 1 m high. The leaves are arranged in two rows, elliptical and narrowed at the apex.
They can grow very long, even over 2 m, but usually grow about 70 cm in length. The flowers are bipolar, clustered in the middle part of the plant. They bloom in their natural habitat in August. The root is aromatic, cylindrical, beneath the thin crust is an intense yellowish-orange color.
Turmeric is grown by sowing seeds in the fall or, better yet, using bits of the root in the early summer. Place the rhizomes in a jar and cover with soil, so they are planted. Keep the soil moist and with a little patience, the rhizome will sprout. Then you can transplant it to a better place, it is important that it is well-drained and moist but sheltered from the bright sun.
It is commonly used in powder and should be stored in dark glass vials so as not to lose color and aroma when exposed to light.
Below, read more about the positive and healing properties of turmeric as well as how it is used.
What are some health benefits of turmeric?
The healing ability of this turmeric has been recognized long ago. Its active ingredient curcumin and in very small doses has a curative effect:
- Antioxidant — prevents the action of free radicals from the air, including the oxidation of cholesterol, and thus prevents the formation of clots and protects against stroke and heart attack;
- Anti-inflammatory effect — states that turmeric can be measured with the strongest medication but without harmful side effects! This is especially important for the treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis;
- Anti-carcinogenic effect — a beneficial effect on the side effects of colon, lung, breast and prostate cancer: phytochemicals inhibit the growth of cancer cells;
- A natural antiseptic, antibacterial properties — a component of balm for wounds and burns;
- Digestive disorders — good against flatulence and gas, for better digestion of fat (promotes production and excretion of bile);
- Healing for the skin — accelerates its healing, helps with eczema, psoriasis, and acne, and is often an ingredient in homemade face masks;
- For healthy bones — relieves joint pain that occurs as symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, reduces morning stiffness, swelling in the joints, prevention of osteoporosis.
- Anemia — turmeric is very rich in iron. Half a teaspoon of turmeric mixed with a little honey is a great combination for absorbing iron.
Turmeric is most commonly used in alternative medicine, or as a healthy adjunct to prescribed treatment.
How does turmeric help weight loss?
Because it improves the digestion of foods, especially fatty and heavy foods, turmeric is good at combating excess weight and all the diseases and dangers that obesity causes (heart attacks, high cholesterol). Curcumin from this spice improves liver function, which plays a large role in fat burning, speeds up metabolism and improves the effects of diets and exercise.
No matter how much turmeric you take, nothing can replace your doctor, and slimming turmeric is not effective unless other life changes are made. The only proper way to lose weight, and to maintain good health, is to measure the amount of all healthy ingredients you consume through food and regular physical activity.
Turmeric benefits for skin
Turmeric is great for fighting acne and for gently cleansing your face. There are several face masks to which you add turmeric, and these are the most common:
- with clay and rose water: it absorbs impurities, disinfects, and rose water tones;
- honey, yogurt, and lemon: hydrates, evens out colors, reduces pimple scars.
How To Take Turmeric
Turmeric tea for pain and inflammation
Pain and inflammation are common health problems that millions of people across the globe complain about. Often, pain and inflammation occur together after injury, illness, or physical exhaustion.
Turmeric tea recipe:
You can use this tea to relieve headaches, muscle aches, and joint pain.
Ingredients for making turmeric tea:
— 2 tablespoons of grated turmeric root or 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
— 1l of water
— honey and lemon
Preparation:
Make the water boil, then add the turmeric. If using grated turmeric, let it cook for 15-20min, and if using turmeric powder, then let it cook for only 10min. After cooking, process the resulting tea and add honey and squeezed the lemon. Drink while the tea is warm.
Turmeric as a spice
Turmeric is an indispensable spice in oriental cuisine and gives it a distinctive, aromatic seal and yellow color. It is added to Indian and Moroccan dishes with fish, meat, and vegetables, and is an indispensable ingredient in curry: it is a blend of 20 different herbs, dominated by turmeric.
Used as a substitute for saffron, hence the other name for turmeric — Indian saffron.
Turmeric and pepper — an effective combination
It is always added near the end of cooking so that it does not over-heat, thereby losing much of its healthy properties and substances. Black pepper greatly enhances the absorption and action of curcumin, so always add them together.
Turmeric and honey — for Golden milk
The combination of turmeric and honey has long been considered a natural antibiotic because it kills all the negative bacteria in the body and does not damage the intestinal flora. This combination of natural ingredients contributes to better bowel function, stimulates the body’s defense mechanism, which boosts immunity, and is also an excellent factor in the treatment of respiratory diseases.
This Golden milk is recommended to consume this before bed; in addition to being healthy and nutritious, it tastes good and makes it easier to fall asleep.
Turmeric as a supplement
The traditional cure and spice of turmeric can be found today in the form of supplements. Dietary supplement of turmeric in capsules is the perfect way to ensure the health of your body and mind. All the useful features of curcumin that we have listed with the advancement of modern technology can be found with turmeric supplements. Taking the prescribed daily dose of turmeric supplement in capsules is a surefire way to maintain and promote the health of your body.
Here is a link to the exact brand of turmeric we take!
As you can see there are many great uses for turmeric! Let us know if you have taken and any positive effects you have had. Or, if there are uses we didn’t cover that you have found, please let us know!