Turmeric Health Benefits And What It Can Do For You

What is turmeric?

Turmeric is a spice that is most commonly used in cooking. Turmeric is a member of the ginger family and has traditionally been used in curry powders giving them a distinct color and flavor. However there is a lot more to turmeric than meets the eye. Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years as a treatment for a variety of conditions including digestive disorders, infection, arthritis and many others.

Recent studies have proven that turmeric is indeed useful in many medical capacities. Turmeric has very strong anti-inflammatory properties which makes it very useful when treating the discomfort of arthritis. Turmeric has also been shown to be a mild anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent. Studies in China have also shown that consumption of turmeric can help lower cholesterol levels.

The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin which has been proven to increase bile production, regulate digestive functions and has a beneficial effect on liver health. Another ingredient in turmeric is lipopolysacharide which has been shown to be effective in supporting immune system function.

Turmeric health benefits

Turmeric has numerous health benefits both as a treatment and a preventative measure. Here are some of the main ones:

• It is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal
• It can be used as a disinfectant
• It can be used as a liver detoxifier
• It is a natural anti-inflammatory
• It can be used as a treatment for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• It can speed up healing of wounds and cuts
• It can be used as a digestive aid and can be used to settle the stomach
• Has been shown to have anti-cancer properties (however very little research has been done as yet)
• It can help purge the gall bladder and stimulate bile production

Turmeric side effects

Turmeric is generally safe to use (we use it as a cooking spice after all) however, like with everything else, overindulgence can cause unexpected side effects (such as stomach upsets). Turmeric is not recommended for people in the following situations:

• If you have gallstones
• If you suffer from obstructive jaundice
• If you have any toxic liver disorder
• If you have a blood-clotting disorder

Turmeric will not cause extra side effects on it’s own, but will - due to it’s properties - exacerbate the above conditions. If you’re pregnant or nursing, consult your doctor before taking turmeric supplements.

Do you need turmeric supplements and how much do you take

Turmeric is not an essential nutrients and you can’t suffer from a deficiency, therefore it is not necessary to supplement turmeric usage. However, due to the many potential health benefits it is a good idea to occasionally take a course of turmeric supplements if only for prophylactic reasons.

Turmeric can be taken as a powder (mixed with water) or as a pill/capsule. Turmeric supplements are usually available from most health food stores in 250 or 500mg capsules. The usual dosage is to take 1 capsule (250 or 500mg) 3 times a day.

Turmeric - final verdict

Taking turmeric supplements will not radically change your life and for an already healthy individual, the benefits would mosy likely be rather minor. However, turmeric is a very useful herb to have on hand if only to give your immune system a push when it needs it or at the very least to help settle the stomach when it’s playing up (happens to everyone once in a while).  Occasional turmeric supplementation will also help support general good health. Add it to your medicine cabinet (or spice rack) if it is not there already.