Amazing Turmeric Herb – Benefits And Effects

Turmeric Herb Benefits Effects

Turmeric has been around since ancient times, particularly in South and Southeast Asia, where it has been used as a spice. In India, it is an ingredient in their curries. In Indonesia, turmeric is used in their staple “rendang” dish of beef with coconut oil. In the Philippines, it is used like ginger, mixed in porridge for people with stomach problems. The herb is popular and used widely in South Asian, Middle Eastern and South African dishes.

Among the countless turmeric herb effects are its antiseptic and antibacterial properties in wound healing. It is also sometimes added in skin creams as a sunscreen. As mentioned, it is used like ginger as ale for stomach problems and gastrointestinal disorders. In Okinawa, an island in Japan, it is used as a tea or infusion.

Among its more popular uses is for its anti-inflammatory properties. The main ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. It is a plant compound responsible for turmeric’s yellow color. Inflammation is not necessarily a disease, compared to infection. Infection is caused by an external pathogen, such as bacteria, virus, fungi or other microorganism that is alien to the body.

Inflammation is a natural body response that initiates the body’s healing process. When a bone is broken for example, the body sends signals to inflammation substances to send antibodies and white blood cells to the area. As a result, the area is inflamed and pain is heightened so that movement is prevented for further aggravation, until healing is completed.

In some cases, the body over-reacts even when there is no need for inflammation. The most common areas where this happens are the joints. As a result, arthritis, with its varied forms and types, occurs. Curcumin is able to block the chemicals that signal the body to send inflammation substances. As a result, it brings down swelling and relieves pain associated with the swelling.

Other turmeric herb benefits and effects are its liver supportive and liver protective properties. We all know how important the liver is. It detoxifies the body from toxic substances. The nutrient is very important in metabolism and in the production of many important body compounds.

Turmeric has been found to help the liver in bile production and secretion as a choleretic agent. Bile is needed by the body to absorb fat-soluble substances, including some vitamins. It was also discovered to have liver protective properties similar to silymarin, a protective compound from milk thistle.

However, the most exciting potential of turmeric, or curcumin in particular, is its antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. With its anti-inflammatory properties, it has been found to induce cell death of cancer cells, thus possibly stopping and even reversing tumor growth. With its antioxidant properties, it is able to protect the cells from mutating. It eliminates free radical damage by helping in the production of enzymes such as glutathione that can stabilize free radicals from stealing electrons from other molecules.

At present, turmeric herb benefits and effects are still at the initial stages, and it is probable that more health breakthroughs or at least confirmation of its health-boosting properties will be verified. There are no toxic side effects observed from taking turmeric extract, and it even protects the liver as mentioned.

Turmeric extract was discovered to be more absorbable in combination with a small amount of piperine, a compound from black pepper. Therefore, if you plan to take a supplement with turmeric extract, look also for piperine. As a rule, always buy from reputable manufacturers. Check the label to make sure there are no artificial fillers in your supplement.

Precautions

Turmeric seems to be a very safe herb. It is used frequently as a spice in many dishes.

Potency can vary enormously from one turmeric supplement to another. The highest potency supplements use Turmeric extract that is standardized to 95% curcumin. Because the curcumin is responsible for the herb’s therapeutic benefits, we advise looking for a tumeric supplement with 95% curcumin.

Featured Turmueric Product

One product that contains turmeric (with 95% curcumin) is Xtend-Life’s Total Balance. This is the product we use with excellent health results.

Filed under: Health Nutrients

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