Turmeric is a popular spice that is used as a key ingredient for cooking predominantly in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is basically a rhizome from the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It’s composed of several chemical compounds, and the most active component is curcumin which is responsible for its stark orange-yellow color and also the medicinal properties. In the Vedic culture of India, turmeric has been regarded as a very effective medicinal plant which is in use for treating health ailments for ages. Medicinal uses of this plant in ayurvedic healing are backed by several Sanskrit medical treatises. It has also a long history of medicinal uses in Unani systems. As per evidence-based researches, turmeric has some amazing health benefits which naturally makes it a powerful medicinal agent.
- Turmeric for boosting immunity
There are several studies to establish that curcumin, the most potent component of turmeric, possesses a wide spectrum of antiviral, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties without any association to toxicity. It has been found that curcumin stimulates the immune system. Due to its antioxidant properties, it has the ability to neutralize the free radicals that cause damage to immune cells. It effectively fights viral infections, seasonal flu, cold cough, etc. It is a powerful agent in containing upper respiratory tract infections. In Indian tradition, apart from cooking, another means of consuming curcumin is a mix of warm milk infused with turmeric popularly known as ‘Haldi ka doodh’. It’s a natural respiratory tract cleanser, hence it is believed that drinking a glass of Golden milk i.e. Haldi ka doodh at night will help in having a restful sleep. The effectiveness of curcumin gets enhanced many times when consumed in conjunction with black pepper. Meghalaya, a northeastern state in India, is very popular for the production of very high-quality turmeric. Lakadong is a place in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya which is known for cultivating a special variety of turmeric having a higher percentage of curcumin than normal varieties. This variety of turmeric has started gaining a lot of worldwide recognition. It was even launched in the USA by Meghalaya Govt last year.
2. Turmeric for anti-inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis
Inflammation is a protective response of our body to fight infections and injuries. It is characterized by raised temperature, redness, swelling, pain, and impeded function. Acute inflammations such as acute bronchitis, sore throat, sinusitis, etc., are short-term reversible processes, and chronic inflammation occurs when the immune response goes into action even when there is no infection or foreign invaders in the body. You may check my Covid-19 Story here. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic state of inflammation in which there is persistent pain in joints due to swelling, stiffness and deformation, thus reducing flexibility and mobility of joints. Based on many scientific studies, curcumin has been found as a reliable natural means of healing both acute and chronic inflammation. Consumption of the right amount of curcumin may have a worthwhile effect in reducing the discomfort in the body due to inflammation. However, turmeric may not be the replacement of the anti-inflammatory drugs in case of moderate to severe conditions.
3. Turmeric for diabetes
In many clinical trials, it has been found that turmeric has anti-hyperglycemic properties which naturally help in reducing sugar levels in the blood. It is believed that curcumin boosts insulin responsiveness which in turn reduces blood sugar levels. Due to this natural inherited property, turmeric may be effectively helpful in managing sugar levels for people who may be at the prediabetic stage. People with diabetes may also include an optimum amount of turmeric consumption simultaneously in their daily regime with the continuing diabetes management plan. Having said that, turmeric cannot be taken as a complete replacement for anti-diabetic drugs; however, due to its natural blood sugar lowering capability, this may be added into our daily routine by consuming it optimally either in raw form, powder, paste, or with milk. Despite the amazing health benefits of turmeric, curcumin may have side effects on some people. Although it is well tolerated by the body and does not usually cause significant effects, people with ailments in the liver and pancreas may have adverse outcomes if taken without caution.
4. Turmeric for cancer
It’s a known fact that turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent which has the ability to alleviate chronic inflammation e.g. Rheumatoid arthritis. Cancer is another type of chronic inflammation which is very progressive in nature and can damage healthy cells at an extremely faster rate if not diagnosed early. In some worldwide studies, it has been found that curcumin has the ability to destroy cancer cells through varied mechanisms and even retarding the further growth of tumour cells. However, since the majority of clinical trials have been done on animals, human trials are also underway to establish the potency of turmeric to take up as a natural cancer healing agent.
5. Turmeric for skin
In Indian culture, usage of turmeric is extremely diverse. All hindu traditional ceremonies and rituals are incomplete without this magical ingredient. In Indian weddings, Haldi ceremony is a special ritual which is performed before marriage in which turmeric paste is applied on the face and body of the bride and groom to make the skin look bright and lustrous. This belief about turmeric is not fictitious because curcumin is a natural antioxidant which provides the skin organic radiance and youthful glow. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties protect the skin from free radicals and repair the epidermis of skin by accelerating the production of healthy cells. There are researches to back up the fact that curcumin has an anti-aging effect on skin. When applied on skin, it helps in increasing the production of collagen which is a protein required for keeping the skin tight and firm. Due to its antimicrobial properties, it behaves as a natural healer for acne, breakouts and upto some extent psoriasis also. It may lighten the skin color by reducing the melanin levels. Use of this wonderful ingredient in the beauty and cosmetic industry has not only been limited to Asian countries, western countries have also started exploring the benefits of this powerful ingredient in their beauty brands.
6. Turmeric for cuts and wounds
Turmeric has an excellent effect on healing cutaneous wounds. Applying a plentiful amount of turmeric on cuts immediately stops the bleeding, and its antiseptic properties even prevent infections. It has been mentioned in many studies that curcumin supports the formation of granular tissue, a new connective tissue formed on the surface of the cut or injury, thus boosting the healing process.
Please note: This is advised that the above article should not be considered as medical advice to treat and cure any ailment or disease. This article is intended to provide well-researched benefits of turmeric to readers.