Image by Karolina Grabowska
What is Turmeric?
It is known that many spices can have healing properties and once consumed, may provide numerous health benefits. Since spices are usually derived from natural herbs, plants, and seeds, there is no question as to why they have been used in many natural health remedies throughout the course of history.
Turmeric is a popular spice that comes from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa— a plant used for culinary and medicinal purposes in Indian and Asian cultures dating back nearly 4000 years. Turmeric use has been practiced around the world and has evolved into a common herbal substance that is utilized in many ways. The spice can be incorporated by adding it to certain dishes; however, it is seen to be more beneficial in its supplemental form. Generally, turmeric supplements contain larger amounts of curcumin versus in its spice form. It may even be used in the form of an extract for topical treatment.
Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric is thought to have many therapeutic properties that may include increased energy levels, faster healing, improved digestion, and decreased inflammation. Its main active ingredient, curcumin, provides many benefits to the body and the brain. Curcumin gives turmeric its distinctive bright yellow-orange color and is full of antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals and prevents damage to the cells. Studies show that taking ground turmeric with black pepper will activate curcumin properties, making it more beneficial to the body by increasing its bioavailability rate and making it easier to consume.
The daily intake of turmeric is shown to provide the body with many benefits. Since turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it acts as a strong immunity booster. Studies show it can even help in the prevention of cancers by inhibiting mutations, detoxifying carcinogens, and decreasing cell proliferation. This has been seen in specific data on colon, prostate, gastric, and breast cancers. Some evidence suggests that turmeric will not only be used as a preventative measure but may one day be used as a treatment for cancer.
Inflammation benefits also include stimulating the function of bile, resulting in improving fat digestion. The anti-inflammatory properties found in turmeric can help heal inflammatory digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, and easily upset stomachs. Turmeric is also shown to have many prebiotic properties that lead to positive influences on gut health and the gut-immune connection. Prebiotics are a type of indigestible fiber that feeds probiotics, usually resulting in improvements within the digestive and immune systems.
There are many benefits shown by using turmeric as a topical treatment in the form of an extract. It makes the skin more radiant and supple by improving elasticity, reducing redness, and preventing excess wrinkles. Further studies show that it has provided benefits to skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. There have been numerous findings on the positive impact that turmeric may have on the skin—resulting in many skincare companies including turmeric in their topical serums.
In Conclusion
Making turmeric a part of your everyday life may bring many benefits to your health. There are numerous ways to incorporate it into your lifestyle, by using it in your cuisine, as a topical treatment, or by supplementation. Before deciding to use herbal supplements, consult with a trusted healthcare provider to discuss your health conditions or possible interference with prescription drugs.
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We hope that this information on turmeric is useful to you.
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Born and raised in Houston, TX, Brittany made the move to Dallas, TX to expand her marketing career. As a 2019 business marketing graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University with a background in social media, Brittany joined Empower Brokerage in the summer of 2021 serving as a Marketing Specialist and RSD Liason.
