Top 7 Amazing Health Benefits of Turmeric
In Ayurveda ancient system of healing turmeric has been used for its miraculous medicinal properties and this herb needs no any introduction. Turmeric is bright yellow colour herbaceous root that belongs to ginger family. Turmeric has a long list of health benefits due to its nutritional and medicinal values. It is used to pacify all the dosha- vata, pitta and kapha. It is a best ayurvedic healer used in the form of paste, tea, fresh juice, paste, tincture and powder. Topically it is used in the preparation of creams, lotions and various ointments.
Acharya Charaka categorized thisunder leekhneya (herbs used for scraping), kushthgna (herbs used for skin disorders), kandughna (herbs used for irritation), krimighna (herb used in worm infestation) and shiro-virechna (herb used to remove toxins from head) gana. Acharya Shushruta classified it under shelshma shamna gana (herbs used to pacify kapha dosha).
Curcumin is the substance present in this natural herb that is responsible for the biological activities. Other bioactive substances present in turmeric are camphene, camphor, curone, curidone, eugenol, bornel, beta-sitosetrol, curcumenone and procurcumenole. Turmeric and cur-cumin are used to stabilize molecular activities and protect the molecular level of body cells. These are very helpful in treating skin ailments and also good for the health of heart and liver.
Top 7 Amazing Benefits of Turmeric
1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Active polyphenol curcumin present in this miraculous herb has been used as anti-inflammatory remedy in Ayurveda medicine. Inflammation at any part of the body, whether it is on skin, joints, muscles and other organ is the main reason of pain we carry around. This chronic inflammation may result in the causing serious disorders. Curcumin present in turmeric possesses anti-inflammatory power that helps to reduce inflammation, severe pain and swelling. Its anti-inflammatory properties are equivalent to the pain killers available in markets.
2. Anti-Oxidant
Oxidative damage or stress may be considered as the main reason behind the premature aging and cell death. This conditions is caused by free radicals leads to cause serious diseases, premature aging of cells and even it may leads to cause cancer. These free radicals react with organic substances present in body like proteins and fatty acids. Turmeric is best home remedy that fights against these free radical and stop oxidative degeneration and protect our body cells from serious damage. In body curcumin also helps to boost the action of our own body’s antioxidant enzymes. Curcumin is a best anti-oxidant that helps to neutralize the effect of free radicals and other harmful agents that are responsible for causing serious damage to the body cells.
3. Strengthen Immune System
Curcuminoids are the bioactive compounds present in the turmeric that are also called immune-modulator agents. Curcumin has potential to boost our immune system. Its anti-microbial properties give strength to our immune system to fight against various bacterial infections. It inhibits the growth of pathogens and protects body from serious problems. It also possesses anti-fungal properties that fight against fungal infections. It also helps to support natural phenomenon of detoxification by our body organs. Strong immunity easily fights against pathogens and germs causing disorders.
4. Lowers Risk of Heart Related Disorders
Heart is very vital, complicated and important body organ and it is considered as a biggest killer. Because so many factors easily affect this organ and responsible for causing fatal symptoms. Curcumin is bioactive substance present in turmeric that helps to improve the functioning of endothelium (lining of blood vessels). Because of endothelial dysfunction heart is unable to control blood pressure and its inactivity causes serious heart disorders. Turmeric helps to reduce the major inflammation of endothelial lining and protect it from disease like blood pressure and heart attack etc.
5. Prevent Body from Risk of Cancer
Cancer is defined as uncontrolled growth of cells and it is very terrible disease that is responsible for high damage to the body. Turmeric is very beneficial for many types of cancers because it help to suppress the proliferation of cancer cells. Curcumin present in this miraculous herb helps to stop the growth of cancerous cells and protect the body cells to maintain their molecular levels. It is very beneficial herb for treating colorectal cancer. Turmeric directly attack on cancerous cells and it slow down the rate of multiplication of tumour cells.
6. Cure Depression
Turmeric is natural herb that helps to boost up your mind. It helps to increase the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Curcumin has very positive effect on brain derived neurotropic factor. It helps to support the existing neurons and helps new neuron to increase the memory and helps to reduce the high levels of stress. It gives strength to brain and act as great anti-depressant. It is very beneficial for regulating good moods and also used as very good medicine for the depressive disorders.
7. Cure Diabetes
Due to its blood sugar balancing effects, this herb is very helpful for diabetic sufferers. It helps the body to fight again insulin resistance and also beneficial to maintain normal blood sugar level in blood. It is also very helpful in reducing cholesterol levels.
Other Medicinal Uses of Turmeric
- Boiled milk mixed with sugar and turmeric is very famous remedy for cough and cold. It is also beneficial for internal wound healing.
- Smoke prepared by turmeric over burnt charcoal is used to cure symptoms of scorpion bites.
- Turmeric and neem leaves paste is applied over infected areas used to cure itching, redness, burning sensation, eczema and other infectious conditions.
- A little pinch of turmeric powder is used as insect repellent in our homes.
- It is used as best spice that add exotic colour and flavour to the food.
- Turmeric is also good to reduce inflammation and in joint pain.
- Turmeric is natural detoxifier and helps to maintain good health of liver.
- Turmeric is also used as preservative.
- Indian women used it in form of paste or scrub for shinny and glowing skin.
- Externally its paste is applied over wounds for quick healing.
- It is also used to cure acne and pimples.