Tumeric

 

20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:

 

• Combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer
• Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice
• May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide
• Reduces the risk of childhood leukaemia
• Is a natural liver detoxifier
• May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain
• May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer
• It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects
• Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
• Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor
• May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
• Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
• Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
• Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
• Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
• Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumours.
• Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodelling of damaged skin.
• May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
• Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.

 

 

Contraindications:

Not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction

Important for pregnant woman to consult with a doctor before doing so as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant.

Side effects:

• In general, turmeric is considered safe even at higher doses. However, turmeric does have some contraindications
• It should be used with caution by people with gallstones, stomach ulcers, or bile duct obstruction as turmeric may exacerbate these conditions
• Turmeric can be a uterine stimulant, so pregnant women should consult with a doctor before taking turmeric during pregnancy.
• People with serious liver or heart conditions should also consult with a doctor before taking turmeric supplements
 

Uses:

• Turmeric is utilised as an ingredient in curry that gives it a vibrant yellow colour
• It is also used in mustard and many other common foods to impart a yellow shade

 

 

Other:

• India is the world’s largest producer of turmeric powder as well as the world's largest consumer of the powder
• The city of Erode in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu is the world's largest producer of turmeric
• Erode has often been referred to as "Yellow City" or "Turmeric City."
• It is a ritual in Indian weddings to apply turmeric paste over the bride and groom's face and arms
• Women in India sometimes use turmeric paste to remove excess body hair
• Dr. Eric Lattman of Aston University has identified turmeric as a natural antivenin for King Cobra snake bites
• People in the Middle Ages called turmeric "Indian saffron" because it was often used as a less expensive alternative to saffron
• A spoonful of turmeric added to the water in water-cooled radiators will stop leaks
• Turmeric paste is a home remedy for sunburn and it is also an ingredient in many commercial sunscreens
• One way to reap the health benefits of turmeric is to drink turmeric tea. It's easy to make and tastes great with a little bit of lemon or honey
• Ingredients

4 cups water
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
lemon (optional)
honey (optional)

 

Directions
Bring water to a boil. Reduce heat and add ground turmeric. Simmer for 10 minutes. Strain into a mug using a mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Add honey and/or lemon to taste

There's no substitute for the many health benefits of turmeric, but if you're in a pinch for a recipe and don't have turmeric on hand, here's something you can use instead.

Mustard powder can be substituted for ground turmeric in recipes in a one to one ratio. You can also add a pinch of saffron for more colour

It might be tempting to use curry as a substitute for turmeric but that's not generally a good idea since curry contains several different spices and will add a much stronger and different flavor to the recipe than turmeric alone

 

 

 

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