Medical Properties Of Turmeric
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Turmeric is a plant (Curcuma longa), native to South India and Indonesia that has many health benefits. Turmeric root been used from antiquity as a condiment, as a textile dye, and medically as an aromatic stimulant. Turmeric root is a common ingredient in Indian food, such as curry powder, and yellow mustard. An extract from turmeric root called curcumin has become quite popular with articles in major magazines and newspapers. Pure turmeric powder has a curcumin concentration of 3 percent by weight, however there are other beneficial substances in turmeric powder besides curcumin. Extracts of turmeric with a higher concentration of curcumin are available. 7
Curcumin extract is one of the major antioxidant extracts found in the spice turmeric. The roots of the turmeric plant are used as an herb in Asian cooking such as curries. Curcumin is a major component of turmeric herb (Curcuma longa) and extensive scientific research on curcumin and turmeric has demonstrated their potent antioxidant properties. Through their antioxidant mechanisms, curcumin and turmeric support colon health, exert neuroprotective activity and help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. 7
Turmeric, the spice of life, has about 55 synonyms but the most widely used are haldi and haridra. It is native to southeast Asia but is unusual in that it is only known as a domesticated plant - it does not occur in the wild. Nevertheless it can be classified botanically as Curcuma longa L. and it is a member of the ginger family. It has been used in traditional Asian medicine to treat gastrointestinal upset, arthritic pain, and "low energy." 13
Turmeric is native to Asia, where it grows as a perennial flowering plant. The aboveground and underground roots are used to produce turmeric powder for medicinal and food uses. With its distinct golden hue, turmeric is used as a food color and as a spice or flavor enhancer. Of note, turmeric is one of the principle ingredients in curry powder. The active ingredient in turmeric is a substance known as curcumin, which belongs to the family of curcuminoid compounds. 1
Although among Western researchers curcumin has only recently been studied in humans, it has been widely studied in animals for its protective effect on the liver, anti-tumor action, anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to fight infections. In contrast, in Ayurvedic medicine turmeric has been studied and used as a medicinal agent for thousands of years. A teaspoon of turmeric poweder in a cup of warm milk used three times daily has long been considered an effective Ayurvedic treatment for colds and influenza. 1
Turmeric belongs to the same family as ginger and is similar in looks in its raw form. For cooking purposes, turmeric is ground and used. Curcuma longa Linn or turmeric consists of essential oils, fatty oils, micronutrients in small quantities and Curcumin, the main coloring component of the turmeric. Curcumin has a wide range of pharmacological effects. 18
In one such important study, turmeric has been found to be a good chemo-preventive agent effective at all stages of cancer � from initiation to progression. The spice was tested in animals using several methodologies to assess its cancer preventing profile. Since the incidence of oral cancer is very high in the country, scientists decided to see if turmeric could prevent or regress mouth cancers. Dr Krishnaswamy said turmeric appears to significantly inhibit cellular changes that lead to formation of malignancies. Several studies earlier showed that curcumin can inhibit the tumors at sites such as breast, skin, forestomach, lungs, but in higher concentrations. "Garlic, onions and mustard seeds have similar anti-carcinogenic potential", she pointed out. 18
Dr Krishnaswamy conducted a clinical trial in a community in Andhra Pradesh where reverse smoking is prevalent. The members of this community are at a high risk of suffering from palatal cancers. A dose of one gram of turmeric per day was administered for a period of nine months. The results, she said, suggest that it had a significant impact on the regression of precancerous lesions and also impacted on genotoxic damage. Separate studies done at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, have shown that priming lung cancer cells with curcumin enhances the efficacy of conventional and newer chemotherapeutic drugs in use for the treatment of lung cancer. 18
Other medicinal indications of turmeric that have been scientifically tested are its ability to decrease the load of carcinogens on the body, its anti-oxidant activity and capability to repair damage caused to DNA due to smoking. One recent study has even found that curcumin can also retard the process of development of cataract, by delaying cataract formation in galactose induced cataracts in rats. Turmeric and curcumin were found to increase detoxifying enzymes in the liver and intestinal mucosa and decrease mutations and tumor formation in animal studies. 18
Turmeric, also known as Haldi in Hindi, is one of the cheapest spices. It is a coloring agent for food and fabric, and is an essential ingredient in Indian and South Asian cuisine. It is also known for its medicinal properties and is actively used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines. It is being investigated for its possible benefits in many physical disorders and ailments such as liver problems and cancer. Besides this, turmeric has also been identified as a useful herb for skin care. It is widely being used in the formulation of various skin care products as it whitens the skin and imparts a glow to it. 39
One of the oldest and best-known spices in the world, pepper is indigenous to India and is rightly called the "King of Spices". It is a perennial, climbing vine indigenous to the Malabar Coast of India. The hotly pungent spice made from its berries is one of the earliest spices known and is probably the most widely used spice in the world today. Used in stocks, pickling and in medicinal uses, pepper is primarily a universal table condiment used to flavor all types of cuisines worldwide. 44
One secret of turmeric’s medicinal power is the many antioxidants it contains. You’ll recognize some of the more common ones, such as vitamins C and E, along with several carotenoids. It also contains lesser-known, but more effective antioxidants–specifically, curcumin and related compounds called curcuminoids. 12
Sen, a senior scientist formerly at the National Institute of Science Communication says that scientists in the United States are today proving in labs what Indian traditional knowledge knew for ages. Potent molecules derived from nature and medicinal plants that were traditionally used will show wonders in newer and newer diseases in the future. Such experiments validate doubts that the intellect questions about traditional medicine, he says. 5
Turmeric is the important spice of India whose usage dates back to Vedic period. During Vedic period it was was not only used as spice but was also used to treat various diseases. In nearly all the religious rituals it was used prominently. Dioscorides the famous Greek classical writer also mentioned this spice. Ancient Indian medical text Ayurveda talk in length about turmeric and its medicinal properties. Both sushruta and charaka, ancient Indian Physicians, also mentioned turmeric in their text. Marco Polo mentioned it as vegetable with properties of saffron. In Indonesia turmeric occupied significant place in marriage. Even in the modern period its medicinal quality is recognized worldwide and is the important item of trade. 29
Another herb with a distinguished history of use since ancient times is turmeric, the spice that gives many curries and mustards their characteristic yellow color. Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a member of the ginger family, is a tall perennial plant with yellow flowers. When dried and ground up, its fleshy, aromatic rhizomes (rootstalks) yield the bright yellow powder that people have prized for millennia for its pungent flavor. Turmeric�s most prevalent use has been in its native India, where it�s a common remedy in the traditional medical practice called Ayurveda. 43
References
The Panacea offers these health-extracts to help people investigate health-related subjects in greater depth using the references given in each paragraph. Kindly note that these are current extracts from the web, meant for research, and that these are not meant to be medical advise. For all your health-related needs you must consult trained and licensed personnel.
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