Turmeric is one of the oldest and most widely used traditional herbal remedies in the world. Here is a look at this terrific herb, and some of its top health benefits which make it just as popular today as it ever has been.
What Is Turmeric?
Turmeric, scientifically deemed Curcuma longa, is a plant native to south and east Asia, long used in both Indian Ayurvedic medicine and Chinese traditional medicine. Its predominant applications in these traditions include ailments of the joints, digestive system, skin, and upper respiratory infections.
The turmeric plant is a part of the ginger family of plants. Turmeric’s underground stem, or rhizome, is its most valued part (not its leaves). The turmeric rhizome is harvested and used for its culinary taste and medicinal benefits. The ingredient in the turmeric rhizome is curcumin. Curcumin gives turmeric powder its distinct yellowish color, and is the primary reason for its health benefits.
Four Terrific Benefits of Turmeric
A turmeric supplement is the easiest way to accrue the benefits of this herb. Here are some of the most potent and most touted potential benefits to be had by taking turmeric:
Combating inflammation is what turmeric is most known for. A turmeric supplement is far more effective than adding it to food because high amounts are needed to reduce inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory properties could help a variety of chronic diseases. It has been often studied for reducing the symptoms and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis. Some of these studies focus on the use of isolated curcumin, rather than turmeric. For this reason, a curcumin supplement (made from turmeric) could prove more effective for relieving arthritic joint pain than a turmeric supplement.
Depression and anxiety: There is a body of science to suggest that consuming turmeric could help relieve the symptoms of depression and anxiety. This is due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. A meta-analysis of nine studies concluded that turmeric is effective for these very purposes, and it is correlated with a significant decrease in depression and anxiety symptoms. Turmeric could prove useful in the context of standard treatment for these mental health diagnoses.
Heart disease risk could be lowered by regularly supplementing with turmeric. It does so by helping in a variety of ways. One study showed that turmeric correlated with improvements in the endothelial production of resistance arteries. It could also help to reduce cholesterol, especially when taken alongside certain cholesterol-lowering medications. Other studies suggest that turmeric could help prevent atherosclerosis, which is the build-up of plaque that leads to heart attack and stroke.
Alzheimer’s disease could potentially be mitigated by curcumin, turmeric’s active ingredient. This is because curcumin could reduce the inflammation and oxidative stress which contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. Other research suggests that curcumin could reduce the buildup of protein tangles – or, amyloid plaques – which are caused by Alzheimer’s. Curcumin could also reduce risk of other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis.
Turmeric is one of the most valued and effective herbal supplements on the market. These four benefits of turmeric are wide-ranging, so consider how they could apply to you or your family members. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking turmeric or curcumin for the first time.