Trendy Turmeric! Today's "go to" Herb!
Tumeric, it's hot! You read it on all the Health Magazines and It's become a popular "add-on" to any Juice at your Local Juice bar..But what is it? What's the hype? Turmeric or Curcumin?? What's the difference?? Turmeric is derived from the rhizomes (underground stems) of the plant Curcuma longa, a member of the ginger family. Turmeric is a source of Curcumin, Which is responsible for giving Mustards, butters, Indian Curries and even cosmetics, a Yellow hue. It is also highly prized for its wealth of nutrients. It contains minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, copper, zinc,magnesium and vitamin B6 to name a few! It's medicinal properties are abundant, and has been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years! The Rhizomes of the Turmeric plant are harvested, boiled,dried and pulverised and used as a Spice and Medicine, among other things. It is often used in Asia to treat autoimmune diseases ( like Rheumatoid Arthritis),cardiovascular, metabolic and neurological conditions. There have been several case studies that prove It works at genetic and cellular level to cause cell death and prevent cancer cells from proliferating. Pretty amazing! Why Take it?? Here's 10 reasons why: 1. It is a POWERFUL cancer fighter! Studies have shown, due to it's Curcumin compound, it can prevent and stop the growth of breast, ovarian, prostate, skin, lung and colon cancers. 2. It is a natural liver detoxifier. 3. It wipes out both Bacterial and viral infections. 4. It has strong antinflammatory properties! It supporting heathy joint function, eases Arthritis, gout, and other autoimmune diseases. 5. It is a natural pain killer and also a Blood thinner, used for Cardiovascular issues. 6. It aids in fat metabolism. 7. Turmeric is a natural anti-histamine which helps fights allergies and nasal congestion. 8. It can help with respiratory illnesses 9. It speeds up wound healing and assists in the treatment of Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis, Scabies and skin disorders such as Vitiligo. 10. It may prevent and helps against the progression of Alzheimer's. How to take it: One can benefit from Turmeric's Curcumin in many ways. Turmeric can be freshly juiced, taken as an Curcumin oil, teas, in your food, in powder or pill form. However to increase it's bioavailability, it must be taken with 3% Black Pepper. So always include a dash of Black Pepper when you ingest it! This actually makes smaller doses more effective. Piperine, active ingredient of black pepper increases turmeric’s bioavailability by 2000%!! Curcumin can also have side effects that can be prevented by taking smaller amounts, while reaping the benefits of it's power. The easiest way to incorporate Curcumin in your daily routine is by taking it as an early morning cleanser. It will detox the liver and boost your metabolism when taken on an empty stomach, first thing in the a.m. Take: Red's Morning Cleanser: 1 Cup of warm filtered water Add: 1/2 a Organic lemon juiced 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Organic Curcumin powder A small pinch of black pepper Add a little Organic honey or Stevia to taste Give it a stir and down the hatch! I personally prefer to juice 3-4 rhizomes into my daily green juice, but you can also buy it in many forms, as a supplement or in tea bags is quite popular. Turmeric is found to be generally safe taken in 12 g doses/per day, for short periods. *It is best to check with your Doctor or Nutritionist before taking any supplements, as they may cause reactions or interfere with certain meds. **Curcumin is a blood thinner and is a contraindication of for those who take Warfarin ( Coumadine). Here are some Side Effects/Contraindications you should know about before taking Turmeric: 1. It is a Blood Thinner. It Can NOT be taken with Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet drugs. This includes, Warfarin, Aspirin,Ibuprofen, Naxopren,and others. Consult with a Doctor first! Certain supplements such as: Garlic, Angelica,Danshen,Clove,Ginger, Ginko,Panax Ginseng and Willow, are also contraindicated. **Please avoid Taking Turmeric at least 2 weeks prior to having any surgical procedure. 2. It is also contraindicated if you have Diabetes, as it lowers blood sugar levels and can cause serious hypoglycaemia complications. 3.Do Not take during Pregnancy or when Breast feeding, as it may cause uterine bleeding and complications. 4. If you have GERD, Acid Reflux may increase, so take small amounts sparingly. ***It is always a good idea to check with your Doctor, Naturopath or Nutritionist before taking any supplement.