Top 7 uses for Turmeric - Put some spice back in your life !!

Top 7 uses for Turmeric - Put some spice back in your life !!

Turmeric is a spice which in its raw form looks very much like ginger and when ground to a powder is distinctively yellowish-orange adding colour as well as flavour to many South Asian dishes especially curries.

Turmeric has been used medicinally for many years in Ancient Chinese and Indian Medicine and is known especially for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Recently it has become super trendy and major claims have been made for its powers including treating allergies, depression and even prevention of some cancers !

The main claims and uses are as follows:

• Colouring and flavouring for foods and has a distinctly earthy and slightly peppery taste.  Also used in various Indian Ceremonies including marriage when a paste is applied to the skin of the Bride & Groom.
• Anti – Inflammatory Properties – mentioned on Arthritis UK website as a possible alternative pain relief equivalent to many anti-inflammatory drugs which have unpleasant side effects especially when used long term.
• Lowering Blood Sugar
• Reducing Cholesterol Levels – seems to lower cholesterol production in the liver and reduce absorption in the gut thereby reducing the laying down of harmful deposits in blood vessels.
• Antiseptic properties – used as a paste on wounds and burns. May even speed recovery after surgery. It is possible to buy plasters impregnated with curcumin for speedier healing.
• Brain Health – some sufferers have reported reduction in levels of depression and some types of dementia are related to degeneration of cells caused by inflammation. Elderly villagers in India have the lowest rate of Alzheimers ijn the world possibly because they eat a lot of turmeric in their diet. May also help with general memory and concentration.

Prevention and treatment of some Cancers – Still at early stages of research but early reports are very encouraging and this is mentioned on the Cancer Research UK website. A trial has used it alongside chemotherapy for treating advanced bowel cancer

There are very few reported side effects from taking Turmeric which makes it well worth trying – it is generally recommended you take about 1 teaspoon of the powder each day. It can be sprinkled on food (apparently especially good with eggs or rice), incorporated in smoothies or used in dishes such as curries. People who cannot tolerate the taste can consider taking oral supplements although it is worth noting that there is some evidence that using the powder or root is more effective. A recent episode of “Trust me I’m a Doctor” confirmed this theory in a study recently undertaken. It appears that the effect of turmeric can be enhanced by mixing it with black pepper.

We are excited by these promising reports and hope you are too and that you will look at our range of turmeric products. One of our staff members has reported huge reduction in arthritis pain since taking turmeric supplements.