Many Indian brides anoint their skin with a sacred golden spice on the eve of their wedding to capture a natural glow. This treasured spice is turmeric, well-known for its vibrant color and abundant healing powers.
Turmeric is a perennial plant with orange-red, lily-like blossoms that thrives in the hot, moist regions of China, South Africa and India. Although its flowers are stunning, its rhizome, or underground stem, is the star. When dried and ground, turmeric’s rhizome yields a sharp yellow powder known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and astringent properties. The herb is also vital in an array of Indian dishes, curry being the most popular.
Health Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the most versatile of all herbal healers. “It’s my favorite herb,” says K.P. Khalsa, the formulating herbalist for Yogi Tea. Turmeric can soothe upset stomachs and help skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis and psoriasis. It is a powerful antioxidant and has been used to relieve pain. The spice also detoxifies the liver and protects it from damage, and it aids digestion by increasing bile secretion. As little as 1⁄4 teaspoon a day can have measurable healing effects.
Although it is a staple of Ayurveda (an ancient Indian system of medicine) and Traditional Chinese Medicine, modern Western researchers are also interested in turmeric’s healing properties. Most recently, researchers have been analyzing its anticancer effects. Results are still early, but evidence suggests that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, may help prevent, control or kill several types of cancer, including breast, colon, prostate and skin. One 2009 study published in the British Journal of Cancer showed that curcumin starts to kill esophageal cancer cells within 24 hours of treatment. Studies also suggest that curcumin may prevent the onset of dementia; people who eat curry two to three times a week seem to have a lower risk of developing the disease.
To benefit from turmeric’s healing powers, try incorporating this aromatic spice into your cooking. Turmeric is delicious in curries, but its flavor also works well with eggs, on meat, with sautéed or roasted veggies, and in rice or chili. Otherwise, take 1 gram a day of dried, ground turmeric in capsule form or try a standardized extract and simply follow the instructions on the label. Talk to your health-care provider before taking medicinal doses of any herb or supplement. In medicinal doses, turmeric might increase blood-thinning effects and therefore increase risk of bleeding from drugs such as warfarin and aspirin. (The herb is safe to use as a culinary spice.)
3 Healthful Turmeric Recipes
• Turmeric Barbecue Sauce
• Green Beans with Turmeric Glaze
• Ras Al Hanout Spice Blend
Adapted with permission from The Herb Companion.
