Even though today turmeric is the most popular used spice, for hundreds of years this ingredient was used because of its amazing medicinal benefits. Its potential to treat and prevent numerous health issues was confirmed even by 7000 scientific studies around the world. It was used as a common remedy in Ayurveda for more than 2 millennia. Also, this spice is a powerful blood cleanser which was used by doctors in order to help kings in the case of poisoning However, it took time for the Western medicine to include turmeric into its treatments.

As we said before more than 7000 studies proved the health benefits of this amazing spice. In the United States, turmeric has been used only in the last three decades.

History of Turmeric

Legend has it that when baby Jesus was born, wise men from the east brought him gold, frankincense and myrrh.

If you look back at ancient texts, many believe that gold actually refers to a commonly used spice of the time: turmeric.

Not only was turmeric mentioned in the Bible, but Ayurvedic medicine has used it for centuries. There are Chinese records of turmeric use dating back over 2000 years.

Turmeric is not only a flavorful spice, but is also a powerful blood cleanser. When kings would get poisoned, doctors would give them turmeric in hopes of helping them survive. Healers would administer turmeric in order to cleanse a king’s body of poison.

Although turmeric has been known and used successfully all over the world for centuries, it has taken Western Medicine a long time to catch up in understanding and applying turmeric!

It’s only been in the past 30 years that America has started to catch on to the incredible medicinal potential of this ancient spice.  

The amazing health benefits of turmeric

From clearing infections to reducing inflammation, this spice has healing properties.

Blocking cancer

Doctors at UCLA found that curcumin, the main component in turmeric, appeared to block an enzyme that promotes the growth of head and neck cancer.

In that study, 21 subjects with head and neck cancers chewed two tablets containing 1,000 milligrams of curcumin. An independent lab in Maryland evaluated the results and found that the cancer-promoting enzymes in the patients’ mouths were inhibited by the curcumin and thus prevented from advancing the spread of the malignant cells.

Powerful antioxidant

The University of Maryland’s Medical Center also states that turmeric’s powerful antioxidant properties fight cancer-causing free radicals, reducing or preventing some of the damage they can cause.

While more research is necessary, early studies have indicated that curcumin may help prevent or treat several types of cancer including prostate, skin and colon.

Potent anti-inflammatory

Dr. Randy J. Horwitz, the medical director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and an assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson, wrote a paper for the American Academy of Pain Management in which he discussed the health benefits of turmeric.

“Turmeric is one of the most potent natural anti-inflammatories available,” Horwitz states in the paper.

He went on to cite a 2006 University of Arizona study that examined the effect of turmeric on rats with injected rheumatoid arthritis. According to Horwitz, pretreatment with turmeric completely inhibited the onset of rheumatoid arthritis in the rats. In addition, the study found that using turmeric for pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis resulted in a significant reduction of symptoms.

Some research shows that curcumin might ease symptoms of uveitis — long-term inflammation in the middle layer of the eye. Other research shows that taking turmeric daily for several months may improve kidney function for people with kidney inflammation.

Osteoarthritis pain relief

Turmeric may also be helpful with another type of arthritis. Some research has shown that taking turmeric extract can ease the pain of osteoarthritis. In one study,reports WebMD, turmeric worked about as well as ibuprofen for relieving osteoarthritis pain.

Indigestion and heartburn aid

Curcumin works with the gallbladder, stimulating it to make bile, which may help with digestion. In Germany, turmeric can be prescribed for digestive problems. Some research shows that turmeric may help upset stomach, bloating and gas. Turmeric may also help reduce the occurrence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in people who are otherwise healthy.

Heart disease

Studies have suggested curcumin may help prevent the buildup of plaque that can clog arteries and lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Impact on diabetes

Early studies suggest that taking turmeric daily can cut down the number of people with prediabetes who develop diabetes.

It promotes Mental Health

Turmeric has the ability to cause mental focus and clarity due to its strong neuro properties. According to many experts, this spice is effective in treating numerous ailments including epilepsy, tardive dyskinesia, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, as well as other neurodegenerative disorders.

We present you 7 easy ways to use turmeric daily:

1. Turmeric Kefir

Just add 1 teaspoon of turmeric to a cup of kefir and your drink is ready. Enjoy!

2. Turmeric Juice Shot

Needed ingredients:

• ½ lemon
• Sea salt
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder or ½ inch turmeric root

Preparation:

Firstly you need to squeeze the lemon. Then, mix its juice with a pinch of sea salt and turmeric. Also, you can use a blender to mix these ingredients.

3. Turmeric Soup

Needed ingredients:

• 4 cups veggie or organic bone broth
• 1 knuckle grated/chopped turmeric

Preparation:

Simmer the broth along with turmeric for 15 minutes. Strain the biggest chunks, and in order to increase the bioavailability of turmeric, you need to add a bit of black pepper.

4. Turmeric Tea

The simple and easy way is to chop some turmeric and add it to the tea maker.

But, also, there is another method you can prepare the tea.

Needed ingredients:

• A squeeze of lime
• ½ teaspoon fresh grated turmeric
• Dash of black pepper
• 1 cup hot water
• Raw honey to taste

Preparation:

You need to boil the water and add the turmeric. Let it simmer for 5 minutes and then you can remove it from the heat. Strain it and add the rest of the ingredients. Enjoy your tea!

5. Golden Milk

The simple recipe is to add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of warm coconut milk. But, we present you another more delicious recipe:

Needed ingredients:

• 1 fresh grated turmeric/ turmeric powder
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated ginger powder
• 2 teaspoons raw honey
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup of coconut or almond milk
• ¼ cup of water
• Dash of cardamom
• Dash of cinnamon
• Dash of clove

Preparation:

Add all the ingredients in a pot and simmer for 1 minute.

6. Turmeric Scramble

Just add a bit of turmeric to your eggs while making your breakfast!

7. Turmeric Smoothie

Just add turmeric to your favorite smoothie. Or, you can try this recipe:

Needed ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of fresh turmeric/turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon maca root
• ½ coconut or almond milk
• 2 tablespoons coconut flakes
• 1 teaspoon hemp seed hearts
• 1 ½ cups frozen pineapple or mango
• Dash of black pepper

Preparation:

Just add all the ingredients in a blender, and blend them well. Now you can enjoy the health benefits of turmeric smoothie!

The post 7,000 Studies Confirm Turmeric Can Change Your Life: Here Are 7 Amazing Ways To Use It appeared first on Educate Inspire Change.