Have You Heard About Turmeric?

Something Dr. Case is happy to recommend to her patients is turmeric. If you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone! Let’s take a look at this popular ingredient in Indian and Asian cuisine.

It turns out, this spice has not only been used in cooking for centuries but also has a long history of medicinal use.

Turmeric is a spice primarily grown in India and the tropical regions of Asia.

The spice itself isn’t very effective medicinally, but rather its active compounds, like curcumin, that make it a sought after medical treatment.

The active compound curcumin is believed to have a wide range of biological effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumour, antibacterial, and antiviral activities, which indicate potential in clinical medicine.

According to Wikipedia, “as of December 2013, turmeric is being evaluated for its potential efficacy against several human diseases in clinical trials, including kidney and cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, several types of cancer, and irritable bowel disease. Turmeric is also being investigated for potential treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and other clinical disorders.”

Historically, in India, turmeric has been used as a remedy for stomach and liver ailments, as well as topically to heal sores, basically for its supposed antimicrobial property.

A fresh juice is commonly used in many skin conditions, including eczema, chicken pox, shingles, allergy, and scabies.

Pretty impressive for one little spice, huh? <smiley face>