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Health Benefits of Turmeric

By Diane Hanson

There is something really good about turmeric that many people are unaware of. Turmeric, the yellow-orange spice and a member of the ginger family, commonly used in Asian cooking offers a host of impressive health benefits.

Interestingly enough, the health benefits of turmeric lie in the active ingredient called curcumin. This compound gives turmeric its therapeutic benefits, bright yellow color, and pungent flavor. In a few words, curcumin is a “miracle spice” jam-packed with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that protect you against many chronic diseases including cancer.

Recent studies at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center showed that curcumin helps prevent and block the growth of cancer such as melanoma tumor cells, breast cancer, colon cancer and other cancers, thanks to its powerful antioxidant action.

In addition to its cancer-fighting capabilities, turmeric’s strong anti-inflammatory properties can potentially help treat various inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Turmeric is thought to reduce inflammation and ease joint pain associated with arthritis. It is said that regular consumption of freshly brewed turmeric tea can help relieve morning stiffness and joint swelling to a great extent.

Pour 4 cups of water into a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil. Add about 1-2 teaspoons ground turmeric (use freshly grated turmeric for a more robust taste) and let simmer on low heat for 5 minutes or so. Remove and let it sit for a few minutes. Pour turmeric tea through a strainer.

You can sweeten the tea with honey or agave, or add 1-2 lemon slices for flavor. Some people also like to add a bit of ground ginger and ground cinnamon to boost its pain-relieving effects while enhancing taste. Like turmeric, both ginger and cinnamon have anti-inflammatory actions that can lessen persistent joint and muscle pain.

Furthermore, turmeric is believed to provide significant health benefits for people suffering from cataracts, diabetes, psoriasis, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis.

Due to its ability to lower LDL (the “bad cholesterol”) levels and prevent excessive blood clotting, the herb is also deemed helpful for reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.

While turmeric is generally considered as a safe herb, it is always good to know its possible side effects. Prolong use of higher than recommended doses (250-500 mg) can cause stomach upset and other gastrointestinal disturbances. It can also pose health risks to people who have liver disease, or gallbladder disease.

It is worth mentioning that the herb may interact negatively with medications, including blood-thinners (Coumadin and Plavix), stomach acid-reducers (Prevacid and Zantac), and blood sugar-lowering drugs for diabetes treatment.

Pregnant women, women who are trying to conceive or women that have a history of fertility problems, and nursing mothers should not use turmeric.

Aside from taking turmeric supplements and turmeric tea, the herb can be added to vegetable stir-frys, chicken and fish dishes, curries and casseroles.

However keep in mind that turmeric’s flavor tends to get stronger when cooked so make sure to use it sparingly. Also, turmeric powder will lose its potency due to heat, light, humidity and air. Therefore, it should be stored in an airtight container and kept in a cool dark place. Do not refrigerate.

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