Healing Power of Turmeric

The yellow colored Asian herb found easily is much more than just a coloring or flavoring agent in cooking. The magical ingredient, curcumin present in turmeric is one main reason behind magical health properties of turmeric.

Curcumin has been found to block lipid per-oxidation and has shown to decrease cholesterol due to its strong antioxidant properties.

According to a theory presented by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (July, 2009), turmeric is helpful in dementia by preventing amyloid protein plaques to spread. These plaques are believed to cause dementia. Also, according to a study at the Duke University in North Carolina, people who consumed meals containing turmeric up to 3 times a week had lower risk of developing dementia.

Turmeric is a natural antibacterial and antiseptic agent. It is used as a home remedy to heal wounds faster. For external use, a paste of turmeric as well as sesame seed oil can be made and applied on cuts and burns. For internal weakness and healing, one part of turmeric is mixed with 3 parts of warm milk and a pinch of saffron to be consumed warm.

The anti-cancer properties helps in prevention of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and other forms of cancer. Turmeric is a natural painkiller and also a specific cox-2 inhibitor. By this we may conclude that by using turmeric as a painkiller there is no risk of gastric erosion.

Also, many studies show that turmeric has inhibited growth of blood vessels in tumors. The drug paclitaxel is given during chemotherapy. Turmeric has shown to enhance its affectivity and decrease its side effects.

The herb has been used in traditional Chinese medicines to cure depression. Turmeric hastens fat metabolism. So it helps in treating excess weight. It is a natural anti-inflammatory herb. Turmeric, or Haldi, is part of traditional medicines to treated anemia. Risk of childhood leukemia was found to be very low in those children who consumed turmeric in their daily diet.

Turmeric is a liver detoxifier. Apart from all these benefits, turmeric is extensively used in skin care remedies. Just a pinch of turmeric in your regular face pack is enough to provide an instant glow to your face.