Turmeric is truly one of the marvelous medicinal spices of the world. It has been used by Ayurvedic and Unani practitioners in India from time immemorial. Turmeric is aromatic, stimulant and tonic. It corrects disordered process of nutrition and restores the normal function of the system. A staple spice in almost all Indian households the humble turmeric or Turmeric is one ingredient in your kitchen that holds a remedy for almost all illness you are likely to encounter.

Turmeric is packed with nutrients like proteins, dietary fiber, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, sodium, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium and zinc. All these essential components put together make turmeric a great antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic and anti-inflammatory agent.

10 health benefits of this colourful root.

1. Prevents Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that affects the brain. Commonly seen in the elderly, this condition incapacitates the patient by rendering almost all the functions of their brain useless. It is found that turmeric or Turmeric is capable of preventing and healing Alzheimer’s disease. It states that diferuloylmethan (the main component in turmeric) is the component that  reduces inflammation, stops excessive amyloid plaque formation around neurons and prevents their degradation, eventually preventing and reducing the severity of the disease.   

2. Prevents cancer 

Turmeric is known to have chemo-protective properties and can protect you from a number of cancers like colon cancer, cancer of the prostate, T-cell leukaemia, radiation induced tumours and breast cancers. The compounds present in turmeric were capable of preventing the progression of both invasive and non invasive colon cancers by destroying cancer cells. It also found that the anti oxidative properties of Turmeric protects the body from damage due to oxidative stress and radiation, thereby reducing your chances or suffering from tumours caused due to radiation.

3. Relieves arthritis

The anti inflammatory and anti oxidative properties of turmeric make it a perfect home remedy for arthritis. A number of studies performed previously have also established that Turmeric has amazing immune-protective benefits. Because of its combined actions on the body, Turmeric has been used as an effective agent in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The compounds present in turmeric are responsible for reducing the inflammation associated with arthritis and RA. The continuous consumption of the root helps to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with the conditions.

4. Controls diabetes 

If you have diabetes, Turmeric is something you simply must include into your diet. The curcumin present in turmeric has a very potent effect in moderating insulin levels and enhancing the efficacy of anti diabetic drugs. Being an antioxidant, it fights off the ill effects of free radicals and reduces insulin resistance. It is found that curcumin prevents protein glycosylation (where the protein molecule is altered) and lipid peroxidation (oxidative degradation of lipids), two process that occur commonly in the body when a person has high blood sugar. By controlling these two factors, turmeric increases the person’s sensitivity to insulin lowering his/her total blood sugar.

5. Prevents liver disease

Turmeric is great for the liver. It protects it from the damage caused by eating foods that contain high amounts of fat and excessive alcohol consumption. Turmeric  helps lower the potentially damaging effects of excessive cholesterol on the liver. Since turmeric alters the way body metabolizes fatty acids, this action helps in keeping the liver healthy, and is vital to protecting the liver from diseases such as non alcoholic fatty liver disease and damage caused due to excessive accumulation of fats in and around the liver. Turmeric  was found to protects the liver from both biochemical and pathological damage caused due an unhealthy lifestyle and drinking.

6. Lowers cholesterol

Did you know? Having turmeric on a daily basis can keep your cholesterol levels in check.  It is found that regularly consuming Turmeric changed the way the body processed cholesterol. This change lowers the total LDL or ‘bad’cholesterol and increased the amount of HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol in the body.

7. Relieves gas, diarrhoea and morning sickness

Turmeric  is  a very useful intestinal antiseptic. The juice or dry powder of its rizome, mixed in buttermilk or plain water is beneficial in intestinal problems, especially chronic diarrhoea. It also helps prevent flatulence. Fresh juice from the rhizomes, a paste prepared from it, or a decoction made from the plant has been found beneficial in the treatment of vomiting during pregnancy and afflictions of the liver. Turmeric has been found to inhibit bacterial growth and works as a powerful cleaning agent within the digestive system.’

8. Blood clotting agent and heals wounds 

Whenever you get cut, you must have heard your grandmother or mother tell you to immediately put some Turmeric on the wound. No, they are not being superstitious, it is because of all the healing properties the humble spice has. The naturally present phenolic compounds in turmeric make it an effective natural antiseptic agent. It is also a natural antibacterial agent and can be used as an effective disinfectant.  

9. Fights cough and cold

Rich in curcumin and volatile oils that have a protective as well as therapeutic action, turmeric is great in treating a cough and cold . As soon as you feel a scratchy sensation in your throat, it indicates the onset of a sore throat or cough, rely on Turmeric to stop the problem from getting aggravated. The easiest way of using turmeric is to drink hot milk with half a tea spoon of turmeric. 

10. Skin revitalizer 

Ancient Ayurveda studies have already revealed that Turmeric has properties that can not only heal a wound faster but also reduce the intensity of the scar seen on the skin.It is used as a face pack in beauty treatments and when mixed with rose water or milk cleanses the skin and revitalizes it.