TURMERIC
Turmeric is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches up to 1 m tall which
is a part of ginger family of herbs, the Zingiberaceae.
The root and rhizome stem of the Curcuma
longa plant is crushed and powdered into ground Turmeric spice.
This gives curry an yellow color. Its used in almost all Indian dishes , this
spice has almost no calories and
zero cholesterol.
It is rich in dietary fiber, iron,
potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6.
Biochemical composition
·
The most important chemical components of turmeric are a group of compounds
called
curcuminoids, which include curcumin (diferuloylmethane), demethoxycurcumin,
and
bisdemethoxycurcumin.
·
The best-studied compound is curcumin, which constitutes 3.14%
(on average) of powdered turmeric.
·
In addition, other important volatile oils include
turmerone, atlantone, and zingiberene. Some general constituents are
sugars, proteins, and
resins.
USES of Turmeric
THERAPEUTIC USES
The wide range of turmeric health benefits come mainly from its main
ingredient, curcumin.
This widely researched component of turmeric is highly therapeutic and is
used in various
drugs and pharmaceutics mainly because of its immunity boosting and
anti-oxidant properties.
·
Anti- Inflammatory and Anti-oxidant Property – Free radical causing oxidative damage of DNA
and proteins are associated with a variety of chronic diseases such as cancer,
atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases. Curcumin plays an important
role in curbing these conditions. Curcumin down-regulates certain inflammatory
transcription factors such as kappaB, enzymes such as cyclooxygenase 2 and 5
lipoxygenase, and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1
(IL-1) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) and hinders the development of these disease.
·
Enhances Immunity
Certain studies reveals that curcumin is 5 to 8 times stronger than vitamin
E and stronger than vitamin C, this antioxidant breakthrough may help boost
your immunity, maintain normal cholesterol levels, and put the brakes on aging.
·
Curcumin Helps Promote Weight Loss and reduce the incidence of
obesity-related diseases. The inflammation associated with obesity is due to macrophages in fat
tissues throughout the body. Scientists
believe that turmeric suppresses the number and activity of these cells, and
help reduce some of the adverse consequences of obesity.
·
Turmeric Improves Rheumatoid Arthritis :The researchers also found that curcumin
treatment was safe and did not relate with any adverse events.
·
Curcumin in turmeric has a potential role in the prevention and treatment
of Alzheimer’s disease
Various effects of curcumin, such as decreased Beta-amyloid plaques,
delayed degradation of neurons, metal-chelation, anti-inflammatory, and
antioxidant property, improve overall memory in Alzheimer’s patients.
·
Curcumin Protects Against Certain Liver Diseases
·
Curcumin Prevents the Development of Type 2 Diabetes in people who have
prediabetes
Researchers from Cancer Biology
Research Center, South Dakota, claim that curcumin may be an
effective
chemopreventive and therapeutic agent for cervical cancer prevention and
treatment.
They found that curcumin treatment suppresses cervical cancer cell
growth by altering the HPV-
associated molecular pathways in cervical cancer
cells.
OTHER USES
Apart from therapeutic uses, turmeric is also used as an important spice,
in beauty products and in spiritual ceremonies.
• In India, turmeric is used in almost all curries and gravy dishes. It
gives a rich color and a unique flavor to the food.
• Turmeric is a well-known preservative.
• Turmeric is a great pesticide. Sprinkle turmeric (powder) water near all
the entry points of your house to ward of insects, ants, and termites.
• Women in India use turmeric in skin products such as creams and body scrubs
to boost the glow factor.
• Can be used as a dye.
• Drinking turmeric with milk is good for health.
Dental Application of Turmeric
Turmeric can be used in following ways offer relief from dental problems:
1. Rinsing the mouth with turmeric water (boil 5 g of turmeric powder, two
cloves, and two dried leaves of guava in 200 g water) gives instant relief. Massaging
the aching teeth with roasted, ground turmeric eliminates pain and swelling.
2. Applying the powder of burnt turmeric pieces and bishop's weed seed on
teeth and cleaning them makes the gums and teeth strong.
3. Applying a paste made from 1 tsp of turmeric with ½ tsp of salt and ½
tsp of mustard oil provides relief from gingivitis and periodontitis. Rub the
teeth and gums with this paste twice daily.
4. Dental-plaque detection system
A yellow pigment of beni-koji and
turmeric are known as staining agents also used for other purposes.
The dental-plaque detection system includes a dental-plaque staining agent,
which contains at least one selected from the yellow pigment of beni-koji,
turmeric extracts, and curcumin; and a light-emitting apparatus, which outputs
light having a wavelength within a range of 250 to 500 nm to an object in the
oral cavity where the dental-plaque staining agent is attached.
5. Curcumin available in gel form can be used in apthous ulcer cases.
The benefits of turmeric include: analgesic, antibacterial,
anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-allergic, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic,
appetizer, astringent, cardiovascular, carminative, cholagogue, digestive, and
diuretic.
Side Effects of Turmeric
Turmeric is safe and without side effects when used optimally.
1.People with turmeric sensitivity can have mild stomach upset or diarrhea.
2.Use turmeric with caution if you are pregnant.
3.Turmeric can make gall bladder problems and GERD (Gastro Esophageal
Reflux Disorder) worse.
4.Turmeric can slow blood clotting and might cause extra bleeding during
and after surgery.
AVAILABLE FORMS
Turmeric is available as
- powder ,extracts,as rhizome itself,
- Creams
- oral gel
- ORGANIC Capsule form -1 - 2 capsules with water,after food, twice a day, or as directed by your health care practitioner
- Pastilles - modern drug delivery system,by keeping it in the mouth for 20minutes.
by,DR.RENJU T GEORGE,
INDIA.
