Herbs for Health - Turmeric

 

Any healthy eating guide should include a review of turmeric. Overlooked as a health herb in North America, turmeric has been held in high esteem in Ayurvedic medicine in India for thousands of years. In the western world, it has been on the spice rack, to be used in curries, but the healing benefits of turmeric have long been overlooked.

1. The nearby botanical relative ginger of turmeric has long enjoyed a more prominent position on the shelf of herbalists. Ginger has been shown to help lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and prevent blood clots that trigger heart attacks and strokes. Herbalists are beginning to believe that these two together, Ginger and Turmeric can offer one, two blows to combat these problems.

2. Turmeric is also associated with the fight to relieve morning stiffness and joint inflammation due to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While studies continue, it is worth checking with your doctor to see if he or she feels that สมุนไพรเพื่อสุขภาพ help if you have these conditions. Over-the-counter capsules are available for both turmeric and ginger in most health food stores and in some grocery stores and pharmacies.

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3. Research suggests that turmeric stimulates the flow of bile, which helps with fat digestion, making turmeric part of our Herbal Healthy Eating Guide for your diet and weight loss program. Commission E, which is the German counterpart to the FDA, approves turmeric for indigestion.

Turmeric grows wild in some of the tropical countries of South Asia and is also cultivated in India and the Caribbean. It is often used in Indian cuisine, in its curries and in marinades. The attractive yellow coloring of turmeric is reminiscent of saffron. Turmeric powder is used to some extent in Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Caribbean cuisine. It is the ingredient that gives your white rice that wonderful yellow color. It is also a main ingredient in mustard and is what gives our American mustard its bright yellow color.

As with all herbs and spices, turmeric should be stored in a tightly closed container, in a cool, dark place, for no more than 6 months. While you can buy "on the shelf" at your local supermarket, try, whenever possible, to visit a spice store and buy it fresh.

In short, turmeric is an herb that will add flavor and color to your kitchen and should be part of your healthy lifestyle eating plan if possible. However, as with any herb, if you plan to use it to improve your health, check with your professional healthcare provider or doctor before you start taking it in large amounts or in capsules.