The Amazing Ayurvedic Health Benefits Of Turmeric

Ayurveda is a complementary and alternative medicine practice that has been followed on the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years. Around eighty per cent of India's and Nepal's populations have reported making use of Ayurvedic practices at some point in their lives.

Both the theory and the practice of Ayurveda have been categorised as pseudoscience by some doubters. Over more than two thousand years, Ayurvedic treatment methods have diversified and progressed, and include herbal medicines, specific diets, meditation, yoga, massage, laxatives, enemas, and medical oils.

Traditionally, Ayurvedic remedies are composed of a wide variety of complex plant components, mineral substances, and metal elements, perhaps under the influence of early Indian alchemy or rasa shastra.

Ayurvedic books from the past also included instructions on surgical procedures, such as rhinoplasty, the removal of kidney stones and other foreign objects, suturing, and wound care.

The tradition places weight on avoiding disease by modifying the ways in which we eat and live. Hippocrates emphasised the same notion when he advised mankind to "Let your food be your medicine."

Turmeric is one of the most well-known spices in Ayurveda, yet it is still not fully understood by the average person. Over the past few years there has been a rise in the number of people interested in turmeric and its characteristics.

For around 6000 years this herb has been present on the shelves of Indian kitchens, and it is so important that it is often called the "king of the kitchen." Ayurveda has traditionally used it in remedies connected with the liver and the skin.

Some studies have explored turmeric's possible links to inflammation and general wellbeing, but research is ongoing and results should not be read as a promise of any health outcome.

Turmeric, or Curcuma longa, is a member of the Zingiberaceae family and a perennial that can reach heights of up to three to five feet when grown in tropical climates. It is cultivated across India, particularly in Bengal, Bombay, and Tamil Nadu.

It is used every day in the kitchen, and also as a beauty product and a dye. The rhizomes and roots are first heated, then dried and powdered, and the powder is used in a variety of ways.

In Ayurvedic texts that are thousands of years old, turmeric has many names. Haridra refers to its association with the complexion, Kanchani to its gold-like look, Nisha to beauty and complexion, Gowri to its yellow hue, Krimighni to a traditional antibacterial association, and Yoshit priya to traditional use in women's health. In Hindi it is called haldi.

Curcumin is the chemical component of turmeric that is responsible for most of its active properties, and it is often described as an antioxidant.

You may see claims online about curcumin and the liver, cholesterol or the heart. These are areas of ongoing research rather than established benefits, so speak to a healthcare professional before relying on turmeric for any health purpose.

Turmeric used as a food spice is widely eaten. When taken by mouth, turmeric is most likely safe for short-term use, and products containing up to eight grammes of curcumin per day have appeared safe for up to two months in some studies.

Curcumin in high doses may cause mild side effects in some people. Anyone with gallstones, hyperacidity, stomach ulcers, or obstructive jaundice should take extra care and ask a doctor first.

According to Ayurvedic teachings, turmeric is described as light and dry, with a spicy and bitter taste, and is traditionally associated with the skin, the lungs, and the liver.

Respiratory system: in traditional practice, a teaspoon of turmeric boiled in milk with a teaspoon of pure ghee has been taken for coughs and chest complaints. This is a folk remedy, not a treatment, and persistent symptoms need medical advice.

Antioxidants: turmeric's antioxidant properties are often mentioned in connection with looking and feeling younger, and with heart and joint comfort.

Blood sugar: turmeric is a common part of a number of Ayurvedic preparations traditionally used alongside diabetes care. Anyone managing diabetes should speak to their doctor before adding turmeric products.

Skin: a traditional Indian face pack combines gram flour, pure turmeric powder, milk, and honey. It is valued traditionally for leaving skin feeling smooth and looking bright.

Stomach and intestines: turmeric is traditionally used to support digestion and a regular routine.

Minor wounds: a thick paste of turmeric has traditionally been applied to minor wounds. Clean wounds properly and seek medical advice rather than relying on home remedies.

Turmeric has a long history as a kitchen staple and in traditional medicine, and many people enjoy it as part of a varied diet. Don't you think that nature has given us a great gift in this golden herb?

If you are considering a turmeric supplement, compare the dose per serving and the label details, and see our buying guide for a practical way to do that.