Turmeric is considered as an important part of the range of herbal medicines in Ayurveda. It is also said to be most beneficial in chronic illnesses with generalized weakness and in diseases like renal failure where toxins are released into the body.
Native to tropical South Asia, Turmeric thrives in rainy climates with temperatures between 20° and 30° C. Turmeric is boiled in hot ovens, then dried, rhizomes are extracted, ground into a powder and used as a spice or dye. Curcumin, the active ingredient, has a peppery flavor and smells similar to mustard. Turmeric is used in food products and curry powders. Turmeric aids circulation and digestion. In India, it is used as an antiseptic for burns and cuts. Curcumin has been used as an anti-inflammatory and to treat psoriasis. The US National Institute of Health is conducting clinical trials to determine if curcumin is an effective treatment for pancreatic cancer, Alzheimer's and colorectal cancer.
Ayurvedic perspective:
Turmeric is bitter, pungent and astringent in taste, light, dry, heating, Kapha pacifying and Pitta & Vata aggravating in excess use. It has strong taste and smell post digestion effect, it then enters into your blood, spleen, stomach and liver, and works on all dhatus (tissue elements) in the body. Its main effects are on the digestive, circulatory and respiratory systems. It is stimulant, carminative, and antibacterial. Commonly used for indigestion, flatulence, poor circulation, cough, amenorrhea, pharyngitis, toothache, chest pain, blood urine, hemorrhage, skin disorders, diabetes, arthritis, anemia, wounds, bruises, to strengthen the stomach and promote its action, and it also acts as a blood purifier and Tonic for body. Turmeric poultices are many times applied on wounds and scratches locally to relieve from inflammation and pain. Turmeric also acts on the imbalanced processes of nutrition digestion and metabolism (Jatarangi Level) and it also restores the normal function of the gastro intestinal system. It is considered to have excellent natural antibiotic and antibacterial effects on body. Apart from purifying the blood (Rakta dhatu shuddhi), it also warms it and stimulates formation of new blood tissue (Rakta dhatu vardhaka). The recommended dosage is 400 to 600 mg three times daily, according to the condition of the individual.
Precautions and contraindications:
Acute jaundice, hepatitis, obstructive jaundice, gallstones, excessive Pitta, pregnancy.
Clinical application:
1) Curcuma lowers cholesterol levels.
2) Turmeric is a powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent, It is also useful in chronic cough, bronchial asthma.
3) Curcuma is comparatively stronger antioxidant than Vitamins A & E. 4) Turmeric has an anti-coagulant action, keeping the blood thin.
5) Turmeric enhances the flow of bile and protective action on intestinal flora.
6) Applied topically, turmeric is also useful in treating skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections and athlete’s foot.
7) Turmeric prevents platelets from clumping within blood vessels, making it effective in the prevention of atherosclerosis and its complications.
8) Turmeric is useful in cancers, especially bowel and colon cancer.
9) Curcuma is beneficial in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
10) Turmeric is beneficial in the prevention of gallstones.
11) Curcuma can prevent prostate cancer.
12) Turmeric is considered an effective remedy for expelling worms.
13) As a rich source of iron, turmeric is valuable for anemia.
14) Turmeric is beneficial in the treatment of measles.
15) External application of turmeric is beneficial for sprains and swellings.
16) Turmeric is effective for cleansing the chakras (nadi-shodhana), purifying the channels of the subtle body.
17) Turmeric helps stretch the ligaments, and thus is useful for regular hatha yoga practitioners.
18) Turmeric prevents the formation of gas, particularly when it is added to a high protein meal.
19) Turmeric relieves inflammation of the tonsils and congestion in the throat.
20) In some studies in vitro and in vivo it shows that curcuminoids can help with human being with HIV in a number of ways, including acting as biological response modifiers, resulting in significant increases in CD-4 and CD-8 counts.
