Growing Turmeric
We have a huge number of herbs and spices and their beneficial use in various ailments, the links are spread across these 5 pages, towards the bottom of the page:
Of all the herbs and spices to choose from my top 5 would be:
One of the most interesting issues is the recent fuss over the substance curcumin, which is extracted from turmeric – yes, the same turmeric used in Indian curries! There is a long history in certain cultures using turmeric for a range of complaints and these properties are now being backed up by rigorous, placebo-controlled clinical trials.
The range of effects that turmeric has on the body is surprisingly extensive, however most attention has been given to turmeric’s abilities as an anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant and anti-cancer agent.
In traditional medicine and naturopathic modalities, such as Ayurveda, turmeric has been used to treat a wide range of problems including arthritis, jaundice, heartburn (dyspepsia), stomach pain, diarrhea, intestinal gas, stomach bloating, appetite loss, liver issues, gallbladder disorders, laryngitis, bronchitis, diabetes, headaches, bronchitis, lung infections, fibromyalgia, colds, leprosy and cancer.
Recent studies have backed up age-old Ayurveda recommendations to use turmeric for digestive upsets. A recent study showed that turmeric reduced the severity of diarrhea, bloating, abdominal cramps and other aspects of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – an extremely common disorder in the general population.
Research has shown that turmeric is effective for the treatment of dyspepsia, which is characterized by a painful and inflamed gastrointestinal system. Naturally, turmeric is effective partially due to its anti-inflammatory properties, however scientists also found that turmeric stimulated the production of bile, which assists in the digestion of fats. The evidence has been sufficiently strong for the German Commission E (the scientific advisory board for Germany’s equivalent of the Food & Drug Administration) to approves turmeric as a treatment for gastrointestinal problems.
Turmeric has also been studied as a treatment for the debilitating condition Ulcerative Colitis which is characterized by inflammation and ulcers of the digestive tract. In a double blind placebo-controlled study, those who took turmeric had a lower relapse rate than their counterparts who were only taking a placebo.