Turmeric is a flowering plant (Latin name Curcuma longa) native to the Indian subcontinent and Asia. Turmeric is a very old spice that many experts consider to be one of the most powerful and effective herbs. It has been used to prevent and treat many diseases for centuries. More than 10,000 published studies discuss the benefits of this spice and its use in treating illnesses and diseases. Many emphasize that curcumin, the compound in turmeric, has a greater effect than some prescription drugs.

Turmeric can be consumed raw, but it has pretty unremarkable taste. Also, for maximum curcumin absorption it is advised to mix the grounded turmeric with fat and black peppercorns. This combination works thanks to piperine, a compound that has been proven to help the body absorb curcumin through the bloodstream. As a last resort, you can always buy “Turmeric Tea”, ready made mixture that can be consumed as “tea” with seasoning of your choice (cinnamon or honey is a good choice).

What are the health benefits of Turmeric?

Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant

It means it hunts down the free radicals in your body. Free radicals react with organic substances inside your body, which can cause harm. Thanks to the unique chemical properties of curcumin, it will also stimulate antioxidant mechanisms in the body.

It’s an anti-inflammatory

This has been known for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine and in Eastern Asian medicine. Turmeric can act as plain pain medication by reducing existing inflammations and stopping your body from producing the chemicals that initiate inflammation in the first place.

It helps resolve gastrointestinal conditions

The herb is especially beneficial in helping with digestive disorders such as gas, bloating and inflammatory bowel disease, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

It aids in virus protection

Curcumin has the ability to enhance antibody responses, helping the body mount a response to viruses. Curcumin can act not only as an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial compound, but also as an anti-viral compound, inhibiting replication in a wide-range of viruses.

It can Control Diabetes

Turmeric increases glucose control and augments the effects of medications that treat diabetes. Although more research on human patients is required to draw a concrete conclusion, initial results are positive and since it cannot harm, it can only help.

It helps the liver

Curcumin has been shown to limit damage to the liver from iron overdose, cirrhosis, ethanol and carbon tetrachloride. Turmeric may be able to lower levels of liver enzymes, a marker of liver damage and can help people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease recover.

It eases symptoms of arthritis

Turmeric aids in the management of oxidative and inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, anxiety, and hyperlipidemia. It may also help in the management of exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness.

It soothes skin conditions

Turmeric can speed up wound healing and calm the pores to help reduce acne. It can also prevent scarring and flareups. Just make sure you consult your dermatologist first as some people can develop allergic reactions or even skin coloring when used in topical applications.

Recommended daily consumption

As with every other type of food, moderation is the key for a healthy and beneficial turmeric consumption. The recommended turmeric dosage is between 150-250 mg of curcumin and 1000-1500 mg of turmeric root powder per day. This is proven to be a sweet-spot that won’t cause any harm to your body, but can still provide significant health benefits. To get the desired anti inflammatory effect, you should consume 5 to 10g (500 to 1000 milligrams) of curcumin per day.

Exclusions still apply for people with pre-existing health issues, in that case you may want to consult your doctor prior to introducing turmeric in your diet.