Turmeric powder has long been used as a delicious spice in South Asian cuisine. However, this plant also has many beneficial properties for health, from aiding digestion to preventing serious neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. While it tastes a little bitter and perhaps even unpleasant when in its raw form, there are many ways to incorporate this potent antioxidant spice into your daily nutrition and care.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Take Turmeric in Different Forms
Step 1. Take it as a root
You can find turmeric in the tuber of "curcuma longa". A bit like ginger, you can still eat it raw when it is a root, although this makes it a little bitter.
Aim to consume about 1.5-3 g of root each day
Step 2. Add turmeric powder to food and drink
You can easily find it on the market also in this form; you should take about 400-600 mg, three times a day. You can incorporate it into sauces, soups or even some drinks like milk and herbal teas.
- To make turmeric tea, boil 240ml of water and dissolve 2g of turmeric powder. You can also add lemon, honey, and ginger to improve the taste.
- If herbal tea isn't your favorite beverage, you can choose to add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of milk to make the most of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Step 3. Use turmeric mother tincture
In this form, all the beneficial properties of the root have been concentrated in the liquid. You can easily add 2-3 drops of mother tincture to water, tea, soup, or any other liquid substance you consume every day.
You can buy this product at major health food stores or in the supplement section of major well-stocked supermarkets or pharmacies
Step 4. Make a turmeric paste
If you have cuts or burns on your skin, a turmeric paste may be the best remedy to treat them, because you can apply it directly to the affected area.
- Mix the water, turmeric powder, and ginger together. Use a small spatula or brush (both clean and sterilized) to apply the paste to the injured area. If you have decided to use your hands, make sure they are clean before putting the paste on the wound. Let the product work for a few hours.
- If it's a minor burn, you can apply a paste of turmeric and aloe vera. Mix these two ingredients in equal parts to create a dough.
Step 5. Take turmeric tablets
On the market you can also find it in the form of a supplement. The dosage may vary according to the different type of packaging, but it is usually in 350mg tablets. You can take 1 to 3 per day; if you suffer from stomach pain you can also take the higher dosage (3 tablets). You can find this product in the food supplements department of major supermarkets.
Part 2 of 3: Knowing When to Avoid Turmeric
Step 1. Adjust the dosage
While turmeric offers tremendous benefits for most healthy people, you should avoid exceeding the recommended dosage, otherwise it could cause stomach problems. Check with your doctor for the correct amount of turmeric to integrate into your daily diet.
Step 2. Do not take it for medicinal purposes if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
While you can safely consume it as a spice in foods, you shouldn't increase the dosage in tablet or liquid form.
Step 3. Avoid it if you have diabetes
If you have abnormal blood sugar levels, you should speak to your doctor before you start taking turmeric, as it tends to lower your blood sugar. if you have this problem, you cannot take it for medicinal purposes.
Keep in mind that turmeric can also interfere with some prescription diabetes medications
Step 4. Do not take it if you suffer from excessive stomach acid
If you are taking medications for this problem - such as famotidine, ranitidine or omeprazole - you should avoid taking it, as it can interfere with therapy.
Step 5. You must give up this plant even if you have gallbladder problems
Turmeric is able to regulate the amount of bile produced by a healthy gallbladder. But if the gallbladder has problems, then the plant can interact negatively, causing stones or even blockages of the bile ducts.
Part 3 of 3: Knowing the Benefits of Turmeric
Step 1. Relieves indigestion
Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin which has been shown to be effective in soothing stomach ailments because it acts on the gallbladder; By causing it to produce more bile, curcumin improves digestive capacity and relieves the symptoms of bloating.
Step 2. Reduce inflammation
Curcumin is also an effective anti-inflammatory and as such is able to soothe a wide range of conditions, such as arthritis, psoriasis, chronic back and neck pain.
Curcumin also interferes with the production of the COX-2 enzyme, which is responsible for painful inflammation
Step 3. Heal wounds and cuts
This plant has strong antibacterial properties that promote the healing of cuts and protect them from infections.
Step 4. Prevent heart disease
Heart problems often result from a buildup of plaque in the arteries that carry blood to the heart. The anti-inflammatory components of this spice improve circulation and help the arteries remain patent.
By using turmeric to ensure good blood circulation you can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke
Step 5. Prevent Cancer
Although there is no definitive evidence regarding turmeric as a tumor inhibitor, preliminary results suggest that this plant is capable of slowing or preventing the development of cancerous cells in the colon and lungs.
- The rate of these types of cancers among the Indian population is one of the lowest (13 times lower than in the United States). Many researchers believe that the spices that are used in curries, such as turmeric, are responsible for these excellent results.
- The powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric are believed to be very useful for cancer prevention. Inflammation often plays an important role in the development of cancer cells.
- But don't try to cure cancer with herbs and vitamins alone. If you are sick, you must work with the oncologist and undergo treatments.
Advice
- Many doctors compare the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits of turmeric to those of over-the-counter NSAID pain relievers; however, turmeric has fewer risks and side effects than medicines.
- Remember not to confuse the curcumin present in turmeric with the herbaceous plant "cumin". These are two different things and the benefits you can get from turmeric are not possible with cumin.
