By Roger Castell
Turmeric is a spice that currently enjoys great renown. What are its real virtues and how can we consume it to get the best health benefits?
Origin and properties of the plant
Spices are aromatic substances used to season food. Turmeric belongs to this family, very appreciated by gourmets, in which we find: cloves, nutmeg, ginger... Turmeric (Curcuma longa) native to southern Asia, is a perennial herbaceous plant with a stem that can reach one meter in height. This plant requires lots of sunshine, little water but very fertile soil. A close cousin of the banana tree, turmeric includes about forty varieties, which have lanceolate leaves, pale yellow flowers and a gnarled rhizome with bright orange flesh. Its dried and powdered rhizome is a very popular spice contained in curry, a spice mixture used in Indian cuisine. In Asia, it has long been known that turmeric helps retain freshness, the flavor and nutritional value of food. This spice therefore played an essential role as a food additive, long before the era of synthetic preservatives.
In Ayurvedic medicine (traditional Indian medicine), as well as in other traditional Asian medicines (China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia), turmeric is used to eliminate many health problems (digestion, circulation, inflammation). Over the past 20 years, substances called curcuminoids have been isolated from the rhizomes of turmeric. These are powerful antioxidants, which could explain the many traditional medicinal indications of this plant. It is used in the treatment of inflammatory disorders (rheumatic or menstrual pain) and to accelerate the healing of skin lesions (ulcers, wounds, scabies, eczema). Finally, turmeric is particularly popular in Japan on the island of Okinawa, where locals credit turmeric as the main reason for their exceptional longevity.
Therapeutic value of the plant
Studies on the therapeutic virtues of turmeric are very numerous, but they stem all of its exceptional antioxidant and blood thinning properties. It can therefore be a very effective product against inflammations and degenerative diseases which are all oxidation diseases. Here are some brief conclusions for several diseases.
Turmeric could protect against cancer, because epidemiological data show that several cancers (colon, breast, pancreas, prostate, lung, stomach, esophagus, lymphoma, leukemia) are few in Asia. At the same age, Indians have 8 times less lung cancer than Westerners, 9 times less colon cancer, 5 times less breast cancer and up to 10 times less kidney cancer. Indians are no less exposed than Westerners to “carcinogens” present in the environment. Their protection would come from turmeric, the high consumption of which is approximately 1 to 2 g per day (equivalent to a quarter to a half teaspoon).
It could also participate in the treatment of cancer, heal stomach ulcers, reduce hyperlipidemia and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Finally, it could relieve inflammatory diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, gingivitis, etc.) and even multiple sclerosis. Researchers are also interested in the potential beneficial effects of curcumin on Alzheimer's disease.
Its role in improving digestion is unanimously recognized. By stimulating the liver, it promotes the excretion of bile and that is why, it enters as main component in Hépatoum®, precious rebalancing after the excesses of table. By regulating hyperacidity, turmeric also protects the walls of the stomach against heartburn. Its presence in curry is therefore justified, because it reduces the acidity provided by “hot” spices. Finally, it acts with the liver enzymes responsible for detoxification, to facilitate the elimination of certain toxins such as arsenic and those related to taking medication.
Bioelectronic measurements
Bioelectronic measurements (see table below) confirm the great value of this spice to help maintain standards of good health. Turmeric powder has a very good energy potential which makes it a recommended product for daily use (1). Curcumisan Plus capsules are excellent for maintaining health in periodic cures (2). Hepatoum can provide significant occasional help in the event of digestive disorders (3). The quality of such products is significantly improved by adding a few drops of lemon.
Precautions for use
There are no known adverse effects of turmeric. However, some authors believe that because of its traditional use to treat amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), pregnant women should avoid taking large doses of turmeric. The only contraindication concerns the presence of a gallstone which could be evacuated too quickly. As a precaution, it is advisable in this case not to take turmeric.
The generally recommended dosages are of two types. To treat digestive disorders, use powdered dried rhizome. Take 1,5 g to 3 g (1 to 2 tsp) per day in your raw vegetables or as an infusion, put 1,5 g of powder (1 tsp) in 150 ml of simmering water and leave to infuse for 12 minutes. Drink 2 cups a day. Against inflammation, use the extract standardized to 95% curcuminoids, taking the equivalent of 200 to 400 mg, 3 times a day. Choose extracts containing piperine (from pepper), to improve the absorption of curcumin.
External use
Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, turmeric can be applied as a poultice to treat pathologies such as eczema, psoriasis or fungal infections.
To increase active longevity
Because of its many good qualities and lack of downsides, turmeric should be on every plate every day, to accompany raw vegetables as well as cooked dishes. You can sprinkle half to a teaspoon of turmeric powder on your raw fruit in the morning or your mixed salads (lunch and dinner). You can also add a piece of turmeric rhizome to your choice of roots (carrot, black radish, turnip). You will have to spray them with the blender to increase, the antioxidant potential of this vitamin-rich dish. It is also possible to take turmeric in capsules, as a dietary supplement or when traveling for example (2). But remember that to be well assimilated, turmeric must be combined with lemon, oil (1st press), pepper (white or black) or fruit (pineapple, kiwi, pear, etc.).
Finally, this spice has so many virtues, that it should be consumed every day, to increase the chances of the truly active longevity that we all desire.
Bioelectronic measurements (with the Consort C3050)
Curcumisan Plus capsule pH 5,30 – rH2 11,8 – rô 228 – E (mV) 35,7-W (µW) 5,6 – Comments: Very vitalizing and very mineralizing
– Curcumisan Plus capsules (with pomegranate, olive, black nigella), from the Phytomisan laboratory. Website: www.phytomisan.com