The bottom line really is that, just as the underutilization of several of our natural sources foods has led to many of these problems to have reached this epidemic level, irrespective of color or continent, it is the same source of foods that could reverse this imbalance and help us regain our own body’s immunogenic balance which is built into our systems.

One of the obvious fallout, a complete lack of balance in eating habits and a drastic change in lifestyles have created the biggest threat of all – obesity. Several of the most known spices including turmeric have been studied in the most critical of scientific spaces to emerge as a highly effective and potent remedy to address not only obesity but also cancer, dementia, and control of blood sugar.

This is often referred to as ethnobotany, a science that studies threadbare the traditional plant sourced foods and their impact on human evolution and subsequent changes in metabolism. In Indian and Chinese cooking, not only has turmeric been used for coloring gravies but also cheeses as well as for coloring regular mustard. In ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric powder was used to cure inflammation, reduce liver infections and malfunctioning digestion, and also help fight clotting of blood, curing skin ailments and wounds. It is known to have proven antimicrobial action on the skin.

What is curcumin?

Clinical trials with curcumin, a chemical found in the turmeric powder, proved that this chemical has been found to have far-reaching effects on the body to combat effectively not only cancer but also diabetes, Crohn’s disease, arthritis ,all kinds of ulcerations and inflammation-related diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, uveitis, cardiovascular diseases, vitiligo, lupus, renal conditions, and immunodeficiency syndrome like thalassemia.

What has conclusively been reported through several studies on Curcuma longa, the rhizomatous ginger family perennial plant, is that there is adequate evidence now to support its high effectiveness in combating all of the above mentioned debilitating conditions.

Apart from making it part of your everyday food intake, the powder form of this rhizome can be included as a drink in your diet too. Turmeric tea is easy to prepare and maybe combined with other herbal inclusions and infusion without changing its basic qualitative aspect and effectiveness.

The presence of curcumin in turmeric is known to lessen the resistance in the body for insulin and leptin – two of the most well know causes of obesity.

So how does consumption of turmeric tea really help?

One need not always look for “pharmacolized” turmeric solutions –one of the simplest ways this golden spice can be made part of your diet is by simply making a fairly pleasant tasting tea out of its powdered form, which is easily available in all well-known spice stores. Get it from any Asian spice shop and you are sure to get the purest form.

Some Truly Authentic and Effective Turmeric Tea Recipes

It would not be an exaggeration to call them formulas as they do pack in the goodness of several highly therapeutic additions apart from turmeric power to make them a very healthy drink.

Here Is #1 Japanese Turmeric Tea

• 2 cups water, ½ tsp ground turmeric, ½ tsp ground chopped ginger, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp honey, 1 lemon wedge.
• Boil water and as it begins to simmer add cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric powder and allow it to simmer on low heat for a good ten minutes.After which, you should strain it and add honey and the lemon wedge.

This recipe is also called as the Okinawa turmeric tea.

Recipe #2 The Golden Cup

• 2 cups water, an inch of grated ginger, 2 tsp ground turmeric powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, lemon grass tea bag or fresh lemongrass, 6 pepper corns, pinch of sea salt.
• Garnishing – orange or lemon slice, honey, a little lemon juice.
• Boil water with cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, orange slices, and pepper corns. Simmer for 10–15 minutes and when you turn off the heat add the lemon grass. Steep for three minutes and strain into a cup. Add lemon juice, honey, and a lemon wedge on the glass.

Recipe # 3 Golden Milk

So those of you who prefer to tone down the smell and the spiciness of turmeric which could be slightly,overpoweringly acrid, here is a creamier version.

• 2 cups milk (dairy), soya or almond (any), 1 teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder (you could use a stick too), a small piece of ginger, a tsp of honey, a pinch of cayenne powder, a pinch of black pepper powder.
• Blend in milk and all the other ingredients in blender till smooth. Boil for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain and drink warm or hot as you please.

Recipe# 4 Turmeric Tea with a Twist

Simply repeat all of the ingredients of the basic tea like 1 tsp of turmeric powder in 2 cups of water. Add ginger powder, cloves (about 4), a crushed cardamom, and cayenne pepper and then boil. After simmering for 10 minutes, strain and add honey. Cardamom is another top immunity booster and high in antioxidants that combines famously with turmeric.

Reference links:

• http://naturalsociety.com/turmeric-a-superfood-secret-for-healthy-fat-loss/
• http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/Turmeric
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3535097/
• http://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/herbs-and-spices-for-weight-loss
• https://www.undergroundhealth.com/lose-10-pounds-just-1-week-incredible-turmeric-tea/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/
• http://allrecipes.com/recipe/242148/ginger-turmeric-herbal-tea/
• http://nutritionstripped.com/turmeric-tea/

Some who are immune to the concern of taste have described it as just powdery in taste and not much to be concerned about. Others have called it bitter, torrid warm, and even obnoxious and pungent. Most of the words indicated intolerance to its natural taste. The fact is that just like ginger, turmeric is also a compact root and could be used in its dried version or the fresher version – in both cases, the color and the pungency is only slightly different which is why it has been used for centuries in curries across the globe.

Turmeric has this wonderful ability to blend in with several other spices, making it universally accepted as a wonder spice that spikes the metabolism, builds greater immunity, and keeps away gastrointestinal issues. The healing properties of turmeric have been a proven factor – yet despite its almost miraculous properties, there has always been a tendency to avoid its usage, mainly because of its taste.

Here are some simple means by which turmeric can be consumed with ease without challenging your taste buds and still making its health-impacting characteristics as potent as ever.

Hack #1

Make it part of your regular intake of carbohydrates with rice in particular. When you add turmeric powder to your regular white or brown rice, it mildly changes the color but makes no difference or whatsoever to the taste of the rice.

Hack#2  Add It to Mashed Potatoes

We know your love for mashed potatoes –a regular on many tables, a dash of grated raw turmeric, in fact, goes excellently with the sweet taste of potato. When you add butter for heightened taste, it lends a slight golden color that can look most appetizing.

Hack #3 Turmeric in Your Chicken Roast

While you may be adding your oregano, basil and thyme do add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to the herb mix for the marinade and cook as you would in the oven.

Hack #4

There are so many ways to add turmeric to the drinks we have.

Take half a cup of orange juice, with two tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of turmeric powder. The masking of the bitterness of the turmeric will be done with ease by the acidity of orange juice and the utter sweetness of honey.

Hack #5 Make Cinnamon Hot Chocolate with Turmeric

That‘s right! Your favorite drink, especially in winter, just got the turmeric advantage – add a robust pinch of cinnamon powder and also add half a teaspoon or one full teaspoon of turmeric powder. The taste and smell of turmeric will be completely masked by the addition of cinnamon.

Hack #6 Love Your Bloody Mary with a Twist

So you have always loved the pungent and sharp taste that your favorite drink has – add another ingredient to this already well-loved drink. Take half a cup of tomato juice and add a little cayenne pepper, or even normal pepper for sharpness, and some garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder. Mask its taste further by adding a hot sauce.

Hack #7 Smoothie Inclusion

Yes, if you are someone who loves his or her smoothie and are particularly fine with more citrus-based ones, turmeric inclusion is the easiest as it goes well with most red smoothie bases like goji berry, orange, carrots, raspberries, and red bell peppers.

Hack #8

Turmeric-laced vegetable stir fry is the easiest way to not just include the healthiest of vegetables in your diet but while making this high-temperature style of cooking, or searing, you could easily add turmeric as a spice. When tossing vegetables with olive oil – sautéing or braising them  – add a dash of turmeric and you will not even know, especially with cabbage, kale, and broccoli.

Hack # 9 Creamy Golden Tea

Simply simmer and boil 3/4^th cup of water. Switch off the heat and add ¼ cup of cow’s milk or almond milk and then add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, ½ ginger powder, ¼ teaspoon of ground cardamom powder, a pinch of pepper, and some honey as a sweetener.

Hack #10

Another great way to overcome the taste of turmeric is to add it to something as tasty as a mustard dressing that you usually prepare for your everyday cooking needs. The only difference this time would be that apart from the ½ cup of home pounded and ground mustard, add 2 tablespoons of wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon water, and 1 teaspoon each of salt and turmeric. Use it to make your salads and add it to your sautéed foods.

The Ultimate Hack #11 Turmeric-Infused Vegan Ice cream

Go completely vegan for this one – made with coconut milk, infused with spices such as ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, and honey to sweeten it up. This natural gelatin-made ice cream could get its gorgeous golden color from turmeric and has been on top of the spot in several vegan joints.

Here is another tip to make turmeric more bearable in taste. While making tea, if you find the taste a bit too overpowering, simply make an infusion with turmeric –an inch of fresh turmeric roots soaked in water will do the trick. The only point is in keeping it overnight and using it in the morning.

Also, infusions could be used along with ginger and honey to make iced tea which is much lesser in its bitterness.

Whether in beverages, salad topping, soups, fries, croutons, and even desserts, the inclusion of turmeric need not be a departure from good taste. Following these simple taste hacks will help you make it a part of your everyday food and beverage intake.

While turmeric may benefit females during pregnancy by resolving skin problems that arises frequently due to hormonal changes, experts are of opinion that amount of turmeric intake should be closely watched. High supplementation of turmeric should be avoided if you are a pregnant or nursing female, as it may interfere with certain body functions leading to complications for mother as well as child.

DO’s for turmeric

Topical use of turmeric over skin in pregnancy is a big YES. Skin conditions changes indifferently in all women due to hormonal changes.  For some women pregnancy may offer extra glowing skin while for others it brought hopeless skin rashes or acne. Since oral intake of medicinal doses of turmeric is not recommended by doctors, its topical application is highly safe and effective to get rid of acne. Apply a mixture of turmeric and honey on the affected area to sooth the pain and reduce inflamed skin. Regular application will remove the acne and will give you a clear pimple free skin.

Similarly, if you are facing pigmentation during pregnancy, try this herbal remedy using turmeric. Extract fresh cucumber juice and add it with equal amount of lime juice. In this, add enough fresh turmeric powder to make a smooth paste. Apply this on the dark patches and leave it for 20-30 minutes. Rinse off using plain water. Regular application of this paste is known to reduce melanin production giving a light complexion.

In Indian kitchen using turmeric in foods is compulsory. This minimal amount of turmeric consumption is completely safe for consumption during pregnancy and is known to boost immunity both of expecting mother and fetus inside the womb.

DON’Ts for turmeric

It is said that consuming high doses of turmeric during early pregnancy may stimulate the uterine muscles to contract and then causing bleeding like menstrual period. In last trimester of pregnancy taking too much turmeric orally may induce preterm labor or threatened abortion. This situation could be life threatening for mother also. However, using turmeric as spice in curry is considered completely safe.

Turmeric should be avoided by pregnant mothers who have bleeding tendency. Turmeric has been found to inhibit the aggregation of platelet as well as the production of clotting factor by liver cells thereby increasing the risk of bleeding. Avoid the high consumption of turmeric if you have genetic error of clotting. If a surgical labor is planned than stop taking turmeric supplement as it may slow down the normal clotting time leading to delayed wound healing.

Consuming turmeric in milk or as tablet may cause irritation in respiratory infection leading to nausea and diarrhea. It is strictly advised not to take turmeric in large dose as it may lead to unpleasant situation.

So, all we can say that consuming turmeric in limited amount is good for your pregnancy but avoid large dose.

With all praises of turmeric here is an add on as you will be surprised to know that this herb can help you to get rid of unwanted facial and body hairs beneath arms, arms and legs.  Here comes the hair removing turmeric formulations exclusively for you readers:

Turmeric- chickpea hair remover pack

• To make this natural hair remover you need following things:
• 1 cup chickpea flour
• 1/2 tsp.  Freshly grounded Turmeric
• Milk or cream to make a paste
• Any mild moisturizer

Mix chickpea, turmeric and enough milk to make a smooth paste. Mix properly to ensure that there is no clump in the mixture. Apply this paste on the area in the direction of hair growth. Let it dry for 20-30 minutes. Now wipe the turmeric mixture using a wash cloth (preferably rough) in the opposite direction of the hair growth. Clean with warm water to remove all traces of turmeric.  Once done apply the moisturizer to the area to restore nourishment and give your skin a soothing touch. Repeated application will slow down the hair growth and remove the unwanted hair.

Turmeric –milk hair remover pack

According to your requirement add the natural turmeric powder in full fat milk and apply. Leave this mixture for 15-20 minutes or till it dries completely. Now using your hand or dry wash cloth scrub in circular motion followed by opposite scrubbing in direction of hair growth. This will remove the hairs. It is suggested to follow this routine frequently for the first few weeks. In later months you will observe a delayed mild growth of hairs in that particular area. It will also help in skin lightening. 

Turmeric- yogurt hair remover pack

To make this natural hair remover you need following things :

• 1 tsp.  Freshly grounded Turmeric
• 2-3 tsp Bengal gram flour (besan)
• Enough plain curd to make a paste

The combination of yogurt and turmeric is very beneficial both for hair removal and for skin lightening.  Add turmeric , plain yogurt and some Bengal gram flour (besan) to make a smooth paste. Apply this paste in direction of hair growth and let it dry for 20-25 minutes. Now using a wash cloth, rub gently in the opposite direction of hair growth to remove the hairs. The acidic nature of yogurt not only help in hair removal, but also gives you a fair blemish free skin.

Turmeric- sea salt hair remover pack

Mix equal amount of turmeric powder and sea salt and add enough milk or rose water to make a smooth paste. Apply it on the clean area from where you want the  hair  to be removed. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes and then scrub gently for 1 minute. Wash off using cold water and then apply a mild moisturizer to soothe your skin.

This amazing hair remover will not only remove the unwanted hairs but also peel off the dead cells along with blackheads. A must try pack to get a flawless, glowing look.

Shocked to hear about turmeric allergy when it has been appraised across the globe for its medicinal properties…just check out that you might not be one of them!!!!

Skin allergies

A Few persons may have skin allergies with turmeric. These people may develop skin conditions like dermatitis, or urticaria (hives)once their skin is exposed to turmeric.If you face symptoms like development of red patches on the face or other regions of skin immediately or after sometime on turmeric application then beware, your skin is sensitive for turmeric.

Irritated digestive system

Turmeric has been extensively used in almost all Indian dishes in routine. While it usually supports digestive system, its frequent consumption may impose adverse effect over digestive tract in few cases. Research studies reported that consumption of 3 g per day of dried and powdered turmeric or 600mg of purified turmeric thrice a day as standard dose with no adverse effects. Increased utilization of turmeric above this stated dose or persons with turmeric hypersensitivity may face irritated digestive tract resulting in stomach pain, gas, indigestion, nausea and diarrhea. Further, people with turmeric allergy  may face increased incidence of stomach ulcers and gallbladder dysfunctioning.

Increase chances of kidney stone

If you are prone to kidney stone than avoid consuming a high dose or any supplement containing turmeric.Turmeric can stimulate oxalate formation when consumed in excess. Oxalate is the major culprit for kidney stone formation.

Herb-drug interaction

Turmeric supplementation may interfere the effectiveness of certain drugs like aspirin, diclofenac and antacids.  In cancer patients, turmeric may hinder the effect of cancer drugs, chemotherapy and radiation. It may worsen the side effects of chemotherapy like nausea, vomiting and loose motion.Turmeric consumed with herbs like clove,garlic, ginger, willow and red clove can increase the risk of bleeding and brushing.

Gallbladder hinderance

Patients with gallbladder problems like elevated levels of bile juices, jaundice or other improper bile functions could develop serious allergic responses on turmeric consumption. If you are suffering from any of these ailments then it is recommended to completely exclude turmeric even from the food.

Others

Lastly person with poor blood clotting capacity should also avoid increased turmeric intake, as it can further slow down the blood clotting process resulting in excessive blood loss in case of any injury. Similarly, in case of pregnant women, intake of medicinal doses of purified turmeric should be prohibited, as it can trigger menstruation and hence pregnancy termination.

If you found yourself among the above stated list than there are strong chances of turmeric allergy . Consult a qualified health care provider before using turmeric as an herbal remedy.

The turmeric root recipe and suggestions below, show you how easy (and enjoyable) it is to incorporate turmeric into your diet.

Turmeric Facts And Benefits

Turmeric is related to ginger and contains a compound called curcumin. Ayurvedic medicine, as well as Indian and Chinese cuisine, has used turmeric for centuries. Scientific research has shown that curcumin:

• has potent antioxidant effects to neutralize free radicals and activate antioxidant enzymes
• alleviates the symptoms of depression
• improves brain function
• can be helpful in preventing and treating Alzheimer’s and other age-related diseases
• lowers the risk of heart disease
• is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and as such helps in the relief of arthritis symptoms
• helps to prevent cancer; (some persons believe it can treat cancers as well)

Quick Ways To Use Turmeric

1. Add a pinch of turmeric to tofu,a frittata or scrambled eggs.
2. Add turmeric to steaming rice.
3. Blend turmeric into your favourite smoothie.
4. Toss roasted or steamed vegetables with turmeric.
5. Brew 1 inch pieces of turmeric and ginger for at least 15 minutes in 2 cups of water. Sweeten to taste with honey (or a natural sweetener of your choice).

Golden Turmeric Cauliflower

Ingredients– Makes 6 servings

2 large heads cauliflower

Salt and black pepper

4 tablespoons coconut oil, divided into two equal portions

2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1 teaspoon chopped lemon basil

1 teaspoon chopped parsley

Directions

Preheat the oven to 200°C.

Prepare cauliflower by removing the leaves and trimming the stem, leaving the core whole.

Using a large knife, cut each cauliflower lengthwise(top to base) into 3 to 5 chunks.

Season the chunks with salt and black pepper.

Heat 2 tablespoon of coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Fry the chunks for about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Gently transfer the chunks to a baking sheet (they may fall apart).

Whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoon of coconut oil, ginger, cumin and turmeric.

Brush the mixture onto the cauliflower chunks.

Roast in the oven for 15 minutes or until tender.

Garnish with lemon basil and parsley.

Serve.

Notes:

• Ginger goes well with turmeric as it too is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.
• Black pepper contains piperine which helps your body absorb curcumin. Without it most of the turmeric will pass through your system unused. Try to incorporate black pepper into most of your turmeric recipes.

Conclusion

A herb like turmeric is made of many compounds and we are yet to understand how most of them work. We do know turmeric contributes to many aspects of health and can be used as a remedy for a variety of conditions. Using turmeric root in recipes is a great way to take advantage of this medicinal marvel.

Studies at the Maryland University Medical Center found that turmeric shows promise as alternative treatment for infection, pain, inflammation and gastrointestinal problems. The effectiveness of turmeric for prevention and treatment of breast and other forms of cancer was also published in the 2013 issue of “Current Pharmaceutical Design.”

Thousands of studies also report that curcumin in turmeric is comparable if not better than conventional medicine or prescription drugs.  Another powerful advantage of curcumin over traditional medicinal drugs is the lack of harmful side effects after long-term use if taken at the right dosage.

How Much Turmeric Per Day?

The amount of turmeric you can take depends on a variety of factors, including your age, health status or medical condition, the form or turmeric to be used and whether it’s for preventive or curative purposes.

Preventive and Curative Dosages

As many people know, turmeric users take it both for preventive and curative reasons.  A preventive dosage is low, like 1 to 2 grams daily and can be taken for a lifetime.  On the other hand, a curative dosage is usually high, like 8 grams daily because faster and stronger impact of turmeric is needed to address the health issue.  Then, after the health concern is over, you may go back to the preventive dosage.

Turmeric is currently available as cut or dried powdered root, standardized powder, liquid extract, tea and tincture.  According to studies at the University of Maryland Medical Center, following are the permissible dosages for adults of turmeric in various forms.

• Cut root (fresh turmeric): 1.5 – 3 g per day. This is the usual form for those who have access to raw turmeric.
• Dried, powdered root (like turmeric spice): 1 – 3 g per day. This is the most common form of turmeric in use. You may prepare yourself by using mortar and pestle to turn dried turmeric into powder form.
• Standardized powder (supplement): 400 – 600 mg, up to 3 times daily. Standardized powder is commercially produced and sold as supplement at various percentages of curcumin content. Curcumin is the main active medicinal component of turmeric.
• Fluid extracts (1:1): 30 – 90 drops per day. This is usually sold over the counter as a water-based extract.
• Tincture (1:2): 15 – 30 drops, 4 times daily. Turmeric extract with 25 to 90 percent ethanol. Tincture is not for children and people with liver ailments because of the high alcohol content.

For optimal absorption, always take turmeric with freshly ground black pepper. The above dosages are not for pregnant women and children below 2 years old.  However, children and adults over 65 should start from low dosages and increase only if there are no side effects after taking for at least a week.

Turmeric is not for everyone because of its potential side effects. Avoid turmeric if you’re taking medication or have health concerns related to: blood clotting, blood sugar, stomach acidity or gall bladder. Don’t take turmeric if you are scheduled for surgery in two weeks. Talk with your doctor if it is safe to take turmeric with your prescribed medicines.

Saffron
Saffron, one of the ancient spices with high repute can be considered as the most suitable substitute for turmeric in terms of color and flavor. Despite being expensive alternative, saffron provides a bright yellow color with orange tint and a taste bit similar to turmeric.

Typical Indian curry powder
If your last packet of turmeric is finished, don’t panic. Try the curry powder kept in your kitchen cabinet. As curry powder is a blend of several spices including turmeric, it gives the same aroma to your dish.

Annatto Extract
Annatto extract is derived from seeds of Achiote tree and have yellow golden colour with orange tint. If you are allergic to turmeric or lacking turmeric in your kitchen, use annatto. It is recommended to boil annatto seeds in water for about 30 minutes and then use the water to flavor your dish.

Cumin
Cumin, the pungent bitter spice can be used as a substitute of turmeric. If you want to flavor your dish with a different aroma and spicy taste, try cumin. Cumin blended along with ginger and garlic gives a distinct lip smacking aroma to the dish.

Ginger
One of turmeric’s most well-known and widely available relatives, the ginger plant lends a flavor similar to its bittersweet cousin. Turmeric lacks the spicy punch associated with ginger, so ginger may cause unexpected changes in flavor when it is used in sufficiently large quantities. Additionally, ginger does not grant food the bright-yellow coloration characteristic of the turmeric spice. Hence if ginger is going to be your choice then smartly choose the quantity and blend it with coloring agents like saffron.

Roasted paprika
Supplementation of roasted paprika in combination with mace can also serve as a smart alternative of turmeric. Smoked paprika effectively substitutes for the characteristic golden yellow color of turmeric while mace will complement for the spiciness and taste.

Cumin
Alike ginger, cumin can also be a partial alternate of turmeric. Owing to its bitter taste, cumin can mimic the turmeric however additional coloring agent is required to achieve the yellow color.

Mustard
Mustard is commercially available in several varieties. In terms of turmeric substitution, yellow mustard seeds in grounded powdered form can serves as a coloring complement. But beware for the quantity applied to the dish as mustard seeds have sharp pungent aroma which is much higher than turmeric.

Keep enjoying the food experimentation and be a classy chef on your own!!!!!!!!!

As many persons now turn to natural ways of enhancing their health, some confusion has arisen about the forms and quantities of foods and herbs that will give the best benefits to your health.

Here is a comprehensive look at some recommended turmeric dosages.

Firstly, turmeric comes in many forms, with varying quantities of curcumin – its active compound.

Some forms of turmeric are:

• fresh turmeric root – often added to salads or used to make pickles
• powdered dry turmeric root – perhaps the most common form; used in a wide variety of dishes
• standardized powders (a.k.a. supplements) of curcumin extracted from the turmeric root and concentrated
• liquid extract – equal portions of turmeric and the extracting liquid
• tincture– usually one part turmeric to a greater amount of the extracting liquid; the ratio may be as much as 1: 8, but 1:3 is frequently used

The University of Maryland Medical Center in the US suggests the following daily adult dosages:

• cut root: 1.5 – 3 grams
• powdered,dried root: 1 – 3 grams
• standardized powder (curcumin): 3 doses of 400 – 600 milligrams
• fluid extract 30 – 90 drops
• tincture (in a 1:2 ratio): 4 doses of 15 – 30 drops

In terms of specific medical conditions the following daily dosage recommendations have been made:

• upset stomach –4doses of 500 milligrams of turmeric (total 2000 milligrams or 2 grams)
• osteoarthritis – 4 doses of 500 milligramsof turmeric extract (total 2000 milligrams or 2 grams)
• high cholesterol – 2 doses of 700 milligrams of turmeric extract taken for 3 months (total 1400 milligrams or 1.4 grams)
• rheumatoid arthritis (RA): 2 doses of 500milligrams of curcumin (total 1000 milligrams or 1 gram)

The dosages suggested here all lie on the minimum side of the scale. Larger amounts are often used with no adverse effects. For instance, many sources recommend that you take between 1 and1 1/2 teaspoons of powdered turmeric daily as a preventative measure. That would amount to roughly 7 grams. As a therapeutic or curative agent the dosage could be as high as 21 grams.

Of course, you will want to spread out your turmeric intake throughout the day, so dividing the doses into 2 or three parts is wise. You can add powdered turmeric to a wide variety of dishes including:

• curries
• soups
• salad dressings
• vegetables
• yogurt

At all times try to use black pepper with your turmeric. The piperine in the black pepper helps with the absorption of the curcumin in the turmeric.

Conclusion

While some caution is advised in the use on turmeric if you have underlying medical issues, it can provide a wide range of benefits for many people. Daily intake of turmeric is one way to ensure you reap the benefits of this amazing natural remedy.

The golden yellow color herb of this herb was attributed to its bioactive components collectively known as curcuminoids. A major portion of these curcuminoids is constituted by curcumin which is power packed with potential antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. Because of its brilliant yellow color, turmeric is also known as “Indian saffron.”

Although turmeric has been utilized extensively for its medicinal properties from ancient times, modern medicine has also started recognizing its therapeutic value as indicated by more than 3000 publications within the last 25 years. In short, if ever a spice has to be considered as health promoting than turmeric will be the first choice. Here we enumerate key medicinal and health promoting properties of turmeric.

1. Anti-cancer potential
Turmeric is a proven anticancer agent. Many studies found that curcumin, the active compound of turmeric is potent to treat cancer at molecular level1. Turmeric prevents the process of angiogenesis and spread of new cancerous cells. It was found that turmeric can prevent cancer induction in the digestive tract. The radiation-induced tumor can be prevented if you have enough curcumin in the body. It is also reported to be effective against deadly tumor cells such as T-cell leukemia, colon carcinomas, and breast carcinomas.

2. Arthritis treatment
Arthritis is a common problem in both developing as well as developed countries with no complete cure. Being an effective anti-inflammatory agent, daily turmeric intake has huge possibilities to manage joints inflammation in arthritis. In fact, several studies revealed the better efficacy of curcumin in comparison to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs2. This super activity of curcumin is attributed to its inhibitory activity over NF-kB gene expression which in turn plays a key role in inflammatory signaling.

3. Prevent Cardiovascular disorders
Heart diseases create havoc in anyone’s life due to its sudden appearance. In a clinical study, it was found that daily administration of curcumin decreased the risk of further heart attack in patients undergoing bypass surgery3. It is suggested that turmeric intake boosts the function of blood vessel lining called endothelium. This, in turn, removes all the blockage of blood vessels ensuring the proper supply of blood to heart thereby preventing all kind of heart diseases. Further, the marked antioxidant and anti-inflammatory property of bioactive components of curcumin further play a key role in preventing cardiovascular disorders.

4. Control diabetes
WHO has recognized “Diabetes Control” as the theme for World Health Day, 2016 due to the marked increase in its prevalence worldwide. While in previous decades Type II diabetes was more prevalent in the elderly population, recent decades has reported its occurrence in young population perhaps due to lifestyle changes. Turmeric can be a relief in this alarming situation as several studies found that curcumin is efficient in blood glucose control in prediabetic and diabetic patients4.

5. Prevents brain disorder
The active biocomponent of turmeric, curcumin is known to stimulate the production of several signaling proteins for nerve functioning. One such factor is the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which found to be remarkably low in patients with neurodegenerative disorders like depression and Alzheimer’s5. Adequate turmeric intake has the capacity to enhance this BDNF factor and the strategy was found to be very effective in depression patients6.
In case of Alzheimers’s disease, curcumin was reported to be effective against characteristic tangled protein called amyloid plaques which overall disrupts the brain signaling functions required for physiological coordination7.

6. Antioxidant Potential
Turmeric owes amazing antioxidant property. Curcumin not only blocks the free radical interaction with body structural organic units like proteins and lipids but also stimulates the antioxidant enzymes of the body to fight against oxidative damage. It is well known that oxidative damage is associated with almost all debilitating conditions in-addition to ageing. Topical application of turmeric on skin is well known to reduce the signs of ageing from skin. Try face packs using turmeric for a wrinkle free skin.

7. A natural anti coagulant
People suffering from thrombosis or blood thickening are prescribed regular medication of blood thinners. These drugs have several side effects associated with them. Curcumin is found to be effective in patients with thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

8. Treat Gastro intestinal ailments
In case of gastrointestinal diseases like bowel disease (IBD) and ulcerative colitis, inflammatory drugs may worsen the condition as it interferes with gut lining and disturbs the gut pH. Supplementation with turmeric is found to be effective in regaining relief from pain and irritation during GI tract infections. Moreover, curcumin activates the probiotic components inside the stomach and thus prevent further infection. The inflammation and irritation caused by disturbed gut pH can also be treated using curcumin supplementation in moderate amount.

9. Painkiller
Turmeric is known to contain several pain suppressing compounds. In ancient times turmeric was one of the key remedies for pain. Topical application of turmeric paste on affected area is known to soothe pain. Apply a paste of turmeric and honey on the affected area and wrap it with a cotton cloth firmly. Leave this overnight for best results. You can try this remedy for any minor pain caused by an accident. Further intake of half teaspoon of turmeric powder with lukewarm milk effectively reduces the body pain associated with daily functioning.

10. Wound healing
Last but not the least; curcumin can heel your burns and wounds. As it is well known fact that turmeric has antibacterial and antifungal properties, it can heel any wound and minor burn and preventing further growth of pathogens. Just sprinkle some pure turmeric powder on your wound and cover it properly. The immense beneficial compounds of turmeric will heel your wound and leave no scar.

So add this magical herb in your daily meal to enjoy all these immense benefits.
Stay fit !!

References

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18462866
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19594223
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22481014
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3857752/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2504526/
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006899306027144