What Can Turmeric Do For You (The Health Benefits of Turmeric)

Turmeric, with the active ingredient curcumin[i], is known by different names. Luyang dilaw in the Philippines. Indian saffron. Haldi or manjal in India. In Sanskrit, it has 53 different names.[ii] Jiang huang in Chinese medicine.[iii]

This yellowish-orange spice has been used for medicinal purposes from as far back as the Vedic culture in India, almost 4,000 years ago.[iv] Its many historical uses include as a remedy for skin conditions and as a vapor for respiratory congestion.[v] It has also been used as herbal medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis, conjunctivitis, small pox, chicken pox, urinary tract infections and skin cancer.[vi]

In recent years, the medicinal benefits of turmeric have been used to treat inflammations, injuries and chronic diseases such as arthritis, asthma, and Alzheimer’s disease[vii]. To further understand how turmeric works, we list its many health benefits.

• Turmeric’s bioactive compounds have medicinal properties. Called curcuminoids, these compounds are known as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidants.
• Anti-inflammatory effects. The findings indicate that curcumin has the capacity to “fight inflammation at the molecular level”, as it blocks the molecule NF-kB which enters the cell nuclei and activates genes related to inflammation.[viii]
• Improves the anti-oxidant capacity of the body. Curcumin has the ability to boost internal anti-oxidant enzyme activity as well as neutralize free radicals which affect aging and many diseases.[ix]
• Improves brain function and reduces risk for brain diseases. It has been found to “increase brain levels” of the growth hormone BDNF (braind-derived neurotrophic factor) which helps delay or reverse age-related slow down in brain function as well as brain diseases.[x]
• Anticancer properties. Studies show that it can inhibit cancer and stop cancer cells from growing.[xi] Further research will indicate and solidify the potential and efficacy in fighting the disease.
• Antiseptic. In paste form, turmeric can be applied to burns and cuts, bringing relief from pain and discomfort.[xii]
• Aids in digestion. Turmeric’s medicinal properties help regulate bowel movement.[xiii]
• Helps manage diabetes. Turmeric has been found to prevent complications arising from blood sugar fluctuations and crashes.[xiv]

The many beneficial effects of turmeric and curcumin have been felt over many centuries, both in traditional medicine and modern medicine. Its versatility is helping address a variety of conditions and diseases, enabling its users to stay healthy and be truly

¹ Madrid, E. [2017, November]. Turmeric Benefits, an Anti-Inflammatory Spice. Retrieved from https://ph.iherb.com/blog/turmeric-benefits-an-anti-inflammatory-spice/237?gclid=CjwKCAjwm-fkBRBBEiwA966fZBrv-BjsQwSiBtpYYqm-uUA31myOArA7TdVOMLAtmzPdooKcPIh6dhoC10sQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

² Prasad, S. and Aggarwal, B. [2011]. Turmeric, the Golden Spice. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/

³ Madrid, E. [2017, November]. Turmeric Benefits, an Anti-Inflammatory Spice. Retrieved from https://ph.iherb.com/blog/turmeric-benefits-an-anti-inflammatory-spice/237?gclid=CjwKCAjwm-fkBRBBEiwA966fZBrv-BjsQwSiBtpYYqm-uUA31myOArA7TdVOMLAtmzPdooKcPIh6dhoC10sQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

⁴ Prasad, S. and Aggarwal, B. [2011]. Turmeric, the Golden Spice. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/

⁵ Madrid, E. [2017, November]. Turmeric Benefits, an Anti-Inflammatory Spice. Retrieved from https://ph.iherb.com/blog/turmeric-benefits-an-anti-inflammatory-spice/237?gclid=CjwKCAjwm-fkBRBBEiwA966fZBrv-BjsQwSiBtpYYqm-uUA31myOArA7TdVOMLAtmzPdooKcPIh6dhoC10sQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

⁶ Prasad, S. and Aggarwal, B. [2011]. Turmeric, the Golden Spice. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/

⁷ Madrid, E. [2017, November]. Turmeric Benefits, an Anti-Inflammatory Spice. Retrieved from https://ph.iherb.com/blog/turmeric-benefits-an-anti-inflammatory-spice/237?gclid=CjwKCAjwm-fkBRBBEiwA966fZBrv-BjsQwSiBtpYYqm-uUA31myOArA7TdVOMLAtmzPdooKcPIh6dhoC10sQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

⁸ Gunnars, K. [2018, July]. 10 Proven Health Beneftis of Turmeric and Curcumin. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric#section1

⁹ Gunnars, K. [2018, July]. 10 Proven Health Beneftis of Turmeric and Curcumin. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric#section1

¹⁰ Gunnars, K. [2018, July]. 10 Proven Health Beneftis of Turmeric and Curcumin. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric#section1

¹¹ Madrid, E. [2017, November]. Turmeric Benefits, an Anti-Inflammatory Spice. Retrieved from https://ph.iherb.com/blog/turmeric-benefits-an-anti-inflammatory-spice/237?gclid=CjwKCAjwm-fkBRBBEiwA966fZBrv-BjsQwSiBtpYYqm-uUA31myOArA7TdVOMLAtmzPdooKcPIh6dhoC10sQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

¹² Panlasang Pinoy. [2009]. Turmeric Health Benefits. Retrieved from https://panlasangpinoy.com/turmeric-health-benefits/

This article was originally posted in Pharexmedics.com