Medicinal plants, due to their innumerable therapeutic properties, have shown to be highly effective in all civilizations. One of those plants is turmeric.
Turmeric contains a large number of substances of a polyphenolic nature, with the ability to reduce inflammatory processes and, therefore, increase resistance to various diseases.
Note: Its use is becoming an increasingly attractive approach for the treatment of disorders with various benefits, among patients who do not respond to or do not wish to take standard medications and want to resort to some home remedy.
In the following article, we share valuable information about this wonderful plant.
What is turmeric?
Turmeric ( Curcuma longa L. ) is a plant of the Zingiberaceae Family , native to Southeast Asia. It is used worldwide as an aromatic spice. In Asian gastronomy, it is used to give a touch of characteristic color and spicy flavor to meals.
Turmeric ( Curcuma longa ) is also a medicinal plant (belonging to the same family as ginger), whose root has a characteristic orange or intense yellow color. This root transformed into a powder is what we commonly know as seasoning or food coloring.
Note: Turmeric is also known as Yuquilla (yellow), turmeric, ginger, turmeric.
It is a herbaceous plant, native to southwestern India. It is also known as poor man’s saffron or palillo in parts of Spanish America, where the name is often shortened to saffron (not to be confused with Crocus sativus ).
Turmeric, also called Indian sulphur, is a highly appreciated plant because it offers great gastronomic versatility and medicinal properties against cancer, high cholesterol or osteoarthritis, among other diseases, are attributed to it.
Obtained from the root of the turmeric plant, this bountiful health powerhouse contains a compound called curcumin that makes up 3.14% (on average) of turmeric powder.
To highlight: The root mainly contains the natural polyphenol curcumin (turmeric acid), as well as an essential oil in the cortical parenchyma, rich in sesquiterpenes (turmerone, atlantone and curcumenol), monoterpenes (borneol, camphor, terpinene, among others), as well as as terpenic hydrocarbons (phellandrene, sabinene, cineole and turmerol).
Turmeric Health Benefits
We present 12 of the main benefits of the therapeutic use of turmeric:
1. Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides
Turmeric has been shown to support cardiovascular health. In turn, it is useful to reduce cholesterol and the level of triglycerides in the blood naturally; in the same way, it prevents heart attacks.
Various studies show that atherosclerosis is a disease in which there is a great alteration of vascular lipid metabolism (1) . In this sense, the consumption of fresh turmeric decreases plasmatic lipid peroxides, molecules that play an important role in this disease .
2. Strengthens the immune system
In addition to being recommended for the treatment of inflammatory, dermatological and digestive diseases, it is also indicated to strengthen the immune system.
Note: In this sense, in an article published by Nelson Méndez Álvarez, they also show the antibacterial profile of turmeric (2) .
3. Improves the cardiovascular system
Fresh turmeric root is used to combat various heart ailments, thanks to its ability to reduce oxidation and inflammation. Another benefit is its antiplatelet property, which prevents the formation of thrombi and reduces cholesterol.
To highlight: The extract of the rhizome of this plant is capable of reducing the level of cholesterol and triglycerides and decreases the levels of lipids in the blood, oxidized lipoproteins and fibrinogen, so that it constitutes an antioxidant of choice to prevent and delay atherosclerosis.
Similarly, it is suggested that turmeric can reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol in the blood, but more studies are needed before making a recommendation.
4. Reduces the risk of liver diseases
Curcumin attenuates the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver, and also slows its progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), through its ability to reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and steatosis .
This suggests that said plant may be a potential hepatoprotective agent in early or late stages of liver disease related to hepatitis B, specifically hepatocarcinogenesis.
To highlight: An article published by Mesa et al . indicates that ” one of the main properties of turmeric extracts and curcumin is their hepatoprotective activity, which has been recently reviewed by Luper (1999)” (3) .
5. Fights inflammatory diseases
Turmeric extract and its active principle, curcumin, have demonstrated their anti-inflammatory action comparable to other drugs, in cases of acute inflammation, with the advantage that it does not produce the associated side effects.
Note: Curcumin, by reducing prostatic inflammation, could be used as a chemopreventive for this type of cancer. It also reduces inflammatory processes in the joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
6. Contributes to the treatment of diabetes
Turmeric can play an important role in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and dyslipidemia by improving various parameters. However, the increase in bioavailability does not guarantee their improvement.
7. Reduces the risk of neurodegenerative diseases
In this regard, consuming diets rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory polyphenols, such as those found in turmeric, may decrease the risk of developing age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Note: Polyphenolic compounds in turmeric may exert their beneficial effects, either through their ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, or directly by altering signaling involved in neural communication.
8. Promotes good digestion
An infusion of turmeric improves digestion and decreases acidity. What turmeric does is stimulate the secretion of gastric and pancreatic juice to better process food. For this reason, it is indicated for people suffering from dyspepsia and gastritis, it also prevents gas.
In addition, turmeric protects against gastric ulcers caused by pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as indomethacin, ibuprofen or naproxen.
Important: In high doses or prolonged use, this plant can cause stomach upset, so reliable evidence is needed before recommending its use.
9. Combat respiratory conditions
Turmeric is a spice with anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties, which makes it a great option to cure asthma naturally. Its active ingredient, curcumin, has a protective action on the respiratory system.
Note: As the temperature changes from cold to warm, it is very common for people to catch the common cold or flu.
Curcumin helps the body naturally cleanse the respiratory tract and helps fight infection and its anti-inflammatory properties relieve people from the direct impact of cold and flu.
10. Soothes skin conditions
Turmeric prevents skin cells from clumping together and clogging pores. In acne, since it is antiseptic and antibacterial, it can effectively stop the growth of bacteria. Its anti-inflammatory properties promote faster healing by soothing areas that are already inflamed.
To highlight: Turmeric also inhibits the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for dark spots and other types of hyperpigmentation.
Congested, inflamed, or damaged skin rarely looks smooth and radiant, which is why turmeric’s purifying, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties can induce glow.
Exposure to the sun, pollution and other external irritants lead to the creation of free radicals. Turmeric is packed with antioxidants that neutralize these skin-damaging molecules and reduce the effects of environmental damage.
In addition to having anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which help attack the source of problems like eczema, turmeric may also inhibit the activity of PhK, a protein associated with psoriasis.
To highlight: In a study published by Juan de J. García Martín and collaborators, they concluded about its anti-inflammatory properties in psoriasis (4) .
11. Helps lose weight
Studies have revealed that the properties of turmeric come from its active ingredients, the curcuminoids, especially curcumin (5) .
Given its high content of antioxidants, it slows cell damage caused by free radicals and helps improve metabolic function to lose weight easily.
12. Reduces the risk of cancer
This orange-colored spice, often used in Indian cooking, has anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin kills cancer cells and blocks a protein associated with gastrointestinal cancer.
Turmeric properties
The properties of turmeric in terms of its composition are the following:
vitamins
Turmeric contains vitamin B1 called Thiamin; vitamin B2 called Riboflavin; vitamin B3 called Niacin; vitamin B6 called Pyridoxine; vitamin K and vitamin E.
minerals
Contains potassium , phosphorus, calcium, magnesium , zinc , sodium and iron
calories
Contribution by 1 teaspoon of tea (3 gr) of turmeric powder. Provides 9 Kcal of energy.
How to consume and use turmeric?
Here are three easy ways to consume or use turmeric:
Turmeric infusion
One of the forms of preparation of turmeric is the infusion. Here is this simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- turmeric powder
- organic honey
- Lemon juice
- Water
Preparation:
- Put four cups of water to boil
- Add a teaspoon of ground turmeric and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes.
- Strain the tea through a fine sieve into a glass, add honey and/or lemon to taste
turmeric latte
To make golden milk, you must first prepare a good amount of turmeric paste, which you can store in a jar and use in small amounts as needed. We give you its main ingredients:
Ingredients:
- turmeric paste
- Vegetable or skimmed milk
- powdered cinnamon
- sweetener to taste
Preparation:
- Heat the milk in a container over high heat but without letting it boil.
- Remove from the heat and add the rest of the ingredients. Stir and try. If it is not to your liking, you can add more turmeric, cinnamon or sweetener and if it is too strong add a little more milk or sweetener.
turmeric gel
The gel with which the solution is formed allows curcumin to penetrate the skin, which reduces inflammation and inhibits phosphorylase kinase. The treatment accelerates the healing of wounds, reduces the severity and the pain that they produce.
Ingredients:
- turmeric powder
- aloe vera
Preparation and use
- Mix a tablespoon of aloe vera with the turmeric powder.
- Apply to areas of the skin that are inflamed, as occurs in psoriasis.
Key takeaways
- Turmeric is a medicinal plant (belonging to the same family as ginger). It is used worldwide as an aromatic spice and in Asian cuisine, it is used to give a touch of characteristic color and spicy flavor to food.
- Turmeric is rich in vitamins such as vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, K and vitamin E. Also in minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and sodium. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin that constitutes 3.14% of turmeric powder, which brings many benefits to our health.
- Among the benefits that turmeric provides for our health, we find that it improves the cardiovascular system, strengthens the immune system, lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, promotes good digestion, combats respiratory conditions, helps to lose weight, among other benefits.
- Turmeric can be consumed and used in different ways, the most used is its infusion. However, golden milk, which is made with a turmeric paste, is also made. Another way is turmeric gel that, together with Aloe Vera, is used for skin conditions.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.