Turmeric Root Powder (w/Bl. Pep.) – 100 g ($8.99), 50 g ($6.99)
We add black pepper for better absorption into your body.
Benefits:
Turmeric is the primary anti-inflammatory herb of ayurvedic medicine. Its principal chemical component, curcumin, has anticancer effects in cell lines, and is useful for arthritis through its potent antioxidant action. Curcumin also protects the liver, stimulates the gallbladder, and scavenges free radicals.
Curcumin is an excellent herbal remedy for situations in which high concentrations of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents are required.
Arthritis and postoperative inflammation. Clinical studies have confirmed that the volatile oil in turmeric can ease acute pain caused by a number of mechanisms. Its effectiveness is equal to that of steroid preparations such as hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone, but without their side effects. Test-tube and laboratory studies have confirmed that curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic activity. This accounts for the long-standing tradition in India of using turmeric to prevent and treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. It has been shown to be effective in reducing pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. In one study, an extract of turmeric, Meriva, when used at the equivalent of 200 milligrams of curcumin per day, allowed patients with osteoarthritis to use 63 percent less NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) medications and still obtain relief from pain.
Atherosclerosis. Curcumin fights atherosclerosis by deactivating platelet-activating factor (PAF) in cell line studies. This component of the blood seals leaks in blood vessels, in part by stimulating the production of fibrous tissue. This tissue can serve as a platform on which cholesterol can accumulate into plaques. In one study using human subjects, curcumin appeared to increase, rather than decrease, cholesterol levels in the blood. However, in a study on patients with osteoarthritis, turmeric was effective at lowering C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker that predicts who will get heart disease, by sixteen-fold. More work is needed before turmeric can be recommended for patients with elevated blood cholesterol levels.
Cancer. Curcumin causes the death of cancer cells arising from several different types of tissue. In the laboratory, this compound kills cultures of human leukemia cells. Most of the studies in cell lines were done on pancreatic, breast, and colon cancers. Clinical testing has shown that curcumin increases survival rates in melanoma. It inhibits the spread of melanoma to the lungs. By curtailing the activity of PAF, which is necessary for the formation of the new blood vessels that tumors need to grow, curcumin can keep tumors from spreading throughout the body.
Curcumin can aid recovery from cancer by stimulating the immune system. It stimulates the production of B cells, which are usually depleted in people with chronic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and ovarian cancer. It stimulates the production of T cells, which are depleted in Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, and any form of carcinoma that has spread from the original site. Curcumin also works well with some cancer treatments, preventing lung damage caused by the chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) and by whole-body radiation.
Curcumin is also a powerful cancer preventive. It inhibits the action of p450, a liver enzyme that causes environmental toxins to be processed in ways that make them carcinogenic. It is a strong anti-inflammatory agent and a strong antioxidant. Curcumin also is a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C, which can lead to tumor suppression by blocking signal transduction pathways in the target cells. Thus, some have proposed that curcumin could be a potential third-generation cancer chemopreventive agent. Curcumin is especially useful in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. It works in the same manner as NSAIDs, by suppressing the genes necessary for both the start and the spread of cancer. Curcumin suppresses two genes necessary for the development of colorectal cancer. It prevents damage caused by aflatoxin, a poison produced during improper storage of grains and peanuts. In rodents, curcumin significantly suppressed the promotion/progression stage of colon cancer cells as well as preventing the invasive adenocarcinomas from spreading. In another rodent study of colon cancer, curcumin was added to the rats’ diet and suppressed tumor volume by 57 percent compared to a control diet without added curcumin.
Curcumin may also be helpful for women with breast cancer. Curcumin stopped cancer cells from spreading in several breast tumor cell lines including hormone-dependent and hormone-independent lines. Curcumin also induced cell death in breast cancer cells. These results are promising, but those who are undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer should limit their intake of turmeric because the herb may limit the effectiveness of the drug treatment cyclophosphamide.
Cataracts. Curcumin quenches cell-damaging free radicals more actively than vitamin E, a noted free-radical scavenger. This prevents cross-linking of proteins in the lens that leads, over a period of many years, to the formation of cataracts. However, there are no clinical data to support the use of curcumin for cataracts.
Halitosis and periodontal disease. Turmeric acts against gum inflammation by halting the action of a gene that creates gum-irritating chemicals. This robs bacteria of a site for growth, and helps prevent both bad breath and periodontal disease. If relying on dietary turmeric to prevent bad breath, it is important to avoid use of curries combining turmeric with the herbs that cause bad breath, such as garlic.
HIV/AIDS. Curcumin may help prevent HIV infection from progressing to full-blown AIDS. Curcumin also counteracts integrase, an enzyme HIV needs to attach itself to human DNA, and reduces some of the tissue destruction seen in HIV/AIDS by selectively deactivating tumor necrosis factor (TNF). However, in an eight-week clinical study, thirty-eight patients with HIV infection had no decrease in viral load taking two different doses of turmeric—one higher and one lower. On the other hand, those in the higher dose group had an increase in CD4 cell count, while those taking the smaller dose had a consistent decrease in these cells. One marker of HIV progression is low CD4 counts, so anything that lowers them should be avoided. Even though these changes in CD4 were not significant, more work is needed before turmeric can be recommended for this population.
Ulcerative colitis. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years for gastrointestinal discomforts. A Japanese study found that 2 grams of curcumin a day was superior to usual treatments such as sulfasalazine or mesalamine. It was particularly good at preventing relapse of the disease, but the herb also improved the clinical score for the disease. No side effects were reported with the herb, but there were numerous side effects with conventional medications, including headache, fever, rash, and kidney inflammation.
Considerations for Use
Turmeric is available as a powder and a tincture. It also can be made into a poultice. Curcumin, the antioxidant component of turmeric, is available in capsules and tablets. Be sure to note whether turmeric or curcumin is the form recommended for your condition. Typically, about 60 to 65 percent of curcumin is absorbed by the body, but in one study when coupled with another product from black pepper, piperine, absorption was increased in animals. Curcumin is also sold in combination with bromelain to enhance absorption. Bromelain has some anti-inflammatory benefits of its own that may add to those of curcumin.
People with congestive heart disease whose cause remains unidentified should avoid curcumin. There is evidence that heart disease can result from the overactivity of a gene called p53 that identifies and eliminates weakened cells in the heart. Curcumin protects gene p53 and therefore may indirectly contribute to the destruction of healthy heart tissue. It also should not be used by people with gallstones or bile duct obstruction. Anyone undergoing chemotherapy should limit their intake of turmeric.
Turmeric should not be used for long periods of time, because it can cause stomach distress. It is not recommended for people with hyperactivity, gastrointestinal ulcers, acute bilious colic, or extremely toxic liver disorders.
If you are pregnant, consult your health-care practitioner before using turmeric. One study in laboratory animals indicated that the use of turmeric reduced fertility. If you are trying to conceive or if you have a history of fertility problems, consult your doctor before using turmeric.
Turmeric is thought to inhibit blood-clotting effect. If you have a blood-clotting disorder, you should consult with your doctor before using this herb.
Botanical Name: Curcuma longa
English: Turmeric
Sanskrit: Rajani, Nisa, Nisi, Ratri, Kanada, Dosa
Also, known as: Khamin, Halad, Haladi, Haldar, Haldhar, Haldi, Haldu, Halud, Haku Halu, Hardi, Haridra, Huang Chiang, Hsanwen, Hurid, Arishina, Acafrao, Arqussofar, Asabi-E-Safr, Avea, Cago Rerega, Chiang Huang, Common Tumeric, Curcum, Curcuma, Rajani, Rame, Renga, Rhizome De Curcuma, Saffran Vert, Safran, Safran Des Indes, Skyer-Rtsa, Dilau, Dilaw, Gelbwurzel, Gezo, Goeratji, Indian Saffron, Jianghuang, Kaha, Kakoenji, Kalo Haledo, Khamin Chan, Khaminchan, Kilunga Kuku, Kitambwe, Kiko Eea, Koening, Kurcum, Kurkum, Kurkumawurzelstock, Ledar, Ladhir, Luyang Dilaw, Mandano, Manjano, Manjal, Nghe, Nisha, Oendre, Pasupu, Tumeric, Tumeric Root, Tumeric Rhizome, Turmeric, Ukon, Koenit, Koenjet, Kondin, Kooneit, Kunyit, Ul Gum, Wong Keong, Wong Keung, Yellow Root, Yii-Chin, Zardchob, Zardchubeh, Keltajuuri, Curcuma, Safran Des Indes, Terre-Mérite, Souchet Des Indes, Holdi, Kitrinoriza, Kourkoumi, Kourkoumas, Túrmerik, Kunyit, Kunir, Tamerikku, Ladar, Romiet, Lomiet, Lamiet, Khamin, Khimin, Khi Min Khun, Kunyit Basah, Gurkemeie, Marmarii, Azafrán Arabe, Uqdah Safra, Eqar Kurkma, Toormerik, Turmerig, Halodhi, Horidra, Zouty Imbir, Sa Nwin, Sanae, Nanwin, Yu Chin, Yu Jin, Wohng Geung, Geung Wohng, Wat Gam, Huang Jiang, Jiang Huang, Yu Jin, Yu Jin Xiang Gen, Indijski Safran, Kurkuma, Indicky Safrán, Zluty Koren, Zluty Zázvor, Gurkemeje, Bsar, Geelwortel, Kurkuma, Tarmeriek, Koenjit, Koenir, Kurkumo, Harilik Kurkuma, Kurkum, Pikk Kollajuur, Lohnav Kollajuur, Arisina, Shynrai, Kang-Hwang, Keolkuma, Kolkuma, Sim-Hwang, Teomerik, Tomerik, Tumerik, Ulgum, Ulgumun, Yaingang, Machu, Kurkuma, Ostryz Długi, Szafran Indyjski; Klacze Kurkumy, Açafrao Da India, Açafrao Da Terra, Imbir Zhyoltyj, Imbir Zheltyj, Koren Kurkumy, Kurkuma, Kha Min Chan, Khamin Luang, Kha Min, Gaser, Sga Ser, Yung Pa, and Zard Chub
Habitat: Across India
Origin: India
Harvested: Wild or cultivated
Parts Used: Rhizome
General Information:
Turmeric, a spice that has long been recognized for its medicinal properties, has received interest from both the medical – scientific world and from culinary enthusiasts, as it is the major source of the polyphenol curcumin. Curcumin is being recognized and used worldwide in many different forms for multiple potential health benefits. The rhizome, the portion of the plant used medicinally as a yellow powder which is used as a flavor in many cuisines and as a medicine to treat many diseases. The active constituents of turmeric are the flavonoid curcumin and various volatile oils, including tumerone, atlantone, and zingiberone.
Curcuma longa, is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant with oblong, pointed leaves and funnel-shaped yellow flowers, grows up to 1-1.5 m high with a short stem. Main rhizome is stout, fleshy and nearly ovoid about 3 cm in diameter and 4 cm long. Large lanceolate leaves are uniformly green, up to 50cm long and 7-25cm wide; apex acute and caudate with tapering base. Pale yellow flowers about 5cm long. Turmeric is closely related to ginger. As with ginger, it is the rhizome, or root, of the plant that is most frequently used as a culinary spice and as herbal medicine.
It has been a beloved spice in India for thousands of years, frequently found in Indian cuisine and in Ayurvedic medicine. Dried Curcuma longa is the source of turmeric, the ingredient that gives curry powder its characteristic yellow color. The powder is also used as natural food preservative, preserves the freshness of the food through its antioxidant mechanism and add unique flavor and fragrance to the food.
In India, turmeric – containing curcumin – has been used in curries; in Japan, it is served in tea; in Thailand, it is used in cosmetics, in China, it is used as a colorant; in Korea, it is served in drinks; in Malaysia, it is used as an antiseptic; in Pakistan, it is used as an anti-inflammatory agent; and in the United States, it is used in mustard sauce, cheese, butter, and chips, as a preservative and a coloring agent, in addition to capsules and powder forms. Curcumin is available in several forms including capsules, tablets, ointments, energy drinks, soaps, and cosmetics. India currently grows most of the world’s turmeric.
How to use:
Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water. Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!
Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with a bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.
Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purposes ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is NOT intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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