Certain medical conditions do not always require treatment with chemical medications. In addition, there exist numerous herbal elements with individual properties. In the category, for example, is the turmeric root.
Occurrence and cultivation of turmeric
Externally, the root is not only reminiscent of ginger, turmeric is also part of the ginger family. At the same time, the taste is somewhat more bitter to classify than that of ginger. Most people know turmeric only as a tasty spice in the kitchen. It gives the conventional curry powder its intense color. Those interested in turmeric can buy it both dried and as a fresh tuber. Externally, the root is not only reminiscent of ginger, turmeric is also part of the ginger family. The taste is somewhat more bitter than that of ginger. Originally, the spice comes from Southeast Asia. In the meantime, however, turmeric is also cultivated in other regions of the world, such as India. The spice is also called turmeric in reference to its coloring effect. The tuber itself is the root of the turmeric plant. This usually reaches a height of 1 to 2.5 meters. The leaves of the plant resemble lilies and have a yellowish hue. For further use, the tuber is doused with hot water after harvesting and then placed in the sun to dry. In this way, it is easier to remove the outer layer, which is not useful for culinary or medicinal purposes. To preserve the nutrients, it is recommended to store them in a dark place in a dry environment. Thus, among other things, a long survival of the aroma can be expected. Those who only want to use the tuber as a spice should use it sparingly. Even small amounts develop a special flavor and give the dish the typical color of turmeric.
Effect and application
On the medical level, turmeric is considered an important remedy, which can be used for numerous ailments and diseases. In recent years, many scientific studies have taken place, which claim that the spice has far-reaching effects. Traditionally, turmeric helps with various difficulties with digestion. When there are disorders of bile and bile flow, the use of turmeric is said to be particularly efficient. Such a phenomenon is manifested by colicky pain in the upper abdomen and a feeling of pressure. This is quite capable of radiating to the shoulder. Furthermore, biliary complaints are accompanied by nausea, bloating and loss of appetite. Those affected suffer from the symptoms especially after eating foods with an increased fat content, legumes or even coffee. Turmeric has a stimulating effect on the production of bile juices. In this way, digestion can be improved. The mentioned complaints are alleviated. Furthermore, turmeric supports the immune system by stimulating certain cells. These include, for example, the T-lymphocytes and macrophages. Especially magrophages are an important part of the daily fight against invading pathogens. The ability of turmeric to reduce cardiovascular risks is considered a significant healing effect, as well as the alleviation of cancer. In the context of a heart attack, certain deposits are present in the arteries. These consist of oxidized cholesterol that is ingested from food. Turmeric can prevent oxidation so that the plaques cannot form. Thus, it lowers cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of heart attack. Furthermore, studies have shown that the spice can be useful as an accompanying component in cancer therapy. The sole treatment is expressly not recommended. Daily intake of a certain dosage helps stabilize free radicals. In addition, experiments have shown that the tumor grows more slowly due to the ingredients of the tuber.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Turmeric has several key roles in health: it can be recognized as a treatment measure as well as a prophylactic. Decisive for the effect of the tuber are its ingredients. These include, for example, essential oils, curcurmin and dicinnamoylmethane derivatives. Usually turmeric is used for various digestive complaints, which include increased gas formation.Turmeric can be used in various forms to achieve a positive effect on health. For example, it can be integrated into the diet as a spice. Here you can either use the powder or the fresh root. For medical complaints, however, it is often advisable to take tablets containing the active ingredient curcurmin. These contain much larger amounts of the ingredients than the spice. Overall, the average dosage is about 1.5 to 3 grams. This should be taken in several steps daily, ideally between meals. In this way, inflammation is inhibited, digestive problems, lack of concentration and itching are alleviated, and allergies, thrombosis and menstrual cramps are prevented. Due to the stimulated production of bile, the risk of kidney and gall stones is lower. At the same time, turmeric can provide relief for pre-existing stones. In summary, the properties of the root can be described as anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial. Furthermore, turmeric promises positive effects on serious diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. While not a useful therapy on its own, curcurmin can be viewed as a supplement. Thus, the tuber represents a useful means of alternative medicine. Unlike most chemical drugs, side effects and accompanying phenomena are not usually to be expected. Very few people suffer from heartburn, nausea or diarrhea after ingesting turmeric.
