Turmeric is a plant that holds promise in treating and preventing disease.
Known as the "golden spice," turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a perennial plant native to tropical South Asia. Its seasoning is derived from grinding the root. Related to ginger, turmeric is used to impart food with added flavor and a rich amber color. Long considered a staple of traditional Indian cooking and herbal remedies, turmeric is thought to bring health, beauty and luck. Now, medical researchers are discovering that this popular cooking spice may hold promise as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antioxidant.
Cooking With Turmeric
Turmeric is mostly used to add spice and color to food.
Bitter in taste, pungent in smell and chalky in texture, turmeric is usually purchased as a fine, dry powder that is used as a spice, coloring agent and preservative. Turmeric is often added to curries, sauces, mustards, baked goods and dairy products. While utilized most frequently in savory dishes, sweets such as cakes, ice cream, yogurts, icings and the Indian dish patoleo may also contain turmeric. Only a small amount is needed to give food added flavor and color.
Investigations
Turmeric researchers are focusing on a chemical contained in the spice called curcumin. "Los Angeles Times" staff writer Hilary E. MacGregor reported that as of 2006, the National Institutes of Health had sponsored at least eight investigative studies of turmeric and were investigating how it may either prevent or treat diseases like cancer, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's disease and arthritis. Unlike many conventional drugs, one of the most exciting aspects of turmeric is that it doesn't appear to have any adverse effects.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Turmeric's active ingredient curcumin may inhibit inflammation.
Scientists speculate that curcumin may inhibit abnormal inflammatory responses in the body. Timothy Moynihan, M.D. wrote on the Mayo Clinic's website that curcumin shows the potential to inhibit cancer and stated that this unusual chemical is being explored as a cancer treatment due to inflammation's possible link to cancer. Moynihan stresses that there is not enough evidence to recommend turmeric or curcumin as a cancer treatment and that herbal supplements should always be discussed with your physician.
Antiseptic Properties
Turmeric has long been known for its antiseptic properties.
Turmeric has long been known to have antiseptic properties and can be sprinkled on wounds to help them heal faster. Calling turmeric a "natural wonder," Debjit Bhowmik and fellow researchers wrote in their 2009 paper "Turmeric: A Herbal And Traditional Medicine" that the popular seasoning can successfully combat Staphylococcus aureus infections. Turmeric's medicinal value is so highly regarded in some countries that it is found in many Southeast Asian antiseptics and in some Johnson and Johnson brand Band-Aids.
Antioxidant Properties
Researchers claim turmeric may be a powerful antioxidant.
Substances known as antioxidants are thought to inhibit disease by preventing cell damage. Although some of the most popular antioxidants are vitamins C and E as well as carotene, endocrinologist Donald Hensrud, M.D. reported in the May 2009 Mayo Clinic "Medical Edge Newspaper Column" that ground turmeric powder is also a good source of antioxidants. Researcher JC Tilak's 2004 study in "Phytotheraphy Research" confirmed that turmeric's antioxidant abilities withstand both cooking and chemical extraction.
Tags: added flavor, been known, cancer treatment, curcumin inhibit, long been, long been known
