Turmeric: health benefits and harms, medicinal properties, application

The benefits and harms of turmeric are an urgent issue for lovers of seasonings and spices. Yellow aromatic powder is often used in cooking — it is interesting to learn about its properties and where else it is used.

Where does turmeric grow and what does it look like

The spice grows mainly in Asian countries — in China, India, and Pakistan. It looks like a herbaceous plant of average height about 1 m with oblong leaves. It blooms with pink and yellow buds collected in inflorescences.

The main value lies in the roots. It is from them that the seasoning is obtained, and also a useful essential oil is made. Ginger can be considered the closest “relative” of turmeric, but the composition and properties of the two plants are very different.

The chemical composition of turmeric

Yellow seasoning is a real repository of useful substances. The composition contains:

  • minerals — phosphorus, iron, magnesium, calcium and iodine;
  • valuable vitamins C, B, K, B1, B2 and B3;
  • a huge amount of essential oils — curcumin and sabinene, borneol and fellandren, tsingibiren;
  • terpene alcohols.

It is essential oils that give turmeric its main value. The calorie content of the seasoning is quite high — 100 g contains 325 calories. But since the seasoning is consumed in very small quantities, its energy value does not harm health and figure.

What is turmeric useful for the human body

The benefits of turmeric for the human body are very great. It is enough to list only the main advantages. Spice:

  • increases immune resistance and helps to fight already started colds;
  • it acts as a prevention of joint and vascular diseases, in particular, turmeric is of great use in gout;
  • stimulates the process of hematopoiesis;
  • promotes weight loss and cleansing the body of harmful substances;
  • it has a beneficial effect on the stomach and intestines and serves as a prevention of colitis, gastritis and ulcers;
  • helps to cope with the effects of intoxication;
  • helps in the treatment of diabetes;
  • it has an analgesic effect;
  • improves the functioning of the brain and nervous system;
  • it helps with skin diseases and generally improves the condition of the epidermis;
  • it serves as a prevention of oncological ailments, prevents the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

For women

The benefits of turmeric for a woman’s body is that the seasoning helps to even out the hormonal background during menopause, with menstrual disorders. She also copes with gynecological inflammations.

It is believed that a useful product promotes insignificant breast growth. With regular use of spices in the mammary glands, blood circulation accelerates, there is an increased production of female hormones.

For men

Since the seasoning improves blood circulation, the benefit of turmeric for men is that its use has a positive effect on male potency. Turmeric for men increases testosterone and has a beneficial effect on the overall hormonal background.

Is turmeric possible during pregnancy and breastfeeding

During the period of carrying a child, it is better to exclude a useful spice from the diet. It increases blood circulation, and it is dangerous for pregnant women. Turmeric in the early stages of pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, and in the late stages — to premature birth.

Turmeric can also bring harm to a nursing mother. First of all, the baby’s allergy to this product is not excluded. But even if it is not found, the properties of the seasoning can damage the baby’s intestines.

Is turmeric allowed for children and at what age

The properties of the product are dangerous for young children, as they can negatively affect the state of the child’s nervous system. Children are often allergic to spices, and the product can also harm the developing stomach and intestines. For the first time, a seasoning should be offered to a child no earlier than 6 years old.

Attention! Even when a child reaches 6 years of age, it is necessary to consult with a pediatrician before introducing a useful seasoning into the diet.

What is turmeric useful for weight loss

Since the spice increases the rate of metabolism, promotes the breakdown of fats and effectively removes toxins and slags from the body, the benefits of turmeric spice for weight loss are unconditional.

Of course, at the same time, it cannot be used in large quantities and separately from the main food — this will be harmful. For dietary purposes, it is added to low-fat meat and fish dishes, vegetable salads, and drinks.

The use of turmeric for medicinal purposes

With the help of seasoning, not only do they get rid of extra pounds — its useful properties help to cope with the symptoms of a number of diseases. The spice has an analgesic effect, relieves spasms, eliminates the harm of inflammation — its value is confirmed even by the reviews of doctors.

For sore throat and colds

Antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties will benefit with a sore throat during angina, SARS and flu.

  • Half a teaspoon of seasoning can be mixed with a spoonful of liquid honey.
  • The remedy is diluted in a glass of boiling water, stirred, cooled to a warm temperature and drunk.

The benefit of honey with turmeric is that honey softens the throat, and turmeric fights inflammation.

With anemia

The cause of anemia is a lack of iron — and the benefit of turmeric seasoning is the increased content of this element. It is necessary to take literally 1/4 small spoonful of seasoning mixed with honey daily on an empty stomach — in larger quantities, seasoning can be harmful.

With asthma

Useful turmeric is an excellent remedy for allergic asthma. It is necessary to stir half a teaspoon of turmeric in half a glass of hot milk and drink three times a day before eating.

To cleanse the body

To remove accumulated toxins from the body, eliminate their harm and improve overall well-being, you can dilute a small spoonful of seasoning in 150 ml of warm water and add cold lemon juice. The drink can be flavored with a pinch of cinnamon or honey. Drink the remedy daily, in the morning, for a month. The benefit of turmeric and frozen lemon is that together they carry out a complete cleansing of the body and replenish the supply of nutrients.

For the treatment of the liver

To help the liver function, you can simply take a turmeric drink twice a day, diluted in a glass of water in the amount of half a teaspoon.

You can also prepare an even more effective remedy by adding a teaspoon of celandine to the drink. Such a remedy should be infused for half an hour — and drink it also twice a day, but only 1/3 cup, otherwise it will be harmful.

From psoriasis

A small amount of seasoning is mixed with ordinary water, aloe juice, honey or vegetable oil, and then lubricate the affected areas of the skin a couple of times a day. You can also make compresses at night, fixing them with bandages — then the effect will manifest itself faster.

With diabetes mellitus

Since the properties of turmeric lower the level of glucose in the blood, it is of great benefit in diabetes mellitus. They drink it in the amount of 1 cup a day in the morning, and they are usually diluted not in water, but in a mixture of cabbage, carrot, cucumber, celery and spinach juices — and you need to take literally a pinch of seasonings.

From high pressure

Spicy spice helps well with hypertension, because it quickly lowers blood pressure. To prepare a home medicine, it is necessary:

  • thoroughly mix a teaspoon of turmeric with 1.5 g of sesame seeds, 2 g of flaxseeds and a large spoon of poppy seeds — preferably in a blender, until smooth;
  • add 10 ml of liquid honey to the mixture and stir well;
  • roll small balls from the resulting mass and swallow them like tablets, washed down with water, a couple of pieces during the day.

A useful remedy can be prepared easier — dilute a large spoonful of turmeric in 50 g of honey, mix and eat 3 teaspoons a day with tea.

To reduce cholesterol

The spice is considered valuable for the prevention of atherosclerosis, since turmeric for those over 60 reduces the level of harmful cholesterol. For a directed effect on the vessels, you can prepare such a remedy:

  • 1 teaspoon turmeric mixed with 1/4 teaspoon almond oil;
  • the mixture is poured into a glass of warmed milk.

They drink the drug at night, shortly before bedtime.

With diarrhea and flatulence

The benefits of turmeric for the intestines come to the rescue with diarrhea and excessive formation of gases. A small spoonful of yellow powder should be diluted in a glass of clean water and drink half a glass shortly before eating.

With gastritis

With chronic gastritis, the following remedy helps well — 10 g of turmeric is diluted in 50 ml of warmed milk, 3 crushed tablets of activated charcoal are added to the glass.

Drink the medicine three times a day for 1 large spoon. It is recommended to take the remedy for 3 weeks.

Paste for healing wounds and abrasions

The properties of the seasoning are beneficial not only when applied inside. Spice-based products treat skin lesions. For example, for the speedy healing of abrasions and wounds, it is recommended to use such a mixture — half a teaspoon of turmeric and a spoonful of fresh aloe juice.

From burns

The seasoning is also used to treat healing burns. It can be mixed with aloe juice, honey or vegetable oil and gently applied to the damaged area. The mixture has a disinfecting and analgesic effect, the burn is delayed faster.

The use of turmeric in cooking

A spicy spice with a sharp burning taste is often part of popular seasonings — for example, it can be found in a curry mixture.

Also, the spice is used in small quantities to give flavor and a sharper taste to meat, fish and vegetable dishes. With the help of yellow powder, cheeses and butter are colored, seasoning is found in cocktails and fermented milk products, many recipes talk about the benefits of turmeric with cottage cheese for digestion.

How much turmeric can be consumed per day

The product requires strict dosages. It is allowed to eat no more than 50 – 200 mg of seasoning in one form or another per day, otherwise there will be harm from the properties of the product.

Turmeric Essential oil: benefits and applications

Most often, yellow spicy powder is found on sale. But essential oil is also made from the root of the plant.

The beneficial properties of essential oil are that it:

  • has a beneficial effect on digestion;
  • promotes healing of mucous membranes in ulcers;
  • helps with colitis, bloating and flatulence;
  • helps to get rid of parasites;
  • cleanses the body due to antioxidant properties;
  • benefits joints and ligaments;
  • it has a good effect on the nervous system;
  • promotes healing of skin damage.

Turmeric ether is used mainly in cosmetology — the oil is included in lotions and creams, is used in anti-aging and anti-cellulite products. Also, with its help, fungal ailments are treated, pain and swelling are relieved, sometimes they are taken orally in the amount of a couple of drops.

Turmeric oil is often included in aromatic mixtures and perfume compositions.

The harm of turmeric and contraindications

The benefits of turmeric are great, and the spice does not cause harm very often. However, the use of spices should be abandoned:

  • with cholelithiasis and inflammation of the biliary tract;
  • with duodenal ulcer or stomach ulcer;
  • with individual allergies;
  • during pregnancy and lactation;
  • when taking potent medications.

The effect of the properties of turmeric on the kidneys remains controversial — in case of serious ailments, it is better not to use the seasoning in order to avoid harm.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of turmeric depend on the general condition of the body and compliance with the correct dosages. If you do not abuse the seasoning, it will noticeably improve your health, have a good effect on your appearance and improve the taste of familiar dishes.

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