The benefits and harms of turmeric

Turmeric is a medicinal herb from the ginger family. This plant is very widespread in various areas of human life. It is used as a spice in cooking, in cosmetology and even for treatment.

The benefits of turmeric

This plant began to be eaten in the homeland of spices - in India. This happened for the first time more than two and a half thousand years ago. Turmeric is still popular today. Now the beneficial effect of this spice on the human body has already been scientifically proven:

• Turmeric is useful for the prevention of certain types of cancer. It can be used to slow the spread of metastases if the disease has already been diagnosed.
• This spice is used to relieve sore throat and acute respiratory viral infections.
• Curcumin, which is part of the spice, has a beneficial effect on the brain and reduces the risk of senile dementia.

• Turmeric is used to accelerate wound healing.
• Turmeric is good for digestion.
• This spice helps to remove toxins and is often used as an absorbent in case of poisoning.
• It can be used to treat arthritis, gout, and other joint diseases.
• It is used to relieve headaches and even migraine attacks.
• Turmeric is used as a blood purifier and cholesterol lowering agent.
• This plant has powerful antioxidant properties and can be used to scavenge free radicals.

The harm of turmeric

Since turmeric has very powerful medicinal properties, in some cases, its use can be harmful to the body. For example, taking certain medications, especially potent ones, together with turmeric, can greatly distort the picture of the disease and make diagnosis difficult. The presence of chronic ailments should be a reason for consulting a doctor about the use of any spice, including turmeric.

If a person has problems with the gallbladder, namely a blockage of the bile ducts or stones in the gallbladder, then the use of turmeric in any form should be avoided. Another reason for avoiding turmeric can be a tendency to allergic reactions. The fact is that curcumin is a strong allergen.

Do not use turmeric and pregnant women... The reason for this is the ability of this spice to enhance the tone of the uterus. In addition, an excess amount of turmeric can affect the development of the fetus and make the baby allergic after birth.

This spice increases the acidity of gastric juice, therefore, with such ailments as gastritis or pancreatitis, turmeric should be used with extreme caution.

In general, even with an absolutely healthy body, you should not abuse this spice. Experts say that only about 5 grams per day is enough to maintain health.

Contraindications for turmeric

Based on the above harm of this spice, there are several diseases and conditions in which the use of turmeric is contraindicated:

• The use of potent medicines.
• Diseases of the gallbladder, especially cholelithiasis.
• High acidity gastritis and pancreatitis.
• Hepatitis.
• Pregnancy.
• Excessive use of spices in food.

Application of turmeric

First of all, turmeric is still a spice and is most often used in cooking. When added to dishes, turmeric gives a pleasant color, freshness and a unique flavor. In addition, this spice can increase the shelf life of products.

Turmeric goes well with other spices, it goes especially well with rice dishes, lentils and vegetable soups. It gives them a unique aroma and pleasant color.

Frying cauliflower in a mixture of olive oil, turmeric and garlic makes a deliciously unusual dish. A mixture of brown rice with raisins, coriander and a pinch of turmeric will be an excellent side dish for any meat dish.

From the crushed rhizomes of turmeric, an excellent essential butter... It has a bright yellow color and a spicy fresh aroma, slightly bitter on the palate. Turmeric oil is used in cosmetology and perfumery. Most often it is used to compose oriental fragrances and compositions. In aromatherapy, the valuable turmeric oil is used as an excellent antibacterial agent.

Turmeric treatment

To heal the body and cleanse it, use a drink from milk and healthy spices. It is also called golden milk. This name characterizes both the color of the drink and the healing effect on health. The drink is good for improving the condition of bone tissue, for healing the skin, for alleviating colds and coughs, as well as for general detoxification of the body. If you use skim milk for a drink, you can get an excellent tool for normalizing the digestive tract.

For this healthy drink, combine two large tablespoons of turmeric powder and a glass of water in a small saucepan. Simmer the mixture over very low heat for 10 minutes. You will receive a yellow paste, which will be the basis for preparing a healing drink. Transfer it to a glass container and keep it in the refrigerator. This blank will retain its properties for a month. To prepare a healing drink, heat a glass of milk and mix with a teaspoon of pasta. Drink immediately afterwards. It is best to drink this drink at night for 40 days. You need to repeat the treatment once every six months.

To improve digestive processes and strengthen immunity, it is useful to use kefir with the addition of spices. In this case, you can add not the powder itself, but the paste, as in the recipe with the drink. For a glass of kefir, you will need half a teaspoon of turmeric paste and the same amount of honey. Drink this drink before bed. The same mixture can be used to improve the skin and get rid of inflammation, as well as to strengthen the hair in the form of a mask.

For the treatment of joints, a drink made from hot milk, a teaspoon of turmeric and the same amount of honey helps. You need to drink it daily for a month. Apply compresses made from ground ginger, coffee, cinnamon, and turmeric to relieve pain. Take spices in equal amounts and dilute with warm water. Apply to the sore spot, cover with foil and insulate with a cloth on top.