Food – Tasty Yellow Turmeric

I have never been to India but I have been to Indian restaurants here in this country. The food is really tasty. In India, as well as the restaurants here, they use that yellow seasoning which gives Indian food its distinctive flavor. Turmeric is a member of the ginger family and contains many compounds, but the family of compounds thought to be most responsible for turmeric’s medicinal effects are the curcuminoids, which are also responsible for giving turmeric its bright yellow color. The most important—and the most studied of the curcuminoids—is curcumin.

Turmeric Known for Alleviating Arthritis and Joint Inflammation

“Turmeric is part of the healing systems of India, China, and the Polynesian Islands, and occupies a place of distinction in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. One reason is its phenomenal anti-inflammatory properties, which are believed to be due to the presentence of curcuminoids. One of turmeric’s many traditional uses has been for the treatment of arthritis, because of its ability to lower inflammation. In one study, curcumin was found to be virtually as effective as the anti-inflammatory medication phenylbutazone. It is used in India to relieve arthritis, and can be useful for muscle pains as well as joint inflammation and even carpal tunnel syndrome. …

“There are at least thirty published studies indicating that curcumin has an antitumor effect (either reducing the number or size of tumors or the percentage of animals who developed them). Of course these are mostly animal studies, but still that’s pretty promising. … One study, published in 2006 in the medical journal Oncogene, showed that curcumin inhibited the growth of human colon cancer cells. While no one is claiming that turmeric cures cancer, there is plenty of reason to believe that it is a really useful adjunct to the diet of everyone concerned with staying healthy.

“Curcumin also has a positive effect on cholesterol, both in rats and in humans, making it a great adjunct to a heart-healthy diet. And it has powerful antioxidant properties as well. …

Why Your Liver Loves Turmeric

“This ability to fight inflammation and also to serve as an antioxidant makes curcumin, a very liver-friendly food. I like to recommend it for people with various liver ailments, including hepatitis. Though it is not the only thing I would use for serious liver problems, it’s definitely part of the arsenal. … Dr. Mark Stengler, author of The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, also recommends it for hepatitis and says that it is frequently used to lower elevated liver enzymes.” The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S, pages 292, 293.

Turmeric is also very easy to use and it has a really pleasing taste and a beautiful color—it tastes good on almost any food you put it on.

 

 

Recipe

Delicious Sunflower Seed Mustard

¾ cup raw sunflower seeds 1 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. turmeric             1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. onion powder 7/8 cup of water
½ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice  
Blend until smooth. It will thicken as it sets.