Turmeric (Curcuma longa) commonly
known as Haldi,
is known to Ayurveda since Vedic period. Due to its nutraceutical and
therapeutical value, from India it reached China in 700 A.D., to East Africa
800 A.D., West Africa by 1200 A.D. and then spread through the world for its
uses. It is so important a plant that till date some 2473 U.S. patents have
been obtained by scientists of the world. Many important chemicals are present
in this spice. The group of one of the active compounds are Curcuminoids.
Curcuminoides are proven
molecules that work against cancer cells. Curcuminoides have also been shown to
exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-bacterial, antifungal
activities and have a potential against various diseases like diabetes,
allergies, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and other chronic illness. Also,
studies over a decade have proven that even CFT (Curcumin Free Turmeric) also possess numerous biological
activities including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic
activities. These effects are attributed to components of turmeric other than
curcumin. These components are mainly turmerin,
turmerone, elemene, furanodiene, curdione, bisacurone, cyclocurcumin, calebin A
and germacrone.
TRADITIONAL
MEDICINAL USES IN THE WORLD;
Arabic Countries – Hot water extracts for many
ailments.
Brazil –
Dried rhizome is used to protect against snake bite
China –
Hot water extract is taken orally to improve circulation and to dissolve blood
clots.
Cooks Island – For urinary tract problem
decoction of rhizome is taken.
England – For amenorrhea, dried rhizome
together with C. aromatica is taken
Fiji
– Poultice of dried rhizome and boiled rice is applied for sprains, bruises and
aching wounds. Used for ophthalmic diseases as well.
Haiti
– Dried rhizome
extract is taken to treat liver ailments.
Hawaii – Hot water extract of turmeric
is used for asthma and urinary Calculi.
India
– Turmeric has
its use as balancing Tridosh, taken orally for treating and preventing stomach
disorders. Hot extract is taken for slow lactation (to regulate metabolism).
Turmeric is also used as a tonic and carminative for diseases like dropsy,
diabetes, diarrhea, etc. it is also helpful to facilitate the scabbing process
in Chicken pox and small pox.
It is
noteworthy that throughout world Curcuma, as folkloric medicine, was used in form of water infusion. Recently
a water soluble polypeptide Turmerin has
been isolated from turmeric. This is highly effective against oxidative stress
related diseases like arthritis, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases,
neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer, cataract, and malaria, bacterial and
fungal infectious diseases.
This recently discovered water
soluble polypeptide Turmerin and other components of turmeic provide scientific
basis for folkloric use of turmeric in water infusion form.
It
is also a well-known fact that consuming Piperin along with curcuma increases
the bioavailability of curcuminoides and turmerin.
Facts about
our Our Turmeric tea
This herbal infusion comes to you from basis of
research by eminent botanist, Dr. S. K.
Upadhyaya (Ex Scientific Advisor, CCRAS, Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare). He did many research studies on Turmeric and results of those
studies were used to formulate this herbal infusion.
We analyzed 10 market samples for variation in
quantity of phytochemical,(Atreya R and Upadhyaya SK 2011) .We also analysed 27
more varities of curcuma to select best forms. The best variety is being
cultivated organically for use in our Turmeric Tea. (PhD thesis 2012,shiv lal
sk upadhyaya 2012). In a study it was observed that piperin when consumed
alongwith turmerin, increases its bioavailablity and stability. Therefore,
piperin was used as one of the ingredients of this herbal infusion.
For Piperin, we use best varieties of Piper nigrum
and Piper longum.
The list of therapeutic benefits of Turmeric is
endless. Some of the evidence based uses
are mentioned below:
1.
Reduces arthritis symptoms
As an anti-inflammatory, curcumin help reduce the
most prominent symptoms of arthritis.
A 2017 study found that out of 206 American adults with
self-reported rheumatoid
arthritis, 63 percent used
non-vitamin supplements to manage their symptoms, with turmeric being the most
popular product that was taken.
2.
Boosts immune function
Curcumin is proven to improve immune function
with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial
properties.
Curcumin has also been shown to act as an immune modulator, helping regulate immune cell function
against cancer.
3.
Helps reduce cardiovascular complications
Several studies have shown curcumin to have
beneficial heart health properties by acting as an antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory.
A 2012 study found that taking 4 g per day of
curcumin 3 days before and 5 days after coronary artery bypass grafting
surgery, reduced the risk of acute myocardial infarction or heart attack by 17 percent.
4.
Helps prevent and treat cancer
One of the most clinically established therapeutic
properties of curcumin is its anti-cancer action.
As an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, curcumin
is thought to lower the risk of cells in the body becoming damaged, reducing
the risk of cell mutations and cancer.
Furthermore, numerous studies have shown that
curcumin has anti-tumor properties, limiting the growth of tumors and spread of
cancerous cells.
According to a 2014 medical review, more than 2,000 articles have been published
using the keywords “curcumin” and “cancer.” The use of
curcumin as a cancer treatment alongside chemotherapy and radiation therapy is currently being investigated.
5.
Helps manage irritable bowel syndrome or IBS
Curcumin has long been used in traditional
medicines as a treatment for many digestive conditions.
Several studies have found that curcumin may help reduce the
pain associated with IBS and improve the quality of life of the people with the
condition.
A 2012 study in rats found that curcumin helped decrease
the time it took for food to empty from the stomach to the small intestine,
otherwise known as gastric emptying.
6.
Prevents and treats Alzheimer’s
Studies have shown that curcumin may help reduce the
chances of several neurodegenerative conditions. Its antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory powers are thought to reduce cellular damage, inflammation, and amyloid deposits or plaques that occur with
these conditions.
Curcumin may also be able to slow down or prevent
some of the age-associated protein changes linked to neurodegeneration.
7.
Protects against liver damage, gallstones, and manages liver conditions
Several studies have shown that curcumin can protect against
liver damage. Potential liver and gallbladder benefits of curcumin include
increasing production of the digestive fluid bile while also protecting liver
cells from damage from bile-associated chemicals.
8.
Helps prevent and manage diabetes
Traditional medicines have used turmeric for diabetes for thousands of years. Several studies using
animal and human models have shown that curcumin supplementation may have
anti-diabetes properties.
9.
Helps treat and manage lung conditions
Researchers suspect that the anti-inflammatory and
antioxidant properties of curcumin may help reduce the symptoms of chronic or
long-lasting lung conditions.
A 2017
medical review concluded
that although the clinical evidences are limited, curcumin might help
treat asthma, pulmonary and cystic fibrosis, lung
cancer or injury, and
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).