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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).
