Who has never heard of turmeric, and more specifically of its famous virtues? If you have, you will discover here why you should add this spice to your daily intake today.
Its history
Turmeric arrived in the West during the 17th century but has been used for thousands of years in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Turmeric is recognized in Asia as a medicinal plant and is used in traditional Chinese, Indonesian and Thai medicine.
The word turmeric comes from the Sanskrit word kartouma, which then gave kurkum in ancient Persian, now pronounced kurkoum or kharkoum in Arabic. Turmeric was used as a spice, food coloring, but also as a cosmetic and medicine. This spice was traded so that it quickly crossed the Arabian Peninsula to the Middle East. This is why turmeric is used in both traditional Asian and Arabic medicine.
Its composition
Its most important active ingredient is curcumin, a natural pigment that gives it its beautiful yellow color. Curcumin is an anti-oxidant, it participates in the preservation of skin cells and the body but it is also a powerful anti-inflammatory. The richer the rhizome is in curcumin, the more beneficial it is for health.
It also contains essential oils, vitamins, fiber and starch.
The benefits recognized by medicine
A powerful anti-inflammatory
Curcumin and its powerful anti-inflammatory effect make turmeric a real ally in relieving the pain of inflammatory diseases, whether chronic or acute. Consuming turmeric is therefore strongly recommended in case of joint pain related to rheumatism, arthritis or tendonitis.
Joints, skin, muscle, tendons, but also digestive system or nervous system, the regular consumption of turmeric can relieve pain related to inflammation of all types of tissue or organs.
An ally for the digestive system
Turmeric is known to be effective in the treatment of digestive disorders. It is therefore very effective in cases of inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome. Its antimicrobial virtues also allow to regulate the problems of transit in case of diarrhea but also during constipation. Regular consumption also helps to solve problems of nausea, bloating, heartburn, gastro-esophageal reflux, etc.
How to consume it?
The simplest way is in the kitchen. It is easy to add turmeric in powder form to your pies, quiches, sauces or seasonings while giving a beautiful yellow color and an oriental flavor to your preparations.
It can be combined with other foods to combine its beneficial effects. In Asia, for example, it has been combined with honey since the dawn of time to obtain what is called golden honey.
In powder, in infusion, in capsules or even in the form of essential oils, there are still many ways to consume this wonderful spice to help maintain good health and relieve everyday pains.
