Terry Lemerond, a supplement founder, formulator and blogger writes a lot about Curcumin and the herb that is at its basis: Turmeric.
When Terry was at GreenAcres-Bradley Fair last spring, he spoke to a packed house of 250 people about the curing benefits of Curcumin and what it does to alleviate pain, cleanse the liver and support all manner of bodily functions.
But what he didn’t expound on until recently was the Curcumin-Turmeric effect.
Since Curcumin is actually Turmeric on steroids it’s good to refresh what we know about the herb that in Indian medicine is called The Golden Spice.
Bright orange and bitter tasting, Curcumin, the active agent in Turmeric, has been used in Ayurveda, the ancient form of Indian Medicine for thousands of years.
Finally, thanks in part to GreenAcres and its customers who are amazingly knowledgeable about nutrition and what natural herbs and spices do for the body, Turmeric is finally getting its due.
You’ve likely tasted it if you’ve enjoyed Indian, Asian or Thai cuisine. It’s what gives curry it’s yellow glow. But more than just something you put into stews or chutneys, Turmeric is a spice that has made India, among all the nations, almost lung, colon, prostrate and breast cancer free.
It’s chock full of anti-oxidants. It has been proven to fight free radicals, rejuvenate cells, protect the heart, boost moods and support the brain.
Sheri Stoller, Senior Territory Manager of Nature’s Way Brands shares this about Turmeric:
It has been shown to lift levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. With a stronger cocktail of these neuro-chemicals we’re all a little happier.
Turmeric has 10 neuro-protective actions that support better memory, focus and cognition. This multifunctional spice is also used to regulate fat metabolism, alleviate IBS, regulate bile flow, reduce joint pain and bring luster to the skin.
Turmeric or Haldi as they call it in Hindi is revered for its spiritual significance. Often referred to as The Spice of Life, Turmeric is a common accessory in wedding and prayer ceremonies. Originally the spice was used in rites and rituals intended to promote fertility, prosperity and spiritual purification.
Turmeric is incredibly purifying. As a sure source of anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial extracts, this spice can help you fight infections and boost immunity. It is dense in vitamins and minerals and promotes overall wellbeing.
So, how do we make good use of this healing herb? Both Terry Lemerond and Sheri Stoller warn us that just taking Curcumin/Turmeric capsules will not give us the full effect. The active agents in Turmeric are fat soluble, meaning you need fat in a carrier to make sure your body absorbs it correctly.
True to Indian and ancient cultures, holistic medicine stands firm on the interconnectedness of mind, body and spirit. Stoller explains: “Just as there is a delicate and intelligent interplay between the mind, body and soul, there is a delicate and intelligent interplay between the brain, gut and formation of tissues.
“A capsule version of Turmeric (aka Curcumin) will get the spice into your body but it won’t guarantee the digestion and absorption of the nutrients into your system. According to Ayurveda there are seven layers of tissues: plasma, blood, muscles, fat, bones, nervous tissue and reproductive tissue.
“Each tissue is nourished in sequential order based on how well food is digested, absorbed and assimilated. If you want the benefits of turmeric to touch all your tissues, a capsule just won’t cut it. The body simply doesn’t integrate capsules as it would food.”
Stoller suggests we try using Turmeric in different ways:
• Always buy certified organic.
• Make sure your spices are free of chemicals, preservatives, fillers and additives.
• Combine turmeric with black pepper to amp up the effect.
• Cook with turmeric, black pepper and ginger. These heating, metabolism-charging spices have a synergistic effect that will increase the bio availability by 1,000 times. Make sure to dissolve the spices in ghee or coconut oil while cooking.
• Pour it into your smoothies. Dissolve a full teaspoon of turmeric and a pinch of black pepper into hot coconut oil and pour it into your smoothie or juice.
• Stir it into olive oil for salads and veggie mixes. You can also sprinkle it on an avocado and pair it with your meal.
Matt, our Bradley Fair store manager, suggests using Nature’s Way Curica liquid Turmeric drops in water. Take two droppers full twice a day.
Sherry Stoller says, “If you want terrific skin, combine 1 tsp. of Turmeric with 1 tsp. of chick pea flour; add a dash of tea tree oil and enough water to create a paste (about 2 tsp. of water). Apply the paste to the entire face, keep it on for 15 minutes, then rinse it with warm water. Your skin will look radiant.”
