by Elli Hall

Created on: December 20, 2009   Last Updated: March 16, 2010

Turmeric or Curcuma longa has many more uses that just to favor meals such as Indian curries and cuisine.  It is also known as curcuma, gauri, haldi, Indian saffron, and you jin.  Turmeric is a perennial plant found mostly in southern and eastern Asia and India.  Growing to a height of three feet, it bears lance shaped leaves on alternating sides of the stem.  The root is the part that is mainly used in medicine and to season food.  Those who practice traditional Chinese medicine use turmeric to treat liver and gallbladder problems, stop bleeding, ease chest congestion, and to help with menstrual pains.

What does turmeric treat?
 
Curcumin is a chemical component found within turmeric that fights against viral infections, cancer, and arthritis because of its high antioxidant properties.  It is vital in the medicinal uses of turmeric.  Turmeric can be used to treat arthritis, eczema, endometriosis, tendinitis, atherosclerosis, bursitis, carpal tunnel, cataracts, liver problems, gallstones, periodontal disease, heart attacks, HIV/AIDS, and indigestion.

Arthritis, eczema, endometriosis, and tendinitis:
Curcumin has been found to be an anti-inflammatory and a anti-arthritic agent.  The oil in turmeric also can ease pain as it acts in effectiveness like hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone, but without the extra side effects.

Atherosclerosis:
Curcumin stops PAF, which is the platelet-activating factor.  This in turn seal leaky blood vessels, in part by causing the production of fibrous tissue.  This is especially beneficial in those who have diabetes and suffer from loss of protein through the kidneys.  

Bursitis and carpal tunnel:
By deactivating immune cells that cause inflammation, the discomfort of these two conditions can be severely lessened.  Take note that even though inflammation is lessened, the immune cells that fight against infection are not disturbed.

Cataracts:
Free-radicals in the eye cause proteins to cross-link which over time causes cataracts to form.  Curcumin is able to get rid of these free-radicals very effectively, even more efficiently that vitamin E.

Liver problems:
Excessive amounts of iron consumption can cause liver damage.  Curcumin helps to reverse this damage, and it also prevents alcohol and other substances from being converted into harmful toxins.

Gallstones:
Curcumin helps to digest sugar and fat in the gallbladder by increasing the amount of enzymes. 

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