There is no doubt that turmeric is an incredibly healthy spice, with numerous health benefits and amazing properties. It has strong anti-inflammatory power, cancer-fighting, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. It is useful in the case of countless health issues, including amenorrhea, fever, gallstones, headaches, anemia, cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, common cold, conjunctivitis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, diarrhea, edema, hemorrhoids, ingestion, inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), liver disease, joint inflammation, osteoarthritis, bronchitis, bursitis, sexually transmitted diseases (e.g. hepatitis C, genital herpes), urinary tract infections, arthritis, atherosclerosis, and more.
Yet, it was now found to be extremely effective in the treatment of depression, which, depression is a common mood disorder, manifested by a bad mood, as well as various other symptoms. In its mildest form, patients manage to lead a healthy and normal life, if they treat it properly. On the other hand, in the case of severe depression, people have numerous difficulties to lead an active life and it may even be life-threatening.
Dr. Ajay Goel, Baylor Research Institute and Charles A Sammons Cancer Center, Baylor University Medical Center, and study co-author, claimed: “It is a novel and surprising application for this natural medicine.
People with depression have higher levels of inflammation in the brain. Also, people with depression have lower levels of neurogenesis in the brain, meaning they make fewer new brain cells than people with no history of depression. Curcumin is both a potent anti-inflammatory agent and a powerful stimulator for neurogenesis.”
Luckily, nature has provided an incredibly effective natural spice, turmeric has been scientifically confirmed to improve cognition and mental health, as its active ingredient, curcumin, improves mood, relieves stress, and treats depression.
Robert J. Hedaya, MD, a psychiatrist and clinical professor of psychiatry at the Georgetown University Medical Center, explains that inflammation affects hormones and other neurotransmitters in the brain, and lowers serotonin levels, which causes anxiety and depression, as well as memory issues. It also increases dopamine levels and contributes to agitation and anxiety.
The most common drug included in the treatment of depression is Prozac. And yes, you could just go for prescription drug treatment but you could deal with all of the terrible side effects like breathing issues, stomach bleeding, or suicidal effects. With it, you could try a natural alternative that works much better and won’t kill you in the long run. Researchers have found that turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, has the same effect in treating major depressive disorder as fluoxetine, which is a prescription drug with Prozac’s generic form, but has no side effects!
On the other hand, curcumin has potent antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects that normalize specific physiological pathways elevates serotonin levels, and reduce stress hormones.
Aside from relieving stress and depression, there are other benefits turmeric can give. Here are some of the lists:
- Prevent Cardiovascular disorders
According to the International Journal of Cardiology, curcumin decreased the risk of a further heart attack in patients undergoing bypass surgery. Because curcumin extract lowers the risk of blood clots and prevents irregular heartbeat. Further, the marked antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of bioactive components of curcumin play a key role in preventing cardiovascular disorders.
- Treat Gastrointestinal ailments
A study confirmed that turmeric can be used as an effective remedy for irritable bowel disease, indigestion, stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Crohn’s disease. Curcumin activates the probiotic components inside the stomach and thus prevents further infection. Furthermore, it enhances digestion and reduces inflammation.
- Prevents brain disorder
There is growing evidence of the benefits curcumin has on brain health. Curcumin is known to stimulate the production of several signaling proteins for nerve functioning. Your brain also has a powerful protein that supports healthy nerve cell growth and maintenance called BDNF, or brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Adequate turmeric intake can enhance this BDNF factor and the strategy was found to be very effective in depression patients.
The main reason antioxidants are so beneficial is that they protect your body from free radicals. Curcumin not only blocks the free radical interaction with body structural organic units like proteins and lipids but also stimulates the antioxidant enzymes of the body to fight against oxidative damage.
The following turmeric lemonade is extremely effective, here is how to make a delicious turmeric lemonade at home to lower stress and treat anxiety:
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons of freshly ground turmeric or powdered turmeric
½ cup of fresh lemon juice
½ cup of orange juice
5 cups of water
3 tablespoons of honey (raw preferred)
2 teaspoons of grated ginger
Instructions:
First, bring a cup of water to a boil. Turn the heat off, mix turmeric and ginger into a glass jar, and pour the boiled water over them. Steep for 5 minutes, and don’t forget to put the lid on. Stir and strain the mixture. Add honey and the orange and lemon juice then stir, leave it to cool, and enjoy it!
This turmeric lemonade contains natural anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. It is something that will strengthen your immune system and can be consumed daily with any sort of food you would like. You will be feeling much better in no time to drink your depression away with this lemonade!
Moreover, if you intend to buy turmeric supplements to additionally reap the health benefits of this amazing spice, make sure you have the following in mind:
-Many turmeric supplements have other additives like black pepper. This is a result of the fact that the curcumin molecule isn’t easily absorbed by the body, but it can be aided by the pepper. It boosts your body’s ability to absorb it by 2000%.
-If your turmeric capsule does not contain pepper, you can swallow a few peppercorns with the supplement to help the absorption of the turmeric.
— Curcumin is not water-soluble, meaning that it does not dissolve, so it would be best to take the supplement with a fatty meal to boost your body’s reception of the molecule. Namely, it is extremely fat-soluble, so it attaches to the lipids in the body.
Word of Caution
Avoid ginger and turmeric in any of the following cases:
- You take blood thinners (drugs that prevent blood clots)
- You use diabetes medication
- You take medicine for hypertension
- You deal with gallstones and kidney stones
Using large amounts of turmeric and ginger isn’t safe for pregnant women and nursing moms.
Thank You for this excellent recipe and such important information. Thank You again, and again.
Domnica from Canada