The benefits of Curcumin, the new superfood The greatest medicinal plant in the entire world.

Now and again, appears a new superhero, said to help us fight all types of diseases. Turmeric or curcumin has been proclaimed the new superfood!

Curcumin is the active component of Turmeric, a plant of the ginger family. Grounding its roots, you get the orange powder used in curries and for dying. The name comes from the Sanskrit ku?kuma, used to refer to turmeric. Turmeric has been used in India and Asia for at least 4.000 years as a substitute for saffron and other yellowish pigments. It has also been used in the Ayurveda medicine to treat respiratory conditions, upset stomach, parasites and inflammatory disorders. 

Curcumin is “one of the greatest beneficial medicinal plants in the entire world,” says Chris Kilham, an author expert on plant-based medicine and founder of Medicine Hunter. There are numerous studies on the benefits of curcumin, primarily to treat inflammatory disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes and certain types of cancer, but the list goes on.

Besides being anti-inflammatory, Turmeric is also anti-oxidant, anti-malaria, anti-parasitic and can be used to control blood sugar, to regulate the immune system, to heal wounds, to ease pain and stiff joints, to improve cholesterol levels and even to help you have a balanced mood! Researches have also used turmeric in the growth of stem cells in the brains of live rats which could lead to new treatments of diseases such as Alzheimer.

This ancient food is the new superhero thanks to its anti-oxidant properties. As you know, our great villain is the oxidative damage of the cells, which leads to ageing and even liver disease. Also, the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric protect our vessels, helping avoid strokes for example and increase the blood flow to the brain, improving our memory. Studies also show that curcumin can kills “bad cells”, so imagine where these studies could lead!

The benefits of turmeric are really endless. You can take curcumin supplements or just add one or two teaspoons of it to our dishes when cooking, but because your body digests it way too quickly, you should also add a little of black pepper and some olive or coconut oil to help you absorb it. But be careful not to use too much turmeric, or you will end up with an upset stomach. Also, those who take blood-thinning medication should avoid taking supplements of concentrated curcumin as it may increase bleeding.