Origin and Uses

Turmeric, and more particularly its rhizome (the underground part), is used not only as a food spice, but also as a medicinal plant since time immemorial in China and India, traces of which are found in Sanskrit writings dating back to 4000 BC, turmeric is one of the essential elements of Ayurvedic medicine, and traditional medicines from China, Thailand and Indonesia have also used it for centuries to stimulate.

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The arrival of turmeric in Europe corresponds to that of the curries brought back by British from their Indian Empire, so the recognition of its medicinal properties is recent in the West. Digestive disorders are nonetheless recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Commission E, the German Scientific e validates the medicinal properties of plants. The history of turmeric is also written in the future as a lot of scientific research is underway, particularly on the effects of its main components, curcumin, the prevention and treatment of certain cancers.

 

Turmeric is usually reduced to its rhizome, like ginger. It is first a short-stemmed perennial, measuring between 60 and 100cm, and native to South Asia. The turmeric genius, a close cousin of the banana tree, made of about forty varieties that have in common lanceolate leaves and a gnarled rhizome with bright yellow or orange flesh. The turmeric flowers can be of different colours, in this case pale yellow for those of turmeric longa, used in herbal medicine.

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Use of turmeric:

• Powder, daily consumption of turmeric can vary between 1.5 and 3 g, about the equivalent of a teaspoon.

• An infusion is prepared in ten to fifteen minutes with 1.5 or 2 g of turmeric infused in 150ml of boiling water. The dosage is two cups each day. In the dyeing, the daily dosage is 10ml.

• A poultice can be prepared by mixing turmeric powder with a little water.

• In case of inflammation, one can absorb the standardized extract of curcumoids, at the rate of 300 0r 400 mg three times a day.

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Curative Action

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Internal Use

Stimulant: turmeric fights against gastric acidity by stimulating mucus secretions, It protects the stomach (including peptic ulcers) and the liver, reduces nausea.

 

Anti-Inflammatory: Curcumin helps rhizome treat intestinal inflammation and the limit painful attacks in ulcerative colitis. Curcumin is also effective against gastritis, pancreatitis and rheumatoid arthritis, and useful in the case of postoperative edema.

 

Blood Fluidifier: Turmeric helps treat circulatory problems and, as a result, reduce the risk od stroke and heart attack.

Antioxidant: turmeric is used in the prevention of aging cells.

 

External Use

 

Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory: turmeric can be applied as a poultice to teat pathologies such eczema, psoriasis or mycoses.

 

Digestive disorders: dyspepsia, stomach upset, nausea, loss of appetite, heaviness and bloating, protection of the stomach and liver, pain related to inflammation of the bowel, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis or pancreatitis.

 

Dermatological problems: eczema, mycoses, psoriasis

 

 

How to consume turmeric?

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You'll find powdered turmeric or turmeric roots which is a lot more efficient because it's a fresh product. If you opt for a turmeric root, remove it, preferably because it is sometimes a little hard. In all cases, whether powdered or root, you can enjoy turmeric soup, sauce, juice, salad, with vegetables and even tea. The particularity of turmeric is that it can be eaten shredded, cooked, raw, sautéed… Turmeric recipes are relatively numerous, so you will have no excuse to incorporate it in your daily diet.

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Benefits

1. Turmeric would prevent the appearance of certain cancers

By fighting the oxidative stress responsible for cellular degeneration and against inflammation, it would act to prevent certain cancers (ENT, lung and breast). Curcumin, present in turmeric, even has positive effects in the treatment of certain cancers.

 

2. Turmeric is good for the brain

Curcumin, along with turmeric, another component of turmeric, is said to have positive effects on the brain, a promising molecule to regenerate damaged cells in the brain in neurological diseases, especially in Alzheimer’s disease. It destroys the protein plaques responsible for the degeneration of certain cells, while preventing their formation.

 

3. It’s an anti-inflammatory

Turmeric, thanks to its natural anti-inflammatory properties at the same time, improves the mobility of the joints. It would also help reduce joint pain (arthritis rheumatoid and osteoarthritis), and postoperative plain, thanks to its anti-inflammatory power. This plant also protects against inflammatory diseases of the liver and intestine (obstruction of the bile duct and chronic diseases of the liver such as hepatitis.

 

4. Turmeric relieves digestive disorders

The World Health Organization has recognized its positive action against digestive disorder. In addition to soothing stomach upset, it optimizes bile functions disturbed, which may be the cause of constipation, and it improves the quality of intestinal mucosal permeate. Used daily, turmeric reduces inflammation and has a preventive effect on ulcers.

 

5. Turmeric, an asset against cholesterol

Turmeric does not have a direct effect on cholesterol but it is interesting in people who have it: it lowers triglyceride level. It also helps to keep the bad cholesterol level low. As a preventative, it helps maintain a good cholesterol level. It can also be consumed, in addition to a diabetes treatment.

 

6. Turmeric, a source of vitamins

Rich in iron, Manganese, potassium, vitamin C and B6, turmeric consumed regularly is a good way to stay healthy. It gives a boost; It is also a preventative super-food for general health. In prevention, take a teaspoon a day of powdered turmeric, sprinkled on your dishes.

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Origin and Uses

Ginger is a tropical perennial herb used as a cooking spice in many parts of the world, but also as a medicine remedy.

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The ginger rhizome, which appears quirky and branched, is mainly used and it is covered with a thin skin if the harvest was early or thicker if the ginger was harvested at maturity.

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Depending on the variety, the colour of the flesh varies from pale yellow to white or pinky, even red.

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The young, harvested ginger is very fragrant, pungent, fleshy and juicy and is moderately spicy. Ginger harvested at maturity appears fibrous, almost dry and has a more pronounced taste.

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A recent study has shown that young ginger lowers body temperature in case of a fever, while the consumption of ginger is more mature and better adapted to the autumn or winter temperatures, and when it is, it works to increase the temperature of the body.

In case of diet based on fruit and vegetable juice extended overtime, it is recommended to favor the more mature Ginger for this reason.

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The active ingredients of ginger rhizome are well known gingerol and shogaol.  Ginger has components that contain cholagogue and hepatoprotective. A recent pharmacological study has verified the virtues of the plant in traditional medicine, such as the oral toxicity being low. Ginger causes inhibition of motor activity, analgesic and antitussive action. It also accelerates food transit through the intestine and suppresses gastric contractions.

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The nutritional benefits of ginger

Ginger contains no fewer than twelve types of antioxidants, which makes it an excellent ally for many diseases.

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Like other spices, ginger is known to have aphrodisiac properties, and it is widely used for its medicinal properties.

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Ginger contains essential oils, choline, inositol, silicone, vitamins B5, B9, Vitamin B3 in small amounts and the following minerals trace elements: calcium, phosphorus, manganese and iron.

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The therapeutic virtues of ginger juice

The applications in ginger medicine are endless - if you tolerate its spicy taste.

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• Ginger has anticoagulant properties

Add ginger in most of your dishes or a tablespoon of a young ginger juice in your drinks to take advantage of its anticoagulant properties. It decreases the propensity of platelets to agglutinate and thus, reduces the risk of atherosclerosis.

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• Ginger has aphrodisiac properties

Have a natural aphrodisiac mixed with ginger, hot water and honey to get some kind of tea and drink after a light meal, wait until you see the effect.

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• Ginger helps to prevent and cure colds

Boil a small piece of red ginger in a cup of water and add a few green tea leaves if you wish. Filter the mixture and drink it while it’s hot. Ginger is also effective when you have a fever due to a cold or even if you start treating a cold you’re feeling.

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• Ginger helps to relieve cough

Drink ginger juice with honey three to four times a day in case of itchy throat. Young ginger is indicated for a dry cough. Mature ginger will help get rid of excess phlegm.

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• Ginger helps to relieve digestive disorders

Pour a teaspoon of young ginger juice with a similar amount of lime juice, fresh mint juice and honey into a glass of water. A great meat-rich meal that will help relieve heartburn, indigestion, and nausea.

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• Ginger fight against fatigue

Boil a large glass of water and add thin slices of ginger and a cinnamon stick, then cover the pan and let the mixture simmer half a minute, until it acquires a beautiful golden colour. This mixture will help you fight fatigue after a fever, it also relieves muscle aches and pains.

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• Ginger helps to relieve inflammation

Ginger contains gingerol, a compound with anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antioxidants that help relieve various inflammatory conditions such as gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Its consumption reduces the pain due to inflammation and helps fight swelling and stiffness in the morning.

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• Ginger helps with menstrual disorders

Boil a piece of ginger with a cup of water and add a little honey. Drink this hot mixture two to three times a day for a month. Ginger contains antalgic substances, which can relieve cramps, particularly useful in case of painful periods (dysmenorrhea or algomenorrhea). In case of abnormal absence of menstruation (amenorrhea), this mixture can also promote the onset of menstruation.

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• Ginger helps to relieve Nausea

A tablespoon of young ginger juice with honey helps to relieve morning sickness, seasickness, or transportation, as well as dizziness and nausea caused by chemotherapy anesthesia.

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• Ginger has antalgic properties

Ginger juice is a very good painkiller, even applied locally. In case of a headache, just apply ginger juice on the forehead. For toothache, it should be applied to the cheek or the skin around the jaw.

Origin and Uses

In all tropical countries, the mango tree from India has a reputation for anti-diarrhea, mainly leaves and bark, and recently a specialty containing Mango leaf extract has been marketed in Zaire.

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The mango tree can grow up to 20m tall, with a stocky bole and a dense foliage shading the villages, the grafted subjects are smaller, the leaves with the smell of turpentine are elongated, and the fruits or mangoes are much appreciated.

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Uses of Mango:

• Diarrhea

By decoction or maceration of 30g of bark or leaves in one litre of water, we obtain an antidiarrheal solution to drink during the day.

• Diuretique

A decoction of 30g of leaves in one litre of water increases diuresis, to drink during the day

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Cuarative Action

The highly studied leaves on the chemical level contain up to 10% gallic tannis, responsible for the antidiarrheal action. Various flavonoids also explain the diuretic action.