3 Benefits of Turmeric You Should Know

Belonging to the ginger family, turmeric has been used for thousands of years in East India and the Middle East. Traditionally called "Indian saffron" because of its deep yellow color, turmeric has been used as a Ayurvedic health remedy for ages.

Turmeric is loaded with essential minerals, including magnesium, potassium and calcium. It's also an excellent source of fiber, vitamin B6 and zinc, and contains healthy amounts of vitamin C and magnesium.4

According to WebMD,Turmeric is used for: arthritis, heartburn (dyspepsia), joint pain, stomach pain, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, bypass surgery, hemorrhage, diarrhea, intestinal gas, stomach bloating, loss of appetite, jaundice, liver problems, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gallbladder disorders, high cholesterol, a skin condition called lichen planus, skin inflammation from radiation treatment, and fatigue. It also has many benefits for the skin!

It is also used for headaches, bronchitis, colds, lung infections, hay fever, fibromyalgia, leprosy, fever, menstrual problems, itchy skin, recovery after surgery, and cancers. Other uses include depression, Alzheimer's disease, swelling in the middle layer of the eye (anterior uveitis), diabetes, water retention, worms, an autoimmune disease called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), tuberculosis, urinary bladder inflammation, and kidney problems. 

Some people apply turmeric to the skin for pain, ringworm, sprains and swellings, bruising, leech bites, eye infections, acne, inflammatory skin conditions and skin sores, soreness inside of the mouth, infected wounds, and gum disease.

Here are 3 benefits of this magical plant.

1. Reduce Inflammation

As we can see from the list of potential health benefits, turmeric is often prescribed as a natural anti-inflammatory compound.

2. Increases Brain Function

If you’re one of those people that can’t find your keys, or remember names, maybe it’s time to increase your intake of turmeric. It has been said that turmeric can increase your brain functioning hormones, improving your memory and therefor decreasing potential brain disease.

3. Fights Depression

There is also some evidence that curcumin can boost the brain’s serotonin and dopamine levels, functioning as an anti-depressant.

Whether you blend it in a smoothie, season your food with it, use it in your skincare or make a turmeric tea, you cannot go wrong with this yellow ingredient in your life.

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