Health Benefits of Turmeric or Curcumin Supplement

Did you know that the humble turmeric powder in your kitchen has miraculous medicinal properties? Unknowingly, we use the power of turmeric when we consume it as part of our diet. In Asian countries, turmeric is an important ingredient of almost all vegetables and curries. However, most of those who use it, hardly realize the importance or health benefits or turmeric or the compound, curcumin, which is actually the main compound in turmeric that works wonders for many ailments. We’ll also talk about curcumin supplements that are often recommended for various health conditions and overall well-being.

Is raw turmeric or ground turmeric good for you?

If you think that it is just for adding colour to curries and other food items, then think again or read on. Though it is true that it adds colour to food, there are many other advantages and health benefits of turmeric.

Well, turmeric or Curcuma longa is a rhizhomatous flowering plant, which basically means a creeping rootstalk. You can read more about it on Wikipedia. Here we’ll focus on how to use it and its health benefits.

How to use turmeric effectively for health benefits

Turmeric to stop shivering immediately

If you or any of your loved ones is shivering, then a little turmeric may help. Though, its efficacy is dependent on the exact health condition of the patient, there is no harm in trying this home remedy that uses the power of turmeric.

Take one to two spoonful of ground turmeric and add it to hot mustard oil to make a fine paste using a spoon or ladle. Once the paste is prepared, apply it on both soles of the patient. Care should be taken that the warmth of the paste is not lost and it remains bearable for the patient. However the hotter is it the faster will be the effect. Also make sure that the rest of the body of the patient is covered with warm clothes or a blanket.

The effect can be noticed within minutes of applying this hot turmeric and mustard oil paste. The shivering will disappear and the patient will feel relaxed.

Does cooking turmeric robs if off its medicinal properties?

Not really if you do not overcook it.

Indian cooking style usually involves cooking at high temperatures, boiling or stir frying for long durations. Boiling or cooking turmeric for long durations can indeed result in loss of curcumin compound, which is the main compound that gives turmeric its real medicinal properties. Approximately 27-50 percent of this compound is lost if you cook turmeric for more than 10 minutes. However, if you add any souring agent, which is quite popular in Indian cooking, the loss of curcumin comes down to 12-30 percent