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The power of Turmeric

Turmeric is a flowering plant, Curcuma longa of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, the roots of which are used in cooking. Turmeric is a common spice that contains a chemical called curcumin, which might reduce swelling. But did you know that turmeric is actually roughly as potent as many kinds of medication?

Turmeric powder for better health, Super spice
Turmeric – a super spice

Lipitor/Atorvastatin (cholesterol medication)

A 2008 study revealed that a standardized preparation of curcuminoids from turmeric had very similar effects to atorvastatin (trade name Lipitor) when it came to treating endothelial dysfunction, a driver for atherosclerosis. It was also associated with reductions in oxidative stress and inflammation in type 2 diabetic patients.

It is also found effective against the buildup of fat in the liver in people who drink little or no alcohol (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD). Taking turmeric extract by mouth reduces markers of liver injury in people who have this condition. It also seems to help prevent the build-up of more fat in the liver.

Aspirin (blood thinner)

Research shows that curcumin has even more anti-platelet and prostacyclin modulating effects than aspirin. This goes to show that it could be useful to patients prone to vascular thrombosis, who often require anti-arthritis therapy.

Corticosteroids (steroid medications)

Numerous studies have found that turmeric can be just as effective as many kinds of steroids. One found that the curcumin found within turmeric compared favorably to steroids used to treat the inflammatory eye disease known as anterior uveitis. Other studies also found that chemicals found within turmeric are just as effective as steroidal drugs that tackle lung ischemia-reperfusion injuries and those that protect injuries caused by lung transplants.

Prozac/Fluoxetine & Imipramine (antidepressants)

A 2011 study that can be found in the journal Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica showed us that curcumin also compares favorably to both Imipramine as well as Prozac/Fluoxetine when it comes to tackling the root causes of depression.

Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Curcumin has also been found to be an effective alternative to a whole host of anti-inflammatory drugs. These include ibuprofen, aspirin, phenylbutazone, naproxen, sulindac, dexamethasone, celecoxib, indomethacin, diclofenac, and tamoxifen, particularly when it comes to exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activity against tumor cells.

Oxaliplatin (a chemotherapy drug)

A 2007 study concluded that curcumin also compares favorably with oxaliplatin as an antiproliferative agent in colorectal cell lines, which is certainly good news for any patients who are undergoing chemotherapy.

Metformin (diabetes drug)

Curcumin has also been touted as being highly valuable in the treatment of diabetes. One study found that it suppresses gluconeogenic gene expression (which suppresses glucose production in the liver) in hepatoma cells, while simultaneously activating AMPK (which increases glucose uptake). What’s more, the researchers actually discovered that curcumin is between 500 and 100,000 times more powerful than metformin in activating AMPK and its downstream target acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC).

Allergy medicines

Taking turmeric by mouth seems to reduce hay fever symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion.

A note of caution:

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with TURMERIC

Turmeric might slow blood clotting. Taking turmeric along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Source: Internet & Other sources

Photo: by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

The views expressed in this article should not be considered as a substitute for a physician’s advice. Always make sure to seek a doctor or a professional’s advice before proceeding with the home treatment plan.


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SUMMER HEALTH ISSUES IN KIDS

Saw a good article that I believe is worth sharing with our community:

SUMMER HEALTH ISSUES IN KIDS

SMOG/MOLD: More smog and air pollution, high pollen levels and increased mold growth due to high humidity all cause a spike in asthma attacks in summer. Check local air pollution and pollen counts at airnow.gov. Stay indoors, in air conditioning if levels are high.

SWIMMERS EARS: Ear care is especially important during the summer months when heat and humidity can fuel the growth of the bacteria and fungi that can cause swimmer’s ear. To prevent water from getting stuck in the ear canal, dry your ears thoroughly after swimming or showering. Tilt your head so one ear faces down to allow water to escape the ear canal. Then gently pull your ear lobe in several directions to help the water drain out. If the water is still stuck, you can use a hair dryer to remove it —keep the dryer on the lowest heat setting and hold it several inches away from your head. And, never stick a cotton swab or other object in your ear. "Leave the ear wax alone — it protects the lining of the ear from infections such as swimmer’s ear

FOOD POISONING: Prevent food poisoning by keeping perishable foods refrigerated or in a cooler with ice. In temperatures higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, food should not be left out for more than one hour. In many cases it can lead to diarrhea. Loss of water volume and electrolytes due to a diarrheal illness can cause dehydration and frequently send kids to ERs.

HYPERTHERMIA: Chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, poor circulation and obesity can also hinder a person’s ability to cool down. To prevent heat-related illnesses, avoid exerting yourself outdoors during the hottest hours of the day, and seek air conditioning — on hot days. drink eight to nine glasses of water a day.

HAND FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE: The summer-loving Coxsackie virus causes hand, foot and mouth disease. Infections, which usually affect children younger than ten, can cause fever, sore throat, oral ulcers and small blisters on the hands and feet. Coxsackie is spread person-to-person through saliva, mucous and feces. Symptoms usually go away on their own within a week. A saltwater mouth rinse of 1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water may help soothe the pain from mouth ulcers. if your child becomes dehydrated from not drinking or develops a high fever, seek medical help.

LYME DISEASE: Lyme disease peaks during the summer months when people are exposed to ticks in yards and woods. See a doctor if you experience fever, headache, body aches, rash, facial paralysis or arthritis after a tick bite. The disease can be treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated, it can lead to joint, heart and nerve damage. Prevent tick bites by using a repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET on exposed skin, and one that contains the insecticide permethrin on clothing. Always conduct a full-body tick check after coming in from a wooded or bushy area.

POISON IVY: Though you can get a rash from a poison ivy plant at any time of the year (even in the winter when the plant has no leaves) poison ivy is more common in the summer when people are more likely to have contact with the plant on their skin. Painful swelling and itching can be treated at home with hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion and an oral antihistamine. But see a doctor if the rash appears on your eyelids, lips, face or genitals, the skin around the rash appears infected, or you have a fever — prescription medication may be needed.

Source: http://www.livescience.com/


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Another nice poetry for your spiritual health…I Promise Myself

I Promise Myself… by Christian D. Larson

To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.

To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet.

To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.