Backyard Farming the Natural Way

Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family with the botanical name  ‘Curcuma longa.’  Though it has Indian origins, it has become increasingly popular as a cooking spice, and ‘curcumin’  is the active ingredient in tumeric, and is what also gives the yellow color to Indian curry. It is the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin which provide most of the highly touted health benefits. I will try to outline most of the benefits as follows:

• Digestive – In addition to aiding with the flow of bile, curcumin also protects against some of the damage done by NSAIDS.  It is also said to be of benefit in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
• Antibacterial – It has antibacterial properties, and some claim benefits from it’s topical application to skin injuries.
• Cancer – The evidence is mounting of curcumin’s effectiveness against skin and breast cancer, and it also may reduce the incidence of colon and prostate cancer. One University of Texas study suggests that it may be effective against multiple myloma. Another study by the University indicates that it may stop the spread of breast cancer to the lungs.
• Cardiac and Circulatory – The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and ‘anti plaque’ properties have shown to be a great value to the heart and circulatory system.
• Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant – In addition to the above, exciting research is taking place in curcumin’s ability to protect against conditions like alzheimers and arthritis induced inflammation. These same properties have even inspired suggestions by doctors that it might be effective against the progression of eye diseases like glaucoma.  It is now thought that inflammation plays a major role in the progression on many diseases, aging, and the like.

Given all the research and the absence of many diseases and conditions in the cultures which have historically consumed curcumin, it’s a good idea to add this to your diet. My own research has revealed that curcumin may not be readily absorbed due to the hostile environment of the GI tract. Some suggestions I have come across on increasing its bio availability are: 1) Take it with the black pepper extract ‘bioperin.’  This is supposed to improve the bio availability 100 fold. However, I simply add lots of black pepper to my meals. 2) Take it with an enzyme (or with pineapple). 3) Take it with a little oil.

If you have any favorite curry recipes you would like to suggest, please do so in the comments (and please link to this article so that others may benefit from this amazing spice). This is something on my list to grow in my garden.