Turmeric is a rhizome from the ginger family made from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. Turmeric is a major component of curries and many sauces. The history of turmeric use dates back nearly 4000 years to the Vedic culture of India. It was used as a spice, medicine, and had some religious significance. Since then, it has found significance in cultures around the world including other parts of Asia, Africa, and more recently in western culture. In fact, a group of US researchers once received approval for a controversial turmeric patent for wound healing, with led to a year-long battle between India’s council for scientific Research (CSIR) and the US Patent and Trademarks Office (PTO)
The major active compound in turmeric is curcumin, which gives it its yellowish-orange color. In addition to curcumin, there are other active compounds called curcuminoids. These compounds are closely related to curcumin and have many health benefits. Additionally, they help with the absorption of curcumin, which is typically not readily absorbed by the body
Simply put, turmeric tea is tea made using turmeric rhizome (root). Turmeric tea has become popular recently because of the increase in awareness about its health benefits. Turmeric tea is consumed either as stand-alone or in combination with other favorite teas. It is produced by drying the turmeric rhizome and grinding it up into a powder form. It is then packaged into single-serve bags or made available in the bulk powdered form
Turmeric tea can be prepared just like any other tea by adding a bag or a spoon full of the powder into boiling water and allowing it to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. For powdered teas, allowing the tea to settle and then straining the liquid at the top of the container makes drinking more palatable. Adding some honey, lemon, freshly squeezed orange, or dairy-free creamer to the turmeric tea to turmeric tea gives it a palatable flavor. Additionally, studies have shown that adding black pepper, which contains an active ingredient caller piperin, makes the curcumin the tea more bioavailable
Turmeric has an abundance of essential vitamins and minerals including vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin C, copper, calcium, manganese, potassium, zinc, and iron. Additionally, it is very low in calories, has zero sugar, and is rich in polyphenols. Curcumin also has strong anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties, which help fight several ailments.
Turmeric is popular for its use as a treatment for inflammation. Particularly, it is commonly used among patients with symptoms of arthritis. Recent studies have shown the effectiveness of turmeric in alleviating the symptom of joint arthritis. Additionally, turmeric administered in conjunction with other therapies, such as acupuncture, has been found to improve symptoms related to psoriatic arthritis. A recent study also showed that consuming turmeric extract with black pepper and ginger over a 4 week period produced similar relief from osteoarthritic pain in comparison to Naproxen.
Recent studies using animal models have shown that curcumin’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipophilic action improves cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Research work over the years has shown that Alzheimer’s disease is linked to oxidative stress, free radicals, beta-amyloid, and cerebral deregulation caused by bio-metal toxicity and abnormal inflammatory reactions. Curcumin helps to decrease these contributors via decreased beta-amyloid plaques, delayed degradation of neurons, metal-chelation, anti-inflammatory action, and decreased microglia formation to improve the overall memory in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Turmeric has been shown to have strong anti-cancer properties. Recent studies indicate that Curcumin exhibits anticancer ability by targeting different cell signaling pathways including growth factors, transcription factors, gene modulating cellular proliferation, and apoptosis (normal and controlled cell death). Additionally, turmeric is rich in natural polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are beneficial for cancer prevention.
There is growing evidence that curcumin could play a role in protection against many cardiovascular diseases including diabetic cardiovascular complications and heart failure. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties help prevent atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Additionally, curcumin prevents the development of cardiac hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, and heart failure in animal models.