Use This Herb to Naturally Whiten Teeth

Yes, it's true. The yellow powder that will stain (almost) everything it touches is the secret ingredient in giving you the brightest whitest teeth possible. Yesterday I came across an article on Examiner.com called "Whiten Teeth Safely with Turmeric" and since turmeric is one off my all time favorite culinary/medicinal herbal cross-overs, I was intrigued. We already know that turmeric is a superstar for cooling inflammation and protecting the brain against aging, as well as being a powerful antiseptic and antibacterial agent, so I wouldn't put it past this great herb to do something else miraculously.

As a side note, turmeric has other beautifying properties as well, and can be taken orally or topically as a mask to shrink the pours on the face, and is used by Indian brides before their wedding day for just this reason.

Anyway, using about a half tablespoon dried organic turmeric powder and a bit of water to make a paste, I gave it a go. You do have to be very careful because anything not inside of your mouth that comes in-contact with it will be dyed bright yellow (including the toothbrush). But, as you might have guessed, it works like a miracle to whiten teeth.

Turmeric would also be great for oral hygiene, not just tooth whitening, because it is such a strong anti-inflammatory, which is good for the gums--since 90% of people over the age of 30 have gum disease, and is also a strong antimicrobial, so it kill all those bag germs causing tooth decay and gum disease (and be sure to take your vitamin K2).

Directions: use 1/2 tablespoon dried organic turmeric root (bulk in any health food store), add just a bit of water to make a thin paste. I use a small--real small--cup for this. Scoop it up with the bristles of your toothbrush (which will become irreversibly stained), and brush like normal. Enjoy!



Source: the-universe-inside-your-mind.blogspot.com

Similar Articles:

How To Heal Cavities Naturally

Dentist speaks out about the dangers of mercury fillings

This image is for thumbnail purposes only

5 Foods That Kill Cancer

Certain proteins within our immune system hold the precise instructions needed to destroy cancerous tumors.

In a healthy body, this inherent ability is always present and always effective without the use of drugs.

However, these proteins can be rendered ineffective if cells experience uncontrolled growth though damage or mutations to DNA or if toxins through food and chemical pollution override the immune system’s natural function.

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University have finally helped identify and support previous evidence which demonstrated how foods suppresses tumor development during immune surveillance, the immune system’s process of patrolling the body for cancer cells.

Those who subscribe to conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation have little understanding of how powerful the body is at healing itself if left to its own devices with the right nutrition.

Scientists have recently found that healthy cells damaged by chemotherapy secreted more of a protein which boosts cancer cell survival. Chemotherapy has been proven to cause cancer cells to interact with nearby tumor cells and cause them to grow, invade, and importantly, resist subsequent therapy.

In a study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, scientists identified a molecule, known as TIC10, which activates a protein that helps fight the disease. The protein, called TRAIL (tumor-necrosis-factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) suppresses tumor development it can actually cross the blood-brain barrier, which separates the main circulatory system from the brain.

Through the body’s infinite wisdom, its systems recognize foreign invaders and poisons such as chemotherapy which are not beneficial for the brain. Many cancer drugs are consequently blocked from passing the blood-brain barrier. However, TRAIL is permitted passage due to its beneficial effects on the immune system.

Another positive is that TIC10 does not just activate the TRAIL gene in cancerous cells, but also in healthy ones. This is known as the ‘bystander effect’ – i.e. where cells near cancerous cells are also killed. Nearby healthy cells are also given a boost to increase the number of cancer-killing TRAIL receptors on their cell surface.

FOODS THAT INHIBIT TUMORS

The key is to not succumb to selective cancer therapy or drug treatments based on clinical trials with artificially created versions of the protein.

Food is the body’s medicine, not drugs. All you need to do is seek those powerful foods which naturally inhibit tumor necrosis factor (TNF) of which there are several.

1. Turmeric

Curcumin, possibly the most powerful antioxidant known from the popular Indian spice Turmeric, has countless health benefits. A recent study led by a research team in Munich showed that it can also inhibit formation of metastases.

Curcumin exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), suggesting that its effect on endothelial function may be mediated by the suppression of inflammation and/or oxidative stress via down-regulation of TNF-alpha.

One of the most comprehensive summaries of a review of 700 turmeric studies to date was published by the respected ethnobotanist James A. Duke, Phd. He showed that turmeric appears to outperform many pharmaceuticals in its effects against several chronic, debilitating diseases, and does so with virtually no adverse side effects.

2. Grapes and Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a phenolic compound that contributes to the antioxidant potential of red grapes.

Resveratrol is not only an antioxidant and antimutagen, but also reduces oxidant-caused cell death. Resveratrol has been shown to inhibit production of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-A) by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Kuppfer cells. Kuppfer cells are macrophages fixed in place in the liver. Their chronic overproduction of nitric oxide and TNF-A due to chronic infection can cause severe liver damage.

Perhaps Resveratrol’s most important property is its ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (CoX-2). CoX-2 is related to cancers and abnormal growths in the intestinal tract. Natural CoX-2 inhibitors such as resveratrol have been shown to reduce the occurrence of cancers and pre-cancerous growths. So while pharmaceutical companies race to find complex agents that inhibit CoX-2, the ingredient is already present in red grapes which if consumed daily (or via organic grape juice) will protect against tumors naturally.

3. Green Tea

The health benefits of green tea are due to the presence of a group of plant flavonoids called catechins. Of particular interest to researchers is epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), the primary catechin in green tea. For example, South Korean researchers have found that EGCG blocks TNF naturally by interfering with the ability of certain pro-inflammatory chemicals to bind to cells of smooth muscle tissue of the vascular system. In a 2009 study conducted by the Chonbuk National University Medical School, it was noted that the specific mechanism of action of EGCG in terms of blocking TNF is the suppression of fractalkine, an inflammatory agent specifically involved in the development of arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.

4. Tomatoes

Regular consumption of tomato and its products is being consistently associated with lower risk of several types of cancer and, to a lesser extent, coronary heart disease. Among the many tomato components credited with healthful properties, carotenoids and particularly lycopene are being actively investigated.

Modest effects of the regular intake of a tomato juice provides small amounts of carotenoids which were found on the production of inflammatory mediators, such as TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha production by whole blood was found to be more than 30% lower after almost a month of consuming raw tomato juice.

5. Raw Fruits and Veggies

There is sufficient evidence to indicate that a diet consisting of foods high in natural antioxidants such as raw fruits and vegetables provide anti-inflammatory benefits. The higher the intake the more they are associated with significant reductions in levels of markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

Any fruits or vegetables (preferably dark colored) which are a good source of indole-3-carbinol, a chemical that boosts DNA repair in cells, blocks the growth of cancer cells. A team of researchers at Ohio State University announced that anthocyanins, the compounds that give cabbage its purple color are capable of cutting the growth of colon cancer cells both in vitro and in rats by 50%-100%, with certain extracts even destroying up to 20% of the cancer cells while leaving healthy surrounding cells intact.

Sources for this article:
live.psu.edu
dailymail.co.uk
sciencemag.org 
ehow.com

Dave Mihalovic is a Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in vaccine research, cancer prevention and a natural approach to treatment.

Source: preventdisease.com

Inflammation is largely caused by the foods we put in our bodies. Consuming highly processed canned, frozen and bagged foods are foreign to the natural flora of our bodies and so the body naturally fights against the products in these foods (as a part of the immune response), leading to high levels of inflammation. Effects of chronic inflammation can range from heart disease to dementia, to cancer and arthritis. Most autoimmune diseases like inflammatory bowel disease are linked to excessive inflammation in the body.

The good news is that you can control the level of inflammation in your body by simply changing the way you eat. Getting regular sleep, eating well, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake (or quitting altogether), stressing less and engaging in regular exercise will all help make a difference.

Here is a list of 12 amazing foods that help combat inflammation in the body:

(1) Papaya
Papaya contains the enzymes ‘papain’ and ‘chymopapain’ which help reduce inflammation  in the body (and also improve digestion). Papaya has powerful antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamins C and E which combat free radicals in the body that trigger inflammation-related diseases.

(2) Avocado
Avocados are polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols (PFAs). PFAs are mostly present in seaweeds and other ocean plants, and are extremely rare in land plants, so this makes the avocado very unusual in this respect. The PFAs and phytosterols in avocados provide our bodies with anti-inflammatory benefits which help fight a variety of diseases. Particularly, avocado’s phytosterols prevent pro-inflammatory prostaglandin E2 synthesis by the connective tissue (and thus reducing inflammation in the joints of individuals experiencing arthritis and gout.

(3) Cranberries
Cranberries contain important anti-inflammatory phytonutrients that protect the cardiovascular system and prevent hardening of the arteries. They also prevent inflammation-associated diseases of the urinary tract (urinary tract infections), stomach (ulcers), and mouth (gingivitis).

(4) Broccoli
Broccoli is an incredible anti-inflammatory food, thanks to it’s abundant sulforaphane compounds which help the body get rid of potentially carcinogenic compounds (a cause of a highly inflamed body) and relieve inflammation and oxidative stress. It is also very high in vitamin C which is another powerful anti-inflammatory agent which cuts the levels of inflammation markers by up to 45%!

(5) Red Cabbage 
If we do not ingest anti-inflammatory foods, our body cannot regulate the inflammation in our body we acquire from stress and the environment, as well as highly processed foods, wheat, and animal products. Anthocyanins found in red cabbage have been researched numerous times and time and time again they have been found to be one of the best anti-inflammatory vegetables out there!

(6) Hemp seeds
Raw hemp seeds contain an ideal ratio of omega’s 3 and 6. Omega-6 fats contain GLA which works in the body as an anti-inflammatory, decreasing inflammation and helping people suffering from things like asthma, arthritis and other body pain associated from exercising or being bruised. This healthy fat also improves the health of our skin and inhibits cancer cell growth.

(7) Blueberries
Inflammation and damage by free radicals have been linked with pretty much every disease we witness today. Many studies have found that blueberries prevent oxidative stress and inflammation. Blueberries help increase natural killer cell activity which help eradicate free radicals and fight disease. As well, they promote the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines in the body which leaves us with lower levels of inflammation and thus reduced chance of falling ill.

(8) Chia seeds
Many arthritis sufferers have reported reduced inflammation associated pain after just a few weeks of taking chia seeds. They contain important omega-3 fatty acids which are converted to prostagladins which have pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Chia seeds are also a great source of antioxidants (they contain more than blueberries!), and antioxidants help keep the body healthy and reduce pain arising from inflammation in the body.

(9) Ginger
Ginger contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols which inhibit the production of nitric oxide (which naturally forms potent and very damaging free radicals called peroxynitrites). Ginger has also been found to suppress pro-inflammatory compounds like cytokines produced by synoviocytes, chrondrocytes and leukocytes, and thus making our immune system and joints stronger.

(10) Walnuts
Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, phytonutrients (tannins, phenolic acids and flavonoids), quinones and other anti-inflammatory nutrients. Consuming walnuts has been linked to decreased markers for blood vessel inflammation (reduced C-reactive protein) for those at risk for heart disease. Including walnuts as a part of your diet will ensure you gain these benefits.

(11) Turmeric
Turmeric, if you haven’t already heard, is one of the best anti-inflammatory foods out there! Thanks to the active ingredient, curcumin, this root can inhibit the activity and synthesis of COX-2 and 5-LOX, two important enzymes involved in the inflammatory response. One study found that osteoarthritis patients had significantly reduced pain and increased mobility when taking just 200 mg of curcumin per day (the control group with no curcumin had no significant improvements). Curcumin has also been found to block inflammatory pathways, and thus prevents proteins from triggering pain and swelling.

(12) Celery
A specific nutrient in celery, called “luteolin”, is particularly effective against inflammation and cancer. This compound is found in smaller amounts in peppers, parsley, thyme, basil and peppermint. It is a biofalvonoid which means that it has double the antioxidant properties of vitamin C! Luteolin essentially prevents the inflammatory pathway in the brain to get switched on, and thus helps reduce the amount of inflammatory responses triggered in the body.

Source: Live Love Fruit

Natural Pain Relief

Please like our new page on Facebook >> The Natural Health Page

When a plant shows a certain effect with regards to human health, the first thing western medicine does is isolate, synthesize and make a pharmaceutical out of the “active molecule” in the plant. The rest of the plant is normally not considered of any use because it is cheaper for research to study one single compound instead of the multiple complex interactions happening between the whole plant and the human body. Isolating and synthesizing one molecule in a plant (instead of the entire array of plant molecules that benefit us in the first place) allows drug companies to patent that molecule and call it their own. Making slight chemical modifications opens these companies to an array of further patenting potential (and thus, more money).

Little do people know is that the entire plant itself is much cheaper, and easier to gain access to. The whole plant is also much more beneficial to the human body, putting the isolated compounds synthesized by drug companies to shame.

I will, and always have believed that the whole plant itself is much better than pharmaceutical drugs. Consuming the entire plant allows your body to synthesize all that plant has to offer – the enzymes, minerals and vitamins, creating a whole body health benefit. Synthesized plant compounds take on a form that is not as recognizable to the human body – the benefits are not whole, and have little to no effect on our health compared to if we actually ate from the source plant itself. The compounds in the whole plant work synergistically with the body – human beings and plants have evolved side-by-side for millions of years, and so it only makes sense that our bodies would have adapted to absorb these health-activating compounds from plants and dispose of the rest.

Here is a list (not limited to) of 8 natural painkillers that can be found in your kitchen:

1. Ginger - Joint & Muscle Pain
Gingerols (active compounds in ginger) prevent the production of pain-triggering hormones. Add at least 1 tbsp. fresh, raw dried ginger (powder form), or 2-4 inches of fresh ginger into your meals daily (juicing ginger with other greens is a great way to reap these health benefits!)

2. Garlic - Painful earaches
Ear infections are one of the most prevalent medical complains in North America. Placing two drops of warm garlic oil into you or your child’s achy ear daily for five days. This treatment clears up infections faster than prescription medications! Making your own garlic oil is simple. Crush 3-4 cloves of garlic and put into a shallow pot on the stove. Let the cloves simmer in 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (or hemp oil) for two minutes, strain, and refrigerate for two weeks. Alternatively, simply let the garlic cloves sit in the oil for 2-3 days in the fridge and strain out the cloves whenever you need to use the garlic oil.

3. Honey - Mouth sores (i.e., canker sores or cold sores)
Unpasturized, raw honey works wonders for mouth sores. Dabbing a little bit of honey on your cold sore or canker sore four times daily helps them heal up to 43% faster than over-the-counter prescription creams. The enzymes in raw honey reduce inflammation and destroy bacteria and viruses. It also helps speed the healing of damaged tissues.

4. Horseradish - Sinus problems
Many individuals suffer from congestion and facial pain. Horseradish naturally speeds up blood flow to the sinus cavities and helps heal sinus infections by opening up and draining the cavities. Horseradish works just as well, if not better than, decongestant sprays do, and without the addictive side effects of decongestants (these also leave you congested more than decongested in the long run – I remember using them as a teen and I was consistently congested). Take one teaspoon twice daily symptoms clear.

5. Turmeric - Chronic pain & inflammation
Turmeric is a wonder food. It contains a compound called curcumin which naturally shuts down cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme that activates an array of pain-inducing hormones. It is three times more effective at easing pain and inflammation than aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. It has also helped relieve chronic pain for over 50% of people suffering with arthritis and fibromyalgia. I would suggest juicing 3-4 inches of turmeric root, or consuming 1 tbsp. fresh, raw turmeric powder daily.

6. Cloves - Tooth pain & gum inflammation
Chewing on clove buds is a great way to ease tooth pain and gum inflammation. They contain a compound called eugenol which is a natural anesthetic. You can also sprinkle some ground cloves (1 tsp. or so) on your food if you would rather not chew on the clove itself.

7. Peppermint - Painful muscles
Peppermint is an excellent muscle relaxant. If you have any knots in your back, shoulder, or anywhere else in your body, sitting in a warm bath with 10 drops of peppermint oil will help relax your muscles. Peppermint oil naturally soothes the nerves in your body, and when combined with warmth, is up to 25% more effective at relieving muscle cramps than over-the-counter painkillers.

8. Grapes - Backaches (damaged back tissue)
The resveratrol in grapes helps relax tight blood vessels and improves blood flow in the intervertebral discs and thus eases back pain. Improving blood flow to the discs in the back in important because blood helps deliver healing nutrients and oxygen to the cells and nerves in our body. Eating 2-3 cups of grapes per day is an excellent way to help loosen and ease backaches.

Sources: Live Love Fruit

(1) Altman, R., & Marcussen, K. (2001) Effects of a ginger extract on knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 44, 2531-2538.

(2) Brooks, D. (1986) An onion in your ear. The Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 100, 1043-1046.

(3) Molan, P. (2001) The potential of honey to promote oral wellness. Gen Dent., 49, 584-589.

(4) Bladh, K., & Olsson, K. (2011) Introduction and use of horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) as food and medicine from antiquity to the present: emphasis on the nordic countries. Journal of herbs, spices and medicinal plants, 17, 197-213.

(5) Funk, J., Oyarzo, J., Frye, J., Chen, G., Lantz, C., Jolad, S., Solyom, A., & Timmermann, B. (2006) Turmeric extracts containing curcuminoids prevent experimental rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Natural Products, 69, 351-355.

(6) Raghavenra, H., Diwakr, B., Lokesh, B., & Naidu, K. (2006) Eugenol – the active principal from cloves inhibits 5-lipoxygenase actiity and leukotriene-C4 in human PMNL cells. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids, 74, 23-27.

(7) Grigoleit, H., & Grigoleit, P. (2005) Pharmacology and preclinical pharmacokinetics of peppermint oil. Phytomedicine, 12, 612-616.

(8) Xin, L., Phillips, F., An, H., Ellman, M., Thonar, E., Wu, W., Park, D., & Im, H. (2008) The action of resveratrol, a phytoestrogen found in grapes, on the intervertebral disc. Spine.

(9) http://www.ivillage.com/natural-pain-remedies-your-kitchen

A Natural Pain Killing Formula

Turmeric: The Miracle Root!

Turmeric has been used for over 2500 years in India where it was first used as a dye. The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves, proving beneficial in the treatment of various health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease. If you haven’t yet added turmeric to your daily routine, now is the time to start!

Reduces side effects of chemotherapy
Curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric), when combined with chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin (head, and neck cancer chemotherapy drugs), effectively inhibit tumour growth, and also minimize the side effects of cisplatin. This research suggested that turmeric may allow practitioners to manage lower level doses of chemotherapy and thus reduce its negative side effects on the body.

Aids in fat metabolism and weight management
Researchers theorized that dietary curcumin can stall the spread of fat tissue by inhibiting new blood vessel growth (called angiogenesis) which is necessary to build fat tissue. This study found that supplementing high-fat diet fed mice with curcumin reduced body-weight gain and total body fat, even though food-intake was not affected (in comparison to the non-supplemented high-fat diet group). The curcumin-treated group also had less blood vessel growth in fat tissue, and their blood glucose, triglyceride, fatty acid, cholesterol and liver fat levels were also lower.

Helps coughs
Curcumin serves as an anti-inflammatory agent and possesses anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. These properties make turmeric an excellent aid in the treatment of bacterial and viral infections such as cough and cold. The anti-inflammatory action of curcumin helps relieve chest congestion that develops in individuals with chronic cough.

Strengthens ligaments
Curcumin is a powerful nutrient in treating the pain, swelling and inflammation associated with ligament injuries. It is known for its powerful ability to help heal your tissues – including your ligamentous tissues – following traumatic musculoskeletal injuries.

Skin tonic
Turmeric cleanses and nourishes the skin to retain its elasticity and youthfulness and promotes a radiant glow! It helps to aid the digestive tract to absorb nutrients and normalize metabolism, and thus cleanses from the inside out (which then reflects the quality of your skin).

Speeds up wound healing
Wound healing and angiogenesis deals with the capillaries which consist of endothelial cells and pericytes. These cells do not divide readily but undergo rapid proliferation during spurts of angiogenesis in wound healing. Turmeric causes endothelial cells to proliferate, indicating that this molecule can be used to augment wound healing.

Natural analgesic & antibiotic
Turmeric guards your stomach by destroying fungus, viruses and bacteria that can cause food poisoning, diarrhea and other diseases. This rhizome has been historically used as an herbal salve to treat everything from minor cuts and scrapes to scabies, skin ulcers and even leprosy. Turmeric volatile oil is a powerful topical antibiotic that helps prevent infections and sepsis in wounds. Turmeric can also help stop pain and swelling while promoting the healing of damaged skin tissue as discussed above.

Natural anti-inflammatory
This rhizome has been traditionally used as a remedy for inflammatory conditions like arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Plenty of evidence from research has shown that the potency of turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects have been equated with that of the popular pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs like Motrin and hydrocortisone (but without the nasty side effects and toxicity of these isolated drugs). A daily dosage of curcumin was found to be more effective in easing post-surgical inflammation as the regular anti-inflammatory prescriptions. Curcumin has the ability to inhibit the activity of enzymes COX-2 and lipoxygenase, which contributes to turmerics amazing anti-inflammatory properties.

Blood purifier
Turmeric is a rich source of iron so it is valuable for those suffering from anemia. It also prevents platelets from clumping within blood vessels, making it effective in the prevention of atherosclerosis and its complications.

Slows progression of MS
Turmeric may block the progression of multiple sclerosis by interrupting the production of IL-2, a protein that plays a key role in the destruction of the myelin by signalling for the development of neural antigen-specific TH1 cells, immune cells that then launch an attack on the myelin sheath.

Prevents progression of Alzheimer’s 
Multiple studies have pointed to the fact that extracts of turmeric contain a number of natural agents that block the formation of beta-amyloid, the substance responsible for plaques that slowly obstruct cerebral function in Alzheimer’s disease.

Anti-Arthritic
Curcumin is most known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties which are crucial in those suffering from arthritis. It has been shown to influence more than 700 genes and can inhibit synthesis of COX-2 and 5-LOX which are important mediators of inflammation. Multiple studies of the efficacy of curcumin have demonstrated positive changes in arthritic symptoms. In fact, the highly bioavailable form of curcumin in fresh, raw turmeric is MORE EFFECTIVE in alleviating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms (tenderness, swelling of joints) than drugs that are currently on the market to mock these same effects. Individuals taking curcumin ONLY (no other drugs) have reported that they experienced the most improvement in their symptoms.

Improves digestion, and helps prevent gas/bloating and heals stomach ulcers
Turmeric is highly valuable for the influence it exerts on the digestive system and liver. It helps improve digestion and reduces gas and bloating. It is considered a cholagogue, which means that it helps stimulate bile production in the liver and encourages excretion of bile via the gallbladder which improves the body’s ability to digest fats. This rhizome is actually recommended for chronic digestive weakness and/or congestion, and can help individuals suffering from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), colitis, Chron’s disease, diarrhea, and post salmonella conditions. It also reduces the itching and inflammation that accompanies hemorrhoids and anal fissures.

Lowers cholesterol
Curcumin is an excellent messaging molecule that communicates with genes in liver cells and “tells” them to produce mRNA that direct the creation of receptors for LDL (bad) cholesterol. With more of these LDL-receptors, liver cells are able to remove more LDL-cholesterol from the body.

Improves skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, etc.)
The list is endless for the amount of skin care benefits turmeric provides. Some of these include the treatment of acne, blackheads, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and more extreme skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. It helps to heal and prevent dry skin as well as slows the aging process of skin by retaining its elasticity. It is also used to diminish wrinkles and keep skin supple and youthful. It is used daily by East Indian women as a facial cleanser and exfoliant.

Helps prevent many cancers (leukaemia, breast, prostate, lung, colon, etc.)
Turmeric is a great herb for treating cancers, particularly breast and uterine cancers as well as benign tumours. Many promising studies have shown turmeric’s anti-cancer properties to be helping in treating other cancers like skin, pancreatic, prostate and colon cancers too. The way this works is that the active ingredient in turmeric called curcumin, prevents the formation of cancer-causing enzymes, and thus reduces the risk of cancerous cell-formation and cell growth. One of the cancer-fighting mechanisms in turmeric involves inhibiting the activity of the enzyme Topoisomerase which is essential in the replication of cancer cells. Thus, turmeric limits the ability of cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body and prevents cancerous tumours from growing new blood vessels, starving them of nutrients and inhibiting their growth.

Improves asthma
The anti-inflammatory action of curcumin relieves inflammation of the air ways and tightness of the chest which is associated with asthma. Multiple studies have found curcumin’s ability to inhibit airway constriction and hyper-reactivity. It helps to prevent allergic airway inflammation while inhibiting the actions of an inflammatory protein called NF-kappaB, and has been noted as being just as effective as the prescription steroid dexamethasone which is commonly used to treat asthma.


Turmeric.... Cancer Cure!!

Sources: Live Love Fruit
Kawamori, T., Lubet, R., Steele, V., Kelloff, G., Kaskey, R., Rao, C., & Reddy, B. (1999) Chemopreventive effect of curcumin, a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agent, during the promotion/progression stages of colon cancer. Cancer Research, 59, 597.

Shahanas, C., Faisal, T., & Sehamuddin, G. (2008) Curcumin cell signaling: a possible target for chemotherapy. Current Trends in Biotechnology & Pharmacy, 2, 226-238.

Ruby, A., Kuttan, G., Babu, K., Rajasekharan, K., & Kuttan, R. (1995) Anti-tumour and antioxidant activity of natural cucuminoids. Cancer Letters, 94, 79-83.

Kunnumakkara, A., Anand, P., & Aggarwal, B., (2008) Curcumin inhibits proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis of different cancers through interaction with multiple cell signaling proteins. Cancer Letters, 269, 199-225

Cretu, E., Trifan, A., Vascincu, A., & Miron, A. (2012) Plant-derived anticancer agents – curcumin in cancer prevention and treatment. Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat lasi., 116, 1223-9.

Asai, A., & Miyazawa, T. (2001) Dietary curcuminoids prevent high-fat diet-induced lipid accumulation in rat liver and epididymal adipose tissue. The American Society for Nutritional Sciences, 131, 2932-2935.

Ejaz A, Wu, D, Kwan P, and Meydani M. Journal of Nutrition. May 2009; 139 (5): 1042-1048. Curcumin Inhibits Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Angiogenesis and Obesity in C57/BL Mice. 919-925.

Gilani, A., Shah, A., Ghayur, M., & Majeed, K. (2005) Pharmacological basis for the use of turmeric in gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. Life Sciences, 76, 3089-3105.

Kundu, S., Biswas, T., Das, P., Kumar, S., & De, D. (2005) Turmeric (curcuma longa) rhizome paste and honey show similar wound healing potential: A preclinical study in rabbits. International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 4, 205-213.

Kole, P., Jadhav, H., Thakurdesai, P., & Nagappa, A., (2005) Cosmetic potential of herbal extracts. CSIR, 4, 315-321.

Gur, S., Turgut-Balik, D., & Gur, N. (2006) Antimicrobial activities and some fatty acids of turmeric, ginger root and linseed used in the treatment of infectious diseases. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2, 439-442.

James, A., (2007) The garden pharmacy: turmeric, the queen of COX-2 Inhibitors. Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 13, 229-234.

Nita, C. (2004) Safety and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin: a component of turmeric (curcuma longa). The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 9, 161-168.

Mishra, S., & Palanivelu, K. (2008) The effect of curcumin (turmeric) on Alzheimer’s disease: An overview. Ann Indian Acad Neurol., 11, 13-19.

Aggarwal, B., & Shishodia, S. (2006) Suppression of the nuclear factor-kB activation pathway by spice-derived phytochemicals: reasoning for seasoning. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1030, 434-441.

Funk, J., Oyarzo, J., Frye, J., Chen, G., Lantz, R., Jolad, S., Solyom, A., & Timmermann, B. (2006) Turmeric extracts containing curcuminoids prevent experimental rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Natural Products, 69, 351-355.

Ishita, C., Kaushik, B., Uday, B., & Ranajit, B. (2004) Turmeric and curcumin: biological actions and medicinal applications. Current Science, 87, 44-53.

Rao, D., Sekhara, N., Satyanarayana, M., & Srinivasan, M. (1970). The effect of curcumin on serum and liver cholesterol levels in the rat. Journal of Nutrition, 100, 1307-1315.

Chengxiu, L., Ling, L., Jun, L., & Nenghui, H. (1998) A study on effect of turmeric volatile oil on respiratory tract. China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica, 10.

http://herbs.lovetoknow.com/Health_Benefits_of_Turmeric