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[Alexander]

Is Turmeric good for Kapha diet?
Thanks

[natalia]

Kapha can be decreased with the help of turmeric. The turmeric helps to remove mucus from the throat. It also helps getting rid of pus in the ears, wounds or eyes. It helps the removal of watery discharges like leucorrhea.

[edward]

what is turmeric?
can you find some in Europe?

[bernardo]

I give you a clue:
Curcumin (curcuma longa) is the source of the spice Turmeric, and is used in curries and other spicy dishes from India, Asia, and the Middle East. Curcumin is what gives Curry its characteristic bright yellow colour and strong taste. Curcumin is derived from the rhizomes of the plant curcumin longa the common name is turmeric.

In India and South East Asia turmeric has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda to support the body through illness. It is prized for its antioxidant properties and it is suggested that it can aid in metal chelation.

[samantha]

Hello,
More info about Turmeric:

Turmeric is considered as an important part of the range of herbal medicines in Ayurveda. Turmeric is used in Ayurveda in two ways- freshly extracted turmeric juice, which is taken orally, and turmeric paste used for skin application.

Raw turmeric is actually a rhizome of curcuma longa similar to ginger in appearance. This raw vegetable is crushed and the strained extracted juice forms a translucent reddish- yellow liquid which is more or less tasteless. These juice is then to be taken either raw or if the person wishes, mixed with honey preferably early in the morning on empty stomach. A wide range of benefit is described for this treatment in the Ayurveda. The main use of turmeric juice taken regularly is as a blood purifier. In this context, it is believed to enhance health
of the whole body. It is also said to be most beneficial in chronic illnesses with generalized weakness and in diseases like renal failure where toxins are released into the body. The other use of turmeric juice is in stomach ailments. It is said to have a soothing effect on the stomach and thus helps in diseases like hyperacidity and indigestion. Taken regularly, it gives a healthy glow to the skin also.

I took it from an article written by Palash mazumdar in a website called "essortment"

[Alexander]

Hello,
More info about Turmeric:

Turmeric is considered as an important part of the range of herbal medicines in Ayurveda. Turmeric is used in Ayurveda in two ways- freshly extracted turmeric juice, which is taken orally, and turmeric paste used for skin application.

Raw turmeric is actually a rhizome of curcuma longa similar to ginger in appearance. This raw vegetable is crushed and the strained extracted juice forms a translucent reddish- yellow liquid which is more or less tasteless. These juice is then to be taken either raw or if the person wishes, mixed with honey preferably early in the morning on empty stomach. A wide range of benefit is described for this treatment in the Ayurveda. The main use of turmeric juice taken regularly is as a blood purifier. In this context, it is believed to enhance health
of the whole body. It is also said to be most beneficial in chronic illnesses with generalized weakness and in diseases like renal failure where toxins are released into the body. The other use of turmeric juice is in stomach ailments. It is said to have a soothing effect on the stomach and thus helps in diseases like hyperacidity and indigestion. Taken regularly, it gives a healthy glow to the skin also.

I took it from an article written by Palash mazumdar in a website called "essortment"

THANK YOU SAMANTHA; VERY GOOD INFO
Alexander

[christian]

how does it look like?
it's a vegetable? herb?

[brianna]

LIKE THAT:

Turmeric

turmeric-ayurveda.jpg (18.13 KiB) Viewed 1623 times

AND THAT:

Turmeric plant

turmeric-ayurveda2.jpg (54.6 KiB) Viewed 1623 times

Native to tropical South Asia, Turmeric thrives in rainy climates with temperatures between 20° and 30° C. Turmeric is boiled in hot ovens, then dried, rhizomes are extracted, ground into a powder and used as a spice or dye. Curcumin, the active ingredient, has a peppery flavor and smells similar to mustard. Turmeric is used in food products and curry powders. Turmeric aids circulation and digestion. In India, it is used as an antiseptic for burns and cuts. Curcumin has been used as an anti-inflammatory and to treat psoriasis. The US National Institute of Health is conducting clinical trials to determine if curcumin is an effective treatment for pancreatic cancer, Alzheimer's and colorectal cancer.

[destiny]

i have a complementary article worth reading about the benefits of turmeric:

Wonders of Turmeric
By Dr Shekhar Annambhotla

Botanically known as Curcuma longa, in Ayurveda, turmeric is called Haridra. It is a perennial plant, which grows 60 to 90 cm. in height and has tufted leaves. It is cultivated in India, China, Indonesia and other tropical countries. From ancient times, Ayurvedic practitioners used turmeric to treat several health problems.

An analysis of turmeric shows that it consists of moisture 13.1 percent, protein 6.3 percent, fat 5.1 percent, sugars (28 percent glucose, 12 percent fructose, 1 percent arabinose) minerals 3.5 percent, fiber 2.6 percent and carbohydrates 69.4 percent, calcium 150 mg percent, phosphorus 282 mg percent, carotene 30 mg percent, thiamin 0.03 mg percent and niacin 2.3 mg percent its calorific value is 349. Turmeric contains 0.3 – 5.4 percent curcumin, 4 – 14 percent of an orange-yellow volatile oil that is composed mainly of turmerone, atlantone, and zingiberone, resins, protein, vitamins, minerals and an essential oil.

Ayurvedic perspective:

Turmeric is bitter, pungent and astringent in taste, light, dry, heating, Kapha pacifying and Pitta & Vata aggravating in excess use. It has a pungent post digestion effect, enters into the blood, spleen, stomach and liver, and works on all tissue elements (dhatus) in the body. Its main effects are on the digestive, circulatory and respiratory systems. It is stimulant, carminative, and antibacterial. Commonly used for indigestion, flatulence, poor circulation, cough, amenorrhea, pharyngitis, toothache, chest pain, blood urine, hemorrhage, skin disorders, diabetes, arthritis, anemia, wounds, bruises, to strengthen the stomach and promote its action, and also as a tonic and blood purifier. Turmeric poultices are often applied locally to relieve inflammation and pain. Turmeric acts on the imbalanced processes of digestion, metabolism and nutrition (Jatarangi Level) and restores the normal function of the gastro intestinal system. It is also considered to have excellent natural antibiotic and antibacterial actions. It not only purifies the blood (Rakta dhatu shuddhi), but also warms it and stimulates formation of new blood tissue (Rakta dhatu vardhaka). The recommended dosage is 400 to 600 mg three times daily, according to the condition of the individual. Turmeric will not give suggested therapeutic values and dosage levels in the body as used in the normal cooking process.

Precautions and contraindications:

Acute jaundice, hepatitis, obstructive jaundice, gallstones, excessive Pitta, pregnancy.

Clinical application:

1) Curcuma lowers cholesterol levels.
2) Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, useful for bronchial asthma, chronic cough.
3) Curcuma is more strongly antioxidant than Vitamins A & E. 4) Turmeric has an anti-coagulant action, keeping the blood thin.
5) Turmeric enhances the flow of bile and protective action on intestinal flora.
6) Applied topically, turmeric is also useful in treating skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections and athlete’s foot.
7) Turmeric prevents platelets from clumping within blood vessels, making it effective in the prevention of atherosclerosis and its complications.
8) Turmeric is useful in cancers, especially bowel and colon cancer.
9) Curcuma is beneficial in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
10) Turmeric is beneficial in the prevention of gallstones.
11) Curcuma can prevent prostate cancer.
12) Turmeric is considered an effective remedy for expelling worms.
13) As a rich source of iron, turmeric is valuable for anemia.
14) Turmeric is beneficial in the treatment of measles.
15) External application of turmeric is beneficial for sprains and swellings.
16) Turmeric is effective for cleansing the chakras (nadi-shodhana), purifying the channels of the subtle body.
17) Turmeric helps stretch the ligaments, and thus is useful for regular hatha yoga practitioners.
18) Turmeric prevents the formation of gas, particularly when it is added to a high protein meal.
19) Turmeric relieves inflammation of the tonsils and congestion in the throat.
20) In vitro and in vivo studies show curcuminoids can help with HIV in a number of ways, including acting as biological response modifiers, resulting in significant increases in CD-4 and CD-8 counts.

References:

a) http://www.natures-best.biz/treatment.html
By E. J. Mundell NEW YORK (Reuters Health)
b) http://www.natures-best.biz/clinical.html
c) http://www.natures-best.biz/Curcumin2.html
Curcuminoids - Clinical Trials, Curcumin, derived from turmeric.
d) http://www.natures-best.biz/vivomeric.html
Vivomeric Antioxidant Formula
e) http://www.natures-best.biz/Vivo2.html
f) http://www.natures-best.biz/curcumin.html

Disclaimer:

All information in this article is presented for educational purposes only. No statements regarding turmeric’s properties have been evaluated by the FDA. The information in this article is not intended to prevent, treat, cure, or diagnose any diseases. As with any herbal food supplement, if you are considering using turmeric as a dietary supplement, consult your family physician first.

About the author:

Dr. Shekhar Annambhotla, B.A.M.S., M.D., in Ayurveda has been an Ayurvedic practitioner, consultant and educator for over 16 years. He began his eight-year course of study in Ayurvedic medicine at the age of 17, first at Nagarjuna University and then at Gujarat Ayurved University in India, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine in Ayurveda. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, Latin America and North America for seven years, practicing and teaching Ayurveda. He could be reached at shekhar@ojas.us or you can visit his website at http://www.ojas.us.

[cleondann]

Ayurvedic treatment and their turmeric medicines are well renowned.

Thanks for this supportive thread...
I write down some major and essential things in my diary...