On Herbs - Turmeric

Turmeric is a shrub related to ginger and used primarily in Indian cuisine.  It is bright yellow, offering natural coloring for mustard and cheeses.  Until recently, Ingrid and I had three or four year old Turmeric in our cupboard from our few dalliances into Indian cooking.  Turmeric is widely by alternative medical practitioners and has peaked interest by the western medical community in recent years.  Most of the fuss has revolved around on particular component of turmeric, curcumin, which is a known antioxidant with very promising research to support its use for a variety of ailments including cancer and neurological disease.  Turmeric is a Group A herb for certain uses including an upset stomach and loss of appetite and a Group B herb for a wide variety of other.  For more on group classifications see the On Herbs post by clicking here. 

The Science

The science is in - Turmeric has been documented as helpful with digestive conditions such as upset stomach and loss of appetite according to Germany's Commission E (Germany's equivalent to the US Food & Drug Administration).

Additional Potential Uses

Turmeric is widely used in Indian and Chinese medicine for millenia for a variety of ailments; and there is a lot of buzz about Turmeric (actually curcumin, the active ingredient in Turmeric) these days in the western medical sphere as a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant with promise for use in preventing and/or treating cancer, neurological disease, bacteria and viral infections, heart disease, chronic and autoimmune ailments and, quite honestly a host of other ailments including but not limited to diarrhea, fever, bronchitis, colds, parasitic worms, leprosy, bladder and kidney inflammations, bruises, leech bites, festering eye infections, mouth inflammations, skin conditions, and infected wounds, chronic coughs, and colds. Many studies in animals a the laboratory have identified these potential uses - and trials on humans are currently under way (as of 2014).  It will be a few years until the results of these studies are known and published, but I think it likely that the health benefits of Turmeric will be validated for a number of these uses.

My Personal Experience

I started to dabble in turmeric tea a short time ago during a bout of nausea.  I drank turmeric tea once or twice a day for a week and the nausea completely subsided.  In every instance since where I feel nauseated, bloated, or otherwise off a few doses of turmeric tea help.  I am ready to move on to daily turmeric pills to see if I can't reap long-term preventative benefits. 

Preparations

Turmeric Capsules
Turmeric Tea

Click here for the alternative road recipe page, which will include recipes for all preparations listed.

Additional Resources

The University of Maryland discusses the science and current studies on turmeric.  Click here to read what the University of Maryland has to say on the subject.

The American Cancer Society discusses the science and current studies on turmeric.  Click here to read what the American Cancer Society has to say on the subject.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a Natural Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) that talks about the science on Turmeric.  Click here to read what the NIH NCCAM has to say on the subject.

Hosting Difficulties - In Real Time

Joe, a buddy of mine recently visited for a few days. Company plus glutenous food equals difficult time. The first day we went to Point Loma Seafoods for lunch. Point Loma Seafoods is a crazy and popular fish market in San Diego. Ordering is chaotic. The food deep fried, but delicious. Joe and I went for a hike later that day. My joints, achy, my energy non-existent, my bathroom trips frequent.

Later, we went to Old Town, a living park that mimics early San Diego. We tasted wine. My stomach soured.

We went to the city of Avalon on Catalina, an island off the coast of Los Angeles. We ate seafood and bread. I became nauseated. We listened to a mariachi band at a wedding on our way to Hermit Gulch Campground. They sang "Hey Hey Hey" over and over. We slept underneath the stars. We hiked up the firebreak. We ate cheeseburgers while watching the world cup. We snorkeled. We laid on the beach. I got hot. I got nauseated. I got dizzy. My stomach tensed up, felt as if someone had tied it in a knot and put a clamp on it. I could not eat dinner. My back ached. We went on a flying fish tour. We walked back to the campsite and slept.

We went back to the mainland. I tried to eat gluten-free. We went to the Padres Game and pre-game tour. I was excited to try the new gluten-free stand. But during the pre-game tour, we saw a food service worker heating a burrito on the gluten-free grill. Inadequate food service, as is common. No gluten-free for me.

Joe left. My stomach calmed even though my mind and body remained tired.