Turmeric - Ayurveda"s Natural Answer To Cancer
Welcome to part three of the series on Ayurvedic Medicine and the major botanicals employed in this Eastern Medicine practice.
Now that we have examined Amalaki, one of the most prized medicinal herbs in Ayurveda, we shift our attention to one that is perhaps the most recognized in the West for its health benefits.
For the first time in the history of Western Medicine, an herb has been studied by the National Institute of Health for its anti-cancer properties.
Already demonstrating the ability to shrink tumor cells in mice, this amazing herb called Turmeric is now being investigated in humans with cancer.
Though we await the results, Ayurveda already knows what we are discovering in the West.
Turmeric, whose main ingredient is Curcumin, possesses serious health benefits for a wide range of illnesses, so let's investigate this medicinal herb in further detail to discover why Ayurvedic Medicine has used it for thousands of years.
Before we touch more upon the anti-cancer properties of Turmeric, I will highlight its other uses in Ayurveda and in the West.
Within medical science, there is a growing body of research that now points to the detrimental consequences of long-term inflammation.
In fact, it is becoming widely accepted that most life-threatening and chronic disease processes, including those that lead to aging, are closely linked to chronic inflammation.
As many of us in the West are aware, pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the short-term only due to side effects, and the search for a natural anti-inflammatory began years ago.
Turmeric has been recognized as one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant herbs in nature.
Recall that anti-oxidants scavenge free radicals which damage healthy cells, the number of which increase as we age.
The more anti-oxidants we consume, the more we can halt the detrimental aging effects on our body.
The mechanism behind the anti-inflammatory effect appears to be the ability of Turmeric to inhibit production of two pro-inflammatory compounds, namely Tumor Necrosis Factor and Cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2), the latter enzyme being the target of such pharmaceuticals as Celebrex.
Additionally, research in 2007 at the University of Texas revealed that Turmeric has benefits for the treatment of Atherosclerosis, heart disease, Diabetes, Arthritis and Asthma.
Just as intriguing is the use of Turmeric in mental health conditions, specifically Alzheimer's disease where improvements have been observed.
This research center also found Turmeric, and its main compound Curcumin, were helpful in strengthening the immune system, thereby supporting what Ayurvedic Medicine already knew.
These uses for Turmeric and Curcumin are noteworthy, though their use in fighting cancer is perhaps the most astounding.
Again, Ayurvedic Medicine has been using Turmeric as an anti-cancer agent for hundreds of years.
Western Medicine has finally noticed and in 2007, University of Kentucky researchers found that Turmeric inhibited the growth of tumors in lab studies.
As noted above, this has not gone without notice and the National Institute of Health has been conducting animal and human studies.
It is my belief we are just beginning to understand the uses of Turmeric in Western medicine.
Before you now go out and by Turmeric in bulk, there are some little known facts about Turmeric and Curcumin supplements you must keep in mind.
First, find a supplement with the highest percentage of Curcumin possible, preferably a 95% pure Curcumin extract in the Turmeric.
A good daily dose is one 50 milligram tablet.
Second, and most significantly, is the concept of synergy.
This concept is core to Ayurveda and one I will dedicate a future article toward as it is so unique in a medical practice.
Stated simply, Ayurveda is based upon using a combination of botanicals that enhance each other's absorption and function.
This is counter-intuitive from what we know in Western (Allopathic) Medicine where combinations of pharmaceuticals often lead to prominent side effects.
Ayurvedic science embraces synergy and when Turmeric is combined with other botanicals, such as Amalaki, Ginger or Piperine, the absorption of Turmeric increases exponentially.
Also, the effect on the cellular level is thought to multiply as well, meaning the health benefits listed above can increase.
Look for Turmeric used with synergistic botanicals, such as those above, to optimize its health benefits As you can see from the above information, Turmeric has an impressive history and a promising future, and some physicians knew this centuries ago.
For more information on the above botanicals and products that contain them, see my website.
In the next article in this series, I will look at an Ayurvedic botanical that has tremendous gastrointestinal benefits, though is more of a 'decoration' in the West.
To Your Health and Longevity, Dr.
Kevin Rosi
Now that we have examined Amalaki, one of the most prized medicinal herbs in Ayurveda, we shift our attention to one that is perhaps the most recognized in the West for its health benefits.
For the first time in the history of Western Medicine, an herb has been studied by the National Institute of Health for its anti-cancer properties.
Already demonstrating the ability to shrink tumor cells in mice, this amazing herb called Turmeric is now being investigated in humans with cancer.
Though we await the results, Ayurveda already knows what we are discovering in the West.
Turmeric, whose main ingredient is Curcumin, possesses serious health benefits for a wide range of illnesses, so let's investigate this medicinal herb in further detail to discover why Ayurvedic Medicine has used it for thousands of years.
Before we touch more upon the anti-cancer properties of Turmeric, I will highlight its other uses in Ayurveda and in the West.
Within medical science, there is a growing body of research that now points to the detrimental consequences of long-term inflammation.
In fact, it is becoming widely accepted that most life-threatening and chronic disease processes, including those that lead to aging, are closely linked to chronic inflammation.
As many of us in the West are aware, pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the short-term only due to side effects, and the search for a natural anti-inflammatory began years ago.
Turmeric has been recognized as one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant herbs in nature.
Recall that anti-oxidants scavenge free radicals which damage healthy cells, the number of which increase as we age.
The more anti-oxidants we consume, the more we can halt the detrimental aging effects on our body.
The mechanism behind the anti-inflammatory effect appears to be the ability of Turmeric to inhibit production of two pro-inflammatory compounds, namely Tumor Necrosis Factor and Cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2), the latter enzyme being the target of such pharmaceuticals as Celebrex.
Additionally, research in 2007 at the University of Texas revealed that Turmeric has benefits for the treatment of Atherosclerosis, heart disease, Diabetes, Arthritis and Asthma.
Just as intriguing is the use of Turmeric in mental health conditions, specifically Alzheimer's disease where improvements have been observed.
This research center also found Turmeric, and its main compound Curcumin, were helpful in strengthening the immune system, thereby supporting what Ayurvedic Medicine already knew.
These uses for Turmeric and Curcumin are noteworthy, though their use in fighting cancer is perhaps the most astounding.
Again, Ayurvedic Medicine has been using Turmeric as an anti-cancer agent for hundreds of years.
Western Medicine has finally noticed and in 2007, University of Kentucky researchers found that Turmeric inhibited the growth of tumors in lab studies.
As noted above, this has not gone without notice and the National Institute of Health has been conducting animal and human studies.
It is my belief we are just beginning to understand the uses of Turmeric in Western medicine.
Before you now go out and by Turmeric in bulk, there are some little known facts about Turmeric and Curcumin supplements you must keep in mind.
First, find a supplement with the highest percentage of Curcumin possible, preferably a 95% pure Curcumin extract in the Turmeric.
A good daily dose is one 50 milligram tablet.
Second, and most significantly, is the concept of synergy.
This concept is core to Ayurveda and one I will dedicate a future article toward as it is so unique in a medical practice.
Stated simply, Ayurveda is based upon using a combination of botanicals that enhance each other's absorption and function.
This is counter-intuitive from what we know in Western (Allopathic) Medicine where combinations of pharmaceuticals often lead to prominent side effects.
Ayurvedic science embraces synergy and when Turmeric is combined with other botanicals, such as Amalaki, Ginger or Piperine, the absorption of Turmeric increases exponentially.
Also, the effect on the cellular level is thought to multiply as well, meaning the health benefits listed above can increase.
Look for Turmeric used with synergistic botanicals, such as those above, to optimize its health benefits As you can see from the above information, Turmeric has an impressive history and a promising future, and some physicians knew this centuries ago.
For more information on the above botanicals and products that contain them, see my website.
In the next article in this series, I will look at an Ayurvedic botanical that has tremendous gastrointestinal benefits, though is more of a 'decoration' in the West.
To Your Health and Longevity, Dr.
Kevin Rosi
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