Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin - Herbal Cures

Turmeric is a spice that gives flavor and yellow color to the curry powder and mustard. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a member of the ginger family and has been used for healing for quite some time. The healing properties can be found in the plant’s finger like stalk. The stalk is scalded and dried for herbal medicine. This same part is used to flavor, color and preserve foods.

Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin 

In India and in other parts of China, turmeric has been used to treat indigestion and several other ailments for centuries. It was mainly used as a spice in other parts of the world until the 1970s. It was then that researchers discovered that it contains curcuminoids which are compounds that fight inflammation. It was also found that turmeric is rich in antioxidants. It also shows potentials in reducing cholesterol levels and combating atherosclerosis which builds up fatty deposits in the arteries and can lead to heart attack.

Preliminary studies indicate that turmeric could possibly block the progress of multiple sclerosis (MS).

The specific health benefits one can derive from turmeric include: 

•  It relieves carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis and joint inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory compounds. 
•  It eases indigestion, excess gas (flatulence), bloating and other mild upset stomach symptoms. This is because the curcumin in turmeric combats bacteria that are responsible for infectious diarrhea. 
• It prevents cancer. Being an antioxidant, turmeric prevents damage to cells, in turn, preventing some types of cancer such as breast, skin, colon, and lymphoma. 

Turmeric Plant

Turmeric comes in different formulations of tincture, tablet, powder, ointment, lotion, liquid, dried herb/tea, cream, and capsule. Formulations that can be taken internally are capsules, fresh juice, boiled tea made from powder and tinctures. Topical formulations are creams, lotions, pastes, and ointments. Look for turmeric that contains 95% curcumin since this is effective in treating a specific ailment. In order to get the medicinal dose of 1.2 g/day of curcumin, you need to consume 100 grams of turmeric as a culinary spice.

To treat carpal tunnel syndrome, indigestion, excess gas, and other inflammatory and GI-related ailments, take 400 to 600 mg capsule three times a day. Or, you can take ½ to 1 teaspoon of liquid extract and mixed it with ½ cup of water three times a day. Continue this treatment until symptoms are gone. If you noticed no improvement after a week of use, then discontinue turmeric. To prevent cancer, use turmeric as a spice daily or sip turmeric tea.

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Once symptoms of inflammation improve, reduce the daily dose of turmeric into the half. And if symptoms are gone, stop using the herb. Turmeric is not well absorbed when taken orally so look for extracts that combine it with bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme found in pineapples. Bromelain will make it easier for the body to absorb active compounds of turmeric.

Turmeric due to its curcumin content could interfere with the proper functioning of breast cancer chemotherapy medicine. Ask your doctor if you are taking chemotherapy drugs such as mechlorethamine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide. If you have bile duct blockage or blood clotting disorder, do not take turmeric as this could affect these conditions. If you have gallstones or gallbladder problems, do not use turmeric as this could have harmful effects. Prolonged use of turmeric can cause stomach upset and other gastrointestinal upsets.

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10 Natural Home Remedies for Kidney Stones - Herbal Cures

I have interacted people who were suffering from Kidney stones. From seeing him suffering with kidney stones I understand that they can be extremely painful…especially to pass them out of the body.

Prevention is the true key to avoiding serious kidney stone attacks, but heredity and gender (men suffer more with this condition than women do) are usually working against those who have a predisposition to kidney disease.

10 Natural Home Remedies for Kidney Stones - Herbal Cures

Kidney stones are formed from the chemicals usually found in your urine such as uric acid, phosphorus, calcium, and oxalic acid. There is no general consensus on what actually causes kidney stones but here are some thoughts on this;

1. Dehydration – Dehydration is the major contribution factor in forming Kidney stones.
2. Heredity (family history of kidney stones or kidney disease)
3. Geographical location – warmer climates tend to have more people with this condition, possibly due to insufficient fluid intake
4. Diet – if you have the propensity to suffer with kidney stones then foods high in calcium may increase your risk of producing them
5. Medications – people on diuretics, as well as certain antibiotics and other medications lead to an increase in the creation of calcium in your body which can lead to kidney stones
6. Diseases/Conditions – those suffering with inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis and some other diseases also suffer with kidney stones

 So what are kidney stones symptoms? 

You may experience any combination of these general symptoms.

1. Severe pain in your sides.
2. Frequent feeling of the need to urinate
3. Painful urination
4. Pain in your groin area
5. Pain in your thighs
6. Sparse urination when you do go
7. Sweating
8. Chills
9. Vomiting
10. Nausea
11. Blood in your urine
12. Lower back pain
13. Radiating pain or pain that comes and goes in waves
14. Fever
15. Fatigue
16. Disorientation
17. Deep orange cooled urine
18. Pain when walking

What is the best kidney stone treatment?

1. Water – if you have a tendency to suffer with kidney stones then you have to make sure to drink large quantities of water every day. If you notice your urine is anything but clear, drink more water. Sometimes this may be all that is needed to help you pass your kidney stone.

2. Diet – Things to avoid – alcohol, salt, white flour and products made with this, sugar, caffeine, beets, chocolate, nuts, carbonated drinks, spinach, strawberries, parsley, rhubarb, wheat bran, meat and others. You can probably have these in moderation but not while you are struggling to get rid of kidney stones.

3. Exercise – exercise helps calcium move from the blood to your bones. Just be sure not to become dehydrated while you are exercising.

4. Lemon Juice – Chemical compound Citrate in Lemons helps breaking down calcium deposits (kidney stones) and slows down their growth.  It is advised to take  lemon juice once in the morning on empty stomach and once in the hours before dinner. Better you use fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice also helps in inhibiting bacterial growth.

5. Basil – Basil has acetic acid which helps stabilize uric acid levels, and prevents formation of kidney stones.  Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory properties in basil juice helps in maintaining kidney health.

Prepare a tea with dried or fresh basil leaves and drink 3 to 4 cups in a day.

Caution- Limit use of Basil tea for less than six weeks at a stretch. Extended use of Basil tea or juice may leads to low blood pressure, low blood sugar.

You may also read- 10 Amazing Health Benefits of Holy Basil or Tulsi.

Apple Cider Vinegar

6. Apple Cider Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar contains citric acid which helps dissolve calcium deposits. It is advised to drink  two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar dissolved in 200 ml of water. This drink may reduce symptoms of Kidney stones and prevents  their formation.

7. Pomegranate Juice - Pomegranate juice has astringent and anti-oxidant properties. This is believed to reduce incidences of formation of kidney stones and ease their passage.  

Celery Juice

8. Celery Juice – Celery juice has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, also a study  show that Celery juice has phytosterol and unidentified polar substances which prevents development of kidney stones. Celery juice is a natural diuretic, fiber- rich celery juice helps in flushing out toxins from our body.

9. Wheat grass Juice – Wheat grass is loaded with multiple nutrients and been used to stimulate health. Intake of wheat grass juice increases of flow of urine so helps pass the stones.

Drink 50 ml to 300 ml of wheat grass juice per day on empty stomach. Overuse may cause loss of appetite and constipation.

Dandelion root 

10. Dandelion root Juice – Dandelions (kukraundha or Kukaranudha in Hindi) have vitamins A,B, C,D and many minerals such as potassium, iron and zinc. Dandelion juice is an excellent Kidney tonic which stimulates production of bile, hence eliminate waster and increases urine output.

Prepare fresh dandelion juice or dried powder , you can  ginger  to taste.

It is possible to kidney stone on your own, there may be uncomfortable to suffer. By  using the above remedies to your daily regime, you can prevent repeated occurrence of Kidney stones.

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