Turmeric – The Golden Wonder Herb
by Taryn Forrelli, N.D.
 Could
there really be one herb that does it all? One herb that simultaneously
works as an antioxidant, modulates inflammation, supports joint health,
detoxifies the body, protects the cardiovascular system, promotes normal
cell growth, supports mental clarity, regulates the bowels, balances
stress hormones, supports healthy blood sugar metabolism, promotes wound
healing, and even boosts serotonin production? An incredible body of
growing research suggests that yes, there is such an herb! It’s
Turmeric (Curcuma longa), and with nearly three thousand years of
traditional use, over two thousand published studies citing its
benefits, at least a dozen clinical trials underway in the United
States, and no toxicity demonstrated, it has rightfully earned the
reputation as the golden wonder herb.
If all that isn’t enough to convince you to make
turmeric a part of your daily life, consider that in India and Pakistan,
where the average per capita consumption of turmeric is two grams per
day consumed mainly in the form of curry, the incidence of inflammatory
diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, especially of the breast,
prostate, and lung, is amongst the lowest in the world.
Scientists have identified several components of
turmeric which are medicinally valuable. While the bulk of the published
research highlights the benefits of just one of those components—curcumin,
a water-soluble phytochemical that gives turmeric its signature golden
hue—other phytochemicals present in the oils of turmeric, known as
turmerones, are reported to be active and synergistic with curcumin.
In fact, the anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin has been shown to be
significantly greater when combined with turmeric oils. This means that
anyone wanting to receive the full healing potential of turmeric in
supplement form should use products featuring whole herb extracts rather
than those containing isolated curcumin.
Supercritical extracts of turmeric are ideal. Not only are they
super-pure and super-concentrated, but they deliver the full spectrum of
synergistic phytochemicals present in whole herbs. For turmeric, it is
as close as you can get to “curry in a capsule.”
 Notes
from Christine:
Turmericforce by New Chapter is a full-spectrum turmeric that is
hand grown in their biodynamic farm in Costa Rica. New Chapter’s
Turmericforce is the world's first and only
supercritically extracted, full-spectrum turmeric extract. We take
our full-spectrum turmeric, and without chemical solvents or heat
stress, concentrate radiant turmeric oils as much as 200:1. For more
product information about
Turmericforce, click here.
Resources:
Author’s Biography:
Taryn Forrelli, N.D. is a graduate of Southwest
College of Naturopathic Medicine, a premier accredited four-year medical
institution that specializes in providing the most advanced
understanding of integrative medicine. As a naturopathic physician, Dr.
Forrelli offers insight into the marvels of human biological function
and the natural healing power of herbs, nutrition and lifestyle
improvements. |
