Turmeric, the powerful golden root that makes our favorite golden milk lattes, is most commonly known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Since I was a young child, my mom taught me how to replace taking ibuprofen and other pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs by instead drinking turmeric tea, or even soaking the desired body part in hot turmeric water. What I didn’t know my whole life, was that turmeric does so much more for the body than simply reducing inflammation and making delicious lattes.
Here are 8 benefits of turmeric you might not have known before:
Cures and prevents some cancers
Could Turmeric be a new cure for cancer? Although there aren’t too many studies out there yet, Curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) has been shown to inhibit proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis of different cancers through interaction with multiple cell signaling proteins. Additionally, Turmeric has been shown to prevent the growth of cancerous cells and prohibit growth as seen in different testing. Increases breast milk supply
Turmeric has been used in India and other Eastern countries as a galactagogue, which is a substance that helps increase milk in breastfeeding moms. While it is not scientifically proven, many moms swear by supplementing their diets with Turmeric to increase milk flow as well as milk quality. Strengthens your immune system
Good news! Drinking golden milk lattes can be your new go-to cold medicine. Turmeric has antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties that help boost your immune system and prevent future sickness. Makes you happy
For sure sipping golden milk lattes does make me happy, but turmeric increases your mood because it also acts as a natural antidepressant. In fact, Chinese medicine practitioners have been treating depression with Turmeric for thousands of years! Turmeric is thought to contain compounds that increase dopamine and stimulate the nervous system. Studies also show Turmeric may even ease depression by relieving inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain.
Reduced risk of mastitis
Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties may help prevent swollen breast tissue and clogged ducts, which can lead to mastitis.
Improved digestion
Turmeric can help get your digestion back to normal by helping stimulate the stomach to produce more gastric acid, which is needed for proper digestion.
Natural painkiller
Turmeric can help reduce inflammation that causes pain, especially in joints. Like I mentioned earlier, you can replace your ibuprofen with Tumeric tea, or even soaking the inflamed area in warm turmeric water. I have used this technique multiple times, specifically for sprained and swollen ankles. Watch as your inflamed joints reduce as if by magic!
Helps with Arthritis. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties as I said above, it makes natural sense that turmeric helps with arthritis as well. According to a study, Curcumin was found to be more effective for people with rheumatoid arthritis than an anti-inflammatory drug,
Improves Brain Health
BDNF is a growth hormone in the brain that when decreased, can lead to brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and depression. Interestingly, curcumin has been shown to increase levels of BDNF, reversing brain diseases and improving overall brain function.
As we study more and more about turmeric, the more amazing things we find out about this herb. There is still so much we don’t know about turmeric, but what we do know is it helps us feel amazing, and it’s delicious too! Add turmeric to your daily diet, whether in tea, curry, or (obviously my favorite by now) a golden milk latte. Cheers!
By Brooke Nally
Brooke is a freelance writer who has been living internationally and traveling the world for about two years ago, teaching yoga everywhere she lands.
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