Turmeric

Why is turmeric a daily health ally?

Native to India, turmeric is a tropical plant that has long been cultivated in India and Asia.

It is a perennial herbaceous plant with an underground rhizome that produces large, elongated leaves and large spikes of young-pink flowers surrounded by bracts.

The covered rhizome, of gray-brown suber, is orange-yellow and gives off a strong aromatic scent when broken.

Cucuma comes from the Arabic name korkom, and Ibn al Baytar (3rd century) reports that it dries ulcers, sharpens eyesight and destroys scabies.

In India, it is used as an anti-inflammatory and against skin diseases, scabies in particular. Turmeric paste applied topically treats eye infections, burns, wounds and bites.

It's one of the main ingredients in curry, a blend of spices that adds flavor and preservative power to food. Indians consume 2 to 3g daily.

In Chinese pharmacopoeia, it is indicated for eliminating blood stasis, promoting the circulation of qi (energy), stimulating menstruation and relieving pain. It is also known as turmeric.

Curcumin-based dietary supplements offer a concentrated turmeric formulation. This unique ingredient is an ally of choice in helping the body to combat the discomforts that can come with age.

It is for these reasons that turmeric is used in the composition of many dietary supplements dedicated to joint comfort, which are very popular in natural pharmacies.

Turmeric capsules are ideal for anyone suffering from..:

• Inflammatory disorders
• Digestive disorders
• Chronic fatigue
• Fragile immunity

Latin name: Curcuma longa L.

Botanical family: Zingiberaceae

Producing organ: Secondary rhizome, containing at least 3% curcumin and 4% essential oil (WHO monograph).

How can turmeric be used effectively?

• Pepper's piperine enhances the absorption and bioavailability of curcumin, and is synergistic in preventing senescence.
• Inclusion of piperine in curcumin-containing formulations is highly recommended to inhibit glucuroconjugation of curcumin
• Mix one heaped teaspoon of turmeric powder with one or two tablespoons of olive oil, and grind a dash of black pepper, to be consumed during the day with food (pasta, rice, vegetables, or even in a salad).
• The combination of ginger and turmeric also appears to be synergistic: since ancient times, Ayurvedic medicine has used a combination of black pepper(Piper nigrum L.), long pepper(Piper longum L.) and ginger(Zingiber officinale Rosc.) to enhance the efficacy of certain remedies.

Turmeric is an exceptional plant with many virtues:

• Anti-inflammatory: its consumption is recommended for people suffering from aches and pains, rheumatism, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and so on. It is also very useful for treating inflammation of the respiratory or urinary tracts.
• Antioxidant: neutralizes the effects of free radicals, which oxidize and age our cells.
• Digestive: turmeric acts as a digestive tonic, improving the digestive process and fighting heartburn, ulcers, gastritis, etc.
• Protects the liver and gallbladder, helps prevent the formation of gallstones and can prevent and relieve liver diseases such as cirrhosis or jaundice.
• Antidepressant: several studies have demonstrated that turmeric functions as a natural antidepressant, useful during periods of stress.
• Antimicrobial and antiseptic.
• Reduces fat storage

What precautions should I take before taking turmeric?

• Contraindicated in cases of biliary tract obstruction, sub-centimetric gallstones, biliary or liver disease.
• Not recommended for pregnant or breast-feeding women without medical advice.
• Not recommended for obstructed bile ducts or gallstones.
• Risk of numerous drug interactions, ask your pharmacist for advice (inhibition of CYP3A, CYP2C9, UGT, SULT).
• Caution in case of gastric or duodenal ulcer
• Avoid association with anticoagulants, inhibition of platelet aggregation by modulation of eicosanoid biosynthesis(curcumin), mainly pure curcumin-based products, interaction with warfarin (Coumadin)
• Associations not recommended with certain chemotherapies (risk of partial inhibition of efficacy during treatment): Camptothecin (Campto®), doxorubicin (Adriamycin®), mechlorethamine and cyclophosphamide (Endoxan®), vincristine (Oncovin®)
• May be combined with certain chemotherapies (experimental evidence of synergy of action/potentiation of efficacy): Gemcitabine (Gemzar®), paclitaxel (Taxol®), docetaxel (Taxotère®), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin®).

What natural active ingredients does turmeric contain?

• Saccharides and polysaccharides: 45-55% starch andarabino-galactans(ukonans)
• Curcuminoids (yellow colorants): curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin, bidesmethoxycurcumin, dihydrocurcumin (major active ingredients)
• Phellandrene Essential Oils: zingiberene, beta-curcumene and delta-curcumene, turmerone (60%), alpha-ar-turmerone and beta-ar-turmerone, curlone, atlantones
• Lignans, phenolic acids

The rhizome is available in pharmacies and other retail outlets. The plant is listed as a medicinal plant in the French Pharmacopoeia. The WHO and the European Pharmacopoeia have published monographs on rhizome control.

Curcumin-based dietary supplements offer a concentrated turmeric formulation. This unique ingredient is an ally of choice in helping the body to combat the discomforts that can come with age.

How can I easily incorporate turmeric into my diet?

A good way to get your daily intake of turmeric is to add it to your oil, for example.

Recipe for an aromatic turmeric oil:

Ingredients:

• 500ml virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons organic turmeric powder
• 1 level teaspoon organic fresh black pepper

Preparation:

1. Pour the oil into a hermetically sealed glass jar.
2. Add turmeric powder + pepper
3. Mix with a spatula.
4. Close the jar and leave to macerate for a week, remembering to shake the jar once a day.
5. On the 8th day, filter the turmeric oil into an opaque glass bottle without stirring the turmeric and pepper deposits at the bottom.

What food supplements for joints does Soin-et-Nature offer?

Soin-et-Nature offers a comprehensive range of dietary supplements dedicated to joint health, designed to relieve pain, preserve mobility and strengthen joint structures. Here are the main categories available:

• To remineralize bones and strengthen joint structure, remineralizing supplements support bone strength and resistance.
• To maintain healthy cartilage and reduce joint pain, chondroitin is an effective, natural solution.
• To promote the regeneration of cartilage tissue, glucosamine helps keep joints supple and mobile.
• To reduce inflammation and soothe pain, turmeric, with its anti-inflammatory properties, offers powerful natural support.
• To relieve painful joints and improve comfort, harpagophytum is recognized for its beneficial effects on joint mobility.
• To strengthen joints and improve their elasticity, collagen for joints helps preserve their integrity and functionality.

These dietary supplements for joints, available on Soin-et-Nature, support joint and bone health, while helping to maintain optimal mobility and comfort on a daily basis.