India Spice

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History, Present and Benefits of Indian Spices

For centuries south Asian region has been rich. Rich with it's spices and food recipes. For years, the region lured various different crusaders to invade the region over centuries. Beginning from the 14th century, the moghuls invaded and ruled, what is today the Indian subcontinent, for over three centuries. And then came the marvelous voyages of Christopher Columbus taking upon the arduous long voyage and Vasco De Gama of Portugal, all because of the lure of rich and vast variety of spices in the sub-continent.

Vast fortunes have been made and squandered, powerful rulers seduced, ailments cured and nations have been discovered. All in the name of spices. Spices have always cast a spell on our imaginations. Spices flatter our senses; our sight with their vibrant colors, our smell with their enticing fragrances and our taste with their distinct unique flavors.

Today, India is one of the largest exporting nation of spices in the world. Vast variety of spices grow due to natural conditions available in various parts of India. The major western, south-west, south and south-east is tropical in weather conditions, north-west, north are dry with less humidity and north-east and east have pre-dominantly high-rainy seasons.

Due to the abundance in availability of spices in India, Indian food is never bland. Most of the recipies originating from the Indian sub-continent contains spices in the list of ingredients. Spices in Indian food are not heavy and although Indian food is not bland, most Indian dishes are delicately spiced to enhance the flavor of the main cooking ingredient. Curry powder sitting on the grocers shelf may be like saw dust when one compares it to the fine spices roasted, combined and dry ground or wet ground in the traditional Indian traditions. Today one of the most famous entrée in the west consists of curry - a blend created mixing various different ground spices in right proportions with the water. However there are many delicacies in Indian recipes due to the inclusion of variety of spices.

Fresh ground spices are the order of the day in an Indian home and will be chosen according to the nature of the dish, season, individual and family. Some of the common Indian spices available are red chilli pepper, turmeric, black pepper, nutmegs, cloves and many more.

Other then the usage of spices in culinary, they are also used as medicine. Ancient Ayurvedic texts prescribe the herbs and spices for curative and therapeutic functions. Ayurvedic scripts dating back to 3000 years, list the preventive and curative properties of various spices. Looking at curative properties of some of the spices - Ginger prevents dyspepsia, garlic reduces cholesterol and hypertension and fenugreek is a good resistance builder and with pepper often serve as antihistamines, turmeric is used for stomach ulcers and for glow of the skin.

Spices have been used to make the food last longer in the days when refrigeration was absent. And even today in some remote parts of India where electricity is not available, spices are used in food for preservation.

In India the western after dinner mint is substituted by the fragrant spices such as fennel, cardamom or cloves. Effective mouth fresheners, they aid digestion, prevent heartburn and curb nausea. Others such as asafoetida and ginger root, have been known to counteract flatulence and colic, and are added to lentils, a must with every Indian meal.

History,Present,Benefits,Indian,Spices

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Benefits of Turmeric for Skin and More

Turmeric is a wonder product that has obtained popularity in recent times, though in India, people have been using it right from medieval times. At present, turmeric is one spice which will frequently be found in every single Indian kitchen and is used to add more flavor to curries and stir fries. However its skin benefits are much more notable as turmeric is renowned for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Makeup artists throughout the world are awakening to the wonderful benefits of turmeric and it's also getting incorporated in beauty products. What's amazing about turmeric is that it is effortlessly available and you can use it in numerous ways using ingredients that are available right in your own home.

If you are able to obtain pure turmeric powder, you can use it in numerous ways to add glow to your skin.

* Turmeric helps you reduce skin discoloration on your face and smooth out your skin tone. It can be very easily done at home. Mix a little turmeric with cucumber or lemon juice and apply to your face. Leave it for some time and wash it off. A one-time application might be of little help and only frequent use will give a smooth glow to your face.

* Troubled with acne? It doesn't matter if it's for you or your kid, turmeric is a beauty element that is harmless and yet provides excellent results. Turmeric mixed with sandalwood powder and a little water, and applied to the face can greatly lessen the appearance of acne. It's definitely a low cost option compared to all those creams and gels that are often not as powerful as desired or they claim.

* Here's an excellent idea for an all over body scrub. Blend some turmeric with gram flour and water and use it to scrub all over your body before your bath. Performing this frequently may certainly help you get a beautiful skin. Ask any bride in India and she will affirm that this is the beauty routine that they dutifully follow days prior to their wedding to obtain a spotless skin.

* A single problem that often besets expecting women is the physical appearance of stretch marks on their tummy. In case you've asked yourself how stretch marks can be eliminated, consider applying a combination of turmeric with yogurt to the belly and then wash it off after five minutes. If you continue this routinely, it will help in sustaining the suppleness of the skin and avoid stretch marks.

* Turmeric has also been dubbed the wonder product because of its power to fight free radicals. This outstanding anti-oxidant is recognized to help reduce various diseases along with cancer. In fact, turmeric is one of the greatest known treatments used to lessen the healing time of various skin afflictions that are triggered by chicken pox etc. Turmeric helps in minimizing skin rashes too.

* For those who want to reduce the hair growth on their face, turmeric again comes to the rescue. Regular washing with turmeric lessens facial hair growth notably.

* Grandmas in India often prefer to apply a paste of turmeric to small cuts, bruises and bumps as it minimizes the inflammation same as an ice pack would do, without the uncomfortableness. Its numerous germ killing qualities are great for using it for small cuts, injuries and abrasions and it helps in quickening the recovery process.

* If you have by accident burnt your hand in the kitchen, here is a speedy cure to ease the burn. Combine a teaspoon of turmeric with some aloe gel and apply to the burn.

* Until now, we've read about the cosmetic effects of turmeric for the skin. However did you know that turmeric is a fantastic organic way to combat that cough that has been troubling you for so many weeks? Lose those expectorants and just mix a spoonful of turmeric in warm milk and drink it . The hot milk eases the throat and the turmeric fights infection in the throat.

* Turmeric helps minimizing gum infections also! Apply a mixture of turmeric, rock salt and mustard oil to the infected area about two to three times a day. Follow this by washing your mouth with a little hot water.

* Feeling listless and weary? If you believe you have anemia, and then a teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed with honey, consumed every day can assist in countering anemia.

* Turmeric powder mixed with water is also known to help diarrhea.

Just before you get started with any cosmetic or skin related solutions with turmeric, do make a note that it can stain the skin a light yellow. It's an excellent idea to use it at night time and then bathe off with water and a mild facial cleanser in the morning.

As you've probably understood by now, turmeric is not only great for applying on the skin but has a host of great benefits if you ingest it as well. It's a distinct and smelly spice and no Indian food is perfect without it. Try including it to your food while preparing food and while it could give off a yellow tinge, keep in mind all the wonderful benefits you will have. Obviously, the amount of turmeric used in meals is rather minimal but it's a good food habit.

Numerous medical studies about turmeric also reveal that it could definitely prevent leukemia by protecting DNA from dangerous toxins. Turmeric is also noted to reduce the ill effects of processed foods and smoking. One of the active compounds of turmeric, Curcumin, is held accountable for much of this benefit.

For more information on turmeric benefits visit http://www.bewellbuzz.com/general/benefits-of-turmeric-for-s kin-and-more/

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Health Benefits of Curcumin and Turmeric

Scientific studies have been ongoing since 2004, but the spicy plant called turmeric has been used since ancient times to treat a variety of different ailments, including arthritis, digestive disorders and infections. In the later half of the 20th century, researchers found that the compound within turmeric having pharmacological activity is curcumin.

Researchers have been looking at a variety of different antioxidants that naturally occur in plants, because antioxidants scavenge free radicals. Free radical damage, within the cells, causes mutations that can lead to cancer.

They are also investigating the health benefits of curcumin as a natural anti-inflammatory, because chronic inflammation plays a role in cancer development, heart disease and many other age-related diseases. The drugs that we have are ineffective against these kinds of diseases.

If we can learn to prevent free radical damage and chronic inflammation, we will start to see a healthier society. Those of us that are aware of these things are already doing everything within our power, in an effort to achieve that goal.

If you are looking for a single ingredient that does more than any other, you won?t find it. When you hear recommendations from cautious healthcare practitioners about eating a variety of different plant foods and drinking a variety of different beverages, they are saying that because they want you to have the benefit of the compounds found in the plants, but they are wary of suggestion supplementation.

But, eating curry or turmeric is not the best way to get the health benefits of curcumin. The impact that this compound has on cells is enormous. In laboratory studies, it has been shown to kill cancer cells, without causing damage to healthy cells. 16 separate studies have shown a reduction of cancer in animals that have been given a carcinogen.

In the bloodstream, it inhibits the accumulation of plaques in the arteries and the brain. These plaques are responsible for arterial diseases and Alzheimer?s. The problem is this. How do we get it into the bloodstream?

If you want the health benefits of curcumin, you need to choose a well designed supplement that includes an enteric coating and piperine, a compound present in black pepper. The enteric coating protects curcumin from digestive acids, while piperine enhances its bioavailability.

When turmeric is eaten, it is changed by digestive juices and very little gets into the bloodstream. This is true of many other nutrients including SAM-e and resveratrol.

The best supplements on the market contain SAM-e, resveratrol, piperine, turmeric and a wide range of other nutrients, including essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Regardless of healthy and varied your diet may be, it is not possible to get all of the beneficial nutrients found in the natural world, without supplementation. You can get the health benefits of curcumin and much more, if you choose the right supplement.

Valerie Rosenbaum has spent several years researching anti aging vitamin supplements and natural skincare products. As a result of that effort she has found what she believes to be the best anti aging supplement available on the market today. Learn about what she discovered at her website NaturalBalanceSupplements.com

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What is the Recommended Daily Dose of Turmeric For Optimal Health Benefits in Anti Aging Supplements?

The turmeric spice is one of the plants that were used in Ayurvedic medicine, the traditional practice in India that is still present to this day. Scientific evaluation has shown that the ?active? components of the spices are the curcuminoids, most notably curcumin.

Curcuminoids are responsible for the yellowish orange color of the root. Researchers have learned that the compounds responsible for the various colors of plant foods act as antioxidants in the human body. Some of them have other activity, as well.

That brings us to the turmeric health benefits and recommended daily amount. Laboratory testing has concluded that curcumin has chelating, antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-arthritic, anti-amyloid, anti-ischemic, anti-coagulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-cancer activity. It all sounds good, but there?s a problem.

As a medicine, it was traditionally used to for stomach ailments, such as ulcers, heartburn, irritable and inflammatory bowel. It was also believed to ?strengthen? the liver, which has been supported by some modern studies. All of the other things that are currently being investigated require that curcumin gets to the bloodstream, but it is quickly degraded by stomach acid. Researchers have concluded that high doses, as much as 10 grams or 10,000 mg do not significantly increase the amount of curcumin in the bloodstream.

Researchers refer to this as low bio-availability and it is one of the reasons that the turmeric health benefits and recommended daily amount of intake are uncertain. You might think that a higher dose would be better, but high doses are accompanied by unwanted side effects, including nausea and stomach upset. There are other unwanted side effects that I?ll get to in a moment, but first, let?s look at the answer to bioavailability.

The actual answer is to take a moderate dose, 50-100mg, add an enteric coating to protect it from stomach acid and include other plant compounds that increase its bioavailability. An enteric coating reduces the risk of stomach upset, as well.

Taking any anti-coagulant is accompanied by risk, particularly if the dosage is too high. For example, daily aspirin intake is often recommended for people that have had heart attacks, because of the anti-coagulant effect, but the recommended dose for an adult is about what you would find in baby aspirin.

That?s one reason that there are questions about the turmeric health benefits and recommended daily amount. Anti-coagulants prevent the blood from clotting when there is an injury. Another risk has to do with the chelating activity. Chelating agents help the body rid itself of toxic heavy metals, but can also interfere with iron metabolism, which could cause anemia, in susceptible individuals.

There is no doubt that there are turmeric health benefits and recommended daily amount of intake that does not exceed 50-100mg is safe. Anything higher is risky. The best supplements contain this amount, along with a variety of other plant extracts, as well as basic vitamins and minerals.

Valerie Rosenbaum has spent several years researching every anti aging supplement available. As a result of that effort she has found that it is critical to include the correct turmeric daily amount for an anti aging supplement to be effective. Learn more about what she discovered at her website www.NaturalBalanceSupplements.com

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Turmeric Health Benefits, Can a Spice Stop the Aging Process?

Currently, the US National Institutes of Health are conducting studies concerning the health benefits of turmeric for treating cancer, Alzheimer?s disease and liver disorders. When news of these studies was reported, supplement sales increased by 35%. We all want to feel better and reduce are risk of chronic diseases.

Some of the known turmeric health benefits concern its antibacterial activity. Many plant compounds have anti-bacterial activity. Turmeric, and the curcumin that it contains, is just one of the more active varieties.

Some of these plants act as antioxidants, which is why they may be beneficial for preventing or treating cancer. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, preventing them from turning a cell into a cancerous growth.

Many plant extracts have natural anti-inflammatory activity, which is important because chronic inflammation plays a role in cancer development and heart disease, as well as general aging. Some of your favorite food may cause chronic inflammation.

Fighting inflammation and acting as an antioxidant are two of the turmeric health benefits. If this all sounds good, there are other beneficial nutrients and plant extracts that may sound even better.

Green tea extract, for example, has been shown to reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancer, stomach cancer and throat cancer. It is believed to explain the Japanese paradox, lower than expected incidences of heart disease, despite a heavy smoking rate. Thus, it may help to prevent heart disease.

Gingko biloba extracts have been shown in numerous trials to increase the oxygen content of the brain and other bodily tissues. It promotes mental clarity, alertness and concentration, without acting as a stimulant.

You can get the health benefits of turmeric, green tea, gingko biloba and many others, if you choose a supplement that contains a variety of different ingredients, instead of just one. Most naturopaths and other practitioners feel that striving for optimal nutritional intake is one way to live a longer, disease-free life. There are some good supplements on the market that provide the minimum daily requirements of standard vitamins and minerals, as well as many plant extracts, like those mentioned in this article.

You can also get more of the turmeric health benefits by suing it as a spice for cooking. The flavor is similar to ginger. It is available in the fresh and powdered form and is the primary ingredient in curry.

Many people want the health benefits of turmeric, but don?t like the flavor. That?s why the supplement sales have increased recently, but some of the better companies have been providing the turmeric health benefits, along with others, for many years.

Look for a supplement that was developed by a doctor of naturopathic medicine for your specific age group and physical condition. Focus on eating a varied diet and try to eat more fresh, rather than processed foods. If you follow a healthy lifestyle whenever possible, then you are more likely to see the health benefits of turmeric in your own life.

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Turmeric Medical Benefits, The NIH Studies and Anti Aging Vitamins

Turmeric powder is used extensively in Indian cuisine. It makes a pleasant tea that is favored in some countries, including Japan. As a dietary supplement, it is used to improve digestion and help heal a variety of stomach problems. It is thought to be good for the teeth, as it has some fluoride content, although people in the US get plenty of fluoride from other sources.

Scientific research has shown that the plant is effective against some types of bacteria. Plants contain a variety of different compounds, each having different biological activity. The active compound in this particular plant is called curcumin.

So, the turmeric medical benefits are related to the curcumin content, but the content varies from plant to plant. Most supplement companies do not measure the active curcumin that is present in the extract, but the better ones do. An extract with a curcumin content of 98% is the highest that is currently available.

Supplement sales increased by 35% between 2004 and 2005, primarily due to an article published in the Wall Street Journal stating that there had been an explosion of research activity concerning curcumin. The National Institutes of Health currently has four different clinical trials underway to study the benefit of the compound in the treatment of cancer and Alzheimer?s.

For a person that is ill, I would recommend seeking the advice of a doctor of naturopathic medicine. They are more familiar with the use of natural remedies, as well as modern treatments and how they may best be combined.

For someone that is looking for a good health supplement, you can get the turmeric medical benefits, along with your daily nutritional needs and a variety of other healthy extracts in a single supplement. There is no need to buy dozens of different supplements and take handfuls of pill every day. You could end up taking something that doesn?t work well with something else, either countering its effect of causing an unwanted reaction. Good multi-nutritional supplements are carefully formulated to prevent that type of thing from occurring.

One of the turmeric medical benefits had to do with people suffering from arthritis or other inflammatory diseases. It seems to act like a COX-2 inhibitor. Prescription drugs that act as COX-2 inhibitors have been very effective pain relievers, but they are accompanied by a number of unwanted side effects.

Natural anti-inflammatories that inhibit COX-2 production are not accompanied by these side effects. Curcumin is only one of the known natural anti-inflammatories.

Researchers feel that these natural anti-inflammatories may reduce our risk of cancer and heart disease by countering the effects of inflammatory foods and toxins that we are exposed to on a daily basis. So, one, of the probable turmeric medical benefits, is to help prevent those life-threatening diseases and help us live longer healthier lives.

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What Are the Benefits of Taking Herbal Turmeric?

Bioavailability is something that researchers must look at when they are investigating new drugs or making recommendations for nutrient supplementation. It?s kind of complicated, but here are the basics.

When a compound hits the stomach, it may be degraded by stomach acid. Some of it is likely to end up in the liver, where it would likely be discarded as a toxin or unusable substance. Much of it simply stays in the digestive system, where it would be discarded along with fiber and other non-absorbable foodstuff.

If the compound makes it to the upper intestine and the molecules are small enough, it can pass through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. The turmeric herb benefits have been questioned, except for those that have to do with digestive disorders, because it is rapidly degraded by stomach acid and very little ends up in the bloodstream. Researchers say that it has low bioavailability.

There are three ways to address the issue of low bioavailability. Supplement manufacturers can increase the dose, include piperine or add an enteric coating to the tablet. Most manufacturers choose to increase the dose, because that is the cheapest alternative, but it is not without side effects.

The most active component of turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin has anti-coagulant and chelating activity. A chelating agent helps rid the body of toxic heavy metals, but at high doses can interfere with iron metabolism, which could cause anemia.

Acting as a chelating agent is one of the turmeric herb benefits, specifically related to the liver, but interfering with iron metabolism is not a good thing for anyone. As an anti-coagulant, a high dose could cause intestinal bleeding and reduce the body?s ability to clot after surgery or injury. Obviously, increasing the dosage is not the best choice.

Adding piperine is a good idea, because it has been shown to increase bioavailability by 2000%. Piperine is a compound found in black pepper that has numerous health benefits of its own and has been shown to increase the bioavailability of a variety of other nutrients.

But, if you want the most turmeric herb benefits and the lowest possibility of adverse reactions, you will choose a supplement that includes piperine, along with an enteric coating. If you want even more, you will choose a multi-nutritional supplement that includes the extract.

Our bodies need nutrients to survive. Research continues to show that a variety of nutrients and plant extracts improve the body?s ability to heal, resist infection and reduce the risk of degenerative and life threatening diseases. Taking the right supplement can reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease; Alzheimer?s and type II diabetes. Those are some of the possible turmeric herb benefits, as long as it can get to the bloodstream.

Valerie Rosenbaum has spent several years researching every anti aging supplement available. As a result of that effort she has found that it is critical to include an enteric coating for an anti-aging supplement to be truly effective. Learn more about what she discovered at her website http://www.NaturalBalanceSupplements.com

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Liver Detox Benefits With Turmeric

The liver is an amazing organ that has the important role of processing and removing toxins from your bloodstream. It produces over 13,000 different chemicals and 2,000 various enzymes used in the body. In peak condition, it works quickly by filtering up to two litres of blood per minute. Liver enzymes efficiently break apart the structure of toxic molecules to reduce their toxicity. Consequences can be harmful with an impaired liver as it is often likened to be the center of vitamin, mineral, protein, fat, carbohydrate and hormonal metabolism.

A very important function of the liver in removing toxins is to produce bile. Thus, an increased bile flow is beneficial in liver detox. Turmeric helps increase bile flow making it a liver cleanser that could rejuvenate the liver cells and recharges their capability to break down toxins.

Turmeric is known in Ayurvedic medicine as the king of spices. The bitter spice helps cleanse the liver, purify the blood, and promote good digestion and elimination. It possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties but none of the unpleasant side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs. It has been used for skin cleansing, colour enhancement and food preservation.

The principal chemical component of turmeric is curcumin. In addition to its liver detox use, curcumin has powerful antioxidant action that fights against viral infection, cancer, and arthritis. It stimulates the gallbladder for bile production, and scavenges free radicals. The whole herb turmeric contains lower amounts of curcumin, and is used when healing requires the application of volatile oils.

Curcumin is also helpful as a herbal remedy for the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver. It enhances the liver detox process and speeds up healing. Curcumin also prevents alcohol and other toxins from being converted into compounds that may be harmful to the liver. It can reverse the adverse effects of excessive iron consumption on the liver.

Prior to the use of turmeric for liver detox, you should consult your Ayurvedic practitioner. Turmeric should also not be used in certain cases. Those with congestive heart disease whose cause has not yet been identified or those with painful gallstones, obstructive jaundice, acute bilious colic, or extremely toxic liver disorders, should refrain from using turmeric or curcumin. Also, avoid the use of turmeric over long periods of time to prevent stomach distress.

Sandra Kim Leong recommends liver cleansing as well as other forms of body cleansing for the relief of symptoms such as constipation, IBS, bowel difficulties, gas, etc. For free research on body detox, please sign up to her newsletter at http://www.Detox-Cleansing-Diet.com.

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