Turmeric is considered a wonder spice in every Indian household. We have taken it absolutely for granted and reduced it as a taste and colouring agent, but how many of us truly know its health benefits?
Decades back, we saw grannies and moms applying turmeric paste on wounds hence we guessed, it heals and protects! Not many knew that our forefathers (ideally it should be foremothers) had introduced turmeric into cooking for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Even today, most Indian fish marination begins with a light coating of turmeric. The idea is not only to tenderize tougher cuts but to rid the fish of any bacteria.
Turmeric is also used in Indian traditional medicine systems. Ayush endorses its anti-inflammatory properties, also that it detoxifies the liver, fights allergies, stimulates digestion and boosts immunity. According to Ayurveda, turmeric helps with breathing difficulties rheumatism, diabetic wounds, colds, coughs, and anorexia.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), turmeric is used to soothe abdominal pain. In Indonesia, it is considered a traditional remedy, especially for strengthening the immune system, and preventing infections and respiratory diseases.
In times of Covid 19, many scholarly articles reappeared emphasizing the importance of Curcumin in Turmeric. Researches claim that Curcumin, a natural compound found in the spice turmeric, could help eliminate certain viruses. At higher doses, the compound was also found to kill virus particles.
In Foundation Diet and Health, Dr. Lilan Xie, lead author and researcher at Wuhan Institute of Bioengineering mentioned, “Curcumin has a significant inhibitory effect on TGEV (transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) – an alpha-group coronavirus that infects pigs) adsorption step and a certain direct inactivation effect, suggesting that curcumin has great potential in the prevention of TGEV infection.”
The Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, July 2020, mentioned that Curcumin exhibits wide range of therapeutic properties including antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and cardioprotective properties. It was also reported that, curcumin exerts antiviral activities against broad spectrum of viruses including HIV, HSV-2, HPV viruses, Influenza virus, Zikavirus, Hepatitis virus and Adenovirus.
“In line with the growing evidences of therapeutic properties of the curcumin, here we propose a hypothetical treatment strategy of using curcumin as (1) potential inhibitory agent blocking the host viral interaction at an entry site in humans and (2) as an attenuator via modulating the proinflammatory effect….signaling pathways reducing respiratory distress in the treatment of COVID 19.”
Turmeric is available in all Indian homes, at all times. Give yourselves an extra strong doze of Curcumin to fight the Coronavirus by building immunity, and by not letting opportunity infections and other maladies to make home in your system.
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy!!
(Sponsored by Ensemble Turmeric Brew)
