TURMERIC (Curcuma longa) aka - Turmeric, Turmeric Root, Indian Saffron

Turmeric has been a staple throughout Southeast Asia and India for thousands of years, used for flavoring foods, dyeing fabrics, and medicinally. Ayurvedic medicine in India uses Turmeric as a digestive aid and for cleansing the body, fevers, infections, dysentery, arthritis, and liver problems. Turmeric has many medicinal uses, including as a treatment for ringworm, flatulence, hemorrhage, arthritis, fevers, digestion, liver conditions, gallbladder complaints, and lung congestion. Research in India, shows that Curcumin, the yellow pigment in Turmeric, helps stimulates the flow of bile to aid in digestion. There is also evidence of liver-protective properties in Curcumin. One of the benefits of Turmeric is its anti-oxidant properties. Turmeric helps stop the progression of free-radicals. There is also evidence of anti-cancer activity in Turmeric, as Curcumin is believed to be the active component that inhibits tumor cell growth.  It may help restrict the growth of existing tumors and prevent other cancers, including stomach, colon, esophageal, breast, and skin. There seems to be analgesic and anti-inflammatory benefits for conditions such as arthritis. Turmeric contains anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. Plus it boasts anti-coagulant activity that can help prevent internal blood clots which can lead to stroke or trigger a heart attack.