Turmeric is a yellow spice that is highly used in Asian cuisine. Although, in the western world, turmeric is more widely known for being the main spice in curry. But the plant may have more to give than flavor.

Why turmeric?

Turmeric or Indian Saffron, as it is known in the UK, belongs to the ginger family. It can be found in most Asian supermarkets in power or natural. And, for the most part, there is nothing special about this plant or its roots. What sets turmeric apart from the rest is the presence of curcumin (aka diferuloylmethane or natural yellow 3).

This chemical compound has the potential to kill cancer cells, according to lab research. Now, these claims are still a highly controversial topic in the medical field. One of the biggest proponents of curcumin as a cancer treatment, Bharat Aggarwal, was found guilty of presenting fraudulent research. That lead to the retraction of over 19 medical papers, the end of his private venture with SignPath Pharma, and the need to double-check the validity of his claims.

But, it is not all doom and gloom. According to the National Cancer Institute in the US, there are ongoing trials that are hoping to confirm all the potential benefits that curcumin may have. So there is still interest in unlocking the potential hidden inside this plant.

Turmeric and black pepper 

Both black pepper and turmeric are healthy spices and have anti-inflammatory properties. They are used to enhance the flavor and color of food. Combining both spices magnifies their effects. The problem is that curcumin is not absorbed well in the body. This is where black pepper comes in. It contains a compound called piperine, which when combined with turmeric, increases the absorption of curcumin in the body by up to an astonishing 2000%.

Piperine slows the breakdown of curcumin by the liver and also makes it easier for curcumin to pass through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream. As a result of the combination, the health effects of turmeric get enhanced.

JUICE Recipe

A refreshing juice  that will help to fight inflammation.

Ingredients

– 1 carrot organic
– pinch of fresh ground black pepper
– 1 small knob of  turmeric
– 1small knob of fresh ginger
– 1/2 organic lemon (juiced)
– Add water if you are blending the ingredients instead of juicing

Preparation

1. Juice or blend all ingrediënts
2. Add the black pepper at the end. The black pepper will help your body to absorb the curcumin from the turmeric.

Tea Recipe

Another option is to drink tea with turmeric! It is considered one of the most effective ways to consume the spice.

Ingredients

– tsp fresh grated ginger
– pinch of fresh ground black pepper
– Freshly grated turmeric, As much as you can handle! Start with a teaspoon and go up from there.
– 1 whole lemon (juiced)
– 2 cups of water

Preparation

1. Simmer herbs and water together for 10 mins.
2. Strain out

What are the benefits?

Turmeric can help to reduce inflammation, it may improve the liver function, can aid your digestion and Curcumin shows promise as a cancer treatment.

Research presented by institutions not affiliated with Bharat Aggarwal showed a correlation between cancer rates and curcumin consumption. And while there is no confirmation of a direct link between both events, there is a strong suggestion that consuming between 100 mg to 200 mg a day reduces the chances for cancer.

There is some laboratory evidence that suggests diferuloylmethane can help kill cancer cells if present during chemotherapy. Additionally, it is also capable of preventing new cancer cells from growing.

Lastly, there is medical research that suggests curcumin is highly effective when dealing with breast, bowel, stomach, or skin cancer.

But, as previously stated, nothing has been confirmed. So chemotherapy or radiotherapy is still the recommended option, with the ingestion of curcumin as an additional aid to combat cancer.

What are the side effects?

The ingestion of turmeric as a cooking ingredient for a healthy person is safe. There is no doubt about it. However, its consumption for someone who has cancer or is going through cancer treatment is still not well known. Therefore, as far as the medical literature is concerned, there are little effects when it comes to consuming this plant.

That said, the reported effects from its consumption are the following:

– Stomachache, skin problems, dark urine, unusual tiredness, jaundice (yellowing of the skin)

– For people with gallbladder and heartburn turmeric is not recommended as it can make these conditions worse.

– Due to the blood-thinning effect of turmeric, it is recommended to stop taking it 2 weeks before surgery.

Is it worth trying?

It is highly understandable that any option to beat cancer is worth trying. Yet, there is no notable research institution that has been able to confirm turmeric’s healing properties. Studies still need to be done, and more scientific literature is required. So, any person interested in taking turmeric to combat cancer should consult its doctor first.