A Neuroscientist who is working on Alzheimer's Disease clinical trials prompted this entry.
Turmeric has been in use for 4,000 years in India and apart
from being a beautiful yellow dye (in some Hindu rituals, the colour symbolises
the sun) it is also the active and delicious ingredient in curries and known to
be a natural anti-oxidant. Obtained from the dried and powdered rhizome
of Curcuma longa, the spice is a member of the ginger family.
The name derives from the Latin terra merita “meritorious
earth”. It is very
pungent and actually gets stronger when cooked. It can be used in a variety of
ways, added to chicken broth, eggs and dairy products.
The medicinal properties of this spice have been emerging
over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder in
the treatment of many different health conditions including skin disease, pancreatic and liver disorders and cancer.
Some recent research seems to show that it may also be helpful in both preventing and slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing Amyloid plaque build-up in the brain. The US National Institute of Health currently has clinical trials underway
to study the effects of curcumin treatment in Alzheimer’s disease.
Images: Barcelonaphotoblog.com and Wikipedia
Curcuma Longa
A Neuroscientist who is working on Alzheimer's Disease clinical trials prompted this entry.
Turmeric has been in use for 4,000 years in India and apart from being a beautiful yellow dye (in some Hindu rituals, the colour symbolises the sun) it is also the active and delicious ingredient in curries and known to be a natural anti-oxidant. Obtained from the dried and powdered rhizome of Curcuma longa, the spice is a member of the ginger family.
The medicinal properties of this spice have been emerging over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder in the treatment of many different health conditions including skin disease, pancreatic and liver disorders and cancer.
Some recent research seems to show that it may also be helpful in both preventing and slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing Amyloid plaque build-up in the brain. The US National Institute of Health currently has clinical trials underway to study the effects of curcumin treatment in Alzheimer’s disease.
Images: Barcelonaphotoblog.com and Wikipedia
Curcuma Longa