Dr. Andrew Weil Touts Turmeric as Anti-Inflammatory

In the documentary by “Dr Andrew Weil--Healthy Aging” a discussion about the deep orange-yellow herb turmeric as a useful anti-inflammatory, created a peak of interest.

It is believed that when oxygen and protein meet in the blood stream a process begins that creates free-roaming, unstable molecules called free radicals. Free radicals cause inflammation and are the precursor to disease.

Nutrition based anti-inflammatories, like turmeric are number one in the 12-point discussion about healthy aging. In studies, low-grade chronic inflammation proved the increase of risk for a host of diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and cardio vascular disease. Chronic inflammation also leads to premature aging and cell damage.

Dr. Weil speaks of his experience with turmeric as used in Okinawa, Japan. Here he found the consumption of hot turmeric tea a wide spread and popular tradition. The people in Okinawa have a very low incidence of disease caused by inflammation. This phenomenon gives credit to the high consumption of turmeric tea.

Here is the recipe for turmeric tea found on Dr. Weil’s web site: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02833/turmeric-tea

• Bring four cups of water to a boil.
• Add one teaspoon of ground turmeric and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes.
• Strain the tea through a fine sieve into a cup; add honey and/or lemon to taste.

The flavors of turmeric tea are a blend of earthy, slightly bitter, slightly hot and peppery and it has the smell of mustard. Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric.

Personal experience concludes that the flavor of turmeric tea is an acquired taste. Never the less, acquiring the taste for turmeric tea will have many benefits another of which is that turmeric is an aid to digestion. As a digestive aid, turmeric increases the secretion of gastric juices and decreases the amount of gas that is produced in the intestine.

In China, the spice was used as a healing herb in the tradition of Ayurvedic medicine practiced by doctors in India. Indian doctors use it for many inflammatory conditions, from rheumatoid arthritis to sprains. Make a poultice of turmeric and apply it directly to sore muscles and painful joints.

Combine 2 to 3 teaspoons of powdered turmeric with enough water to make a paste. Spread this paste between layers of gauze and lay the gauze over the sore muscle or joint. Secure the poultice with an elastic bandage or medical tape. Replace the poultice every 12 hours.

Turmeric is anti-viral and so protects the stomach and helps to prevent ulcers. 

As an anti-viral, turmeric can halt HIV replication in a variety of ways. The Curcumin, which has antioxidant properties, will protect DNA from the HIV virus. In a study at Harvard Medical School, researchers showed that turmeric prevented the reproduction of HIV by blocking a specific gene that activates the virus and causes it to spread. Another study showed that it could inhibit some of the steps that lead to the reproduction HIV.

In summary, turmeric has been the subject of a vast number of studies and its use has been recommended by physicians for many centuries. Today new studies show turmeric to be of benefit in preventive medicine by reducing the risk of all diseases resulting from chronic inflammation. Most importantly perhaps, especially for our culture, is turmeric’s role in slowing down the aging process by preventing damage at the molecular level.

ShebolithSays…recommends the documentary by “Dr Andrew Weil--Healthy Aging” produced in 2006. Dr Weil gives practical advice in 12 steps that explain how to age gracefully and be healthy while doing so.