Curcuma to lower cholesterol: benefits and uses

Spices have always been literally worth their weight in gold, they were brought to Europe from faraway lands. Their sale was accompanied by horror stories that the plantations are guarded by mythical monsters and extraction of the precious product is dangerous to life, to raise the price even more when sold. One of the most expensive was turmeric. It was attributed miraculous properties, and only very wealthy people could afford such a purchase. In Eastern countries, the benefits of this spice were known thousands of years ago, including it in food for disinfecting in regions where the purity of water was questionable, used to improve overall health, speed up metabolism, lose weight, improve blood composition and slow down aging. Studies of the properties of turmeric have shown that introducing it into the diet can lower cholesterol and prevent the development of a number of dangerous diseases.

A rare spice from faraway lands

Turmeric is native to India, Sri Lanka, Southern China and Indonesia. This territorial diversity is not surprising, as there are about 40 different species of this plant. Only 3-4 of them are used as food. It is affectionately known as oriental gold and the name is well deserved. The rhizomes and stems contain curcumin, a natural dye with a sunny golden color. But it is not about the appearance of this perennial herbaceous plant with powerful rhizomes, but about its benefits for the human body.

As a spice most often used turmeric long, which is sometimes called homemade. Another name is turmeric. It has thick, branched, fleshy rhizomes with a strong pleasant spicy aroma, large leaves of oval-lanceolate shape, flowers are gathered in inflorescences, after flowering a fruit-boll is formed. The most valuable are the rhizomes, from which the spice is made, but essential oils in high concentration are not only in them, but also in all parts of the plant. The closest relative is ginger; they even share the same aroma, as well as a list of useful properties.

Sometimes called "saffron of India," the spice is similar in scope and appearance. It has been known in India for about 5,000 years. European countries recognized it much later, as part of a curry spice, and the list of useful properties is still being added to today. Over dozens of centuries of use, turmeric has been extensively studied in terms of its therapeutic and preventive effects on the body, including its known positive effects on the hematopoietic process, elimination of toxins, and stabilization of cholesterol levels. In this case, the spice does not cause harm to the body as a whole and does not have a long list of contraindications, as synthetic types of drugs.

Composition and health benefits

Turmeric contains a number of vitamins and trace elements. However, as a result of the small amount of the product, no more than 1 tsp. per day, these indicators are not decisive. The main value lies in the presence of curcumin. This polyphenolic compound has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It reduces free radicals that cause damage at the cellular level. This valuable quality allows to prevent the development of such diseases as atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, stop early aging.

Particularly important and choleretic property, stimulating the production and acceleration of bile flow. At the same time there is a smooth decrease in blood cholesterol levels, the effect lasts long enough. This reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

During a vacation in nature, the spice will relieve irritation and pain, soothe itching and reduce swelling from an insect bite or after lying on the beach for too long. Curcuma is used as one of the components of ointments in the treatment of skin diseases. Also, if you regularly add the spice to your food:

• The body is comprehensively cleansed;
• stabilizes blood pressure;
• blood thinning;
• the monthly cycle is restored;
• the likelihood of conception increases;
• Sexual desire increases;
• potency improves;
• metabolism is accelerated;
• symptoms of skin diseases are eliminated;
• cleanses the liver.

Curcuma speeds up the rehabilitation process after operations and injuries, and is also considered a powerful prophylactic against Alzheimer's disease. Particular attention should be paid to the product for those diagnosed with obesity or the initial stage of diabetes. Curcumin effectively fights the formation of adipose tissue, which allows the spice to be used in weight control programs through increased calorie consumption and loss of excess water.

Oriental spice teachings divide them into masculine and feminine spices. It is as if turmeric was designed for the fairer sex. It is used to improve complexion, even out skin tone, enhance natural attractiveness, and improve the overall health of the body. It is believed that turmeric, in certain proportions with steamed milk, can increase breast size.

The spice is often used for elevated cholesterol levels. You can find out about this disorder in the body without many tests. It is enough to listen to your well-being. If you feel constant fatigue, decreased memory and visual acuity, headache for no apparent reason, then do not immediately run to the pharmacy. It is quite possible that it will be enough to introduce turmeric into the diet, and take strengthening infusions.

Indications for the use of the spice for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes are:

• Increased risk of senile dementia;
• diabetes;
• high blood pressure and its sharp fluctuations;
• dysbacteriosis;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• reduced immunity.

There are few contraindications. These include allergies and individual intolerance, cholelithiasis, exacerbations of diseases of the digestive system. It is worth refraining from the spice for pregnant women of any term, as turmeric increases the tone of the uterus.

Recipes with turmeric

For high cholesterol, the spice can be taken in different ways. Most often it is added to dishes or drinks. It will be appropriate in pilaf, chicken, baking, cooking legumes, rice sauces.

Golden Milk.

A great option for children during the off-season and colds. The recipe is also known as a rejuvenating remedy. Take 0.5 tsp. each of turmeric and grated ginger for 1 cup of milk. The mixture is slowly heated and then boiled for 2-3 minutes for maximum concentration of useful substances in the liquid. Take 1 cup for no more than 35-40 days.

Blend with honey.

Two powerful products give amazing results, not only strengthening the immune system, but also stabilizing cholesterol levels. The preparation is very simple. Honey and spice are mixed in a ratio of 10:1. Prepare a mass preferably in a glass container, stir with a wooden pestle or stick, without contact with metal, store in the refrigerator. Take 1 teaspoon, slowly sucking, 2 hours after a meal.

Tea

Cooked elementary, the benefits are high. The drink warms, disinfects the intestines, restores elasticity of blood vessels, brings the blood counts back to normal. In the day it is recommended to drink no more than 1-2 cups. For 200 ml. of boiling water take 0.5 tsp. of turmeric without a slide. It is allowed to add a slice of lemon, honey or ginger to taste.

Kefir drink with turmeric

With this commonwealth, cleansing the body is combined with the acceleration of metabolism, stimulating intestinal peristalsis and creating a favorable environment for the reproduction of lactobacilli. The drink can be prepared in several ways:

1. In a glass of kefir add half a tsp. spice and 5 g. honey.
2. Pre-dilute turmeric in 1 tbsp. boiling water, and then stir into the fermented milk product.
3. Kefir is mixed with turmeric, ginger and cinnamon, where each spice is taken 1 tsp. without a slide.

The honey version is best consumed in the evening, when you need to calm down, relax and tune out for sleep. The mixture with ginger will give you energy for the whole day if you drink it in the morning, after breakfast.

In addition to using the spice in its natural form, you can pay attention to preparations based on it. Particularly popular are "Curcumin", "Bio-Curcumin", which in addition to the main ingredient includes a complex of vitamins and a number of trace elements. The preparations are recommended for the same indications as for the spice itself.

Curcumin is recognized as a valuable product that can normalize blood cholesterol levels without harming other systems and organs. The power of nature will not only help to stabilize the figures and improve blood composition, but also to strengthen the body as a whole and reduce the risk of many pathologies.