Turmeric, the Spice of Life for Agent Orange Victims: By Chris Crawford Herbalist 4 Vets

I know that there has been many things on the web and even a few articles posted here on Agent Orange Legacy about Turmeric. This is an amazing spice / herb that has a long history as a healing herb.

Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory herb used to treat diseases of the liver and to relieve inflammation. Laboratory tests have found that turmeric can potentially helps prevent new cancers that are caused by chemotherapy or radiation used to treat existing cancers.

Turmeric in the diet may help prevent the pain of arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis. The oil in the spice is as effective in relieving pain, under laboratory conditions, as equal amounts of steroids. The antioxidants in turmeric fight atherosclerosis by deactivating platelet-activating factor (PAF). This protein seals leaks in blood vessels by stimulating the growth of a protein "net" on which a cholesterol plaque can form.

Curcumin in turmeric helps prevent hardening of the arteries in people who have diabetes, and also helps stop the loss of protein through the kidneys. In the laboratory, the antioxidants in turmeric kill cultures of cancer cells from the skin, bloodstream, and ovaries. Curcumin may stop the action of a liver enzyme that activates environmental toxins into carcinogenic forms, and may be especially useful in deactivating the carcinogens in cigarette smoke and chewing tobacco (though the best thing for your health is to quit smoking or using smokeless tobacco). Turmeric in the diet increases your bodies ability to produce enzymes that digest fats and sugars, and stop cholesterol from forming
gallstones.

Turmeric prevents the release of histamine in the stomach and helps in counteracting food allergies and also fights gum inflammation by halting the action of a gene that creates irritant chemicals. As is the case with so many herbs, turmeric should be used in moderation. Too much turmeric used for extended periods of time may cause stomach distress. Women trying to become pregnant should limit their consumption of the herb, and it should be avoided entirely while pregnant.

Excessive use of turmeric should also be avoided in people with congestive heart failure. The curcumin in turmeric activates genes that deactivates cancer cells, but it also deactivates damaged cells in the heart.

As Agent Orange victims Turmeric should be in your daily diet and can be bought at practically every store that sells spices.

The things in this post are to inform and should not be used to diagnose or replace the care from your doctor. If you chose to use these herbs do so only after discussing it with your doctor. Abruptly stopping some medications can cause serious problems not excluding death.

Chris Crawford
Veteran / Herbalist