TURMERIC (KUNYIT)

Besides being used to spice up food, the turmeric has medicinal benefits as well. It is known as one of the best natural healers around. The turmeric is said to help prevent and even cure cancer. It is also used as an aphrodisiac and some ladies in Asia who have given birth use it to tighten their vaginas. I have heard from friends that the midwives would pound the turmeric and then squeeze or extract the juice from it. The concentrated turmeric juice is then offered to the lady in confinement. Once is not enough, methinks they need to drink it for a few times. I don't think it'd taste too good but the ladies suffer the indignity as they want to please their hubbies. Also I am told that the ladies should not go overboard in drinking this stuff as too much of the turmeric juice may lead to the vagina becoming too tight and dry. Before I forget, in Malaysia ladies who have had their monthly periods also drink it.

Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:

1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.
7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.
Source: http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-turmeric.html

Here are two ways on how to use turmeric to cure certain ailments:

TREATING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Ingredients:
An inch of turmeric rhizome and 1 teaspoon of honey; 1 glass of hot water
Preparation:
The turmeric is washed and the skin is removed and then placed in a glass. Add the hot water and honey. Stir the mixture and leave to brew.
Usage:
You can drink the concoction 2-3 times a day.

TO TREAT BOIL
Ingredients:
While dried turmeric powder, which is easily found at most markets, can be used, the best results will be achieved by using fresh turmeric root. The fresh variety contains more of the antiseptic agents needed to treat a boil properly.

STEPS:

1. Roast the turmeric root in an oven until it turns to ashes. Remove the root from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature.
2. Dissolve the ashes in a cup of distilled water and stir thoroughly.
3. Apply the turmeric powder solution directly to the boil. You can either soak the boil directly in the turmeric powder, or use a small, clean cloth to create a poultice that can be secured directly on the boil.
4. Cover the boil with a loose bandage and let it soften overnight.
5. Remove the bandage in the morning and see if the head of the boil has softened to the point where it can be easily removed with a washcloth. Wipe the boil clean with another washcloth, using warm water, and apply a little antiseptic or anti-bacterial cream if you wish to accelerate the healing process. If the head of the boil is still too hard to remove, repeat the process and use a less-diluted amount of turmeric powder in the solution.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_2119715_use-turmeric-powder-treat-boils.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art