Curcuma (Curcuma longa), the Indian turmeric, also known as Indian saffron, and its main active ingredient curcumin are regarded as true miracle cures for health and well-being. It has been known for many thousands of years that curcuma warms from the inside.
Over 6,000 studies and thousands of years of use in Indian and Chinese medicine document numerous advantages for the prevention and treatment of diseases, effective support, supplementation or replacement, of pharmacological drugs. In any case the immune system is supported and the general well-being is increased.
Prevention is always better than cure.
Who doesn’t want an immune system boost when everyone around is coughing, snuffing and spreading viruses? The following rule applies to the human immune system: prevention is always more sensible than cure. This means that everyone should pay more attention to their immune system. The preventive strengthening of the immune system is simply easier than having to deal with an infection afterwards.
In many Asian countries people consume about 1 – 3 grams of curcuma daily in their food. The success: food seasoned with curcuma protects against bacterial and viral infections from the inside. However, the protective mechanism does not only affect the digestive tract. Curcuma also acts as an antioxidant and in this function has free radicals in its sights, which damage the body. As a result, pathogens such as viruses and bacteria cannot penetrate our cells so easily. Furthermore, the formation of so-called T-cells – white blood cells for the immune defence – is promoted, which gives our defence more “firepower”.
Especially if our body feels weakened or the main infection time is approaching, an extra portion of curcuma can have a supporting effect. Symptoms such as fatigue, chills, limb, and muscle pain are associated with the onset of an infection. But this should not happen in the first place. Through its stabilizing effect on the intestinal flora and stimulation of immune-increasing substances (the so-called leukotrienes), curcuma helps to keep the immune system in balance.
Due to its sunny yellow colour, curcuma not only pleases the senses when eating, the miracle tuber turmeric contributes to the fact that the meal is digestible and healthy. So we can integrate Curcuma regularly e.g. seasonally into our daily nutrition plan, in order to support the immune system preventively in its fight against bacteria and viruses.
Acids, toxins, and waste products are deposited particularly well in our body if we do not pay attention to a balanced and vitamin-rich diet, if we do not treat ourselves to enough sleep and relaxation phases and if we largely avoid any form of exercise. This way of life literally poisons our body – and the immune system will capitulate in the long run in the form of a cold.
Curcuma has an active effect against influenza viruses.
Curcuma supports a healthy lifestyle through its antiseptic and antibacterial properties and can also help detoxify the body. As early as 2013, Chinese researchers were able to prove in laboratory tests that curcuma has an active antiviral effect against influenza virus A, which is responsible for influenza.
In a study conducted by Southwest University in Chongqing, China, researchers successfully tested curcuma in the use of silver nanoparticles to treat the RS virus (respiratory syncytial virus), which is dangerous for children and triggers respiratory diseases. Infant RSV infection manifests itself with symptoms such as fever of 38 to 39.5 °C, runny nose, coughing, and difficulty breathing. The difficulty in breathing makes it difficult to drink, which can lead to dehydration. Infants often have a more severe course, which may require hospital treatment, especially infants.
During the first year of life, 40-70% of children and by the end of the second year almost all children have had the disease once, so it is an extremely common infection. RSV infections often overlap with the well-known flu epidemic.
The researchers were able to show that the silver nanoparticles modified with the curcuma active substance curcumin have a highly efficient inhibitory effect against infection with the RSV virus by directly inactivating the virus. Curcuma is also not problematic for small children if it is ingested as a spice in usual amounts.
In order to avoid risks, it is generally advisable to add a lot of variety to the diet. This also applies to spices and herbs. In connection with curcuma, keep in mind that it colours most of what comes into contact with it in such a lasting way that the colour tone is permanent and hardly disappears again.
Curcuma together with green tea not only has an anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating effect, but together they also activate so-called sirtuins. Sirtuins are a group of enzymes that support the regeneration of cells and are thus involved in the human aging process. Science knows some plants that are involved in the activation of sirtuins; typical examples are curcuma, green tea or broccoli. Plant substances such as the grape seed extract resveratrol or the bioflavonoid quercetin are also closely linked to sirtuin activity. In short, sirtuins enable us to grow old healthily. Green tea and curcuma, not only a boost for the immune system, but also a fountain of youth for our cells?
