Turmeric: the rise of Indian saffron

Turmeric

It has a history of 5,000 years. It is an integral part of Indian culture. During his trip to China (1280 AD), Marco Polo remarked, I discovered a plant here that has all the properties of saffron, including aroma and color, but it is not saffron. [1] Only recently has Western medicine been discovering the exceptional properties of this Asian root. This is a new opportunity to access its benefits.

The Ginger family

Turmeric may have the properties of saffron, as Marco Polo says, but for us there is probably a clearer comparison to ginger. For a simple reason – ginger is easily available in our stores and its rhizome resembles turmeric. In addition, both plants belong to the same ginger family and are strongly aromatic.

Behind everything – look for curcumin

Turmeric is actually the name of a spice that we get from a plant called Curcuma longa. It is from this that the extract from Harmony is Life is created. The dried rhizome of the plant is ground up and used in the kitchen to flavor food and sauces, but also in the cosmetics and medicine industries.

The active ingredients contained in turmeric were given a new name, “curcuminoids”, when turmeric came into public consciousness. Curcumin derivatives are included in the name curcuminoids. Curcumin is a yellow pigment, turmeric yellow. We do not find much curcumin in the rhizome; it is only 2-8% by weight. For this reason, extracts began to be produced in order to multiply its efficiency.

Why use turmeric?

Inflammation

According to hundreds of studies, curcumin has proven anti-inflammatory properties. [2][3]

Inflammation is one of the important protective mechanisms of the body: through it the body fights foreign pathogens and inflammation helps to stabilize the affected areas. However, it should not have a long-term effect and become chronic. For example, untreated acute inflammation of the knee can progress to rheumatoid arthritis.

Experts on curcumin emphasize that it can fight inflammation at the molecular level. Put simply, it blocks NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B), molecules that penetrate the nucleus of cells and activate genes associated with inflammatory processes. NF-κB is found in almost all types of animal cells and is involved in cellular responses to stimuli such as stress, cytokines, free radicals, heavy metals, ultraviolet radiation, oxidized LDL, and bacterial or viral antigens. [4][5][6]

NF-kB is responsible for the body’s immune response to infections and its activity is directly related to chronic diseases. [7] If the NF-κB pathways are disrupted, there is a risk of arthritis, asthma or various heart diseases. According to experts, the effect of curcumin can be so intense that the use of some anti-inflammatory drugs can be offset without side effects. [8][9][10]

Free radicals

Curcumin fights not only inflammation. His opponents are also the so-called free radicals or oxidative stress. Curcumin can block free radicals and at the same time activate other antioxidant enzymes. [11] It is therefore a very strong antioxidant [12] and thanks to that we can rank it among the substances that slow down the aging of the organism. Aging is one of the unpleasant effects of oxidative stress.

Regeneration of neurons

Another positive effect of curcumin is protection against brain diseases. It was once thought that nerve cells could no longer regenerate after a certain age, but this is refuted by current research. Curcumin has a positive effect on existing neurons and promotes the formation of new ones. It does this by increasing the physiological level of a type of growth hormone called BDNF (brain neurotrophic factor). [13]

Blood vessels and heart

Curcumin has a positive effect on the lining of blood vessels and the endothelium of the heart. By suppressing inflammation, fighting oxidative stress and improving endothelial quality, it prevents the development of heart disease. One study randomized 121 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. Before and after surgery, the researchers administered placebo to one group and 4000 mg of curcumin daily to the other. The results showed that patients taking curcumin had a 65% lower risk of heart attack. [14]

Arthritis

The unpleasant autoimmune disease of rheumatoid arthritis can manifest, especially between the ages of 30 and 50. The trigger of the disease is still unknown, but the essence lies in the long-term chronic inflammation of the joints. Due to the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin, studies confirm that the use of turmeric alleviates the symptoms of arthritis. During one study, experts divided 45 patients with active arthritis into three groups; the first received 500 mg of curcumin daily, the second the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac sodium (50 mg) and the third a combination of both. The curcumin group showed milder disease activity, less swelling and less joint pain at the end of testing. In addition, no side effects of curcumin have been reported by experts. [15]

Depression

We have written above about NF-κB molecules, which cause inflammation in the body. Curcumin can control their level and thus protect us from depressive states.

One of the causes of depression may be a decrease in the level of NF-κB. In this context, a study was conducted with 60 patients. Again, they were divided into three groups, one receiving Prozac, the other curcumin (1000 mg), and the third a combination of both. The testing lasted six weeks and produced the following conclusions: the third group performed best, the group using curcumin had Comparable results with the patients on Prozac. Curcumin can therefore be considered an antidepressant. [16]

Curcumin actually acts as a stress suppressor. In addition, it can bind the protein of amyloid plaque, which is responsible, for example, for the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Most drugs for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, are still in the research phase and their clinical use is not convincing. Curcumin is a harmless and inexpensive compound that offers alternative treatments for these diseases. [17][18]

Golden goddess

Turmeric is sacred to Hindus. Religious rituals and festivals are dedicated to her. The power of turmeric has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine and Indian Ayurveda. In an extensive treatise by physician Sushruta (around 600 AND BC) we find a note about this crop. Sushruta recommends using turmeric ointment to alleviate the effects of food poisoning.

Nevertheless, turmeric did not spread rapidly to neighboring countries. It did not appear in China until the 7th century AD, was recognized in East Africa only around the 8th century, and in Jamaica, tumeric was for the first time tasted after the year 1700. In many languages of the world, it is simply called the yellow root. The word “curcuma” comes from Latin. The English name “turmeric” was also derived from Latin – turmeric has its origin in the phrase “terra merita”, which means: deserved country.

Turmeric is nicknamed the Golden Goddess and was believed to bring health and well-being. According to the ancient Indians, the crop contains the energy of the Divine Mother, which ensures prosperity and purifies the paths of the material body.

Tumeric tablets from Harmony is Life®

Our tablets contain 3 strong active compounds. The basis is the patented extract Curcugreen®, which is the combination of 95% curcumin and essential curcuma oil Ar-turmerone. The result is a 100% natural highly bioavailable product, without any additives or modified ingredients. This bioavailability was confirmed by 70 clinical studies. The patent of Arjuna Natural has 700% higher efficacy than a normally available 95% turmeric extract. This is the reason why Harmony is Life® chose this extract for this formulation.

For immunity boost and to ensure protection against oxidative stress, we enriched the mixture with vitamin C and selenium.

We press the tablets at room temperature with our unique technology. Our aim is to maintain maximum of active compounds of natural curcuma. You can take tablets and swallow them or just let them dissolve at the tongue.

It is possible to use them at any time and we believe that they will bring health and well-being to you, too.