You've no doubt heard about many medicinal benefits from turmeric and ginger. Did you know they are in the same family? Both are beneficial to the gastrointestinal tract, help to lower lipids, support heart health, fight inflammation, and even protect against cancer. But right now I want to talk specifically about how these amazing rhizomes can help your immune system, since we're all looking to protect ourselves.
Ginger and turmeric both contain a chemical called Curcumin, which contributes to the yellow hue (watch out, it stains!). Curcumin also has powerful antiviral capacity, which has been demonstrated in a number of studies. Among other viruses, Curcumin has proven effective against influenza, Hepatitis B and C, as well as HPV. An even more amazing trait is that viruses do not develop resistance to Curcumin. So you're probably wondering: can these herbs protect me against the Coronavirus? As of now, there is no scientific evidence to support this theory. The Coronavirus is a relatively new virus and has not been studied to the extent of others discussed earlier. But considering what we already know about ginger and turmeric, I highly recommend both to boost your overall immune function. The great news is that both of these herbs grow in abundance here in Hawaii. In fact, they were staple crops for Ancient Hawaiians. Ginger ('Awapuhi in Hawaiian) was used to treat muscle aches, bruises and stomach aches. Turmeric ('Olena in Hawaiian) was used for ear infections and sinus troubles. Chances are, your local farmer's market stocks both. You may be fortunate enough to find several varieties such as Indira Yellow and Red Turmeric; White, Yellow and Bubba Blue Ginger. These various colors offer unique health benefits, but all carry the powerful antiviral properties described above, so consume liberally!
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Cynthia ArchibaldHolistic nutritionist working to improving the health of our North Shore community Archives
March 2020
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