When I was a little boy I suffered from asthma. It was really a hard time for me when these asthmatic attacks caught me by surprise and left me gasping for breath. So, anytime this happened I always had my asthmatic spray at hand that helped me survive these attacks. However, unfortunately my parents didn’t know that there is a quite natural and even more effective way to fight asthma successfully. Read on to learn more what they never knew at that time!
It is believed that turmeric reduces inflammation, and therefore helps improve all chronic conditions, including asthma. Turmeric is commonly used in Ayurvedic therapies, primarily to treat the skin, heart, liver, and lungs. It’s thought to fight allergies and boost immunity.
What do science and research have to say about turmeric for asthma?
In a study published in 2014 in the Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research, 77 people with mild to moderate asthma were given curcumin, also known as turmeric, in the capsule form as an “add-on” therapy to their asthma medications. The results showed that curcumin capsules help in improving airway obstruction, which was evident by significant improvement in the mean FEV1 values. This means participants had an increase in the amount of air they could exhale in one second, which is a measurement of asthma severity and control. Therefore, it is concluded that curcumin is effective and safe as an add-on therapy for the treatment of bronchial asthma.
How to add turmeric to your diet to help with asthma.
Of course, you can purchase supplements or specialty items that include turmeric, like tea. Since turmeric from outside of the United States can contain unhealthy levels of lead (https://asthma.net/living/turmeric-for-asthma/), I prefer to buy turmeric root and chop or grate it myself. Turmeric root looks like the smaller version of ginger root and can be found in the same place in the grocery store.
Consider adding turmeric to your recipes that include lemon and ginger; all three go really well together. Below are my four easy ways (and recipes) to include turmeric in your daily diet:
Turmeric tea. Tea is so warming and comforting. This is my favorite recipe from Dr. Weil: Bring 4 cups of filtered water to a boil, and add 1 teaspoon of grated turmeric root. Reduce heat to a simmer and steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a mesh sieve. Add lemon or honey. Experiment to get the taste you prefer; add chopped ginger to the boiling water (and double the tea’s healthy goodness!), or add a sprinkle of cinnamon at the end. Add a pinch of black pepper for an extra kick, or garnish with lemon.Golden Milk Turmeric Tea. If you prefer milk with your tea, this recipe from Epicurious will satisfy your craving. Whisk 1 cup of unsweetened, non-dairy milk (I prefer coconut) with a cinnamon stick, a half-inch piece of ginger and 1 inch piece of turmeric (both unpeeled and thinly sliced), 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, a few whole peppercorns and 1 cup of water in a saucepan until it reaches a low boil. Strain through a mesh sieve and serve. Garnish with grated cinnamon.
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