
I just harvested my turmeric and thought I would share a few health facts with you. This simple root plant has amazing proven health benefits.

Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. It is a very strong anti inflammatory, as strong as some pharmaceutical medications. It also has cancer and tumor reducing properties.
Unfortunately, curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. It helps to consume black pepper with it, which contains piperine, a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2,000%

What else can turmeric do for you?
Fights free radicals (Zombie cells) high antioxidants (curcumin delivers a one-two punch against free radicals. It blocks them directly, then stimulates your body’s own antioxidant defenses.)
Increases brain activity which may improve memory
Strengthens endothelium, which is the lining of your blood vessels. Improving blood flow and possibly reducing heart disease
Studies have shown that it can contribute to the death of cancerous cells and reduce angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels in tumors) and metastasis (spread of cancer). It is a cancer killer. It has been found to reduce tumors in laboratory animals (tumor-ic ie; turmeric).
May help with arthritis pain.

Releases serotonin and dopamine which activates our happiness centers. Has been found to be as effective as prozac in treating depression. (so has St. John’s wort!)
There is some evidence that it may prevent cancer from occurring in the first place, especially cancers of the digestive system like colorectal cancer. In a 30-day study in 44 men with lesions in the colon that sometimes turn cancerous, 4 grams of curcumin per day reduced the number of lesions by 40%
(healthline.com)

Turmeric is fairly easily grown from Georgia south (zones 8 and up) by simply covering the rhizomes with 1-2 inches of soil. Water occasionally, fertilizer is not needed but may add to the size of the plants. Wait 8 months and as the leaves begin turning yellow, harvest the roots (rhizomes) carefully.