Herbs and Spices

by:  Dr. Mercola

Are You Ready to Add More Spice to Your Life --and Your Health*?

Why I Traveled 15,000 Miles to Uncover More about this Ayurvedic Super Spice…

 

If you're a subscriber to the site you already know I place a strong emphasis on eating as much unprocessed, organically grown food as possible for your optimal health.

 

One interesting way that many people overlook on improving their  health is by taking advantage of unprocessed, organic herbs and spices.

Interestingly most of these herbs add virtually no calories to your diet.  You'll find that herbs and spices:

• Maximize your nutrient density -- They contain healthful vitamins and minerals. 

• Help speed up your metabolism -- Because spices are nutrient dense, they are thermogenic. This means they naturally increase your metabolism to help you burn calories. 

• May increase your overall feeling of fullness and satiety -- So you'll eat less. Studies show consuming certain herbs and spices prior to each meal can potentially reduce your calorie intake. 

• Provide you healthful properties -- Help boost and enhance your overall wellbeing with antioxidants that can be more potent than many fruits and vegetables. 

• Benefit your "whole person" -- Herbs and spices tend to enhance your entire body, and not just focus on a particular area. 

  

And this "whole person" approach is where I've focused a great deal of my attention.

Why?

Because my primary focus in making health recommendations for you and your family that address the cause of your health concerns.  Don't Waste Your Time and Health with Synthetically Processed Herbs and Spices.

Just as it's very important for you to select and consume wholesome, unprocessed organic foods, the same applies to herbs and spices.  You want to avoid breezing down the spice aisle of your local grocery store to pick up any old herb or spice.  It is important that you are very selective.

If the herb or spice you're looking for is processed or not organically grown, then you risk missing out on their greatest benefits. You need their most potent active ingredients to provide you with optimal benefits.

If the herb or spice is not cultivated, harvested, produced, and packaged using certified organic processes, you could be robbed of the healthful active ingredients.

In fact, I would recommend you totally avoid herbs and spices not based on 100% certified organic ingredients. Why waste your time -- and risk potential health consequences from artificial ingredients and questionable chemical processes?

India is the home of Ayurveda, recognized as an authoritative source of knowledge and truth in natural health promotion -- with herbs and spices lying at the very heart of Ayurvedic practice. So it would make perfect sense to consider using herbs that were grown in India if you are considering Ayurvedic herbs.

How this Ancient Spice Originated Thousands of Years Ago

That is one of the reasons I traveled over 15,000 miles to India last year -- to find a high quality source of these herbs. During this trip to India, I witnessed firsthand how this Ayurvedic holistic approach and organic processes work in unison.

 

And of the many herbs and spices I studied, one in particular caught my immediate attention. The herb is called turmeric, and it can provide you whole person health benefits:

• Supports your healthy joint function* 

• Promotes your radiant skin* 

• Helps improve your digestion* 

And much more...

Now, there is some debate about the timing of turmeric's first use as a healthy spice.  But one thing is certain. Thousands of years ago, people in India and China used the spice. In fact, some stories suggest usage dates back 10,000 years in India when they say Lord Rama walked the earth.

And the ancient Polynesians carried turmeric with them on their incredible voyage across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. Today, Hawaiians still use this spice -- known to them as Olena.

While in China, Marco Polo in 1280 AD recorded information on turmeric in his diary:

"There is also a vegetable which has all the properties of true saffron, as well the smell as the color, and yet it is not really saffron."

  

So, turmeric has been used as a substitute for saffron (an old world spice) in Europe for over 700 years.

One of the main healthful ingredients in turmeric is curcumin (a curcuminoid), which gives turmeric its yellow color.

Western scientists first isolated the curcumin molecule in 1815, obtained its crystalline form in 1870, and determined its overall structure in 1910.  Curcumin can potentially benefit you by:

• Promoting your immune system against stress*
  

• Helping maintain your healthy digestive system* 

• Supporting your healthy bones, joints, and overall skeletal system* 

• Helping you maintain cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range* 

• Promoting your healthy blood and liver functions*

 

How Turmeric Provides Antioxidant Nutrients*

You probably know that antioxidants are important nutrients in supporting your health.  They help you slow down free radical damage that can seriously damage your cells, organs and DNA

Turmeric helps protect your cells -- and  helps you counteract this process with its antioxidant content.* 

The antioxidant content within turmeric comes from active compounds called curcuminoids.

These curcuminoids deliver antioxidants that may be:

• 5 to 8 times stronger than vitamin E -- and also stronger than vitamin C 

• 3 times more powerful than grape seed or pine bark extract 

• Strong enough to scavenge the hydroxyl radical -- considered by many to be the most reactive of all oxidants* 

I believe antioxidants are your body's #1 way to neutralize free radicals and help you potentially slow down the signs of normal aging.*

 

Oxidation by free radicals can damage cells and DNA -- and thus impact your aging process* -- something we all would like to put the brakes on.

 

Antioxidants are also key nutrients in:

• Supporting your memory function* 

• Promoting your heart health* 

• Boosting your immune system*

 

So, I can't say enough about the importance antioxidants play in promoting your overall health.* And turmeric is another excellent source of antioxidants for you.

Why this Herb Can Help Enhance Your Outer Beauty*

Speaking of antioxidant nutrients and their potential to impact the aging process, some of the first aging signs you may see as you get older are changes to your skin.

 

Well, the organic ingredients found in turmeric can help promote your healthy skin.*

How does it work?

Curcuminoids support important blood and liver functions, healthy joints, and your overall well-being.* This in turn helps promote your radiant, supple skin.* Turmeric has been considered to be ‘skin food' for thousands of years in India and other cultures.*

Turmeric helps you:

• Cleanse your skin and maintain its elasticity* 

• Provide nourishment to your skin* 

• Balance the effects of skin flora*

 

So, turmeric can act as your one-two punch against normal aging with its skin promotion and antioxidant capabilities -- outer beauty and inner purity.*

Your Triple-Action Cellular Booster and Adaptogen*

Another potential advantage from turmeric usage involves the smallest living things within you -- your cells.  Turmeric can assist your cells in three ways, by: 

Helping you neutralize substances that can cause cellular stress*

• Maintaining your cells' integrity when threatened by occasional environmental stressors* 

• Providing the antioxidants you need to help support your cells against excessive oxidation and free radicals*

 

And turmeric is also recognized as an adaptogen -- helping to support your body against stress and providing immune system support.*  How this Ancient Spice has Become Embedded in India's Ayurvedic Practice

Turmeric, like other herbs and spices, is a principle herb in Ayurveda -- India's ancient holistic health system.  Ayurveda means "knowledge of life" -- with herbs lying at the very heart of Ayurvedic practice.

And turmeric has multiple  uses within Ayurveda, including blood cleansing and maintaining healthy skin.*

In Ayurvedic terminology, turmeric includes the following:

• Verdana sthapana -- promotes your healthy nervous system and helps you with occasional discomfort* 

• Sangrahani -- supports your absorption of vitamins and minerals* 

• Anulomana -- helps you in purging out wastes and building healthy blood* 

• Rakta stambhaka -- promotes the wellness of your circulatory system*

 

And this is pretty much the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Ayurvedic turmeric uses.

What does all this mean to you?

Simply, turmeric has been used in Indian culture for thousands of years for a multitude of health-promoting reasons.* And an estimated 500 million Indians still use the spice today.

What are Your Sources for Turmeric?

So by now, you might be wondering about potential sources of turmeric.  Well, you could already know you can find it in the spice aisle of your local grocery store. But as I mentioned earlier, I would not recommend you use your local grocery store as a high-quality source of organic herbs and spices.

Even though there may be some good spices available there, it is very difficult to verity their purity and potency.  And also, the turmeric powder you buy in your store is a spice. It doesn't necessarily come from high-quality organic herbs -- and is not produced using certified organic processes. So you risk missing out on its healthful benefits.  Plus, with store-bought turmeric powder, you'll probably just use it once in awhile to cook with -- and not on a daily basis to consistently take advantage of the benefits it offers.

So, what are your other choices?

I would recommend searching for a high-quality, 100% organic-based turmeric supplement.

However, there are some things you need to watch out for when choosing a turmeric supplement.

Avoid Unnecessary Fillers, Additives, and Excipients

When I did my own research on available turmeric supplements, I found a surprising number  of choices.

In addition to the curcumin and curcuminoid ingredients, I r found many products that had other questionable ingredients in the form of fillers, additives, and excipients. An excipient is a substance added to the supplement as a processing or stability aid.

One ingredient, magnesium stearate (also know as stearic acid), is a potentially toxic metal additive from pill production.

 

Another ingredient I found in many turmeric supplements, Dibasic Calcium Phosphate (DCP), may even inhibit the absorption of essential minerals within your system.

There are others you may find as well, but the bottom line here is... you don't want or need these ingredients in your turmeric supplement. Some pose potential health risks -- and really are unnecessary.  In fact, the only "other ingredient" you should accept in your turmeric supplement is the capsule itself.

What You Should Look for in a Supplement Capsule

Okay, it's just a capsule containing your supplement, right?

Well, not exactly.

See, most supplements use gelatin capsules. And you might not be aware these capsules are made from animal by-products -- which include cow, horse and/or pig hides, and various kinds of connective tissues such as tendons, bones, ligaments, organs and some intestines.

Now, there is a better alternative to a gelatin capsule. And that's a vegetarian capsule -- which I highly recommend you look for.

And besides, your best source of turmeric should come from 100% organic ingredients. Using a capsule made from animal by-products does not seem to make sense. Wouldn't you agree?

Make Sure Your Herbal Supplement Comes from a Certified Organic Producer Committed to Quality Processes

The key to delivering an organic-based turmeric supplement rests in the manufacturer's commitment to quality and excellence.

 

In fact, I believe that without these quality processes in place, it really doesn't matter what organic herbs are harvested. You simply won't end up with a top-notch consistent organic formula. And in turn, you won't receive the maximum potential value of the herb.

So, it's important for you to highly scrutinize and research the manufacturer's credentials. And you may not be able to stop with the manufacturer alone. Keep in mind, the total organic process involves planting, cultivation, selective harvesting, and then producing and packaging the final formula.

Here's the type of certifications I recommend you look for:  

• Hazards and Critical Control Points (HACCP) -- International food safety certification that World Health Organization (WHO) standards are met 

• Safe Quality Food (SQF) -- HACCP-based food safety and risk management system covering the identification of food safety, quality risks, and the validation and monitoring of control measures 

• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) -- International certification verifies all required practices necessary for an effective food safety program are followed 

• International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2000 -- International standard for quality, safety, ecology, economy, reliability, compatibility, inter-operability, efficiency, and effectiveness 

• Orthodox Union (OU) Kosher -- Certifies compliance for Kosher observers and followers 

• International organic certificationssuch as: USDA, EU, and NSOP (India)

 

Use This Checklist When Sourcing Turmeric

To take advantage of all the great benefits turmeric has to offer you, I've created a checklist on what you should look for in a turmeric supplement.  Whatever you do, don't settle for second best.

Now, here's my checklist to help you find the best turmeric source:

• Contains only 100% certified organic ingredients -- Turmeric extract with at least 95% curcuminoids 

• Comes in supplement form -- Don't rely on your typically low quality and unpredictable local grocery store spice. Additionally when you heat the spice during cooking many of the beneficial properties are lost. 

• Avoids fillers, additives, and excipients -- No need for questionable "other ingredients" in the formula 

• Provides a vegetable capsule -- Avoid gelatin-based capsules whenever possible 

• Is produced by a certified organic manufacturer with high-quality organic and safe production practices -- Don't settle for second best here! 

13 Ways this Ancient Herb Can Help You Spice Up Your Life (and Your Health*)

 

Let me summarize a few of the ways this 100% certified organic-based Turmeric can spice up your whole person:

• Boosts your antioxidant protection against free radicals* 

• Helps promote your healthy skin* 

• Supports your overall eye health* 

• Provides you immune system support* 

• Aids your skeletal system and joint health* 

• Encourages your healthy liver function* 

• Helps you maintain healthy cells with support against free radicals* 

• Balances the health of your digestive system* 

• Aids you in support of healthy blood and your circulatory system* 

• Helps you maintain normal cholesterol levels to support your cardiovascular system* 

• Assists your neurological system's healthy response to stress* 

• Promotes a healthy female reproductive system* 

• Helps you maintain blood sugar levels already within the normal range*

 

And more...

Millions of people use turmeric on a daily basis in their lives today. In India alone, up to 500 million people use it in one form or another every day.

Isn't it time you gave your body what it deserves?