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Guest Writer for Wake Up World
Depression affects an estimated 121 million people worldwide[1]and as many as 20 million Americansare currently taking anti-depressant drugs. [2]However, weare finding more and more that pharmaceutical treatmentsare not providing an adequate solution, because they address the symptom not the cause [3], induce dependency, and oftencome with intense side-effects that are worse than the condition, includingsuicidal tendencies, sleep problems, digestive disorders, decreased sex drive, constant nausea, headaches, dry mouth and cold symptoms to name a few. [4]It becomes a constant ugly cycle of misery and dependency which, at best, only helps adepressed person to cope with life rather than to overcome their depression and thrive. And as a result, the United States hasseena 30% increase insuicidessince1999. 5
Thankfully, nature – as always–gives us many herbs, plants and foods that can heal and help us, without the harsh side-effects and exorbitant costs of pharmaceutical drugs. And when it comes to treating depression, turmeric is one of these amazing gifts from the Earth.
There have been numerous scientific studies whichconclude that turmeric might be more effective at treating depression than any of the pharmaceutical drugs on the market.
In a randomized controlled trial conducted by Department of Pharmacology at theGovernment Medical CollegeinIndia, andpublished in the Phytotherapy Research journal, researchers found that the main active component in turmeric, known as curcumin, producesanti-depressant effects in the brain,raising the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that are known to cause depression. (Learn more here.) The study concluded that:
This study provides first clinical evidence that curcumin may be used as an effective and safe modality for treatment in patients with MDD without concurrent suicidal ideation or other psychotic disorders.
Another study, published in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology, found that “Curcumin has been found to possess antidepressant action in various animal models of depression… It can be concluded that the antidepressant action of curcumin majorly involves the serotoninergic neurotransmission”, while a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published inthe Journal of Affective Disordersrecognized“the antidepressant effects of curcumin in people with major depressive disorder, evidenced by benefits occurring 4 to 8 weeks after treatment.”
Other Health Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric also has many other benefits including supportingthyroid health, alleviating asthma, improving brain function, improving oral health, protecting and fighting against the flu, reversing symptoms ofAlzheimer’s disease,preventing heart disease, treating type 1 and type 2 diabetes, treating arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. It has even been shownto be effective attreating and preventing cancer!
Simple Ways to AddTurmeric to Your Diet
There are many simple and tasty ways to include turmeric into your daily diet. You can sprinkle it on stir fries, add to greens, use it as a marinate fortofu chicken or meats, add it to your scrambled eggs, or incorporateit intosalad dressings.
MyMasterTonicalsocontains a healthy dose of turmeric. The natural tonic can be usedon salads, stir fries or taken on its own fordaily immune-system support.To make the Master Tonic at home,click herefor the recipe. Or, if you do not have time or can’t find the ingredients to make this tonic yourself, you can order it from my store here:www.earthiemama.com/store.I have mastered the recipe and infuse every bottle with love! It’s 100% Organic, laboratory tested and clean of heavy metals.
Or, you may like to try thisrecipe for Turmeric Milk. It is so incredibly delicious, with countless healthy benefits.
Turmeric Milk Recipe!
Ingredients:
- 2 Cups of Organic Almond Milk,Coconut Milk,Hemp Milk or Rice Milk
- 1 tsp. ground Turmeric
- 1 tsp. grated Ginger
- 1 tsp. Cinnamon
- 1 Date (or 1 tsp. raw honey)
- 1 pinch of Black Pepper
Optional: Add chia seeds, cloves, banana etc. to your liking.
Instructions:
- Pour all ingredients into blender
- Blend until smooth.
- Drink up and Enjoy!
Add ice if you would like a chilled drink or heat the mixture slowly for a hearty warm beverage.If you come down with the flu, warm Turmeric Milk is an idealhealing and soothing drink.
Please contact me at [emailprotected] with any questions or comments, or visit me atEarthieMama.com.
Have a happy, healthy day!
In gratitude,
~ Alex
Recommended articles by Alex ‘Earthie Mama’ Du Toit:
- 7 Ingredients for Natural Cancer Prevention – Health Tonic Recipe Included!
- Treating Anxiety Naturally
- Immune Support Tonic – Delicious Natural Recipe
- Natural Antibiotic Ointment Recipe!
- Make Your Own Bug-Away Spray (Easy Recipe)
- Nature’s Most Powerful Antibiotics (Recipe Included!)
- 10 Health Benefits of Cucumbers
- Dirt is NOT Dirty – How Playing in the Dirt Benefits the Immune System
- How to Make Kombucha
- Practical Tips for Raising Earth-Conscious Children
- Homemade Ginger Ale Recipe
- Turmeric Milk Recipe: a Natural Mood Enhancer and Depression Fighter
About the author:
Alexandra is a trueEarthie Mama, helping others tune into their most natural, thriving state while bringing harmony and balance into all areas of their lives. She hosts a well-known blog,EarthieMama.com, whereshe writes abouthealthandwellness, conscious parenting, green living, self sustainability and getting off the grid. Alexalso has anMAin Psychology, and is a registered Yoga Instructor, environmentalist, conscious mother,green living advocate andnatural birthing expert. She also sells all natural products and her ebooks through her website.
Please check out her website at EarthieMama.com,connect withEarthie Mama on Facebook, or sign up to the free EarthieMama e-newsletter here!
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