The Power of Yellow- Click: Yellow for Bri

I always feel that I should be doing much more to help others. However, life takes over and then that vague feeling of I should be doing something for somebody kinda gets put on the back burner. It’s easier to donate money to some worthy cause and feel like that it’s most one can do and it’s better than nothing. And yet you still wonder about how much of that money is actually going toward someone in need of help.

When I read Jai n Bee’s post about Bri on Jugalbandi, I immediately went ahead and “chipped in”.

I was sincerely touched by their gesture to help out someone in need. The least I can do is add a little bit on to their endeavors at this tiny little blog of mine.

Also this time, I visited her blog and actually “knew” the person. She’s a real person out there, who needs prayers and help.

So I’ve been thinking and thinking about what yellow thing I should take a picture of for their Click Yellow for Bri and it finally struck me when I walked down to the kitchen today in the afternoon. There was Sid’s cup with turmeric water. The reason it was there because his tummy has not been feeling good since the last few days.

Of course, Turmeric is one of the most healing foods. And that’s what Bri needs- a lot of healing, prayers and good wishes sent her way.

The Power of Yellow

Turmeric (haldi) in Ayurveda is highly revered. It is known for help detoxify the liver, balance cholesterol levels, fight allergies, stimulate digestion, boost immunity and enhance the complexion. It is also an antioxidant.

These and many more healing properties of turmeric have needed no formal research in households in India where such information is common knowledge. People use haldi in cooking, for medicinal purposes and also for topical applications to treat bruises and injuries.

However, I was looking for a formal research done on the subject and after some googling I found the following.

Anti Cancer Research 23:363:-398 (2003)
Anti Cancer Potential of Curcumin : Preclinical and Clinical Studies

By Bharat B Aggarwal, Anushree Kumar and Alok C Bharti

If you click on the above link, you will be able to read the entire report which has a lot of technical implications and I think only few people will be able to decipher the meaning of many of the words used in the research.
The research is far too extensive for me to read or even attempt understanding completely but following in very simple words is what I derived from the first introductory and last summarizing paragraphs.

• Curcumin is derived from turmeric
• It is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent
• Curcumin can suppress tumor initiation, promotion and metastasis
• It is safe
• Enormous potential in prevention and therapy of cancer
• Turmeric has been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine since 6000 years

Research done in the last 50 years has indicated that

1. It reduced blood cholesterol
2. Prevents LDL oxidation
3. Suppresses symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s
4. Inhibits HIV replication
5. Enhances wound healing
6. Protects from liver injury and more…
7. Extensive literature suggests that it has potential in preventing cancer and therapy of cancer
8. Colon, breast, Prostrate and lung cancers are much more common in United States of America as compared to India where curcumin is frequently consumed.

In the conclusions they mention that it is difficult to find a drug that attacks multiple pathways and yet is pharmacologically safe. Curcumin is one such drug that meets this criterion.

They also write that because the pharmaceutical companies are unable to patent it, they are less involved in examining it as a therapeutic or preventative agent.

My interpretation: It’s a kick ass all purpose healer for everything and cancer but there just ain’t no money in it for the biggies to get involved.

Following is an except from an interview article that I found. Click here for the entire article.

"Because of turmeric's extensive use in foods in India and Pakistan, the incidence of cancer, especially breast, colon prostate and lung, is a lot less in those countries, Aggarwal said. And because south Indians use turmeric more widely than north Indians, "the prevalence of cancer is less among them than among north Indians," he said."

If you are of Indian origin like me, haldi is something we just take for granted. If all those Ayurvedic methods and the above research are so true, shouldn’t we be using turmeric much more copiously and consciously?

If you are not of Indian origin, and turmeric is an ingredient which is new to you, I would just suggest buying it from an Indian store or purchasing it online (you'll get a bag for like 2-3 bucks). People from India usually use in their cooking to impart a yellow hue to their food. This can easily be extended to American cooking as well.

Easy ways to include it in American style meals would be to add it to casseroles, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and even marinara sauces. Used in small quantities and in foods which are already yellow, chances are it will go unnoticed by many people. If someone questions the color, just blame it on the cheese!

Last but not the least, do it for the sake of vanity. It's has antioxidants which make it great for skin and mixed with yogurt and gramflour makes a great face pack!

Apart from cooking with it, I use turmeric in the following applications in my home.

For stomach upset/diarrhea

1 teaspoon of turmeric mixed in a glass of water taken once a day for 2-3 days
(For the kids, ½ teaspoon usually suffices)

For sick kids, colds, sore throats, muscular aches, pains, feel like you’re going to fall sick, do the following:

Place a cup of milk in a sauce pan. Add a pinch of crushed cardamom and 3-4 black peppercorns and bring to a boil. Cover and let it be for ½ hour. You can also do this at night before you go to bed and have this first thing in the morning. Strain, add ¼ teaspoon of turmeric and honey to taste. Drink warm.

The above concoction has saved me from going to the doctor many a time during the flu season. It is really effective in curing sore throats and also, avoiding and getting rid of the mucus that tends to keep building up in little kids. My 3 year old son calls it “heldi doodh”.

For more remedies and information about the importance of turmeric in Ayurveda, just google turmeric and ayurveda and you will find many sites that explain the benefits.

You can also find more information about what ailments people are using turmeric to cure at earthclinic.

If anyone has any more remedies they use turmeric for (tried and tested), I would love to hear about them.

This post is dedicated to Bri. A lot of healing and prayers for you. God bless.

The Power of Yellow
Above is my picture for Click: June 2008. (Yellow for Bri)

If you are interested in helping Bri out , please read the following and also pass on the word to people you know.

This is an appeal on behalf of a group of food bloggers who are friends of Briana Brownlow @ Figs With Bri.

Bri was diagnosed with breast cancer two and half years ago. A mastectomy, chemotherapy and two years of relatively good health later, the cancer is back. It has metastasized to other parts of her body. At the age of 15, Bri lost her 41-year old mother to the disease. Now, she’s waging her own war against breast cancer. More about it here.

She is going through intensive chemo and other treatments and needs to focus single-mindedly on healing and finding what treatment works best for her. Her health insurance, unfortunately, does not cover holistic alternatives which she would like to try. Bri and her husband Marc have enough on their plates right now in addition to worrying about her medical bills.

The team organising the JUNE edition of CLICK at Jugalbandi has organised a fundraiser to help Bri and her family meet her out-of-pocket medical costs for ONE YEAR.

CLICK is a monthly theme-based photography contest hosted by Jugalbandi. This month’s theme is: YELLOW for Bri

Yellow is the colour of hope. Through the work of the LiveStrong Foundation, it has also come to signify the fight against cancer.

The entries can be viewed HERE. The deadline for entries is June 30, 2008. The fundraiser will extend until July 15, 2008.

The target amount is 12,000 U.S. dollars. We appeal to our fellow bloggers and readers to help us achieve this. Bri deserves a chance to explore all options, even if her insurance company thinks otherwise.

There’s a raffle with exciting prizes on offer. After viewing the list, you may make your donation HERE or at the Chip-In button on any participating site.

Your donation can be made securely through credit card or Pay Pal and goes directly to Bri’s account.
This month’s photo contest also has some prizes. Details HERE.