By Alex ‘Earthie Mama’ Du Toit
Guest Writer for Wake Up World
Depression affects an estimated 121 million people worldwide [1] and as many as 20 million Americans are currently taking anti-depressant drugs. [2] However, we are finding more and more that pharmaceutical treatments are not providing an adequate solution, because they address the symptom not the cause [3], induce dependency, and often come with intense side-effects that are worse than the condition, including suicidal 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 a depressed person to cope with life rather than to overcome their depression and thrive. And as a result, the United States has seen a 30% increase in suicides since 1999. [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 which conclude 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 the Government Medical College in India, and published in the Phytotherapy Research journal, researchers found that the main active component in turmeric, known as curcumin, produces anti-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 in the Journal of Affective Disorders recognized “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 supporting thyroid health, alleviating asthma, improving brain function, improving oral health, protecting and fighting against the flu, reversing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, preventing heart disease, treating type 1 and type 2 diabetes, treating arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. It has even been shown to be effective at treating and preventing cancer!
Simple Ways to Add Turmeric 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 for tofu chicken or meats, add it to your scrambled eggs, or incorporate it into salad dressings.
My MasterTonic also contains a healthy dose of turmeric. The natural tonic can be used on salads, stir fries or taken on its own for daily immune-system support. To make the Master Tonic at home, click here for 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 this recipe 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 ideal healing and soothing drink.
Please contact me at [email protected] with any questions or comments, or visit me at EarthieMama.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 true Earthie 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, where she writes about health and wellness, conscious parenting, green living, self-sustainability, and getting off the grid. Alex also has an MA in Psychology and is a registered Yoga Instructor, environmentalist, conscious mother, green living advocate, and natural birthing expert. She also sells all-natural products and her ebooks through her website.
Please check out her website at EarthieMama.com, or sign up for the free EarthieMama e-newsletter here!
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