Hi everyone and welcome to my July newsletter.
I hope that you are feeling well and not too cold with this polar blast that is currently upon us. I know that I think this each winter, but Australian houses are simply not built for the colder months. I remember talking to a builder about the possibility of getting double glazing installed and he looked at me as if I had asked him for a piece of moon rock (and about the same price as well). And whilst I do willingly admit that my house in the UK didn’t have double glazing, it was built in 1830 and even had bulls eye glass in the front bay window. However, these days, in the northern hemisphere no one would think of building a house without double glazing and plenty of insulation.
So why not over here? Both, keep out the heat as well as the cold plus the double glazing has the added benefit of significantly reducing external sound. All of which would be a good thing, I simply don’t understand it. How do people cope in Canberra, Melbourne and the Snowy Mountains? However, I still love Australia, and wouldn’t swap it, so until it gets warmer, I will add a couple of layers and a blanket. 😊 Plus, a good hot soup is always a great warmer and this month’s recipe is a twist on that family favourite – Pumpkin Soup, got to love that.
The school holidays are with us again this month, though I don’t think that there are any extra markets. However, there are a couple of changes to my regular markets. I hope to be at the Blackhead Car boot on the first Sunday if the rain stays away and fingers crossed that the ground is fine for the Enviro Fair to be held in Taree on the 20th.
This month’s article is a bit longer than usual. I know that quite a few of my customers take the turmeric for a range of autoimmune diseases and I was asked about the use of turmeric for sufferers of Lupus, by one of my colleagues. So, I went investigating for more information and amongst the articles and studies I found in Google Scholar (and the like) I came across this great article by Shruti. I have cut out most of the background studies, and just left the information in layman’s terms, but to cut it down further would have ruined the article, so I have left it as it is. However, if you would like to read about all the studies on which this article is based, you can check out the full article online or contact me and I can send you a copy.
12 Benefits of Turmeric in Lupus
Lupus is a chronic disorder affecting as many as 5 million people in the world. It is an autoimmune disease wherein the immune system starts attacking its own tissue as if it were to attack a pathogen. So lupus is not confined to a particular organ but the whole immune system affected which can cause systemic inflammation. Lupus is not contagious and affects mostly women of childbearing age.
No exact cause of lupus has been identified but a combination of factors such as genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle factors have been said to trigger lupus symptoms. Weakened immune function can increase the risk of infection. Here are 12 ways turmeric may help:
1. Turmeric inhibits the activity of autoantibodies in lupus
Research shows that curcumin and turmeric inhibits binding of autoantibodies in serum samples obtained from lupus patients. Autoantibodies are the main factors causing damage and attacking organs in lupus and these findings suggest that curcumin may help attenuate severity of lupus.
2. It has immunomodulatory actions
Curcumin and turmeric are immunomodulatory agents- they regulate immune responses. Dose dependently they may stimulate immune response as defense against infection and regulate inappropriate immune responses in case of autoimmune diseases such as lupus.
So, you can safely say goodbye to the myth that turmeric is an immune booster and hence you cannot take it to treat lupus or any autoimmune disease for that matter.
3. Curcumin can restore immune function in SLE patients
Curcumin is proven to balance the population of immune cells in samples taken from SLE patients. And these findings suggest that it can help in regulating immune responses and thereby prevent progression of lupus.
4. It has anti-inflammatory action
Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory property can help in controlling as well as preventing spread of inflammation to other organs in lupus.
5. It protects the skin from eczema
Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and skin protective properties make it a potential therapeutic compound for skin related symptoms of lupus.
6. It can attenuate arthritis-like symptoms
Curcumin and turmeric have several pharmacological properties that make it a safe anti-arthritic agent. It is a strong natural anti-inflammatory.
7. It can reduce pain better than NSAIDs
Curcumin found in turmeric is proven to have natural pain killing properties and, in many studies, it has been proven to outperform conventional painkillers. Also, it does not cause any side effects like gastric erosion like NSAIDs.
8. It fights fatigue
In addition to relieving symptoms of lupus, turmeric may also help in alleviating chronic fatigue in lupus.
9. It alleviates depression
Curcumin will help regulate immune responses, reduce pain and inflammation in lupus and thereby contribute to better health but interesting enough it can also specifically alleviate depressive symptoms occurring in lupus.
10. It treats kidney damage in lupus
Whole turmeric powder supplementation can reduce kidney damage in lupus nephritis.
11. It acts at genetic levels
Further research can throw some light on the ability of curcumin to alter genetic expressions and thus alleviate severity of disease in lupus.
12. It can protect from side effects of lupus medications
Curcumin exerts a protective effect on almost all systems in the body and thereby can help reduce the side effects and toxicity posed by medications prescribed in lupus.
Conclusion
Turmeric has two fantastic properties when it comes to dealing with lupus: immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory. It can regulate immune responses, curb inflammation, treat pain and thereby prevent a flare up.
The current studies reveal some uniquely interesting mechanism of action of turmeric pertaining to lupus and further studies may help researchers develop turmeric as a potential agent that can perpetuate and maintain lupus remission. As always check with your health care professional before starting on any new treatment, including the Health2all Turmeric.
Taken from an article by Shruti (BE Biotech. & PGD Clinical Research)
Pumpkin, Turmeric and Ginger Soup
Ingredients
· 2 tbs ghee or butter
· 1 lg brown onion, finely chopped
· 1 tsp Health2all turmeric
· 4cm piece fresh ginger, finely chopped
· 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
· Large pinch of chili flakes, adjust to your taste
· 1.2 kg pumpkin peeled & roughly chopped
· 5 lg carrots, peeled & roughly chopped
· 1 tbs natural peanut butter
· 1 l vegetable stock
1.5 l boiling water
Method
1. Heat the ghee or butter in a large deep pot over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion, ginger, garlic, and chili flakes. Sauté until onions are translucent and aromatic.
3. Add chopped pumpkin and carrots to the pot. Sauté for 5-10 minutes until they begin to soften and caramelise.
4. Stir in peanut butter until well combined.
5. Pour in vegetable stock and boiling water, ensuring vegetables are submerged. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Cook uncovered on medium-low heat for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
7. Using a hand-held immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth.
8. Adjust seasoning if needed, add Health2all turmeric and serve hot.
9. Garnish each bowl with a dollop of plain yogurt or coconut cream, fresh herbs, and a sprinkle of crunchy toppings like roasted nuts or seeds.
Serves 8
Enjoy. 😊
UP COMING EVENTS
Well, it’s certainly getting rather cool first thing in the morning, but for the moment the weather is playing nice, and the days have been warm and sunny. With the school holidays being on this month, markets are a great way to get all the family out of doors, fresh air and fun, what more could you want? So, fingers crossed that we get some lovely weather for this July, and I hope to see you out and about the markets.
Saturday 6th July – Kempsey Market – 8am – 1pm. Down by the river. Hopefully, the weather gods will play nice this month and the day will be dry and sunny, unlike June.
Sunday 7th July – Blackhead Car Boot Sale – 8am – 1pm. Hopefully they can run this market this month and that the rain stays away. Held in the car park of the IGA at Blackhead. Look for the orange gazebo. Hope to see you there. 😊 😊
Saturday 13th July - Gloucester Farmers Market - 9am – 1pm. Held at Billabong Park. Do come along to see me.
Sunday 14th July – Forster Town Market - 8 am – 1pm. Near the campsite on Head Street.
Saturday 20th July – Enviro Fair, Taree – 9am – 3pm Change of scene for me this month. Hopefully it will be going ahead and that the weather is kind to us. The Enviro Fair will be held in the park off Wynter Street. Again, I’m not exactly sure where I will be, but my bright orange gazebo is pretty easy to find. 😊
Sunday 21st July – Laurieton Market - 8am – 1pm down by the river on Short and Tunis Streets. Hopefully, this month it will be calm and sunny.
Saturday 27th July – Tuncurry Market – 8 am – 1pm See you over the bridge at the John Whiley Park. Marine Rescue do a great bacon and egg butty. 😊
Sunday 28th July – Pacific Palms Market - 8am – 1pm. At Elizabeth Beach, another great market for all the family and dog friendly, so come along for a fun day out.
For those of you who can’t get to those markets all you need to do is ring me on 0406 036 845 or you can now go to my website – www.achealthysolutions.com and order from there, and I will arrange for it to be posted or delivered to you. The cost is the same as at the market and postage/delivery is free on all orders over $100 with a flat rate of $10 below that.
To your happiness & health,
Yours in Health and Happiness
Alison Carroll
aka The Turmeric Lady
AC Healthy Solutions
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