How to use turmeric against digestive disorders

Discover how to use turmeric against digestive disorders.

From its scientific name Curcuma longa, also called poor man’s saffron or long-life spice, powdered turmeric is a spice that is used in the composition of curry, derived from the rhizome of a large perennial herb of the Zingiberaceae family.

It has multiple health benefits, and we talk about it a lot for its digestive effects on all concerns related to poor digestion.

Let’s see how the digestive system works, and how to use it to soothe digestive disorders.

How does turmeric improve digestion?

Whether in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, or more recently in Western pharmacopeias, the benefits of turmeric are used, in particular, to relieve dyspepsia and the main stomach aches linked to poor digestion: heartburn, nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, etc.

The effectiveness of the rhizome is also recognized by Western health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the German Commission E, which recognize the use of turmeric in the treatment of digestive disorders (dyspepsia) such as abdominal pain in the stomach or liver area, nausea or vomiting, feeling of heaviness and bloating.

Digestion begins in the mouth, then continues in the stomach and its gastric juices, then come the liver and the gallbladder, to end in the intestines and its intestinal flora. Turmeric works on all of these aspects of digestion to help each organ do its job well.

The action of turmeric on the stomach

Turmeric is rich in curcuminoid, particularly curcumin, a powerful antioxidant that gives the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric, and the cause of the yellow color of the spice.

This curcumin has powerful antibacterial properties, amplified by its immunostimulatory and antioxidant properties which will cleanse the stomach in depth.

Thus, studies have shown that turmeric helps regulate intestinal flora and inhibits the multiplication of harmful bacteria, in particular Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium responsible for stomach ulcers (gastroduodenal).

Turmeric, therefore, reduces the risk of infection and relieves heartburn and bloating caused by too heavy meals.

The benefits of curcumin, therefore, make it possible to relieve digestive disorders of the stomach: belching, abdominal pain, gastroesophageal reflux, nausea, bloating, loss of appetite, but also heartburn (heartburn).

The action of turmeric on the liver

Turmeric is a protective and healing spice for liver and liver disorders, as we have shown in turmeric benefits for liver and cirrhosis. It is again curcumin that brings its benefits to liver function, in 2 different ways:

• it stimulates the production and secretion of bile by the gallbladder, which allows the degradation and elimination of fats, and therefore helps to drain waste out of the body,

• it preserves the good health of the liver by protecting the liver cells against external attacks from toxic agents: drugs, viruses, sugar, alcohol, etc.

A clinical trial conducted with 116 people with functional dyspepsia demonstrated the effectiveness of turmeric in relieving digestive disorders, at a rate of 250 mg of turmeric 4 times a day.

The action of turmeric on the intestines

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action of turmeric makes it a protector and intestinal cleanser.

Many studies are being carried out on the effect of turmeric on diseases of the intestines, particularly chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or UC (Recto-Colitis Haemorrhagic).

The results are promising and many patients with these conditions testify to the effectiveness of turmeric in reducing symptoms related to inflammation.

In addition, turmeric has a prebiotic action, stimulating the growth of certain beneficial bacteria in the colon with many benefits that this brings:

• Improved absorption of minerals, especially calcium and magnesium

• Decreased bone tissue loss

• Beneficial effect on immune functions

• Protective effect on the colon

• Lower bad cholesterol

Turmeric, therefore, helps relieve digestive disorders of the intestine: bloating, intestinal gas, slowness of intestinal transit, colic, diarrhea, etc.

How to consume turmeric to relieve digestive disorders?

Turmeric is used in different ways depending on what you want to do with it, we have detailed how to use turmeric where the different uses of the rhizome are explained so that you can use it best. To summarize :

You must combine turmeric with black pepper

The downside of turmeric is its low bioavailability, which means that if you want to heal yourself with it, you have to consume large amounts of it!

By combining turmeric longa with black pepper, curcumin is better assimilated by the body. Piperine interacts with curcumin, and the properties of turmeric are increased, some say by 1000.

Without this, our intestine badly assimilates the molecules of curcumin, too large and too easily filtered by our metabolism.

In terms of combination, I generally recommend a ratio of 1 to 9: 1 dose of pepper to 9 doses of turmeric.

Classic dosage

Against digestive disorders, it is generally advisable to consume between 2 and 3 g of turmeric powder per day until the symptoms subside, or about 1 teaspoon.

This dosage is much higher if one seeks the anti-inflammatory virtues when one uses turmeric to relieve osteoarthritis and other joint pains because the dose of curcumin must be important for joint problems, but for digestion, c is more than enough.

Turmeric can be consumed in the form of an infusion or other ways such as directly in flavored food.

Kitchen use

This way of doing things is ideal as a preventive take, before you feel anything, it will take care of your digestive system and prevent all the disorders we have already discussed.

Add 2 to 3 g of turmeric powder per day and person in all your culinary preparations.

In infusion

Herbal teas can be taken preventively, but it is the best way to take turmeric curatively when symptoms are already present.

Infuse 1 to 2 g of turmeric powder with 2 or 3 black peppercorns in 150 ml of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink 2 cups a day.

In infusion, it is interesting to make an infusion of turmeric and lemon, the yellow spice and the citrus fruit being two complementary ingredients that act in synergy.

The infusion should quickly calm digestive disturbances, if not, consult a doctor.

Precaution before taking turmeric

Like any product, turmeric has its share of contraindications and side effects, we have listed them in our article on the dangers of turmeric.

This product, which is so good for your health, can go so far as to become a danger if taken by the wrong person and no matter how.

There is no such thing as an overdose of turmeric, even in high doses, it is not toxic. However, although there are no categorical studies on this subject, caution should be taken in the following cases:

Turmeric may interact with certain medications. It could increase the effect of blood thinners, diabetes medication, or antacid treatments.

Turmeric should be consumed with caution in the event of gallbladder disorders. Although it helps regulate bile production, in case of obstruction of the bile ducts (stones for example), taking turmeric could worsen the problem.

When to consult in case of digestive disorders?

My advice is to always consult a doctor if there is any doubt. Although digestive disorders are generally harmless, when they are accompanied by more serious symptoms, it is imperative to consult. Among the most common:

• Sudden onset of digestive disorders

• Persistent symptoms

• Weightloss

• Violent pain

• Symptoms that occur after taking medicine or a new food

• Difficulty swallowing

• Vomiting or stool with blood

• Onset of fever

• Yellowish discoloration of the eyes and skin (Jaundice) etc.