If you don’t know by now, turmeric is an ingredient that is worth having at all times. You never know when it will come in handy. It has potent anti-inflammatory properties and tons of antioxidants, which can help remedy many health conditions. Did you know that turmeric has been known to inhibit cancer cell growth? Well, it can!
While we could talk about the many benefits of turmeric, this article is about how turmeric can help naturally fight depression. Turmeric has traditionally been used in Ayurveda and folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal issues, blood disorders, or hepatic disorders. Recent studies have shown that the active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has antidepressant like activity.
Curcumin was tested side by side with fluoxetine (an antidepressant) in a six-week study that was conducted on patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Over the course of the study, findings revealed that curcumin had a more positive effect than the fluoxetine. In fact, the study concluded that curcumin could be used as a safe modality for treatment in people with MDD without simultaneous suicidal or psychotic disorders.
Turmeric vs. Prozac
The problem with taking an antidepressant like Prozac is that you may experience an onslaught of side effects. People can experience stomach bleeding, difficulty breathing, or thoughts of suicide. Turmeric on the other hand doesn’t have any side effects and is beneficial for the entire body. You could be improving your digestion and combating depression at the same time!
How To Make The Lemonade
You can make this lemonade in various ways, but we prefer the way described below.
Ingredients
- 4 cups of distilled water
- 2 Tbsp. freshly grated turmeric or turmeric powder
- 4 Tbsp. grade B maple syrup, or stevia powder to desired sweetness
- juice of 1 lemon
- small pinch of black pepper
Directions
- Mix all of the ingredients in a pitcher and stir well. Serve with fresh lemon slices. You can consume this daily and it goes well with any meal.
