Laughter – Benefits – Best Medicine

 

 

Laughter is part of the universal human vocabulary. All members of the human species understand it. Unlike English or French or Swahili, we don’t have to learn to speak it. We’re born with the capacity to laugh.

One of the remarkable things about laughter is that it occurs unconsciously. You don’t decide to do it. While we can consciously inhibit it, we don’t consciously produce laughter. That’s why it’s very hard to laugh on command or to fake laughter. (Don’t take my word for it: Ask a friend to laugh on the spot.)

Laughter provides powerful, uncensored insights into our unconscious. It simply bubbles up from within us in certain situations.

Very little is known about the specific brain mechanisms responsible for laughter. But we do know that laughter is triggered by many sensations and thoughts and that it activates many parts of the body.

When we laugh, we alter our facial expressions and make sounds. During exuberant laughter, the muscles of the arms, legs, and trunk are involved. Laughter also requires modification in our pattern of breathing.

We also know that laughter is a message that we send to other people. We know this because we rarely laugh when we are alone (we laugh to ourselves even less than we talk to ourselves).

Laughter is social and contagious. We laugh at the sound of laughter itself. That’s why the Tickle Me Elmo doll is such a success — it makes us laugh and smile.

The first laughter appears at about 3.5 to 4 months of age, long before we’re able to speak. Laughter, like crying, is a way for a preverbal infant to interact with the mother and other caregivers.

Contrary to folk wisdom, most laughter is not about humor; it is about relationships between people. To find out when and why people laugh, I and several undergraduate research assistants went to local malls and city sidewalks and recorded what happened just before people laughed. Over a 10-year period, we studied over 2,000 cases of naturally occurring laughter.

We found that most laughter does not follow jokes. People laugh at a variety of statements such as “Hey John, where ya been?” “Here comes Mary,” “How did you do on the test?” and “Do you have a rubber band?” These certainly aren’t jokes.

We don’t decide to laugh at these moments. Our brain makes the decision for us. These curious “ha ha ha’s” are bits of social glue that bond relationships.

Curiously, laughter seldom interrupts the sentence structure of speech. It punctuates speech. We only laugh during pauses when we would cough or breathe.
An evolutionary perspective

We believe laughter evolved from the panting behavior of our ancient primate ancestors. Today, if we tickle chimps or gorillas, they don’t laugh “ha ha ha” but exhibit a panting sound. That’s the sound of ape laughter. And it’s the root of human laughter.

Apes laugh in conditions in which human laughter is produced, like a tickle, rough and tumble play, and chasing games. Other animals produce vocalizations during play, but they are so different that it’s difficult to equate them with laughter. Rats, for example, produce high-pitch vocalizations during play and when tickled. But it’s very different in sound from human laughter.

When we laugh, we’re often communicating playful intent. So laughter has a bonding function within individuals in a group. It’s often positive, but it can be negative too. There’s a difference between “laughing with” and “laughing at.” People who laugh at others may be trying to force them to confirm or casting them out of the group.

No one has actually counted how much people of different ages laugh, but young children probably laugh the most. At ages 5 and 6, we tend to see the most exuberant laughs. Adults laugh less than children, probably because they play less. And laughter is associated with play.

We have learned a lot about when and why we laugh, much of it counter-intuitive. Work now underway will tell us more about the brain mechanisms of laughter, how laughter has evolved and why we’re so susceptible to tackle — one of the most enigmatic of human behaviors.

Robert Provine, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. His book entitled “Laughter, A Scientific Investigation“, was published in 2001 by Penguin Press.

 

Source:  A Big Mystery: Why Do We Laugh?, at Mysteries of the Universe on MSNBC.com

Above Article: For Education and Entertainment purpose only.

Meditation/Prayer – Benefits

Is your daily routine so busy and full of activities that it’s causing you stress and agitation? We’ve all heard of the health risks associated with too much stress, but how can you reduce that stress and find peace in your life?
To achieve a sense of peace, you can turn to the gift of prayer and meditation.

There are many benefits to meditation and prayer:

1. Stress reduction. Both meditation and prayer are wonderful for reducing stress. You’ll find that it helps you learn how to get away from the worries of life to a more peaceful state of mind. Just 15 minutes a day can make a huge difference by bringing peace and relaxation to your body and mind. A few minutes each day isn’t much, considering that the positive effects will last hours.

2. Improved health. Many studies have proven that prayer and meditation foster vibrant health. Usually these health benefits, such as lower blood pressure and decreased risk of heart disease, occur because of the lowered stress levels.
Physical problems are often a symptom of turmoil on the inside and prayer and meditation can help to overcome that turmoil.

3. Better control over your thoughts. Having negative thoughts from time to time is part of being human. Many people who are stressed don’t believe they’re able to control what they think. The stress mounts, tempers flair, and before long arguments ensue. However, by bringing prayer and meditation into your life, it’s possible to control your thoughts and stop negative thinking as soon as it happens. This helps keep your mind at peace.

4. Happiness. Both peace of mind and happiness are true benefits of meditation and prayer. Everyone is seeking happiness in their lives, and when you’re able to find peace of mind through prayer and meditation, you’re also welcoming happiness into your life. By spending some time in personal reflection, you’ll gain a greater wisdom of your mission in this life, and you’ll be better able to appreciate all that you’ve been given, both good and bad. Meditation and prayer help banish those negative thoughts that threaten your peace of mind.

5. Better concentration. As you pray and meditate, you welcome peace and tranquillity into your mind, which then affects how you live your life. When you alleviate the stresses in your life, you’re better able to concentrate on the things that are important, such as family or work. Continued prayer and meditation will help you expand your focus to multiple areas of your life.

Although prayer and meditation can provide peace in your life, it can be hard to make the time at first, but it’s easier than you think. Simply find a quiet place in your home and allow yourself to relax and feel at peace for 10-15 minutes. You deserve those 15 minutes of peace each day!

While there are plenty of positive benefits of prayer and meditation, it may take practice and perseverance to achieve them. Over time you’ll begin to experience this wonderful gift in your own life and you’ll be thankful that you did!
Here’s an excellent way to start enjoying the benefits of meditation today. The Deep Zen audio program is easy for anyone wanting to learn how to meditate and helps advanced mediators achieve deeper levels of meditation too.

Try your free demo here: http://www.deep-zen.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Warren_Marion

By Warren Marion

Best seller Book on  Meditation

Home Based Business Ideas

Are you searching for home based business ideas? Choosing the right business idea is the most important step of setting up a home based business. Setting up a home based business is a cost effective proposition for beginners be it men or women. Initiating a business from home takes much less startup capital investment than a freestanding business or even a franchise business. This article is for those who are looking for that extra inspiration in finding the business idea they are looking for.

Here we list down most popular  home based business ideas that can be initiated with low investment.

Selected Home Based Business Ideas

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing involves having your own site and sending your traffic to someone else’s site to purchase their products or services through which you will earn a percentage of sales commission on every sale.

2. Agarbatti Making

Agarbatti (Incense Burner) making is one of the traditional industries in India. People burn agarbatti for religious occasions. One can start this business as a home-based and can go for large scale

3. Alteration Service

Alteration service business opportunity demands to have sewing skill and a creative craft mind. With a low start-up capital investment, any individual can initiate alteration service business from his/her home location.

4. Arts & Crafts Classes

Many people want to learn about the specific arts and crafts making such as painting, knitting, Plaster of Paris as sculpture, pottery, glass etching etc. If you have expertise in any field of arts and crafts you may consider initiating a business of arts and crafts classes. This business can be operated from a home location.

5. Babysitting

People who like children and lot of leisure time in hand can easily start babysitting business. Babysitting is simply taking care of other’s child in the absence of their parents. This home based business is simply offering your clients peace of mind about their child in terms of qualifications and security.

6. Selling Used Books

This is an innovative way of earning handsome money from home. You can earn good profit from selling textbooks and used books. Books are abundant. Specially used textbooks.

7. Candle Making – Home Based Business Ideas

Candle making business can be initiated with a small start budget and home based basis. People purchase candle not only for religious purpose but also to scent and decorate their home and business places.

8. Candy Making

Candy making business idea is a fantastic way to turn your hobby and skill into a profitable home based business model. Homemade candies are very easier to make and also quite popular. . It’s a wonderful idea you may consider converting your hobby to a profitable, home-based candy making business.

9. Photography

Individuals having expertise in still and video photography can initiate this venture from his/her home location. This is one of the most profitable advertising business ideas which one can start with very less investment.

10. Crafts Making

A person having a hobby of crafts making, creating home decor items with plaster of Paris would be an excellent craft making a business idea for him/her. Not only can this venture be started and run from a home based location, but this business is also very inexpensive to initiate.

11. Direct-Mail Service Consultancy

Generally, community businesses prefer to have direct mail services. Those who are targeting mass like restaurants, auto service shops electronics or gadgets shops and general interest retail stores. This is a way of advertising where results can be measured quickly and easily. You can initiate this venture from your home location

12.Dried Flower Business

Dried Flower Business is a very profitable venture now worldwide. Flower production is one of the fastest growing crop trends in agriculture today with a strong demand for all types of flowers, especially unique and hard-to-grow varieties.

13.Employee Training

The demand for specialized employee training is enormous and it is increasing. Mostly required employee training courses are on customer service, money handling, working place safety measures, stress management etc. Normally these training courses conducted on employer’s site. One can operate this business from home location.

14.E-Teaching

E-teaching or online teaching is one of the most popular and trending education business ideas nowadays. The demand is also increasing. Any aspiring individual who loves the teaching profession can initiate this venture by two ways. Either by registering on an online tutoring marketplace or building his/her own online teaching business.

15.Event Management Agency

Event management agency business demands superior organizational and planning skills. Graduating from college in events management or a related major is a plus, but it’s not required necessity.

16.Financial Advisor

Professional financial advisory business is advising the clients about most perfect and rightful financial planning and investment. This is one of the most profitable and self-rewarding home based business ideas.

17.First Aid Training

First-aid training business can be started from home and can be operated as part-time. Many industries such as construction, wear house, transport, manufacturing generally conduct first-aid training for their employees.

18.Fitness Instructor

Having expertise in aerobics and yoga any individual can initiate home based business as a yoga instructor. With very low start up capital and a planned marketing strategy, this business can be initiated.

19.Freelance Bookkeeping

Every small or big company need business accounting services like bank reconciliation, e-filling, service tax, sales tax, payroll etc. One can start this home-based business by giving this services freelance to the businesses who can’t afford to have a permanent accountant.

20.Freelance Writing

A person who is good in words and love to create articles for newspaper or magazine can start a freelance writing business. There are various publications offline and online who need quality and informative content regularly. You can also write for corporate clients to create their marketing tool about their products and services. To start this home- based business, you will only need to have a computer with internet connection.

21.Fruits Vegetables Export

Fruits vegetable export business demands an adequate knowledge about foreign markets. If you are living in an area where fruits and vegetable production is good enough, you can consider initiating a fruits vegetable export business starting just from your local growers. The export-import sector is hugely organized and you will get sufficient data in your hand.

22.Gift Basket

A Gift basket is a wonderful home based business one can start with low startup capital. Having a creative mind and good communication skill you can initiate this business as part time also.

23.Graphic Design Service

Having expertise in graphic designing one can start graphic design service as an individual business or can initiate as an organization by hiring experts. Technical knowledge with a creative mind and as well as branding expertise is required in initiating this business.

24. Greeting Card Making

Greeting card making business idea is perfect for those who enjoy creativity and want to turn their creative minds into a successful venture. A greeting card is an illustrated piece of card or high-quality paper featuring an expression of friendship or another sentiment.

25. Human Resource Consulting

Human resource consulting business is now a growing field. Businesses of every size need HR professionals to help them with tasks like recruitment, training, compliance, administration, and payroll. While large corporate may choose to outsource to the big HR consulting firms, small and medium-sized businesses are looking for a more personalized human resource consulting services to fulfill their needs.

26. Image Consulting 

If you love pulling together the perfect outfit, you may want to consider becoming a fashion or image consultant. While it may not be obvious at first, the reasons that people may need an image consultant are quite varied.

27. Interior Designing

Having knowledge and experience in interior designing a woman entrepreneur can initiate this venture from the home location with low capital investments.

28. Internet Marketing Consulting

In today’s world, every small and big business need to have their own website. But only having a website not ensure getting potential customers. A Lot of technical and branding issues are there to create a website as an effective marketing tool. Here you can work successfully as an internet marketing consultant. This is one of the most profitable advertising business ideas.

29.IT Security Consulting

IT security consulting is one the most trending and profitable home based business ideas. Having skill and knowledge about IT security one can initiate this business with low startup capital.

30. Jewelry Making

A person who is crazy about jewelry and passionate to handle crafts materials like beads, charms etc. can start a jewelry making business. Having some training in jewelry making is essential in starting this home based business with a small investment. You can start selling in your local community, gift stores or by an online site like Etsy.

31. Landscape Expert

A landscape expert is a person who is enough knowledgeable in the field of landscape architecture. The practice of landscape architecture includes site analysis, site inventory, land planning, planting design, grading, storm water management, sustainable design, construction specification and ensuring that all plans meet the current building codes and local and federal ordinances.

32. Lunch Delivery Service

By using your own kitchen at home, you can start lunch delivery service with moderate capital investment. Every business houses or offices don’t have the canteen facility. And a home-made meal is always appreciable from the worker’s point of view.

33. Mobile Car Wash

Running a mobile car wash business is a smart way to make a lot of money without taking much risk of capital investment. The business also eliminates the requirement for a retail business location.

34. Mobile Facial Spa

Mobile facial spa business provides services to the people who just can not make time in their busy schedule to allow themselves the luxury of a facial and spa, especially when they work full time.

35. Mobile Foot Massage Service 

Mobile foot massage service business can be initiated as an independent professional or as a company. As lifestyle turns out to be more stressful, the demand for massage services is on the rise and it creates terrific opportunities. One can start this venture with a very minimum start up cost.

36. Mobile Oil Change Service

A person having passion in automobile industry and experience can start a profitable mobile oil change service business with a low startup capital investment.

37. Mobile Paper Shredding

 Mobile paper shredding business is about providing the service of securely and permanently destroying the outdated paper documents on your customer door step. An entrepreneur living in a city or suburban, having a network with business houses can start this business with substantial capital investment.

38. Mobile Windshield Repairing

Mobile windshield repairing business can be initiated from a home location with low startup capital. With little inventory and low operating overhead cost, any individual can start this business with proper marketing strategy.

39. Online Photo Selling

Online photo selling business opportunity is perfect for a professional photographer and also for those who love photography and want to turn their hobby into a profitable business venture. There is always a huge demand for good quality, unique photographs, and many online agencies are ready to pay for it.

40. Pet Grooming

Initiating a pet grooming business with allied pet accessories is a profitable and most trending home based business ideas. Having proper knowledge and skill any individual can start this business with less startup capital investment.

41. Promotional Product Selling

Promotional product selling in one of the highly profitable advertising business ideas you can initiate with moderate capital investment. The business includes a wide range of product variety such as key chains, mugs, T-shirts, caps, wall clocks, business card holders and many others.

42. Public Relation Agency

In starting public relation agency business, you will need to work both print and electronics media. The main area where public relation professionals work that is to get their client’s story in the media. A degree or certificate in public relations is a plus but not an absolute necessity.

43Recruitment Agency

Every small and big business need to hire manpower. You can provide the services like temporary and permanent staffing, choosing right candidate etc. One can start this home-based business by only having a computer with internet connection and phone.

44. Sales Training

The success of every business depends on sales and sales training is an effective tool to have the skilled employee in this field. Many companies hire sales trainer for this purpose. Ninety percent of sales managers suggest that a lack of fresh and relevant training material is what keeps their teams from staying engaged, according to Salesforce. Eighty percent of sales managers claim they do not have the time to train their staffs. Having adequate knowledge and expertise any individual can start this business as full or part time basis.

45. SEO Consultant

SEO consultant serves the industry as internet marketing expert. When people search for specifics in search engines, websites that appear and come on the first few pages, are the sites that usually attract maximumly traffics. One can start this knowledge-based business with low-cost investment. Actually, you require only a computer with internet connection to start this home-based business.

46. Sewing Classes

If you have expertise in any of specialty sewing like crochet, woolens etc. you can initiate this business. This business can be operated as part- time also.

47. Social Media Consulting

Almost every people use Facebook, Tweeter, LinkedIn, Pinterest these days and many companies are ready to pay people to get the service of their social media accounts management. Social Media Consulting is one of the highly profitable internet-based business ideas for women entrepreneurs.

48. Sports Coaching

Sports coaching in the field of football cricket, basketball, tennis, is very popular globally. In starting this business, you will need to determine whether you will be focusing on indoor or outdoor games.

49. Tax Consulting

After having some accounting course or having CA certification an entrepreneur can initiate tax consulting business from a home location with low cost or no cost investment.

50. Tour Guide

Tour guide business opportunity demands adequate knowledge of historical information and local culture about the location where you are starting the business. Tour guide business is all about sharing the information about the places to a group of the people in an entertaining way.

51. Translator

Translation is fast becoming highly potential web based business offering opportunities for making money online. With ever increasing net connectivity and globalization, knowing and understanding other languages have become extremely vital in keeping pace with the speed of society.

52. Transportation Service

Transportation service is one of the most profitable and trending home based business ideas. Having the contacts of the transport vehicle owners any individual can initiate this business from a home location with less start-up capital.

53. T-Shirt Printing

The T-shirt printing business is now a multi-billion rupee industry, and it can be relatively inexpensive to start a small-scale venture. A compelling T-shirt design and a catchy phrase attract customers. There are many ways to print T-shirts and prospective entrepreneurs must first investigate the market before investing in a print method.

54.  Tutoring

A person wants to start a home based business in education segment and has the patience to handle children, can start tutoring. Start this business on the subject which you have specialization. Every parent these days always is looking for a good tutor for their child. You can start this business with no capital.

55. Video Producing

Nowadays a lot of companies look for music videos for brand building activity. Artists and singers also look for music videos for promotion. You can try this creative work if you enjoy doing so.

56. Web Designing

A person who has some basic knowledge of HTML coding and graphic designing can start this home-based business easily. Every small and big business requires a website to promote their products or services. You can start the business of creating and maintaining a website for your clients only by having a computer with internet connection and phone.

57. Wedding Consulting

Wedding consulting business comes natural to a person who is organized, focusses on details and love to coordinate events. Your creativity can make other’s wedding day memorable for life time. You can start this home-based business with low startup capital with the help of online promotion.

58. Window Cleaning

Window cleaning or window washing business is actually providing professional window cleaning service to homes or business houses. With a little bit, hard work and small investment one can get started in the window cleaning business and expect handsome revenue in a mid-sized city. Image conscious businesses especially retail sector will likely have a need for clean, shiny windows throughout the year.

59. Auto Detailing

Auto detailing business is a great way to make extra big money with low investment. Startup costs are low and earning potential is very high. You must be passionate about cars and automobiles to succeed in this business.  Creative marketing is the key to achieving success in this business.

60. Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistant business is providing services like checking and answering emails, organizing to-do list, updating calendars and schedules with minimal interaction with your clients. One can start this home-based business with a computer with internet connection and phone. This industry is growing globally.

Donate to Charities – Benefits

How to reward yourself by giving time and money to others, from fancy cars and expensive clothes to fine dining and exotic vacations, there are many ways you can spend your hard-earned dollars. And there is nothing wrong with rewarding yourself for a job well done — but what would happen if you rewarded someone else instead?

A recent study by Harvard Business School faculty and graduate students titled “Feeling Good about Giving: The Benefits (and Costs) of Self-Interested Charitable Behavior,” explores the ways in which charitable behavior can lead to benefits for the giver. While the concept that giving to others can make you feel good about yourself is not revolutionary, there are several more subtle ways that giving your money or time for a cause can benefit your psychological, spiritual and emotional well-being.

Here are five reasons to donate to charity

Based on the research of the Harvard Business School as well as other experts and websites.

Donations are tax deductible

When you donate to a charitable organization or a non-profit group, the amount you donate is tax deductible. But not only is the money you give tax deductible, so are the amounts you spend on travel, parking costs and even convention and event fees that are related to the non-profit group, as long as you are not being reimbursed by the charity for these expenses.

Giving to charity may improve your sense of well-being

The act of helping others can create an improved sense of well-being. Knowing that you sacrificed something such as time, finances or property in order to help others in need can give you a sense of purpose in life or work and inner satisfaction.

Supporting a cause can help keep you informed about issues of social injustice

When considering donating to a charity, many people tend to research the issues connected to that organization. As a result, you become more educated about social injustices around the world. You may discover new points of view and opinions on topics about which you were previously uniformed. This knowledge may position you to help increase the awareness of social problems among those in your sphere of influence from a balanced and educated standpoint.

Giving to charity out of spiritual conviction can strengthen your spiritual life

Selfless giving is a key component to many spiritual and religious belief systems. Recognizing that you have taken action in line with your spiritual beliefs by offering your resources to others in need can bring a sense of inner peace and contentment.

Volunteering with a charity may result in physical and social benefits

After donating financially to a charity or non-profit organization, you may feel an inner pull to become more involved with the cause by donating your time and skill as well. By volunteering, you have the opportunity to build your social circles while reaping the physical, mental and spiritual benefits from the labor you contribute to your favourite cause.

Best seller Book on Giving charity www.amazon.ca

Dates (Fruit)

Dates have recently become the healthier alternative to chocolate. In shops, we can now buy different varieties of date – from dried and plain to stone and glazed with pure sugar. The date itself is very nutritious but added Glucose is never a good thing. If you want to benefit most from this fruit, choose the purest and natural version you can find. Sweetened dates will still have the benefits but also might carry disadvantages which are related to the overconsumption of sugar.

Dates originate from the Middle East and grow on palm trees. There are different types of date species cultivated which vary in size, color, and nutritional components.

Dates are made out of simple sugars, some starch, and cellulose. When ripening the simple sugar content increases and fiber concentration decreases. You can find more on fiber in the benefits of eating carrots. Dieters have recognized this property and commonly use it for enforcing weight loss. Dietary fiber also might prevent abdominal cancer.

Even though dates are fruit they still contain small amounts of fatty acids, both saturated and unsaturated. There has been spotted an opportunity to use dates as a source of oleic acid which can be found in the seeds of dates. Also found in the olive oil, it has a lowering effect on the blood pressure and cholesterol levels.  The problem would be though to ensure the digestion of these seeds to get any benefits at all.

Mineral Content

There 15 different minerals present from which some tend to decrease in concentrations in later stages of date development depending on variety – Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium and Phosphorus. This is another reason to eat more ‘young’ dates. Iron enhances the production of blood and dates are advantageous for people with Iron deficiency as the use of supplements can be avoided. Potassium is essential for a healthy nervous system and enhances physical activity too. On other hands, Phosphorus is the building bone of genetic material in the body. It also is the part of the ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is the energy fuel for all reactions in all living things. Lack of phosphorus might cause muscular and neurological dysfunction and disruption of blood cells. It is also beneficial for hardening the bones. Dates have 5 times larger concentration of these three minerals than bananas and apples.

Protein

Dates are also very rich in Protein, again 5 times more than other fruit. There are 23 different amino acids in dates from which most are not available in other conventional fruits at all. The concentration of these again decreases with ripening. Proteins are the building blocks of our body and are needed for the growth of muscles. Therefore, people who want to widen the range and type of protein they intake, dates are a great option.  In the largest concentrations of protein in dates are Glutamic, Aspartic and Aspartame amino acids. Glutamic acid is an essential neurotransmitter which mediates different metabolic reactions and as a supplement is widely used by athletes.

Vitamins

Different vitamins are also present but not in great amounts. You would have eaten a lot of dates to reach the daily recommendation. The most significant amount of concentrations have vitamin C(Ascorbic acid), B1(Thiamine) and B2(Riboflavin) but there is also a presence of Folic acid, Nicotinic Acid, and vitamin A. Vitamin C mediates metabolism, is an antioxidant, detoxifier and has been claimed to boost the immune system. B1 has been associated with increased mental activity but B2 has been used for prevention of migraines.

Benefits of eating dates:

  • Increase of energy
  • Enhance bowel movement
  • Prevent abdominal cancer
  • Lower cholesterol
  • Lower Blood pressure
  • Enhance metabolism and absorption of nutrients
  • Enhance physical activity
  • Prevent neurological problems
  • Enhance blood production
  • Contribute to muscle growth
  • Might boost immune system
  • Prevent migraines and other physical pain

Turmeric

The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Tumeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye.

The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease.

Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:

  1.  It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
  2.  When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
  3.  Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
  4.  May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
  5.  Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
  6.  Is a natural liver detoxifier.
  7.  May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloid plaque buildup in the brain.
  8.  May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
  9.  It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
  10.  Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
  11.  Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
  12.  May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
  13.  Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
  14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
  15.  Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
  16.  Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
  17.  Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
  18.  Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
  19.  Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
  20.  May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.

Once you start using turmeric on a regular basis, it’s fun to find new ways to use it in recipes. My favorite way to use it is to add a pinch of it to egg salad. It adds a nice flavor and gives the egg salad a rich yellow hue.
Contraindications: Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction. Though turmeric is often used by pregnant women, it is important to consult with a doctor before doing so as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant.

Ready to buy turmeric supplements or powder? Check out our 7 Best Turmeric Supplements article and our 6 Best Turmeric Powder Brands to help you decide which ones are right for you.

Best seller book on Benefits of Turmeric www.amazon.ca

 Benefits of Using Turmeric in Cooking

August 27, 2010

The Benefits of turmeric are many. The peppery, golden spice has been used for thousands of years throughout India and China. Turmeric is also known as Indian saffron because of its similar hue.  Although originally used as a dye, it was soon discovered that turmeric had many healing properties. Today, the spice is used in mustards and curies as much for its yellow color as for its warm and earthy flavor.
The health benefits of turmeric are due to its primary active ingredient, curcumin. Curcumin is also the compound that gives turmeric its vivid yellow color. There are so many health benefits attributed to the use of turmeric; it’s definitely worth it to try to incorporate this spice into your diet. The following are just some of the many health benefits of turmeric.

Antioxidant Properties

Turmeric has strong antioxidant properties. Consuming turmeric on a regular basis can help prevent free radical damage associated with premature aging, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and other degenerative diseases. Indian populations have a fraction of the incidences of Alzheimer’s disease than Americans do. Traditional Indian diets are rich in curry based dishes. It’s thought that the turmeric in their curry dishes is at least partially responsible for the low incidences of Alzheimer’s in India.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory. The active ingredient curcumin has been shown in several studies to be as effective as many prescription and over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs. And unlike traditional medications, curcumin is nontoxic. Many sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis have found relief from painful joint pain by adding turmeric to their diets.

Anti-tumor Properties

Regular use of turmeric is associated with lower risks of lung, breast, prostate and colon cancers. A recent study concluded that turmeric may also slow the spread of existing cancers. Scientists were able to keep breast cancers from spreading to the lungs of mice by giving them curcumin.
Asian children have a much lower risk of childhood leukemia. Some scientists feel that the use of turmeric is partly responsible for the lower childhood leukemia rates. Turmeric has been shown to destroy leukemia cells in laboratory tests.

Liver Detoxifier

Turmeric has been used for centuries for its ability to detoxify the liver. Several studies support this historical use with findings that turmeric can protect the liver from alcohol and other toxic substances.

Natural Blood Thinner

Turmeric can help to keep blood platelets from sticking together. This anti-platelet activity can have numerous health benefits. Not the least of which is helping to prevent blood clots, heart attack, and stroke.

Digestive Aid

One of the traditional uses of turmeric is as a digestive aid. The spice works by increasing bile production in the liver which helps with fat digestion. This same effect may also aid in weight loss.
Contraindications. Although turmeric is a fairly safe substance, large quantities should be avoided by those with bile obstructions or gallstones. Also, if you have a clotting disorder or are on blood thinning medications, consult your doctor before using turmeric