Believe it or not, curry has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments, from stomach cramps to throat infections, and recent research is reviving it as a healing agent. The main substance in curry, turmeric, has been found to work similarly to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Celebrex because it inhibits the effect of COX-2, a chemical in the body that causes pain.

The actual main ingredient in curry/turmeric is curcumin, a potent antioxidant. Yesterday I heard a nationally recognized Dr say that eating curry twice a week has been found to be a barrier against Alzheimer’s disease. Many researchers believe that the low rate of Alzheimer’s disease in India can be attributed to its heavy consumption of curry/turmeric.

There are numerous studies showing that the active ingredient in turmeric has an anti-tumor effect and can even stop the growth of existing cancer cells. There are precautions when using any spice as a medicine. Not always tested on humans, and some may be counterproductive to medicine, it is always recommended to consult with your doctor before using any food as a curative. This recipe is full of spices that have recently been discovered to have healing properties.

chicken curry

1 to 2 pounds whole chicken (or 4 large boneless breasts, each cut in half)
1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
6 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
2 fresh green chiles, finely chopped
1 piece (1 inch) fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
2 tablespoons ground coriander
1/4 t. crushed dried red chillies
2 tons ground turmeric
3 to 4 medium tomatoes, chopped
salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon chopped cilantro

Addresses

Trim fat and skin from chicken and cut into 8 portions. Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add onion, garlic, green chilies, and ginger; cook until browned. Add the tomatoes, red chiles, turmeric, cilantro, and salt; cover and cook over medium-low heat for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, to prevent sticking to the bottom. Add water, if necessary, and cook until chicken is done. Sprinkle cilantro over the chicken and serve with steamed rice. Additional caution: It has not been determined whether turmeric is safe for pregnant women and should not be used by people with gallstones or bile duct obstructions.

There are some possible interactions between turmeric and certain medications, specifically, blood thinners and anti-inflammatory drugs. Therefore, people taking any of these types of medications should use turmeric with caution.