Turmeric, the powerful golden root that makes our favorite golden mylk lattes, is most commonly known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Since I was a young child, my mom taught me how to replace taking ibuprofen and other pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs by instead drinking turmeric tea, or even soaking the desired body part in hot turmeric water. What I didn't know my whole life, was that turmeric does so much more for the body than simply reducing inflammation and making delicious lattes.

Here are 8 benefits of turmeric you might not have known before:

1. Cures and prevents cancer: could Turmeric be a new cure for cancer? Although there aren't too many studies out there yet, Curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) has been shown to inhibit proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis of different cancers through interaction with multiple cell signaling proteins. Additionally, Turmeric has been shown to prevent the growth of cancerous cells and prohibit the growth as seen in different testing.

2. Increases breast milk supply. Turmeric has been used in India and other Eastern countries as a galactagogue, which is a substance that helps increase milk in breast feeding moms. While it is not scientifically proven, many moms swear by supplementing their diets with Turmeric to increase milk flow as well as milk quality.

3. Stengthens your immune system: Good news! Drinking golden mylk lattes can be your new go-to cold medicine. Turmeric has antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties that helps boost your immune system and prevent future sickness.

4. Makes you happy: For sure sipping golden mylk lattes does make me happy, but turmeric increases your mood because it also acts as a natural antidepressant. In fact, Chinese medicine practitioners have been treating depression with Turmeric for thousands of years! Turmeric is thought to contain compounds that increase dopamine and stimulate the nervous system. Studies also show Turmeric may even ease depression by relieving inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain.

5. Reduced risk of mastitis. Turmeric's anti-inflammatory properties may help prevent swollen breast tissue and clogged ducts, which can lead to mastitis.

6. Improved digestion. Turmeric can help get your digestion back to normal by helping stimulate the stomach to produce more gastric acid, which is needed for proper digestion.

7. Natural painkiller. Turmeric can help reduce inflammation that causes pain, especially in joints. Like I mentioned earlier, you can replace your ibuprofen or tylenol with Tumeric tea, or even soaking the inflamed area in warm turmeric water. I have used this technique multiple times, specifically for sprained and swollen ankles. Watch as your inflamed joints reduce as if by magic!

8. Improves Brain Health. BDNF is a growth hormone in the brain that when decreased, can lead to brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and depression. Interestingly, curcumin has been shown to increase levels of BDNF, reversing brain diseases and improving overall brain function.

As we study more and more about turmeric, the more amazing things we find out about this herb. There is still so much we don't know about turmeric, but what we do know is it helps us feel amazing, and it's delicious too! Add turmeric to your daily diet, whether in tea, curry, or (obviously my favorite by now) a golden mylk latte. Cheers!