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Turmeric
From CopperWiki
Turmeric is an underground rhizome and is said to have its origins in India. It belongs to the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). It has been used for culinary, medicinal and cosmetic purposes since times immemorial. Turmeric is a yellow spice with a warm and mellow flavour. It is mentioned in the Vedas (holy Sanskrit texts dating 2000-1500 BC), as well as by the Chinese scholar Xuan Zang who observed that Indians used turmeric and sandalwood paste to wash their bodies. ‘Charak Sanhita’ oldest manuscript of Ayurveda recognizes turmeric as an excellent antioxidant with numerous medicinal properties.
Turmeric is largely cultivated in India, Southeast Asia, China and the Middle East. In China it was used as a dye, while in ancient Persia it was one of the yellow spices associated with sun worship. Even in modern-day India, turmeric paste or powder is added to daals, vegetables and curries throughout the country. It is the most common spice, and serves the purpose of a flavourant, colourant and digestive. In fact in many households food that is not coloured with turmeric is considered to be ‘inauspicious’.
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[edit] Other Names for Turmeric
Turmeric has different names in different languages. It is called Açafrão da terra in Portuguese; azafrán arabe in Spanish; curcuma in Italian; gelbwurz in German; haldi in Hindi; khamin" in Thai; kunyit in Indonesian; kurkum in Arabic and Hebrew; manjano in Swahili; nghe in Vietnamese; safran des Indes in French; ukon in Japanese; and yu chin in Chinese.
[edit] Description
Fresh turmeric looks like a slender version of ginger, but is bright orange-yellow inside. The length of the main rhizome is approximately 3 – 7 cm. It has a diameter of 2.5 cm, with small tubers branching off. Turmeric is grown in warm climate. Soil rich in humus and sandy in nature is ideal for growing turmeric. It is mainly cultivated in India, China, Taiwan, Japan, Burma and Africa. The common form of turmeric sold in the markets is either the dried rhizomes (hard and yellow) or ground turmeric powder. Turmeric powder is an essential ingredient in all Indian curry powders.
[edit] Theraupeutic uses
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic (fights tumors) properties. This herb is extensively used by Chinese, Unani and Ayurvedic medicine practitioners.
The main constituent of turmeric is curcumin, which has lot of therapeutic effects. It is a strong antioxidant and reduces inflammation by reducing histamine levels.
- Taking turmeric regularly helps to purify the blood and is good for the liver.
- Turmeric when added to beans and pulses can help to reduce gas and bloating.
- Turmeric contains compounds that herbalists use to treat and prevent conditions of the liver such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and jaundice.
- Very beneficial for people suffering from digestive and gall bladders problems as it helps to break down fats during the process of digestion.
- Taking turmeric mixed with milk not only heals the wounds, but also treats high blood pressure.
- It helps in reducing cholesterol levels and prevents the internal blood clots that trigger strokes and heart attacks.
- Boil turmeric powder in water. Gargles of this cold and decanted water are beneficial in stomatitis and ulcers of tongue.
- Roast turmeric, grind it to make a fine powder. This powder can be applied to treat toothache.
- External application of turmeric paste cures eczemas and skin ailments.
- Turmeric (especially fresh) mixed in warm milk helps in chest congestions and asthma.
- It is commonly used in common cold, fever and inflammations.
- Turmeric powder increases the mucus content in gastric juices and hence acts against gastric disorders.
- A pinch of turmeric powder with warm water helps in stomach ache.
- Turmeric is used to treat minor cuts and burns since it has antiseptic and microbial properties.
- Turmeric also helps in regulating reproductive system of women.
[edit] Ceremonial Use
Turmeric is considered auspicious in India. As part of pre-nuptial ceremonies, both the bride and the groom are given a ceremonial bath with the turmeric paste, sandalwood (chandan) and gram flour(besan). This tradition that has become part of the culture probably came about due to turmeric’s beneficial effects on the skin. Turmeric cleanses the skin and makes it glow. It is considered a symbol of prosperity and a cleansing herb for the body.
It is mixed with water and sprinkled on places, persons and things to remove negative forces.
[edit] Skin Care
- Turmeric can heal and prevent dry and patched skin.
- When turmeric is mixed with milk, it becomes a natural cleanser. It also brings a healthy glow to the skin. It is a very important ingredient for face creams and body lotions.
- Paste made with fuller’s earth (multani mitti), Turmeric powder, yoghurt, rosewater can be applied to face to get a clear and glowing complexion.
- A pinch of turmeric powder mixed with a tablespoon of coriander juice and gram flour is an effective remedy for pimples.
- In South India turmeric paste is applied by women all over their bodies before a bath since it improves the complexion and has depilatory properties
[edit] References
- A Historical Dictionary of Indian Food, K.T.Achaya
- Encyclopedia of Herbs, Spices & Flavorings, Elisabeth L. Ortiz
- Indian herbs, M Swaminath
[edit] See Also
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