Magic of Spice|#4 Turmeric|Uses & Benefits|Cure from your Kitchen

TURMERIC - The Golden Spice

ABOUT

Turmeric belongs to the zinger family, Zingiberaceae. It is a herbaceous perennial plant. The rhizomes of the plant are used for many purposes. Basically turmeric rank as a spice. The scientific name of turmeric is Curcuma longa.

The name turmeric is believed to have come from Latin word ‘terra merita’ which means merited earth. In Arabic both saffron and turmeric are termed as Curcuma which is the name of the gene of turmeric.

The origin of turmeric is found in southern Asia. Thousand year backs it was grown wild in south and Southeast Asia. In present days, India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric. Pakistan, China, Haiti, Jamaica, Peru, Taiwan and Thailand are the other countries where turmeric is widely produced. 

Turmeric plants grow up to 1m in height. The plant has leaves, flower and roots. These plants are collected annually for the rhizomes. The rhizomes are highly branched with yellow to orange colour, cylindrical in shape and very aromatic. These rhizomes are processed to form a deep orange yellow turmeric powder.

USES

Turmeric has been used in traditional medicines, cooking; as a dye, indicator, etc. In Indian culture turmeric is considered fortunate and sacred and has played many roles in Hindu spiritualism. From centuries turmeric is used in wedding, religious ceremonies, as thanksgiving and many more.

Traditionally it was used as a medicine in Siddha or Ayurveda.

Turmeric is a natural food colouring agent. Due to this property it is considered as the queen of spices and  an indispensable ingredient in many dishes. Turmeric is used both as raw or cooked and dried or fresh.

The leaves of turmeric have a unique flavour. These leaves are used to make a rice flour bases cake (pitha) called ‘Enduri pitha’ for the occasion of Prathasmastami and Manabasa Gurubara in Odisha. This cake is also made in Goa and known as ‘patoleo’. Many dishes are prepared by wrapping this leaves with the food.

Turmeric for its golden yellow colour is used in canned beverages, dairy products, orange juice, sauces, etc. This colour has made it use prominent in Bangladeshi cuisine, Iranian cuisine, Pakistani cuisine and Indian Cuisine.

It is also used to make varieties of commercially available curry powder. Fresh turmeric is pickled and consumed. Turmeric tea is nowadays in trend. Golden milk or Haldi ka dudh is a household medicinal drink in India.

Persian and South African cuisine used this spice to colour their rice. Vietnamese cuisine use it in stir-fries and soups. European found an alternative to the expensive saffron and termed it as Indian saffron to turmeric.

It is also applied on skin by many Indian women to enhance their skin colour and keep it soft and radiant.

BENEFITS

Turmeric has a high Curcumin content. This is not only the pigment that gives turmeric its colour but also an antioxidant. Due to curcumin, turmeric was widely used in Ayurveda to cure many health problems.

Turmeric has wide range of antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Due to these properties it prevents asthma, allergies, rheumatoid, autoimmune diseases and heart diseases. With that it inhibits and destroys cancer causing tumour in esophagus, mouth, intestine, stomach, breast and skin.

It also has abundance of nutrients like protein, dietary fiber, niactin, vitamin (C, E, and K), sodium, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium and zinc.

With turmeric it becomes easy to lose weight. It improves digestion; prevent disease related to liver and brain like Alzheimer’s. Application of turmeric paste to wounds makes it heal faster.

Turmeric is also an antidepressant. It works thousand times better than any side effect causing drug.

Turmeric is the best beauty product at your kitchen. It has a solution to all skin related issues. It can be used for glowing skin, skin lightening, acne free skin, sun tan, wrinkles, oily skin, dry skin, dark circle and many more. Turmeric is a natural cleanser. None commercial chemical beauty product could beat the result obtained by turmeric.

White teeth and health gums can also be obtained by the use of turmeric. It is a natural teeth whitener. With that it prevents and cures toothaches, oral infections, gum irritation and gum reddening.

All these benefits of turmeric can be availed if it is used in its purest form. Many adulterated turmeric powder are available in the market with has many chemicals and non-edible compounds. These adulteration restrict us from being benefited by turmeric. It my recommendation to purchase the rhizomes of turmeric and process it as per your use or go for trusted brand of spices that gives assurance of purity and quality.