TURMERIC - THE GOLDEN SPICE OF INDIA

INTRODUCTION

Turmeric named as Indian Saffron or Golden Spice. It is a gesture of purity, prosperity, wellness and fertility. The combined form of water with turmeric powder offered to the Gods in the Hindu temples as a part ritual called Abhishekam.

Turmeric used in all religious ceremonies in India. The use of turmeric for cosmetic purposes and for medicinal properties goes beyond to the ancient Vedic culture of India. The Hindu marriages in India closely related to turmeric. The rope used for marriage is drenched fully with turmeric mixed with water and then it tied on Bridal's neck by the Groom.

                                                      

 THE GOLDEN SPICE OF INDIA

Turmeric is an underground stem(Rhizome). It is one of the members of ginger family.

           Scientific name: Curcuma longa

              Family : Zingiberaceae 

Curcumin is a chemical substance, found in turmeric that provides the 

colour orange-yellow. The stem dried in the sun and crushed to make a 

fine powder and then it used in food as a food additive. This spice used 

in most of the Indian cuisines and in many other countries. Turmeric 

cultivated in Tropical areas like India and China.

HISTORY

Turmeric was in use in India since 4000 years (Vedic culture). Turmeric began to use in China by 700AD. It believed that turmeric cultivated during Harappan Civilization.

Turmeric used in Ayurveda and Siddha medicines, Unani and in Chinese tradition as an herbal remedy to treat many infections like skin diseases, wounds, digestive ailments, and liver conditions

TURMERIC-TYPES

There are nearly 30 varieties have been recognized in the type of Curcuma.

• Alleppey Finger (Kerala)
• Erode and Salem turmeric (Tamil Nadu)
• Rajapore and Sangli turmeric (Maharashtra)
• Nizamabad Bulb (Andhra Pradesh)

 GROWTH OF TURMERIC

Turmeric is a tropical plant has a growth period of 7 – 9 months so it is cultivated in clayey soil places that has warm and humid climate. It requires 20℃ - 30℃ temperature and the annual rainfall requirement is from 1500 - 2250mm for the cultivation in India. Turmeric cultivated in hilly areas as well that has an altitude of 1500m from sea level.

India is the global leader in exporting of turmeric. Indian turmeric considered as one the best turmeric in the world. The world’s largest producer of turmeric and the most important trading center for turmeric is Erode a city in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Sangli, a city in Maharashtra, is second in trading site for turmeric.

BENEFITS

The health benefits mainly comes from its ingredient, Curcumin.

MEDICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Breathing problems treated in ancient India

• Increases immunity since curcumin is an immune booster

• Relieves pain caused by wounds

• Helps reduces cardiovascular complications

• Fights against cancer

• Soothe Depression

• Curcumin acts as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties.

• Curcumin has anti-tumour properties, limiting the growth of tumors and spread of cancerous cells.

• The anti oxidant present in turmeric prevents the liver from damage by the toxins.

• Curcumin reduces the risk of cancer

• For Healthy Digestion (used in Ayurvedic medicine as a digestive healing agent)

• Drugs and pharmaceutics use turmeric

• Turmeric helps in weight loss 

HOME REMEDY

• The combination of turmeric powder and pepper powder is a best home remedy for treating cough, cold and throat infections.

• Virali Manjal (turmeric) is one of the ingredient used in making of homemade Sambhar Powder in TamilNadu, South India, where I am from.

• Acts as Pesticide  

• Preservative    

• Many women now a day’s avoid applying turmeric powder on their face, but our ancestors used to apply on their face while bathing and had a glowing skin free from acne,etc...

• Turmeric powder placed on Rangoli or Kolam along with kungumam in India.

• Paronychia is a fungal or bacterial infection which effects either finger nails or toe nails. Mix turmeric powder and limestone powder with water in a bowl and apply it on the affected nail, wrap it up with a cloth in the beginning stage of the infection.  Infection cured in maximum 1 week.

 

COSMETICS

• Curcumin brightens, repairs and adds glow to the skin - Dr Nikhita Shere, Ayurveda expert at Forest Essentials.

• Curcuma aromatica or Kasturi Manjal is used in cosmetics for skin-beauty enhancement.

• Prevents acne 
• Some YouTube channels suggest turmeric powder mixed with besan powder and curd removes dark circles around the eyes.         
  

SIDE-EFFECTS

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) classified Turmeric as General Recognition of Safety (GRAS). Thousands of years Turmeric has been used with no side effects. Turmeric is safe and has no side effects when used in right proportions.

• Causes irritation in digestive system when taken in large quantity, since it stimulates the stomach to secrete more gastric acid.
• Turmeric can slow down  blood clotting and may  cause extra bleeding during and after surgery.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE

1 teaspoon (tsp) of the turmeric powder has :

• 29 calories
• 0.91 grams (g) of protein
• 0.31 g of fat
• 6.31 g of carbohydrates
• 2.1 g of fiber
• 0.3 g of sugar

ADULTERATION

• Lead(II,IV)oxide referred as Red Lead
• Lead chromate (bright yellow chemical compound)
• Metanil yellow (acid yellow)

CONCLUSION

 Turmeric has all good things to enrich your health since the benefits are more in number than the side effects. But still many benefits are in research or study. Turmeric is also available as a supplement in powder-containing capsules, fluids, extracts and tinctures. However, before consuming these supplements kindly seek your Doctor's advice for a healthy life.