Herbal Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a well-known indigenous herbal medicine. Its major constituents, curcumin, various curcuminoids, curcuma oil – particularly dl-ar-turmerone – exhibit a wide range of biological activities, e.g. anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, lipoxygenase, cycloxygenase, protease inhibitory effects, besides being effective active oxygen species scavengers and lipid peroxidase inhibitors.
A Persian physician came to India to confer with the Hindu pandits. Together they studied the Charak Samhita and all other medical texts. They realized that the medical texts are like an ocean and they were like pearl divers who plunged into the ocean to grasp the pearls.
From Kavi Taranga, 1703 A.D.
Turmeric is a very important spice in India from ancient times.India produces nearly whole world’s turmeric crop and consume 80% of it. With its inherent qualities, Indian turmeric is considered the best in the world. The fresh spice is much preferred to the dried in South East Asia, The fresh rhizome is grated and added to curry dishes; it is also used as yellow curry paste in Thailand. Due to Indian influence, turmeric has also made its way to the cuisine of Ethiopia. Besides flavoring food, to purify the blood and remedy skin conditions is the most common use of Turmeric in Ayurveda.
A yellow spice with a warm and mellow flavor, turmeric is related to ginger. Modern Indian cooking employs turmeric liberally. It is added to nearly every dish, be it meat or vegetables. Yellow rice is popular on the Eastern islands of Indonesia; it derives its colour from fresh or dried turmeric. Western cuisine does not use turmeric directly, but it forms part of several spice mixtures and sauces; it is also used to impart a bright yellow colour to mustard paste.
Turmeric is an important spice for many vegetable curries, rice preparation and other dishes. In some part of India, turmeric root is used to make a tasty vegetable dish. It is a most important spice in Indian recipes.
Botanical name: Curcuma longa L
Family name: Zingiberaceae
Turmeric has been used medicinally throughout Asia to treat stomach and liver ailments. It is a natural blood purifier. It is also used externally, to heal sores, as a cosmetic and for many other health benefits; it aids digestion, and helps to fight against infection and many more…
Synopsis of Turmeric’s Healing Properties
Besides flavoring food, to purify the blood and skin conditions remedy is probably the most common use of Turmeric in Ayurveda.
- The main organs that turmeric treats are the skin, heart, liver and lungs.
- Turmeric is used for epilepsy and bleeding disorders, skin diseases, to purify the body-mind, and to help the lungs expel Kapha.
- Activities of Turmeric include: Alterative, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-allergic, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, appetizer, astringent, cardiovascular, carminative, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, stimulant, and vulnerary.
- Therapeutic uses of Turmeric: Anemia, cancer, diabetes, digestion, food poisoning, gallstones, indigestion, IBS, parasites, poor circulation, staph infections, and wounds.
- Turmeric helps to regulate the female reproductive system and purifies the uterus and breast milk, and in men it purifies and builds semen, which is counterintuitive for a pungent bitter.
- Turmeric reduces fevers, diarrhea, urinary disorders, insanity, poisoning, cough, and lactation problems in general.
- Turmeric is used to treat external ulcers that respond to nothing else. Turmeric decreases Kapha and so is used to remove mucus in the throat, watery discharges like leucorrhea, and any pus in the eyes, ears, or in wounds, etc.
- In Ayurvedic cooking, turmeric is everywhere, this multifaceted wonder spice helps
- Detoxify the liver
- Balance cholesterol levels
- Fight allergies
- Stimulate digestion
- Boost immunity
- Enhance the complexion
- It is also an antioxidant Ayurveda recognizes turmeric as a heating spice, contributing bitter, pungent and astringent tastes.
Turmeric Medicinal Use
From many years awareness of turmeric and its use as medicine is continuously increasing. A flowering plant, Turmeric, in the ginger family, is commonly used as a food coloring and is one of the basic ingredients in curry powder. To heal many health disorders like liver problems, digestive disorders, treatment for skin diseases and wound healing turmeric has long been used in Medicinal as an anti-inflammatory. Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric which has been shown to have a wide range of therapeutic effects.
Digestive Disorders
Turmeric is considered as a digestive bitter and a carminative. It can be added into foods including rice and bean dishes to improve digestion, reduce gas and bloating. It is a cholagogue, stimulating bile production in the liver and encouraging excretion of bile via the gallbladder. This improves the body's ability to digest fats. For chronic digestive weakness and/or congestion turmeric is recommended. It can be taken as a single extract or in the form of digestive bitters, which combine turmeric with other bitter and carminative herbs. Turmeric is beneficial for people who feel tired after consuming meals or who experience gas and bloating. Whatever way turmeric is consumed it is beneficial to both the digestive system and the liver.
Liver Diseases
Turmeric is beneficial for its influence on the liver. In spring more consumption of herbs and foods can strengthen the liver. Turmeric shares similar liver protectant compounds that milk thistle and artichoke leaves contain. It is said to shrink engorged hepatic ducts, so it can be useful to treat liver conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and jaundice.
Cancer
Recent scientific research confirm that turmeric can cure host of diseases, also they found that turmeric restrain the growth of various types of cancer. Turmeric is used for the treatment of skin cancer or pre cancerous skin conditions. Both topical and internal uses are beneficial.
Atherosclerosis
Turmeric may helpful in preventing the blockage of arteries that can gradually cause a heart attack or stroke in one of two ways. Turmeric makes cholesterol levels low and inhibited the oxidation of LDL (bad cholesterol). Oxidized LDL deposits in the walls of blood vessels and contributes to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Turmeric may also prevent platelet build up along the walls of an injured blood vessel. Platelets collecting at the site of a damaged blood vessel cause blood clots to form and blockage of the artery as well.
Osteoarthritis
Turmeric may help relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis because of its ability to reduce pain and disability.
Menstrual problems of Woman
For women who experience monthly menstrual cramps, try using turmeric extract or bitters twice daily for two weeks prior to expected menstruation. Turmeric is an antispasmodic to smooth muscles so it reduces digestive and menstrual cramping. It should reduce the severity of pain, if not ease them completely. Certainly, diet and standard of living have a reflective influence on the menstrual cycle, but turmeric is a great addition.
Bacterial Infection / Wounds
Turmeric is useful as an external antibiotic in preventing bacterial infection in wounds.
Eye Disorder
Curcumin may prove to be as effective as corticosteroids in the uveitis (inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye between the sclera - white outer coat of the eye and the retina - the back of the eye) the type of eye disorder.
Other Health Disorders
Turmeric decreases congestion and inflammation from stagnant mucous membranes. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory to the mucous membranes, which coat the throat, lungs, stomach and intestines. Regular use of turmeric can benefit from Colitis, Crohn's disease, diarrhea, and post-giardia or post salmonella conditions. The itching and inflammation that accompanies hemorrhoids and anal fissures can reduce by use of turmeric. Turmeric can also benefit skin conditions including: eczema, psoriasis and acne, for those it is potent detoxifier.
"Turmeric gives the energy of the Divine Mother and grants
prosperity of health. Turmeric is effectual for purification the chakras,
as well as purifying the path of the subtle body."
Disclaimer : Article is only intended to uncover the medical properties of the herb. Please consult your doctor before using.
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