TURMERIC YOU ARE MESMERIC Botanical Name: Curcuma Longa Indian Name:
Haridra (Sanskrit) Haldi/Arishina
Origin, Distribution and Composition:
Turmeric is a perennial herb, 60 to 90 cms high. It has short stem and raised or lifted branches. The rhizomes or underground stems are short and thick and constitute commercial turmeric. It is an important common flavouring spice of daily use. In India, it is used in the same way as saffron.
Turmeric has been mentioned in early Sanskrit works. It has been used by Ayurvedic and Unani practitioners in India since ancient times. It was prescribed by them as a drug to strengthen the stomach, promote its action, as a tonic and as a blood purifier.
An analysis of turmeric shows it to consist of moisture 13.1 per cent, protein 6.3 percent, fat 5.1 per cent, minerals 3.5 per cent, fiber 2.6 per cent and carbohydrates 69.4 percent. Its mineral and vitamin contents are calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine and niacin. Its calorific value is 349.
Turmeric contains cur cumin and an essential oil. Dry rhizomes yield 5.8 per cent essential oil, while the fresh one yields 0.24 per cent oil containing zingiberine. Ketone and alcohol are obtained on volatile distillation.
Healing power and curative properties:
Turmeric has many medicinal virtues. The rhizome is aromatic, stimulant and a tonic. It is useful in relieving flatulence. It corrects the disordered processes of nutrition and restores the normal function of the system. It is also useful in curing periodic attacks of hysteria and convulsions.
Intestinal Disorders:
Turmeric is a very useful intestinal antiseptic. The rhizome, its juice or dry powder, mixed in butter milk or plain water is highly beneficial in intestinal problems, especially chronic diarrhea. It also helps prevent flatulence.
Worms:
About 20 drops of the juice of raw turmeric, mixed with a pinch of salt, taken first thing in the morning daily is considered an
effective remedy of expelling worms.
Anemia:
Turmeric, being rich in iron is valuable in anemia. A teaspoon of raw turmeric juice, mixed with honey, is taken everyday in the treatment of this condition.
Measles:
The herb is beneficial in the treatment of measles. Turmeric roots are dried in the sun and ground to a fine powder. This is mixed with a few drops of honey and the juice of few bitter gourd leaves can be taken by those suffering from measles.
Asthma:
Turmeric is an effective household remedy for bronchial asthma. A teaspoon of turmeric powder with a glass of milk, twice or thrice daily is very effective. It acts best on an empty stomach.
Cough and Cold:
Turmeric, with its antiseptic properties, is an effective remedy for chronic cough and throat irritations. Half a teaspoonful of fresh turmeric powder, mixed in 30 ml of warm milk is very effective in these conditions. To prepare this, milk is poured on a hot ladle with turmeric in it and boiled over a slow fire. In case of running cold, smoke from burning turmeric can be inhaled. This increases the discharge from the nose and brings quicker relief.
Turmeric in combination with caraway seeds or ajwan is useful for colds in infants and children. A teaspoon of turmeric powder with quarter spoon of ajwan is added to the boiling water which then cooled. About 30 ml of decoction, sweetened with honey may be taken thrice a day in treating such conditions.
Sprains:
For treating sprains or the swellings caused by sprains, turmeric paste mixed with lime and salt can be applied with beneficial results.
Boils:
An application of turmeric powder to boils speeds up the healing process. In case of fresh boils, a fewdry roots of turmeric are roasted and the ashes dissolved in a cupful of water and applied over the affected areas. This solution enables the boils to ripen and burst.
Skin Disorders:
Turmeric is very effective in the treatment of skin diseases like ringworm and scabies. In such cases, the juice of raw turmeric is externally applied to the affected parts. Simultaneously, turmeric juice, mixed with honey, should be taken orally.
Sore eyes:
Turmeric powder is useful in soreness of the eyes. About 6 gms of this powder is boiled in about half a litre of water till it is reduced to half. A few drops of this water put in the affected eyes, three or four times a day, give relief.
Other uses:
Turmeric is an indispensable culinary ingredient. It imparts a musky flavour and yellow color to curries. It is also used as a coloring matter in pharmacy, confectionery and food industries.
Contributed by: A.V. NAGARAJU, Agile Enterprises
The information is borrowed from the book: Herbs that heal” by Sri H.K. Bakhru. It is ayurvedic and no fear of side effects.