| A native to India and other parts of | | | | excellent natural antibiotic, it |
| Southeast Asia especially Indonesia, | | | | strengthens digestion, prevents the |
| turmeric is integral to Asian cooking. A | | | | formation of gas and helps to improve |
| member of the rhizome family, besides | | | | large intestinal flora. |
| imparting a yellow colour and a | | | | It purifies the blood, aids digestion of |
| characteristic flavour to food, it has a | | | | protein, promotes proper metabolism in |
| long history of use in India Ayurvedic | | | | the body, correcting both, excess and |
| and Chinese medicine. | | | | deficiencies. It is used in treatment |
| Health Benefits of Turmeric Botanically | | | | for fever, mild stomach upset, |
| known as Curcuma longa, derived from the | | | | infection, arthritis, dysentery, |
| Arabic name for kurkum plant, known as | | | | jaundice and other liver problems. |
| saffron, turmeric is often confused and | | | | Ancient Chinese physicians used turmeric |
| substituted with the same. Totally | | | | to treat chest congestion, menstrual |
| unrelated to saffron, a member of ginger | | | | discomforts and many more ailments. |
| family, the root of the turmeric plant | | | | Turmeric may help to relieve carpel |
| in its dried form is used as spice. | | | | tunnel syndrome, joint inflammation and |
| Mildly aromatic with a pungent | | | | prevent cancer. Add a pinch or two of |
| bittersweet flavor, it was called | | | | turmeric to warm milk to soothe |
| "Indian saffron" as its shares the deep | | | | respiratory aliments such as cough or |
| yellow orange color of the saffron. | | | | asthma. |
| Turmeric is used as a condiment, textile | | | | Sprinkle a bit of turmeric with honey |
| and culinary dye. | | | | (optional), on cuts, bruises, or scrapes |
| Turmeric is used extensively in Indian, | | | | after a thorough wash, as the anti |
| Middle East, Moroccan, African and | | | | bacterial action will prevent wound |
| Southeast Asian cookery, especially in | | | | infections. One should be careful while |
| curries, vegetables, rice, fish and meat | | | | using turmeric since its deep color can |
| dishes to add color and flavor. For the | | | | easily stain. Quickly wash the soiled |
| traditional ayurvedics, turmeric is a | | | | area with water to avoid further |
| very important herb. Considered a | | | | staining. Turmeric powder should be kept |
| cleansing herb for the whole body, it | | | | in a tightly sealed container in a cool, |
| gives energy and grants prosperity. The | | | | dark and dry place. Fresh turmeric |
| finger like stalk is scalded, dried and | | | | rhizome should be kept in the |
| used for medicinal preparations. An | | | | refrigerator. |