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