Curcuma longa, Haldi, or Turmeric is the most common and key spice used in most of the South Asian delicacies; you cannot imagine an Indian curry without this spice. Apart from culinary use, it is a traditional medicine for thousands of years. India is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric. Let’s get to know the reasons why Indian Culture has this blended turmeric in so well.
1. Anti-Inflammatory properties
Curcumin is accountable for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is the primary active constituent responsible for the saffron color and therapeutic effects of the turmeric In most of the chronic diseases nowadays, low-levels of inflammation plays a major role. Therefore, turmeric is helpful in treating those diseases.
2. A Natural Antioxidant
Again, the curcumin nullifies the free radicals responsible for oxidative stress, imparting anti-oxidant properties to the turmeric. As a result, the turmeric keeps the level of antioxidants balanced in the body. This simple process eliminates loads of diseases.
3. Antibacterial and Antiseptic properties
Turmeric is also a marvelous antiseptic and antibacterial agent. It heals like magic.
4. A wide range of Nutrients
This amazing spice contains Sodium, Magnesium, Iron, Potassium, Fats, Carbohydrates, Calcium, Vitamin C and Vitamin B6. All these nutrients are very vital for the body.
5. Turmeric treats and helps in curing the following diseases-
I. Cancer
Curcumin binds to the DYRK2 (An Enzyme that belongs to a family of protein Kinase whose members are involved in the cellular growth and development) at the atomic level. This interaction results in the inhibition of DYRK2. Hence, it leads to cell proliferation and eventually reduces the cancer burden.
II. Heart Diseases
Vitamin B6 and curcumin in turmeric ensure a well-functioning cardiovascular system. Curcumin eliminates the LDL cholesterol (culprit for most of the heart diseases) while Vitamin B6 blocks the components that damage the cell walls.
III. Alzheimer
Alzheimer is a neuro-degenerative disorder and the primary cause of dementia. Multiple pieces of research state that Oxidative Stress and Inflammation are a part of the disease. Turmeric can very well help the condition of the person with curcumin actively fighting the disease.
IV. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The two primary forms of the IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. If consumed daily, the curcumin acts against the inflammation and prevents all the three diseases. Turmeric also helps in the treatment of diseases mentioned.
V. Pancreatitis
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the turmeric treat the disease very well. The inflammation plays a crucial role in the development of pancreatitis and the succeeding tissue damage.
VI. Chronic Anterior Uveitis
In Anterior Uveitis, the uveal tract of the eye including the Iris gets inflamed severely. If left untreated it can lead to the blurred vision or the permanent damage. Again, curcumin easily helps with this condition by reducing the inflammation.
VII. Gastric Ulcers
Turmeric heals almost all the ulcers in the body. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits of the spice deal with the stomach ulcers very well.
VIII. Depression
This silent killer is the reason behind numerous diseases and conditions. Turmeric just like Prozac creates a hormonal balance and lifts our mood. In fact, Turmeric is a powerful alternative to Prozac.
IX. Arthritis
People with the Arthritis gets a great relief by curcumin supplements. Instead of those pricey supplements, you can just include the turmeric into the daily diet to get the benefits. In addition, most arthritis involves inflammation. So curcumin is the best solution for it.
X. Liver Diseases
In Ayurveda, the turmeric is one of the detoxifiers. It takes off the extra burden off the liver by reducing the toxins in the body and eventually helping with the liver ailments.
XI. Diabetes
The wonderful curcumin gets the blood sugar levels low and actually helps to prevent the type 1 and 2 diabetes.
XII. Blood Clot
Though blood clotting is not a disease itself, it leads to many. The Curcumin being an excellent anti-coagulant thins the blood and ensures a free-flow.
XIII. Common Cold and Throat Infections
Turmeric treats the infections due to its antioxidant nature. It gives a calming relief in common cold.
6. Other Benefits
6.1. Memory enhancer
A new UCLA study states “curcumin improves mood and memory”. The BDNF (growth hormone in the brain) level increases due to the Curcumin. That results in making the person smarter and feel better.
6.2. Delays aging
The antioxidant properties of turmeric fight against the wrinkles and pigmentation. Consume turmeric daily to reap this benefit.
6.3. Skin
The person who consumes the turmeric daily gets an ever-glowing skin. The pimples’ growth inhibits as turmeric helps in removing the extra-oil off the skin. Long use of turmeric can also reduce acne scars.
6.4. Weight loss
Turmeric helps to lose weight in many ways. Firstly, it boosts the metabolism that burns extra calories. Secondly, it helps the liver to detoxify which in result helps in losing the weight. Thirdly, it lowers the VLDL/LDL (the bad cholesterol) levels. All these factors combined puts a person on the speedy weight-loss trip.
6.5. Healer
Due to its antiseptic properties. You can apply turmeric powder to treat external cuts and wounds. Turmeric heals internally as well as externally.
No surprise! Indian Culture has blended Turmeric in. To such an extent that it is used in almost every delicacy (expect sweet ones). This spice is in every Indian Kitchen from North to South, East to West.
Fun Fact: Indus Valley Civilization [3300-1600 BC] cultivated turmeric plants.
Turmeric Rhizomes (Roots) to Turmeric Powder
It takes a few steps before we can get turmeric into powdered form. Turmeric is harvested as turmeric rhizomes. Then occurs many simple processes to obtain the turmeric powder from rhizomes.
How to consume
You can consume it in the curries, soup, rice, greens or other spicy foods.
Taking turmeric powder with milk is also a healthy way. Turmeric milk is very nutritious. Simply boil the milk with turmeric and you get the golden milk or turmeric milk. Boiling is preferred than simply adding to get all the benefits.
The mixture of turmeric and honey is of tremendous value to the health and defeats many ailments.
Beware
As told repeatedly on this blog, excessive of everything/anything is bad. Never consume more than 6 g of Turmeric in a day, reduce the amount to half if given to a kid younger than 13 yrs. old. Excess of turmeric can cause nausea, diarrhea and skin rashes.
Turmeric Adulteration
Sawdust, Rice flour, Starch, Chalk powder, Lead (II and IV) oxide and Acid yellow 36 are some of the cheap components of adulteration. We should always detect the turmeric adulteration before buying or consuming the spice.
Conclusion
Now we know that reasons why Indian Culture has blended Turmeric in so well. This traditional medicine is of tremendous value to health if consumed pure and organic. Also, adulterated turmeric can do more harm than good. Consume quality, consume daily and be healthy and happy.
