Interesting fact about Turmeric (Haldi)

Scientific Name: Curcuma longa

English Name: Turmeric

Gujarati Name: Haldar

Hindi Name: Haldi

Turmeric has been used in Asia for thousand years and it is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine and Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Unani and the animistic rituals of Austronesian peoples.

There is linguistic and circumstantial evidence of the spread and use of turmeric by the Austronesian people into Oceania and Madagascar.

Curcuma longa is a flowering plant. It is belonging in to family Zingiberaceae. It is commonly called Turmeric, Haldi, Haldar. 

The plant is a perennial, rhizomatous, herbaceous plant native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

Plants are gathered each year for their rhizomes, some for propagation in the following season and some for consumption.

That requires temperatures between 20 and 30 °C. and a considerable amount of annual rainfall to thrive.

The greatest diversity of Turmeric spp. by number alone is in India, at around 40 to 45 species.

Other countries in tropical Asia also have numerous wild species of Curcuma.

Turmeric is used as a folk medicine, dye and spice.

Turmeric is used as a spice in many Asian countries and almost 1 billion people throughout the world use it daily as a spice.

The most active component of turmeric is curcumin.

Turmeric is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches up to 1 m tall.

Highly branched, yellow to orange, cylindrical, aromatic rhizomes are found. 

The Leaves are alternate and arranged in two rows. They are divided into leaf sheath, petiole, and leaf blade. From the leaf sheaths, a false stem is formed.

LEAVES

 

They are oblong to elliptical shape and narrowing at the tip.  

The Flower is zygomorphic. Terminally, on the false stem is an inflorescence stem. It is long, containing many flowers.

At the top of the inflorescence, stem bracts are present on these are white to green and sometimes tinged reddish – purple, and the upper ends are tapered.

The East Asia, the flowering time is usually in August.

 

FLOWER

A finger’s like underground rhizomes are dried and used as a spice.

The rhizomes are used fresh or boiled in water and dried, after which they are ground into a deep orange – yellow powder commonly used as a coloring and flavoring agent in many Asian cuisines, especially for curries, as well as for dyeing.

DRYING RHIZOME

 

Liquid extract of turmeric is also commercially available.

It can also be used as paste for application on the skin. 

Chemical composition:

Curcumin, Turmerone, Germacrone, Atlantone, zingiberene, diarylheptanoids, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin.

Scientific research has shown that turmeric has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, and anticancer activities and also has a potential to reduce the risk of various malignant disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and other chronic illness.

Studies have shown that curcumin, the major phenolic compound present in turmeric, is particularly effective at reducing the risk of colon, skin, oral, and intestinal cancer and has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Medicinal uses:

Turmeric grows wild in the forests of South and Southeast Asia, where it is collected for use in classical Indian medicine.

TURMERIC POWDER

Turmeric contain the chemical curcumin. Curcumin and other chemicals in turmeric might decrease swelling (inflammation).

Turmeric might be beneficial for treating conditions that involve inflammation.

And other uses treated a turmeric such as prevents cancer, Relieves Arthritis, Control Diabetes, Reduces Cholesterol level, Immune Booster, Heals Wound, Weight management, Prevents Alzheimer’s Disease, Improve Digestion, Prevents Liver Disease.

ARTHRITIS

Arthritis: It’s ability to ease joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. However, we need more research before turmeric becomes a go to arthritis treatment.

If you decide to try it for your joint pain, help your body absorb natural curcumin by eating your turmeric along with black pepper.

Viral Infection: Curcumin might help you to fight off a variety of viruses, including herpes the flu.

Premenstrual Syndrome: A recent study that followed women for three menstrual cycles in a row found that curcumin supplements helped ease PMS symptoms. A study on muscles from guinea pigs and rats suggests that turmeric could bring relief from menstrual cramps, too.

Headaches: Turmeric gets recommended as a headache treatment, too especially for migraines. Turmeric can treat or prevent headaches.

ACNE

Acne: People claim that putting a turmeric mask on their skin. Turmeric will help fight stubborn pimples, perhaps because of the spice’s reported antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.