On Turmeric

There have been no posts for awhile because my husband and I were on a whirlwind trip to Malaysia, Singapore and Japan with Anna and Xin, meeting and visiting with my daughter-in-law’s family.

One of her aunts in Kuala Lumpur, who is a marvelous cook, has a turmeric plant.  She dug some up and gave it to me.  Attached is a picture of the plant and the fresh turmeric root.

 

Here are some of the benefits of this wonderful super spice and a few remedies you might want to try.

 

The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  Turmeric is a natural antibiotic and it also strengthens digestion and improves intestinal flora.  Its immune supporting properties make it especially good for people who have chronic weakness or are ill.   It supports healthy liver function by detoxifying the liver and purifying the blood.  

Much research is being performed on the healing qualities of turmeric.  It has strong anti-cancer properties and has been shown to shrink tumors  and inhibit the spread of cancer cells.  Its anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce the pain from arthritis.  It is also helpful with reducing artery clogging cholesterol and with lung related conditions like asthma and bronchial congestion.   For sore throat, you can gargle with a mixture of 1/4 to 1/2 t of turmeric and 1/4 to 1/2 t sea salt in 3/4 to 1 cup of warm to hot water.

 

Applied externally as a paste, it can help with skin conditions like rashes, acne, itching, wrinkles, bruises, and wounds. For example to stop bleeding, you can mix it with raw honey.   For itching, you can mix it with a little neem oil.  To help reduce wrinkles try this: mix 1/2 chickpea flour (available at Indian grocers) with 1 1/2 T of turmeric.  When ready to use mix 1 T of this mix with 5 drops of an odorless oil. Add enough water to make a paste.  After pulling your hair back, spread the mixture over your face and neck (do not get too close to your eyes).  Let it sit on your face until it dries, about 15 minutes, and then wash it off.  Recipe from Healing Spices by Bharat B. Aggarwal with Deborah Yost.

 

 

As such an amazing spice, turmeric should be a main stay in our diet.  Just about every Indian recipe contains turmeric.  You can add it to a little ghee and cook rice or any vegetable in it or cook it with eggs.  It helps digest proteins, so it can be used in all dal or bean dishes.   I also use it in my night time milk drink.  Turmeric is available here mostly in powdered form, and that is the easiest way to use it.