Introduction:

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a plant of ginger family native to Southeast Asia and is grown in India in large scale. Its under ground stem (rhizome) is used as a culinary spice and traditional medicine. The paste of Turmeric (Haldi/Hardi) powder with mustered oil called Ubtan is an essential part of traditional marriage and Upnayan Sanskar in Hindu culture. Ayurveda suggests the use of Ubtan as an effective lotion for both health and beauty of skin. The mixture of Turmeric powder with milk cream is the best face cream invented so far. Not only for beauty but also for physical health Turmeric is believed to be a good natural antibiotic. The mixture of Turmeric powder, milk and khand (gur) is suggested by Ayurvedic practitioners  for the treatment of common cold, flu, and cough.

Description:

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a flowering plant of ginger family, the rhizome (underground part of stem) of which is used as an important spice in cooking. It is grown as a cash crop in Indian sub continent and South Asian countries. The plant is grown by the rhizomes collected from the matured crop. For spice purposes the rhizomes are used fresh as well as boiled in water and dried, after which ground into a deep orange-yellow powder commonly used as a coloring and flavoring agent in different food items. Turmeric is a perennial herbaceous plant nearly 2.5 to 3 ft. tall. It has highly branched orange cylindrical aromatic rhizomes. The leaves are alternate and arranged in two rows. Its cultivation starts in the beginning of rains and it takes nearly 60 to 70 days in flowering. Shiny yellow and dull white flowers with sweet pleasant fragrance indicates the maturity of the crop.

Uses:

Turmeric is one of the key ingredients in many Indian dishes. It is mainly used in savory dishes but also in some sweet dishes like cake, milk shake and patoleo. It is used as coloring and flavoring agent for a number of dishes as curries, pulses, vegetables, rice and many others. It is used in form of rhizome powder to impart a golden yellow colour in many products as canned beverages, baked products, dairy products ice cream, yogurt, yellow cakes, orange juice, biscuits, popcorn, cereals, sauces and gelatin. It has numerous uses in East Asian recopies such as pickle that contains large chunks of fresh soft turmeric. In South Africa turmeric is used to give boiled rice a golden colour known as geelrys. The Turmeric-Milk drink known as ‘Haldi–Doodh’ is a traditional Indian recipe for growing children. This drink is also popular in US and UK with name ‘golden milk’. A compound Curcumin present in Turmeric has made it not only an important ingredient for food but also a health care item. Ayurveda identified the medicinal value of Turmeric and used it in so many medicines as important ingredients with the Ayurvedic name ‘Haridra’. Ayurvedic practitioners suggest both internal and external uses of Turmeric, they believe that it is a solution of so many health issues as almost all types of internal and external infections, weakness, liver problems, respiratory problems and skin problems. Turmeric is also used in rural India as a dying agent, Dhoties are being colored yellow during marriage and some traditional and cultural functions.

Religious and Cultural Aspects:

Haridra Churna (Turmeric Powder) is one of the essential objects in each and every religious practices as worshipping (puja), fire rituals ( homa/havan), recitation (pravachan), devotion (bhakti), chanting (japa), meditation (dhyana), sacrifice (yajna), charity (dana) and homage to ancestors (shraddha). It is believed that God Vishnu wear yellow colored garments (peetamber) and gets pleased by offering Haridra Churna. Rangoli (colorful decorative structure) made up of rice powder mixed with turmeric powder on the door step believed to be invitation for prosperity. Haldi ceremony is one of the integral rituals in marriage in Hindu community, paste of turmeric is applied to the brides and grooms body. Newly married girls are offered dried rhizomes in their belongings to the first journey to the groom’s community.

Scientific Aspect:

Turmeric is a natural indicator. Turmeric paper also called curcuma paper is a paper steeped in a tincture of turmeric and dried, is used in chemical analysis as an indicator for acidity and alkalinity. The paper remains yellow in acidic and neutral solutions and turns brown to reddish brown in alkaline solution. Medical researches have evidences about turmeric extracts beneficial for relieving knee pain and reducing muscles damage.

Conclusion:

Turmeric has been used in India for centuries and is a major part of our kitchen and also our rituals. Medicinal values of turmeric identified by Ayurveda, Siddha medicine, traditional Tibetan medicine and Yunani medicine for a long time. It is used as a dye in rural Indian society for religious and cultural activities. Turmeric is the best beauty cream in rural India.

FAQs:

1.What is Turmeric?

Turmeric is a plant whose root like stem is used widely as a spice and also as medicines in Ayurveda.

2.What gives turmeric its color?

Turmeric gets its bright yellow orange color from a compound curcumin present in it.

3.What are the potential health benefits of turmeric?

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-allergic and anti-cancer properties.

4.How can one add turmeric in his/her diet?

Turmeric can be added in soup, stews, curries and rice.

5.Are there any risk or side effects using turmeric?

No, it is quite safe except excessive use.