Turmeric

Turmeric (Haldi in Hindi) is a herb from ginger family. It is known for its healing properties and forms an important component of Ayurvedic medicines. The turmeric plant is perennial and grows up to height of 3-5m. It is a native of India and grows all over South Asia.

Users: Turmeric is commonly used as a spice, food, cosmetics, dyes, colouring and many Indian rituals and ceremonies. It is also used for treating skin problems. Turmeric rhizomes can be eaten raw or in pickle form like ginger.

Health benefits: Turmeric is a very powerful antiseptic, antiviral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory herb. Turmeric contains the compound curcumin which is of immense medicinal value.

• Turmeric powder mixed with milk reduces cough, cold and other respiratory problems.

• Turmeric powder mixed with curd or buttermilk is beneficial for treating many digestive problems.

• Turmeric is commonly used in face packs because it cleanses, nourishes, and maintains elasticity of skin and delays wrinkle formation. Turmeric paste heals the wounds, cuts and bruises.

• Turmeric also lowers blood sugar level.

• Curcumin is an antioxidant; it protects against cell damage caused by free radicals and helpful in delaying aging process. Recent research have shown that Curcumin inhibit uncontrolled cell growth and reverse cancers of breast, prostate, mouth and various other organs. Studies have also shown that Curcumin stops unwanted multiplication of leukemia cells.

• Turmeric can help reduce pain and swelling in arthritis. It reduces intestinal parasites and other bacterial infections. It also reduces cholesterol and prevents heart diseases.

• Curcumin protects the liver and treats the damage caused by hepatitis, cirrhosis and fatty liver diseases (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH).

Contraindications: Use of turmeric in cooking is safe, however excess dose can cause irritation in stomach and lesions in mouth. Use of turmeric is contradicted in patients with bile duct obstruction. Excessive dose is not recommended in pregnant and lactating women. Seek medical aid if symptoms of above problems persist. Tags: Digestive disorders, Respiratory disorders, Skin infections, Bacterial infections, Cancer, Leukaemia, Alzheimer’s disease, Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, fatty liver disease

#digestivedisorders #respiratory #skinproblems #skininfections #bacterialinfections #cancer #leukemia #alzhemirsdisease #hepititis #cirrhosis #fattyliverdisease