Thursday 30 July 2009

Turmeric


English Name: Turmeric

Common Indian Name (Hindi): Haldi

  • Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae which is native to tropical South Asia.
  • Its rhizomes are boiled for several hours and then dried in hot ovens, after which they are ground into a deep orange-yellow powder commonly widely used as a spice in Indian and other South Asian cooking.
  • Its active ingredient is curcumin and it has an earthy, bitter, peppery flavor and has a mustardy smell.
  • It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
  • It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works well for the treatment of arthritis (Joint inflammation) and rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
  • May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
  • It is a natural liver detoxifier.
  • May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloidal plaque buildup in the brain.
  • Practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine say it has fluorides, which is thought to be essential for teeth.
  • It is used as an antibacterial agent. It speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
  • Presenting their findings at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in San Francisco in June 2008, researchers discovered that turmeric-treated mice were less susceptible to developing Type 2 diabetes, based on their blood glucose levels, and glucose and insulin tolerance tests.
  • In some places of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, it is believed that turmeric gives glow to skin and keeps some harmful bacteria away from the body.

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