Over the last few years, turmeric also referred to as curcumin, has come to be recognized as one of the world’s healthiest superfoods. People from the East have known about the power of turmeric and have been using it for well over hundred years now. The Indians are especially known for using turmeric generously — both as spice for their food and for medicinal purposes.
Though this multi-functional plant has been around for ages, it's only until recently that modern medical experts have started to really research these roots for their medicinal power and have found the age old wisdom regarding its benefits to be true.
🍂ETYMOLOGY
The name turmeric derives from the Latin word terra merita (meritorious earth), referring to the bright yellow color of ground turmeric, which resembles a mineral pigment. It is known as terre merite in French and simply as “yellow root” in many languages. In the scientific name the genus Curcuma is derived from the Arabic “kurkum” or “kunkuma” for turmeric or its saffron-like colour. The specific epithet longa has its origin in Greek, meaning long, possibly referring to the long leaves of the plant.
🍂THE PLANT
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a perennial, rhizomatous, herbaceous flowering plant from the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It has highly branched, yellow to orange, cylindrical, aromatic rhizomes. The long simple leaves arise from the basal rhizome and their overlapping petiole-sheaths form a pseudostem. The flowers are produced in short spike inflorescences, on top of which are present stem bracts on which no flowers occur; these bracts are white to green and sometimes tinged reddish-purple, and the upper ends are tapered. The lower bracts bear the small zygomorphic, yellow flowers with 3 petals. The flowers have one fertile stamen and produce a trilocular fruit according to Wikipedia but other sources claim that the flowers are sterile and do not produce any fruits or viable seeds. So the propagation is mainly done by the rhizome.
🍂GROWING TURMERIC
The crop is planted by setts (small rhizomes) with one or two buds. It prefers moist well drained, fertile loamy soil, but unable to withstand waterlogging. Warm climate and partial shade makes for optimum growth.
🍂PRODUCTION OF TURMERIC FROM THE RHIZOME
Before turmeric can be used, the rhizomes need to be processed. The rhizomes are boiled or steamed to remove raw odor, gelatinize the starch and produce a more uniformly colored product.
For this the rhizomes are placed in shallow pans in large iron vats containing alkaline water (e.g., solution of sodium bicarbonate). The rhizomes are then boiled for between 40–45 minutes. The rhizomes are removed from the water and dried in the sun immediately to prevent overcooking. When finger tapping of the rhizome produces a metallic sound, it is sufficiently dry. The dried rhizomes are polished to remove the rough surface. The dried rhizome is powdered to give us the turmeric powder we use in our kitchens.
The powder maintains its coloring properties indefinitely, although the flavor may diminish over time. Protecting the turmeric powder from sunlight retards the rate of deterioration.
🍂HEALTH BENEFITS
🍂NATURAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Studies show that curcumin may offer potent anti-inflammatory properties to help with the symptoms of conditions like arthritis, joint pain, gout, sciatica & muscle pain. It is known for reducing pain and muscle damage following physical exercise
🍂POTENT ANTIOXIDANT
Curcumin has been shown to be effective in reducing free radicals that cause damage to the body’s cells. Free radical damage, along with inflammation, are a key driver of cardiovascular disease.
🍂SKIN HEALTH, GUT HEALTH AND IMMUNITY
The antioxidant properties of curcumin also make it potentially beneficial for skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis - as well as supporting gut health and immune health. It could be used to relieve mild digestive problems, such as feelings of fullness and flatulence
🍂BRAIN HEALTH AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION
There is evidence that curcumin may help with Alzheimer’s disease and mood disorders. In recent studies it helped reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in multiple participants.
🍂CULINARY USES
Turmeric is one of the key ingredients in many Asian dishes, imparting a mustard-like, earthy aroma and pungent, slightly bitter flavor to foods. It is used mostly in savory dishes, but also is used in some sweet dishes. It is a principal ingredient in curry powders.
Turmeric milk or Turmeric latte as it is called these days is an old home remedy for soothing pain and muscle soreness post exercise or injury.
🍂OTHER USES
Turmeric makes a poor fabric dye as it is not so fast.
It is also used for making an indicator paper called curcuma paper. The paper is yellow in acidic and neutral solutions and turns brown to reddish-brown in alkaline solutions,
Source:
Pictures: Wikipedia & Encylcopaedia Britannica
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