It is an
important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments.
The botanical name for Turmeric is Curcuma longa Linn which belongs to the
Zingiberaceae family. Turmeric is used as a spice in Asian countries especially
in the southern part of India.
Hindi
– Haldi
Telugu
– Pasupu
English
– Turmeric
Tamil
– Manja
Kannada
– Arishina
Punjabi
– Haldi
Bengali
– Halud
Marathi
– HalaD
Arabian
– Kumkum
Farsi
– Zardchob
Malayalam
– Manjal
It is originated in India. It is also
found in the tropical region of Africa. It is cultivated in China, Indonesia,
Thailand, and Cambodia, Phillipness, Malaysia, Madagascar, And Vietnam
Turmeric is a perennial plant that grows
at a height of 1mt and the leaves of the plant are alternate, smooth, green and
there are arranged in pairs of two. The false stem arises from the leaf sheath
and they are about 2 feet in length. The flowers are arranged in pairs of five
and the flowering appears in August.
Parts
used: Rhizome
Taste:
Bitter, Pungent
Potency:
Hot
On
chemical compound analysis of tamarind, it includes
Curcumene, Curcumenone, Curcone, Curdione,
Cineole, Curzerenone, Epiprocurcumenol, Eugenol. Camphene, Camphor, Bornel,
Procurcumadiiol, Procurcumenol, Curcumins, Unkonan A, B, D,B-sitosterol
ACTIONS:
It is used in the treatment of Gallbladder
problems, hepatitis, indigestion, infections, and lack of appetite, scabies,
Alzheimer ’s disease, arthritis, asthma, athlete ’s foot, boils, and bursitis
In Indian medicine, a paste of turmeric is
used as an antidote for snake bite
The leaves of turmeric act as a mosquito
repellent
In Chinese, turmeric is used in the
treatment of depression
In many states in India, turmeric is used
to treat infection
The rhizome of turmeric acts as a wound
healing
The fluoride in turmeric is essential for
teeth\
The raw turmeric juice act as a blood
purifier
In India, turmeric is used as a cleansing
herb for minor wounds,
It prevents cancer, dysentery and protects
the liver
The
dose of the drug used according to the physician
Fresh juice: 10-20ml
Powder: 1-3g
At
high dose, the use of turmeric may cause GERD, heartburn, and stomach ulcers
The
use of turmeric may cause contraction in the gall-bladder so kindly consult
with the doctor if you have gallstones
Kindly
avoid turmeric if you have iron deficiency, because the use of turmeric may
interfere with the body iron absorption
The use of turmeric may lower blood
glucose levels in the blood. So, monitoring of blood sugar levels is required
in patients who are taking the anti-diabetic drug
The use of turmeric may lower blood
pressure in the blood. So, monitoring of blood pressure is required in patients
who are taking the hypertensive drug
The use of turmeric may low density
lipoprotein levels and increase the high-density lipoprotein in the blood. So,
monitoring of cholesterol levels is required in patients who are taking the anti-cholesterol
drug
Do
not use this herb if you are allergic to the chemical constituents of turmeric
Rheumatoid
arthritis:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, Rheumatoid arthritis
is called Amavata. It mainly occurs due to the imbalance of Vata dosha and the accumulation
of toxins that occurs due to improper digestion and this toxin is carried to
different parts of the body through Vata and gets accumulated in the joints.
The use of turmeric helps to improve digestion and
reduce the accumulation of toxins by its hot properties. This also balances the
Vata and reduces the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Take the required amount of turmeric
powder along with amla and nagarmotha. Boil it for 5-6 minutes and then add
honey to it. Consume this after your meal
Modern
view: Curcumin present in the turmeric helps
to treat the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting the
inflammatory protein and decreasing the prostaglandin production
Osteoarthritis:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, Osteoarthritis is
called Sandhivata and it occurs due to the imbalance of Vata dosha which causes
pain, inflammation, and joint movement. The use of turmeric helps to reduce the
symptoms of arthritis by balancing the imbalance of Vata dosha
Take the required amount of turmeric
powder along with amla and nagarmotha. Boil it for 5-6 minutes and then add honey
to it. Consume this after your meal
Modern view: Curcumin present in the turmeric treat osteoarthritis by inhibiting
the inflammatory protein like interleukin and decrease the symptoms associated
with osteoarthritis
Diabetes mellitus:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, diabetes is known as
Madhumeha. It occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and Kapha dosh and impaired
digestion. Impaired digestion leads to the accumulation of toxins in the
pancreatic cells and affects insulin function. The use of turmeric control
diabetes by maintaining the function of insulin normally by balancing the
Vata-Kapha and improves impaired digestion by reducing the accumulation of
toxins which is responsible for impaired digestion.
Take the
required amount of turmeric powder and mix amla juice along with that. Consume
this drink after your meals.
Modern view: Curcumin in turmeric decrease the blood glucose level by increasing
the level of insulin and it also prevents cell damage such as wounds, ulcers by
its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Irritable bowel syndrome:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, inflammatory bowel
disease, is called Grahani. It occurs due to the imbalance of Agni. Turmeric
helps to improve the digestive fire by its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan
(digestive) activity
Take the
required amount of turmeric powder and mix it with amla powder. Mix it with
lukewarm water consume this after your meals.
Stomach ulcers:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, ulcer occurs due to
the imbalance of Pitta. The use of turmeric helps to reduce the stomach ulcer
and balance the Pitta and it also heals the wound quickly by its healing
properties
Take the
required amount of turmeric powder and licorice powder. Mix it with a glass of milk. Consume it on an empty stomach.
Modern view: Curcumin in turmeric inhibit inflammatory enzymes like COX -2,
lipoxygenase, and iNOS. It helps to reduce the stomach ulcers
Depression:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, all the movements of
the body and nervous system are balanced by Vata. The depression occurs due to
the imbalance of Vata. The use of turmeric helps to control depression by
calming the nervous system
Take the
required amount of turmeric powder and add it to a glass of warm milk. Consume
this milk before going to bed.
Modern view: Due to its anti-inflammatory property, it helps to decrease the
serotonin in the brain which is responsible for depression
Cholesterol
Traditional use: According to Ayurveda, high cholesterol occurs
due to an imbalance of Pachak Agni (digestive fire). This impaired digestion
occurs due to the accumulation of toxins in the body which leads to the accumulation
of cholesterol and causes obstruction in blood vessels. The use of Turmeric
helps to improve the improper digestion by its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan
(digestive) produces which remove the accumulation of bad cholesterol and main
normal cholesterol level
Modern view: Due to anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory property it helps to lower
the blood and bad cholesterol and triglycerides. The use of turmeric also helps
to increase the good cholesterol in your body
Alzheimer’s disease:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, Alzheimer’s disease
occur due to the imbalance of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas. The use of
turmeric helps to reduce the risk of nervous system disorders by balancing the
Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas
Modern view: Patients with Alzheimer's disease, there is an increase in the
protein production called amyloid plaques which is present in the brain. The
use of turmeric reduces the amyloid plaque formation in the brain and increase
the memory functions
Acne
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, acne occurs due to
the imbalance of Kapha which increases the production of sebum which clogs the
pores. The use of turmeric clear the clog and inflammation by balancing the
Kapha and Pitta
Take the
required amount of turmeric powder and mix it with lemon juice or honey. Add
rose water and make it a paste. Apply this paste on your face for 15 minutes
and wash it with tap water.
Modern view: Due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, it
inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria and treats acne
The Turmerics comes in various formulations include
Turmeric
powder:
Take the
required amount of turmeric powder and add it to a glass of warm milk. Consume
this milk before going to bed.
Turmeric
juice in coconut oil:
Take the required amount of turmeric juice and mix
it with coconut oil. Apply this on an affected area before going to sleep
Turmeric
powder:
Wheat
flour:
Take the required amount of wheat flour and mix it
with turmeric powder, milk, or yogurt, and honey. Make it a paste and apply
this paste on your face. Wash it with tap water
With rose water:
Take the required
amount of turmeric powder and mix it with lemon juice or honey. Add rose water
and make it a paste. Apply this paste on your face for 15 minutes and wash it
with tap water.
Is Turmeric available
in the market?
Yes,
it is available in the market and it can be brought from online websites or
ayurvedic medical stores.
How to store
Turmeric?
It
should be stored in an airtight container and keep the medicines away from the
heat and light and Do not keep the medicines reaching out
to children
Is it safe to apply turmeric milk on the
face daily?
Yes, it is safe to apply turmeric milk on the face
daily it helps to improve the skin texture and complexion. It also removes the
excess oil and acne