The dried root of the plant Curcuma longa is the spice known as Turmeric. Once known as Indian saffron because of its property of colour and smell, today it's widely used as a less expensive substitute. Turmeric is a plant of the ginger family and native to India and Southeast Asia. It is widely cultivated in India as well as in China, Taiwan, Japan, Burma, Indonesia, and throughout the African continent.
Culinary Uses
It is noted for its bright yellow colour and used as a colouring agent Turmeric is used extensively in Indian dishes. Turmeric has also found application in canned beverages, baked products, dairy products, ice cream, yogurt, yellow cakes, biscuits, popcorn-color, sweets, cake icings, cereals, sauces, gelatins, etc.
Medicinal Value
In the Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is thought to have many medicinal properties and many in India use it as a readily available antiseptic for cuts and burns. Whenever there is a cut or a bruise, the home remedy is to reach for turmeric powder. Ayurvedic doctors say it has fluoride which is essential for teeth. It is also used as an antibacterial agent.
It is also used for the treatment of flatulence and appetite loss. Turmeric with all these attributes is today an active ingredient of many cosmetics and drugs.
Interesting Trivia
- Turmeric paste is applied to bride and groom before marriage in some places of India, where it is believed turmeric gives glow to skin and keeps some harmful bacteria away from the body.
- In parts of India Turmeric is also used as a face pack.
- In the Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is thought to have many medicinal properties and many in India use it as a readily available antiseptic for cuts and burns.
- Sangli, a town in the southern part of the Indian state of Maharashtra, is the largest and most important trading centre for turmeric in Asia or perhaps in the entire world.
- According to the age old Indian belief consuming milk mixed with turmeric helps strengthens bones.
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