Turmeric - blend of flavor, color and health benefits

Turmeric is a spice widely used in India in cooking various curries. It has also been used since ancient times as a traditional medicine and also for beauty care. Turmeric has a peppery, warm and bitter flavor and a mild fragrance slightly reminiscent of orange and ginger. It also gives ballpark mustard its bright yellow color. Some chefs call turmeric "the poor man's saffron" because of the golden color it imparts to dishes, herbalists hold turmeric to a much higher standard.

Nutritional facts:

Turmeric is an excellent source of both iron and manganese. It is also a good source of vitamin B6, dietary fiber and potassium.

Uses of Turmeric:

• Turmeric is used as food additive. Turmeric is a mild aromatic stimulant used in in the manufacture of curry powders.

• Turmeric is used in products that are packaged to protect them from sunlight.

• Sometimes in pickles and mustard, turmeric is used to compensate for fading.

• Turmeric has a great medicinal uses. It is used for treating digestive disorders.

• The juice of raw turmeric also acts as a blood purifier.

• Turmeric also has a protective effect on the liver and also in atherosclerosis.

• Turmeric is also used as a cosmetics. The juice of raw turmeric is applied to the skin as a paste, kept for around thirty minutes and then washed off. It adds glow to the skin.

• Ayurveda states that turmeric is poisonous for crocodiles. So anyone swimming in crocodile infested waters should apply turmeric paste to protect himself.

• The turmeric paste is used in Indian medicine for snakebites.

How turmeric is produced: Turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant and has a tough brown skin and a deep orange flesh. As with ginger, the spice is produced from the roots of the plant. The rhizome has to be boiled, dried, and ground to a fine yellow powder before use. Turmeric needs hot, moist, tropical land. In the areas where it thrives, it needs little attention. It is propagated from rhizomes. If you are able to find turmeric rhizomes in the grocery store, you can make your own fresh turmeric powder by boiling, drying and then grinding it into a fine consistency.

Health benefits of Turmeric: Turmeric has a long standing reputation as a potent medicinal herb capable of improving numerous health conditions.

• It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.

• Relief for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Turmeric's combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects explains why many people with joint disease find relief when they use the spice regularly.

• Cancer Prevention: When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer. Also prevents breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.

• Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia: Childhood leukemia is much lower in Asia than Western countries, which may be due to differences in diet, one of which, the frequent use of turmeric, has been investigated in a series of studies

• Turmeric and Onions May Help Prevent Colon Cancer : Curcumin, a phytonutrient found in the curry spice turmeric, and quercitin, an antioxidant in onions, reduce both the size and number of precancerous lesions in the human intestinal tract.

• Is a natural liver detoxifier.

• May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.

• Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.

• May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

How to select and store: Turmeric powder should kept in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark and dry place. Fresh turmeric bulb should be kept in the refrigerator. Even through dried herbs and spices are widely available in supermarkets, explore the local spice stores or ethnic markets in your area. Try to select organically grown turmeric since this will give you more assurance that the herb has not been irradiated.

Be careful when using turmeric since its deep color can easily stain. To avoid a lasting stain, quickly wash any area with which it has made contact with soap and water. To prevent staining your hands, you might consider wearing kitchen gloves while handling turmeric. Once you start using turmeric on a regular basis, it's fun to find new ways to use it in recipes. Do not take turmeric health supplements if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Turmeric may stimulate contractions of the uterus and may cause irregular fluctuations in menstrual periods.

(Sources: whfoods.com, healthdiaries.com, nutritional, all-foods-natural.com)