TURMERIC

Turmeric or tumeric (Curcuma longa), is a rhizomatous, herbaceous, perennial plant of the ginger family – Zingiberaceae. It is native to southern Asia and Australia, requiring temperatures between 20 and 30°C (68 and 86°F) and a considerable amount of annual rainfall to thrive.

Plants are gathered annually for their rhizomes and propagated from some of those rhizomes in the following season. When not used fresh, the rhizomes are boiled for about 30–45 minutes and then dried in hot ovens, after which they are ground into a deep-orange-yellow powder commonly used as a colouring Bangladeshi, Indian, Iranian and Pakistani cuisine, and for dyeing.

Turmeric has been used in Asia for thousands of years and is a major part of Siddha medicine. It was first used as a dye and then later for its medicinal properties. The origin of the name is uncertain, possibly Latin, terra merita (merited earth).

Health benefits:
• Anti-Inflammatory: Topical or internal for arthritic pain, gout, muscle pain following exercise or injury.
• Topical for hemorrhoids
• Gastrointestinal: stomach soother, constipation, cramping, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcers, bleeding in the bowels, irritation throughout the gut, Crohn’s disease
• Menstrual: cramping, bloating, excessive bleeding, mood swings
• Cystic Fibrosis: corrects the protein-folding mutation that can cause development
• Cancer: treatment and prevention – colon, tumour growth, slows metastasis
• Detoxification: improve liver function, stimulates lymph system, reduces toxicity
• Heart: Vitamin B6 inhibits homocysteine production therefore, lowers blood pressure and plaque build-up, directly balances cholesterol
• Brain: boost cognitive abilities, increase concentration, boost memory retention, Alzheimer's (clears out amyloid plaque)
• Depression: hormonal balance, mood swings,anxiety, stress
• Skin: psoriasis, eczema, nourishment
• Anti-bacterial: internal and external

Warning: Turmeric can cause nausea, dizziness, or diarrhoea when consumed in large quantities. In limited cases, excessive amounts of turmeric consumed in a medicinal capacity has caused heart irregularities. Turmeric should only be consumed in small amounts unless cooked and may have adverse effects on the kidneys if large amounts are consumed raw over a long period of time.