Dorothy FarrarTurmeric (medicinal plant)
The botanical name of turmeric is Curcuma longa. It is also known as turmeric, yellow ginger, goldenseal, saffron root or yellow root. The plant species belongs to the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) and is very reminiscent of ginger. However, the rhizome is yellow in color and turmeric is used in a wide variety of areas.
General overview
Turmeric is a perennial plant. It is herbaceous and can grow up to a meter high. It forms branched, cylindrical rhizomes. These are aromatic and act as outlasting organs. Tubers develop at the end of the rhizomes.
The leaves of turmeric are divided into petiole, leaf sheath and leaf blade. The stem is up to 45 centimeters long. The flowering time of the plant is in China in August. The inflorescence of turmeric is arranged in spikes and contains a large number of flowers. The sepals are fused and hairy downy. The grain leaves are light yellow in color while the sepals are white. The capsule fruit of turmeric has three compartments.
occurrence and cultivation
Turmeric has been cultivated since ancient times. The exact country of origin is not known. The plant is probably native to Southeast Asia or South Asia. The root came relatively late to Europe. The seafarer Marco Polo is said to have met her on his travels in the 14th century. It is believed that he brought them to Europe for the first time. In his report, turmeric is found for the first time. In China, however, the plant has been used as a medicinal plant since the 7th century .
In India, too, it has been used as a remedy for centuries. In Africa, the plant has been in use since the Middle Ages. The tuber of the plant, which is known for its yellow-orange pigment, is used in particular. The turmeric plant needs high temperatures and lots of moisture to grow well. It is considered a tropical mountain plant with high demands on the soil. Turmeric is ready for harvest about nine months after planting. The root of turmeric is scalded and sun-dried after harvest. The outer layer is then removed so that the interior can be further processed. This is done by grinding the rhizome.
Application and effect
The yellow powder of turmeric is used, among other things, to color food. Up until the 20th century, the dye was also used to color ointments, paper and varnish. The coloring agent contained in turmeric is called curcumin. The colored paper was used in chemistry as an indicator for alkalis. These colored the paper brown-red. The powder is also used as a spice. The rhizome tastes resinous and burns easily. When dried, it is somewhat bitter and mildly spicy.
Turmeric gives curry powder its famous coloring and is cheaper than saffron . Counterfeiters used turmeric, among other things, to stretch saffron. In India, turmeric was considered sacred and has been used as a spice for 4000 years. The Indian healing art Ayurveda ascribes a cleansing and energizing effect to the plant.
India is now the largest growing country in the world, although it itself consumes more than three quarters of the total harvest. In Thai cuisine, turmeric is mainly used fresh, while dried turmeric is common in India. The plant is also used in herbal medicine. It is now said to have a number of positive effects on the body. The dried rootstock of turmeric is mainly used for this purpose.
What does turmeric help with?
importance to health
Turmeric stimulates gastric juice production. In addition, the essential oil is cholagogue. The dyes have an anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effect . In experiments with genetically modified mice, curcumin was successfully used against cystic fibrosis, although this effect has not yet occurred in humans. However, the dye in turmeric is said to help against knee osteoarthritis.
Experts also suspect that the plant’s anti-inflammatory effect also inhibits cancer. This has been proven by several tests. Turmeric can suppress intestinal polyps and thus prevent the development of cancer. The number of polyps in the test subjects decreased by 60%. Many others have reduced in size. Curcumin also inhibits breast cancer metastases . This is what scientists in Houston found out.
The plant can both combat and prevent mild digestive problems. In addition, turmeric is said to have a positive effect on Alzheimer’s patients. In addition, turmeric prevents the oxidation of cholesterol and thus reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. The B6 it contains ensures, among other things, that damage to vessel walls is prevented. This can prevent heart disease.
Nevertheless, possible side effects should also be considered here. People with gallstones should not consume turmeric. In the case of gastrointestinal problems that get worse or last longer, you should always consult a doctor.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.