Most modern Westerners associate turmeric as an anti-inflammatory agent, and indeed, traditionally this root was often used in an Ayurvedic approach to reduce inflammation of the throat and tonsils, and as an anti-inflammatory herb for many other aches and pains including muscle aches, back pain, cramping, and joint pain.
A randomized 2009 study examined the efficacy and safety of turmeric in patients with knee arthritis (an inflammatory condition), concluding that turmeric was as effective and as safe as ibuprofen (Kuptniratsaikul et al., 2009). A later study revealed that not only was turmeric as effective, but abdomoinal pain related events were significantly higher in the Ibuprofen group (Kuptniratsaikul et al., 2014).
The antioxidants in turmeric are believed to help neutralize the inflammatory agents called free radicals that can damage tissue and cause inflammation and pain. A gargle of warm water and turmeric powder can be taken for a sore throat.
- Common Names
- Turmeric , Curcuma, Indian saffron
- Botanical Name
- Curcuma longa L.
- Family
- ZINGIBERACEAE
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Growing Turmeric – Gardening Basics
Turmeric is different from most herbs because the leaves are not harvested, but the roots instead, (although the leaves and flower is edible and does well in raw food recipes).
Turmeric will grow an underground tuber, or rhizome similar to the way ginger does. It can take up to 10 months for a new crop of roots to develop. Plants will not tolerate temperatures under 65F.
Blooms appear in these approximate colours: White smoke. The mature flowers are of a clustered form. A type of flowering edible herb / vegetable, it mainly grows as a perennial plant – which means it typically grows best over a long period (from 3 years+).
Keep in mind when planning your garden that Common turmeric is known for growing to a forb habit. This plant tends to be ready for harvesting by early autumn. Common turmeric needs a moderate amount of maintenance, so some level of previous experience comes in handy when growing this plant. Ensure that you are aware of the soil, sun, ph and water requirements for this plant and keep an eye out for pests.
If you have a market nearby where you can buy fresh turmeric roots, you may be able to use those to sprout a plant. Otherwise, you will have to find a local nursery or online store that carries them. Turmeric isn’t the most common of household plants so it may take some looking. If you have access to a supermarket that carries it, purchase 2 or 3 because they probably won’t all sprout.
Once you have a fresh rhizome or root, all you need to do is plant it. A large root will have several branches or fingers to it. You can cut these apart and start more than one plant if you wish. The easiest way to get it to sprout is to just bury the root under 2 inches of loose potting soil. If there are any knobs or buds on the root, turn it so they are facing upwards.
Keep it damp but not sopping wet or the root may rot. In a month or so, you should see sprouts come up.
If you are going to grow turmeric outside, you can transplant it out in the late fall. For indoor plants, you can do this anytime.
The majority of people who are going to grow turmeric will have to do so indoors, and it does grow fine in pots.
It will likely grow too large for a windowsill but can thrive in a sunny room. Choose a container that is at least 12 inches across and the same in depth to give your plants room to grow.
Water potted turmeric regularly to keep the soil damp, and weekly feedings with mild or diluted fertilizer are very beneficial.
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Important Growing Information:
DAYS TO GERMINATION:You won’t be planting seeds to start your turmeric plants, but using roots instead. It’s not just a matter of convenience, the plant doesn’t produce seeds for propagation.
SOWING:12 – 16 inches apart
LIGHT PREFERENCE: Full sun to partial sun.
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: moist soil, well drained
HARDINESS ZONE: 9
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Flower Arrangements or Edible Flowers
Gorgeous turmeric flowers…The friendly guy running the food market stand advised us to pick the leaves off of the stalk and eat them as we would any other fresh and blanched veggies.
Both the flower and leaves keep well in the fridge. The leaves have a delicate butter lettuce-like texture and taste bright and ‘green’. Not surprisingly, there’s a hint of turmeric flavor and the root’s characteristic astringency.I can think of a few other uses for them – mixed with grated coconut, chopped dried chili, and a bit of fish sauce for a ‘salad’, or stirred into Indian-style ‘congee’ flavored with the root (or turmeric powder) and fried curry leaves. This morning I made a sort of Indian yogurt rice – leftover rice softened in the steamer, stirred into lots of yogurt seasoned with popped mustard seeds, a bit of turmeric powder-enhanced mustard oil, salt, and chopped cilantro – and as I ate it I couldn’t help but think what a nice addition this flower would have made.
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Medicinal Uses & Benefits of Turmeric
- Medicinal Uses: * Arthritis * Cancer Prevention * Candida/yeast * Cardiovascular* Culinary/Kitchen * Cuts & Wounds * Dental/Oral Care * Eyes/Vision * Longevity Tonics * Lupus * Nutrition * Pain Relief * Psoriasis * Rheumatoid_arthritis * Stop Smoking
- Properties: * Analgesic * Anti-inflammatory * Antibacterial * Antifungal * Aromatic * Bitter * Cholagogue * Cordial * Depurative * Hepatic
- Parts Used: rhizome
- Constituents: volatile oils(terpene, curcumen), starch, albumen (30%), colouring due chiefly to curcumin, potassium, vitamin c
- Western science confirms that turmeric is a first rate anti-inflammatory herb. It contains at least two chemicals, curcumin and curcuminoids, that act to decrease inflammation much like NSAID COX-2 that inhibit the production of prostaglandins which are linked to arthritic inflammation. This anti-inflammatory effect may be why consumption of turmeric is also connected to a reduced occurrence of cancers, cataracts, and Alzhemimers. Turmeric has been shown to be an effective pain reliever in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. Modern studies confirm ancient wisdom that those with psoriasis can especially benefit from daily supplementation with turmeric. Studies show that the curcumin in turmeric acts to disrupt the cycle of skin plaque formation, working in a similar manner to the new biologic TNF inhibitors.
Turmeric powder mixed in warm water has been used as a home remedy for cancer sores for some time It has many medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity that could explain why it is a useful dental and oral care treatment. In a recent study turmeric turmeric mouthwash (10 mg curcumin extract dissolved in 100 ml of water with a peppermint flavoring agent added was found to be as effective as a solution made from chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), the gold standard compound for plaque buildup in dentistry.
This is great news for food lovers; this healthy and inexpensive spice is not only great for cooking, but it also may help to limit weight gain from a high fat diet.
Turmeric is such an exemplary herb that has a wide array of health benefits at a low cost both in monetary terms (cheap!)and few adverse effects, (almost none). Turmeric deserves a prominent place in almost anyone’s health routine as a daily supplemental and a healthy culinary spice.
Preparation Methods & Dosage : While this Ayurvedic spice is a healthy addition to cooking, you may want to take turmeric in supplement form in order to reap the medicinal benefits. Extracts of the whole root are more bioavailable that Curcumin in isolation. Add black pepper or dried ginger to help activate turmeric. Turmeric can be applied topically to a painful joint or swelling as a poultice to relieve pain.
Ayurvedic Medicine - Turmeric is the best medicine in Ayurveda. It cures the whole person. Turmeric is pungent, bitter, astringent and heating and has a pungent vipaka. Turmeric can be used by all doshas. It may stimulatevata, but doesn’t aggravate it (cause an imbalance). 1
Turmeric Side Effects: People with hypoglycemia can use small amounts of turmeric in cooking, but should not take large amounts. The yellow color of turmeric can stain clothes and skin.
Disclaimer
This information in our Herbal Reference Guide is intended only as a general reference for further exploration, and is not a replacement for professional health advice. This content does not provide dosage information, format recommendations, toxicity levels, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Accordingly, this information should be used only under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner.
Additional Resources
Herbal Preparations and research: https://theherbarium.wordpress.com
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