Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a reputed member of the family Zingiberaceae, is known for its multiple benefits and uses, ranging from medicines to food. It is a perennial plant having short stem with large oblong leaves. The plant bears ovate, pyriform or oblong, branched rhizomes, which are brownish-yellow in colour. Turmeric is extensively used as a food preservative, spice, and coloring agent in India, China and South East Asia. The plant is also considered as auspicious and is a part of religious rituals.
Turmeric is commonly known as Kurkum (Arabic), Hsanwen (Burmese), Wong geung, Yu chin (Chinese), Gurkemeje (Danish), Geelwortel (Dutch), Indian saffron (English), Safran des Indes, Terre-mérite (French), Indischer Safran, Gelbwurz (German), Haldi (Hindi), Kunyit (Indonesian), Curcuma (Italian), Ukon (Japanese), Haridra (Sanskrit), Cúrcuma, Azafrán árabe (Spanish), Gurkmeja (Swedish) and Haladi (Urdu).
Turmeric is rich in carbohydrates (69.4%), fat (5.1%), minerals, (3.5%), proteins (6.3%), moisture (13.1 %) and essential oils. Curcumin, one of the bioactive components of turmeric, has depicted a wide-spectrum of biological actions , including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-coagulant, cholagogueue, diuretic, depurative, fumitory, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and hypotensive properties. Owing to its beneficial therapeutic and medicinal virtues, turmeric has been used from the Vedic ages in treating various diseases.
Home Remedies with Turmeric
Turmeric is a medicinal plant extensively used in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha medicine. Since ages, it has been used as a common household remedy for treatment of various health disorders. Find here some of the simple and effective home remedies with turmeric to cure common illnesses.
- Acne- Application of fresh turmeric and neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves paste dries out the acne and helps to erase any marks left behind. Apply this formulation twice daily. Another time-tested remedy is to apply a paste prepared by mixing a tbsp each of fuller’s earth and sandalwood (Santalum album) powder along with ½ tsp of turmeric (twice a week).
- Arthritis- Boil a glass of milk with ½ tsp of turmeric powder. Allow to cool and drink. It is effective against arthritis. Regular consumption of turmeric in diet can ease morning stiffness, reduce pain and joint swelling.
- Asthma- Taking 1/4th tsp of turmeric powder with hot water acts works as a preventive measure against asthma. Prepare a paste of 1/4th tsp each of turmeric powder and black pepper (Piper nigrum) in clarified butter and massage the same over the chest to relieve irritation of bronchioles.
- Bleeding gums- Massaging the teeth with a paste prepared from turmeric powder, mustard (Brassica Juncea) oil and salt, stops bleeding and strengthens gums. A mixture of turmeric, clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and a few dried leaves of guava (Psidium guajava) prepared in a cup of water works as a perfect mouth rinse and relives bleeding gums.
- Blisters in Mouth-Boil about 1/4th tsp of turmeric in a glass of water and gargle with the same twice daily to cure blisters in mouth.
- Bruises, Sprains and Wounds- Drinking a cup of milk with ½ tsp of turmeric twice a day hastens healing of the wounds. Application of turmeric powder with lime comforts swelling and pain in bruises. Turmeric powder, green flour with mustard (Brassica Juncea) oil poultice to the sprained portion enhances blood circulation. Applying a paste of turmeric powder and salt in clarified butter is also known to give relief in bruises.
- Cancer- Regular usage of turmeric in food works as an anti-mutagenic agent, lowering the chances of occurrence of various types of cancer such as that of lung, colon, breast and prostrate cancer.
- Cough and Cold: Taking turmeric powder and little salt with hot water or licking 1 tsp turmeric powder with ½ tsp of honey effective in cough and eliminates chest congestion. Also, a tsp of turmeric taken with 1/4th tsp of carom (Trachyspermum ammi) and honey with hot water cures cough and cold.
- Conjunctivitis - A decoction of turmeric powder with water on the eyes is effective in conjunctivitis.
- Coryza-To treat coryza, inhaling burning turmeric fumes for few minutes is believed to provide relief from the problem.
- Diabetes- For keeping a check on sugar level, mix ½ tsp each of turmeric and bay (Laurus nobilis) leaves powder in a tbsp of aloe (Aloe vera) gel. Have this mixture twice a day before meals. Also, a tsp of turmeric added to a cup of gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) juice consumed daily is effective in normalizing the blood glucose levels.
- Ear Trouble-To ease ear ache, mix a few drops of turmeric oil in mustard (Brassica Juncea) oil and drop in ears and clean with an ear bud.
- Eczema- To treat eczema, have a glass of milk with ½ teaspoon of turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder daily. Mix powdered gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) fruits (1 tbsp) with neem (Azadirachta indica) bark (1tbsp) and a pinch of turmeric. Apply a paste of this herbal preparation over the affected skin. Also, application of paste of turmeric prepared in sesame (Sesamum indicum) oil prevents skin eruptions.
- Heart problems- Consuming turmeric daily in food diet, helps in eliminating the LDL or bad cholesterol from the body. Turmeric also helps to prevent heart attacks or strokes.
- Indigestion and acidity: Intake of ½ tsp of turmeric powder along with 1/4th tsp each of black pepper (Piper nigrum) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) after meals is effective against indigestion and acidity. Having a bowl of curd with a 1/4th tsp turmeric powder and salt, is known to give relief from digestive problems. Having turmeric powder and salt in equal proportions with lukewarm water is good in acidity.
- Insect Bite: Application of the mixture of turmeric powder and lime over the affected area is said to nullify the toxic effect of insect bites.
- Intestinal worms- To get rid of intestinal worms, consume a ground paste of turmeric and curry (Murraya koenigii) leaves.
- Jaundice – Consuming turmeric in diet or taking a tsp of the same with milk, hot water or honey twice daily is good in jaundice.
- Lactation- To enhance lactation in nursing mothers, roast 200 g of crushed wheat or dalia (Triticum sativum) on a low flame till they turn brownish. Boil the same in about ½ l water in a pressure cooker with added 1/4th tsp turmeric powder and common salt. Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles. Open the lid and serve with hot milk and sugar.
- Menstrual troubles: Consuming about ½ tsp of turmeric powder in a glass of warm milk works as an effective antispasmodic and eases menstrual cramping.
- Pregnancy- Taking ½ tsp of turmeric powder with hot milk in latter part of the ninth month of pregnancy eases delivery.
- Postnatal Care- Intake of a tsp of roasted turmeric powder with jaggery after delivery relieves uterus swelling and removes weakness.
- Ringworm spots- Prepare a paste of fresh turmeric rhizome in water and apply over the area to decrease white ringworm spots.
- Scabies- A tsp of turmeric powder in sesame (Sesamum indicum) or coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil can be applied on the infected areas.
- Small Pox: To treat small pox, prepare a paste by mixing turmeric powder, milk cream and wheat flour in mustard (Brassica Juncea) oil and apply topically over the affected part twice daily. Along with this, consuming a tsp of turmeric powder and tamarind (Tamarindus indica) for 5 days would hasten healing.
- Tonsillitis- Roast about 15 g of turmeric powder in mustard (Brassica juncea) oil and use it for fomentation. Tying this around the neck provides relief in tonsillitis.
- Tooth ache: Roast turmeric and massaging the aching tooth with its powder swelling and pain. Filling the cavity with roasted ground turmeric powder gives temporary relief in toothache. For healthy teeth massage powdered, roasted turmeric and carom (Trachyspermum ammi) over it.
- Urticaria- Intake of ½ tsp turmeric powder with a tsp of honey twice daily is helpful in controlling eruptions. Consuming ground roasted turmeric with jaggery is known to relieve itching. Topical application of turmeric oil over pustules also gives relief from urticaria.
- Whooping Cough- For relief from cough, take roasted turmeric powder (1 tsp) with two tsp of honey. Lick the mixture four times a day. Chewing betal (Piper betle) leaf with a pinch of turmeric is also a good remedy for whooping cough.
- Weight loss- Since turmeric is a cholagogue, and aids in the breakdown of dietary fat, adding turmeric to daily cooking or a glass of milk can help in controlling weight.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Sources
- Chattopadhyay I, Biswas K et al., Turmeric and curcumin: Biological actions and medicinal applications, Current Science, VOL. 87 (1), 10.7.2004
- Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp; 1999.
- Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; 1998.
- Gruenwald J. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 3rd ed. Montvale, NJ: Thomson PDR; 2004.
Garima Sancheti - Dr Garima Sancheti is a PhD in Radiation and Cancer Biology from Rajasthan University, India. She has written various research articles in ...
