Turmeric – Secret Ayurvedic Recipes
Gelbwurz oder TURMERIC oder Curcuma Longa [Sanskrit – Haridra]
Turmeric is truly one of the marvellous medicinal spices in the world.
Its been extensively used since centuries, as an ingredient in cooking. Its popularly believed that turmeric was used in cooking for its detox properties to neutralise any toxins if present in the food preparation.
Benefits
Potent antioxidant. The antioxidant activity of turmeric is mainly associated with its phenolic fraction, curcuminoids, which act as free radical scavengers as well as inhibitors of leukotrienes and prostaglandin synthesis.
Powerful antiinflammatory agent. The antiinflammatory activity has been claimed to be comparable to NSAID’s such as indomethacin, producing significant improvement in clinical trials involving individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
Lowers Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol.
Reduces blood sugar level in diabetics. An
anticoagulant that inhibits platelet aggregation.
Liver protective and tonic. Boosts
stomach defences against acid. Known to have varied
anticancer activity. A powerful antagonist of numerous cancer causing agents.
Turmeric is being used in Ayurveda since centuries as an internal medicine for a variety of conditions ranging from allergy to diabetes, and as an external application for beauty as well as in skin disorders and arthritis.
A few simple turmeric remedies
Allergies: Ground Turmeric and Ground Curry leaves one heaped teaspoon each to be taken together early morning in empty stomach for 3 to 6 weeks. Proven very effective in chronic allergic rhinitis.
Bronchitis: Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder in half a glass of warm milk taken two or three times daily is an effective home remedy. Acts best when taken in empty stomach.
Throat irritation: Take a pinch of turmeric with little salt at bed time. Dont swallow, leave it in the tongue and let it slowly work its way down.
Diarrhoea: Take one spoon of turmeric juice with equal amount of honey. Or boil half glass water with one tsp turmeric powder and mix with one tsp honey.
Ring worm: Apply juice of raw turmeric on the affected part few times daily.
Sinusitis: Dip a dry rhizome of turmeric in coconut or neem oil and burn. Put off the flame and inhale the smoke through each nostril three times. Repeat for 3 to 7 days. Very effective remedy even in severe sinusitis. [You can use a small sheet of paper to make a funnel and keep small end in one nostril to inhale the smoke with the other nostril closed.]
Diabetes: Half glass of indian gooseberry juice with one spoon of turmeric is very beneficial in diabetes.
Leucoderma: Turmeric mixed with mustard oil is a popular folk remedy for leucoderma. About 500gm of turmeric should be pounded and soaked in 8 litres of water overnight. It should be boiled in the morning till only one litre of water is left, and then be strained and mixed with 500ml mustard oil. This mixture should be heated till only the oil is left. It should then be strained and preserved in a bottle. This mixture should be applied on the white patches every morning and evening for a few months .
