With its earthy and soothing aroma and warm golden-yellow colour, turmeric has a special place in our kitchens and culture. Also known as Circuma longa, this spice has been used for centuries in several regions of Asia. It is probably sitting in a masala container somewhere in your kitchen as you read this! As Indians, we are used to consuming it in our favourite curries and dishes every day, with a warm glass of milk when we are not feeling well, or even adding it to our at-home beauty rituals.
Turmeric comes loaded with various benefits. Its usage can be traced back to ancient Ayurvedic medicinal preparations. It can brighten our health with its numerous benefits, just as its beautiful colour brightens food. This special spice controls airway inflammatory diseases, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, when consumed with black pepper. The strong antioxidant properties of curcumin have been demonstrated to shield healthy cells from carcinogens, especially those prevalent in the colon. It helps the body eliminate cancer cells with mutations before they have a chance to spread to other tissues. It aids digestion, and it also helps maintain healthy cholesterol, contributing to a healthy heart. Turmeric prevents or ameliorates serious health conditions like diabetes and also provides relief from osteoarthritis.
The benefits don’t stop here! Turmeric is used for many beauty related concerns like itching, allergies and hyper pigmentation on the skin. Along with this, it is also considered as a safe alternative therapy to treat MDD (Major Depressive Disorder). But is there more to it? How should you use it?
