How Turmeric Helps in Medicines and in Recipes

Turmeric the wonder yellow powder is also known as the Indian Saffron by many European countries. Turmeric has very important place in Indian culture and Indian cuisines. As a Hindu we make cone of Lord Ganesh and first make praying to it then balance puja is completed. As traditional marriage the bride and bride groom are first pasted with fresh paste of Turmeric is used as a purifier and given bath and rest of marriage is followed. Similarly in birthdays or any other ritual fresh paste of Turmeric is applied as a purifier. Turmeric has not only medicinal properties, used in various food items, but also play very vital importance in Indian culture.

Turmeric a herbaceous plant of ginger family known as Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae).

Turmeric plant is considered auspicious and are planted in the kitchen garden in India. It has great medicinal properties, some of them are mentioned below.

Turmeric Medicinal properties
1) Turmeric has great antiseptic, antibacterial properties hence used in cuts and burns.
2) Turmeric has special anti-inflammatory properties and used to reduce, breast cancer, prostate cancer, childhood leukemia, and also helps in fighting cancerous cells.
3) It helps in curing arthritis, and other related problems.
4) Turmeric reduces fevers, diarrhea, urinary disorders, insanity, poisoning, cough, and lactation problems.
5) Turmeric mixed with hot milk helps you in curing body pains.
6) Turmeric helps in curing Alzheimer's diseases.
7) Turmeric health benefits are many and hence considered very sacred.
8) Turmeric is also remedy for piles if you apply a mixture of mustard oil, turmeric, and onion juice. To stop rectal bleeding take a two or three tablespoons of Turmeric every half hour until the bleeding stops.

Turmeric recipes
Apart from medicinal properties turmeric is widely use in various recipes.

South Indian prepares turmeric rice in all their festival. Yellow rice or turmeric rice is prepared by boiling the rice compete and adding turmeric power, lime juice, Tamarind juice extract, oil and Til and mixing well.

Turmeric paste in added to remove the smell from the meat. It is also used in many curry powers to give the distinctive yellow colour.

Other benefits
If turmeric is kept with rice any other cereals, it helps in preserving and storing for longer period of time. It also prevents in fighting against insects.

Therefore, turmeric has wide uses and helps in fighting many diseases, including cancer, digestion, cough and other aliments. Hence, Hindu considers turmeric as a holy.

Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turmeric

http://www.themedguru.com/20091028/newsfeature/turmeric-chemical-kills-cancer-cells-86130469.html

http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com/2009/10/turmeric-alzheimers-cure.html

http://www.theepicentre.com/Spices/turmeric.html