Turmeric is called Haldi in Hindi and Urdu in the Subcontinent. It is a bright yellow colour powder extracted from and underground root of a tropical plant called "Curcuma longa Linn." It belongs to the ginger family "Zingiberaceae". It is native of India but some people consider that it originated in China. It is widely cultivated in Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, Peru, Jamaica, India and Pakistan, besides many other tropical countries of the world.
Turmeric is propagated from the swellen stem(corm). The crop is harvestedafter 8 - 9 months of sowing. After turmeric is harvested, it is subjected to processing called "Curing". The cured turmeric has a fragrant odour and is used for bathing oils. Haldi undoubtedly is a wonderful herb and is used in several ways. It's an additive that keeps the food fresh and improves its colour and taste. It is colouring agent that flavours the popular meat, vegetable and pules dishes, including popular pickles and tarts that makes the food more tempting to eat by the foodies haldi as a matter of fact, is the hallmark of the oriental cookery.
Chemical composition:
Turmeric is packed with vitamins and other health giving nutrients. It contains protein (6.3%), fat (5.1%),minerals (3.5%), carbohydrates (6.9%), moisture (13.1%), and essential oils 5.8%. It is an excellent source of iron, manganese, Vitamin B6, ash and potassium.
Health benefits:
Haldi is being medicinally used from the very remote times. It is natural-anti-septic, anti-bacterial and anti-viral. It is used for cleaning foul ulcers. It detoxifies liver. It is an excellent styptic. A paste of turmeric powder is applied by the ladies on getting cuts and burns, while working in the kitchen. Turmeric protects from the prostate and the breast cancers. It promotes fertility. It protects heart, boosts immunity, and supports the brain. It prevents the slow progression of the Alzheimer diseases. It is anti-inflammatory and useful in arthritis, as much as in the rheumatic arthritis. Inhaling of the turmeric fumes keeps the common cold and coryza at a distance.
A paste of haldi powder mixed with quicklime (Calcium Oxide) is used for treating ringworms, obstinate itching, eczema and parasitic disorders. Risks of getting leukemia by the children are reduced by intake of haldi preparations. Haldi is stimulant, tonic and carminative. Haldi powder comes very handy in flatulence. It is a goodremedy for the billiary disorders, anorexia, diabetic wounds, hepatic disorders and sinusitis. Haldi keeps the skin lustrous and smooth. In China, turmeric is used to treat the abdominal diseases.
Even in the modern age turmeric is used for dyeing leather, thread, cotton, wool and carpets. Haldi is a home remedy for many diseases in the rural areas.
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