Not only is it an essential ingredient of most Indian curries, but Turmeric is also very important in traditional medicines. For countless centuries people have been reaching for the knobby yellow root to treat a variety of ailments from skin disease to stomachache and joint pain. First discovered as a dye over 2500 years ago in India, turmeric has been recognized as one of nature’s most powerful healers.
While traveling in India this past December and not having easy access to modern medicine, I was quickly introduced to the natural healing powers of turmeric. My motion sickness was almost instantly cured from a teaspoon of turmeric mixed with warm water.
In India, turmeric is used on a daily basis in everything from cooking to crafits to healing. It is very rare to come across a household without turmeric in the kitchen cabinet. Since being back, I discovered that my favorite way to use it is to add a pinch of it to lentil curry (daal). It adds a nice flavor and gives the daal a rich yellow hue.
An interesting fact I learned while in India was that ancient Indian wise men believed in using turmeric as an amulet to fight away evil spirits for children and adults. Turmeric is also believed to create a balance in the human body amongst the three zones of Vata (air), Kapha (water) and Pitta (fire).
Once you start using turmeric on a regular basis, it’s fun to find new ways to use it. Here are some other ways I’ve seen it used:
Improving Digestion
Boil Milk in a pan, add the Turmeric Powder (1/2 teaspoon), Stir and leave in low heat for sometime, cool and drink.
Quick relief from Joint Paint
Turmeric (one teaspoonful) mixed with ginger extract makes a paste that can provide quick relief from join pant.
Stubborn Pimple?
Mix mint juice with turmeric powder and apply on the affected area. Leave for 15-20 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water. I have personally tried this one and most of the time it is pretty effective.
For Glowing Skin… replenish with a turmeric mask
2 tsp. gram flour and ¼ tsp. turmeric in a small bowl. Once these dry ingredients are well-mixed, slowly add several drops of milk and honey. Stir the mixture as you add the milk and honey, and judge the appropriate amounts by the mixture’s consistency. You’ve added enough milk and honey when the mixture becomes a paste.
Dye it
Turmeric’s yellow pigments yield beautiful, intense colors which can be used to dye many items from Easter eggs to fabrics. Warning: Turmeric will permanently stain clothes
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