By Maryann Readal
I like when The Herb Society’s Herb of the Month is a plant that I can develop in my backyard. This month’s herb is turmeric, Curcuma longa, a plant within the ginger household (Zingiberaceae). It’s winter hardy in USDA Zones 8-11 and it thrives in warmth and humidity, making it a good selection for my Texas backyard. The pale yellow flowers are pine-cone formed and long-lived, and the rhizomes, that are underground stems, proceed to ship up flowers and leaves all through the rising season. Turmeric does effectively in a calmly shaded backyard or it may be grown in a pot. Within the fall, the plant goes dormant till late spring of the subsequent yr. The rhizomes may be dug within the fall and saved for planting within the spring or they are often boiled, dried, after which floor to create the turmeric spice. Curcumas are low upkeep vegetation whose flowers are lovely in the summertime backyard, giving the backyard an unique, tropical feel and appear.
Curcuma longa is a local of India, the place you will discover the delicacies laced with the spice produced from its rhizomes. India has been a serious producer, exporter, and client of turmeric for a very long time. Remnants of turmeric have been discovered on pottery items that date again to 2500 BCE. The bottom rhizome is utilized in Asian cuisines and it’s the principal ingredient in curry powder. The leaves of the plant are used to wrap meals and the flowers are edible. Turmeric rhizomes make a brilliant yellow dye that was as soon as used to dye the robes of Buddhist monks. This dye can be used within the beauty trade and as a meals dye in butter, cheese, pickles, and yellow mustard. The wholesome drink Golden Milk served in stylish cafes and well being meals shops is made with turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, honey, and nutmeg added to heat milk. It’s a very nice drink certainly.
Turmeric has been used as a drugs since historical occasions. It performs an essential position in Ayurvedic medication, the traditional Indian system of pure therapeutic. It is also essential in Chinese language conventional medication. There are 100 names for turmeric in Ayurvedic literature, one being jayanti, which means one who’s victorious over ailments (Avery, 2015).
Turmeric has gained a lot consideration lately due to its therapeutic properties. Curcumin is the constituent that offers turmeric its shade in addition to its highly effective medicinal advantages. It’s thought of to be a greater anti-inflammatory than ibuprofen. It additionally helps defend the physique from creating most cancers cells, significantly within the colon. As well as, it helps wholesome coronary heart perform and levels of cholesterol (Avery, 2015). Research have linked improved mind well being and reminiscence to curcumin. In line with WebMD, consuming increased ranges of curcumin “could assist to cut back the chance of dementia and Alzheimer’s illness.”
Within the Hindu faith, turmeric is taken into account sacred and auspicious. It is part of many Indian spiritual and social celebrations and rituals. It’s a Hindu marriage ceremony customized that the groom drape his bride with a turmeric-dyed string which exhibits that she is prepared for marriage. In one other marriage ceremony customized, a turmeric paste or powder is utilized to the bride and groom to present their pores and skin a glow and to make sure their prosperity. Wedding ceremony garments are sprinkled with turmeric water to purify them. In some locations, newborns are anointed with turmeric paste to guard them from evil and guarantee a protracted life. In southern India, sporting a chunk of turmeric rhizome is believed to keep at bay evil. In some Hindu spiritual celebrations, worshippers mud themselves with turmeric powder.
For extra data and recipes utilizing turmeric, please see The Herb Society’s Herb of the Month webpage.
Picture Credit: 1) A turmeric plant in flower (Susan Vogelgesang, Western Reserve Herb Backyard, Cleveland, Ohio); 2) A cup of golden milk (courtesy of the writer); 3) Golden milk recipe (Rachel & Dr. Josh Axe); 4) Indian marriage ceremony preparations (notsoboringgirl through Wikimedia Commons); 5) Turmeric rhizome and powder (PickPik); 6) Indian temple worshipper with turmeric on face, hair, and beard (courtesy of the writer)
Medicinal Disclaimer: It’s the coverage of The Herb Society of America, Inc. to not advise or suggest herbs for medicinal or well being use. This data is meant for instructional functions solely and shouldn’t be thought of as a suggestion or an endorsement of any explicit medical or well being therapy. Please seek the advice of a well being care supplier earlier than pursuing any natural therapies.
References
Avery, Tori. 2015. What’s the historical past of turmeric? Accessed 9/22/24. Accessible from https://www.pbs.org/meals/tales/turmeric-history
Kaur, Amanjot. 2019. Historic background of utilization of turmeric: A overview. Accessed 9/21/24. Accessible from https://www.phytojournal.com/archives/2019/vol8issue1/PartAT/8-2-135-332.pdf
Missouri Botanical Backyard. N.D. Curcuma longa. Accessed 9/21/24. Accessible from https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=287580
Prasad, S. and B. B. Aggarwal. 2011. Turmeric, the golden spice: From conventional medication to fashionable medication. In: Benzie I.F.F., Wachtel-Galor S., editors. Natural Medication: Biomolecular and Medical Facets. Chapter 13. Accessed 9/22/24. Accessible from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/
WebMD. 2022. Golden milk: Are there advantages? Accessed 9/22/24. Accessible from https://www.webmd.com/weight loss plan/golden-milk-health-benefits
Maryann is a member of The Herb Society of America’s Texas Thyme Unit in Huntsville, TX. She is a Texas Grasp Gardener and an authorized Native Panorama Specialist with the Texas Native Plant Society and has obtained The Herb Society’s Nancy Putnam Award for Excellence in Horticulture. She lectures and writes about herbs and vegetation and does the herb coaching for a number of Grasp Gardener packages. She gardens among the many pines within the Piney Woods of East Texas.
