Turmeric Story

Turmeric, a plant in the ginger family, is native to Southeast Asia and is grown commercially in that region, primarily in India. Its rhizome (underground stem) is used as a culinary spice and traditional medicine. Turmeric is used to flavour and to colour foodstuffs. It is a principal ingredient in curry powder. The colour curcumin extracted from turmeric is used as a colorant. Turmeric is also used as a dye in textile industry.

It is used in the preparation of medicinal oils, ointments and poultice. It is stomachic, carminative, tonic, blood purifier and an antiseptic. It is used in cosmetics. The aqueous extracts has biopesticidal properties. Historically, turmeric was used in Ayurveda and other traditional Indian medical systems, as well as Eastern Asian medical systems such as traditional Chinese medicine. In India, it was traditionally used for disorders of the skin, upper respiratory tract, joints, and digestive system. Turmeric is a common spice and a major ingredient in curry powder.

Curcumin is a major component of turmeric, and the activities of turmeric are commonly attributed to curcuminoids (curcumin and closely related substances). Curcumin gives turmeric its yellow color. Turmeric dietary supplements are made from the dried rhizome and typically contain a mixture of curcuminoids.