Curry = Turmeric Myth

Turmeric is a tropical perennial plant with yellow flowers and leaves that are dark green above and light green below. Growing to a height of about three feet (one meter), it bears pairs of lance-shaped leaves on alternate sides of the stem. At the base of the stem, there is a knobby rhizome somewhat resembling ginger.  The rhizomes have a brownish-yellow, somewhat scaly outer skin and a bright orange-yellow flesh, which smells spicy when bruised. Turmeric is a member of the ginger (Zingiberacea) family and is also known as Indian saffron and yellow root.  Native to India, this bright yellow rhizome is the dried and ground rhizome of the Curcuma longa root and cultivated throughout the tropics around the world.  The rhizome is boiled then used dried and ground.  Turmeric's warm aroma, bright color, and gingery/peppery taste are relied upon in cooking throughout Asia. It's best known as the spice that gives curry powder its distinctive color.  Indispensable in curry powders and East Indian cooking, turmeric is also used in prepared mustards and pickles, dressings, eggs and rice dishes. A dye and condiment in ancient times, the common name for turmeric comes from the Latin terra merita, or meritorious earth, a reference to its mineral pigmentation.
The early Sanskrit name of turmeric, haridra, means yellow wood. It was used in cooking by the early Sumerians and Assyrians, who received it from India. Marco Polo noted in 1280 that turmeric grew as a vegetable with all the properties of saffron, though he recognized that it was another spice. It reached China in the 7th century and Africa in the 13th century. It was known as Indian saffron. Turmeric has been used in Hindu rituals. Even today, it's associated with fertility and prosperity. During a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony, the bride has a turmeric paste "painted' onto her face and hands, for luck. Turmeric may also be used as a cloth dye and given as a gift on special occasions, such as a visit to a pregnant woman. Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and other traditional medicine systems practiced in India have relied on this pungent spice for centuries. It was also mentioned in early herbals as an ingredient in medicines.  At one time, sun worshipers  whose sacred color was yellow, dyed their textiles with the very expensive saffron. When it was discovered that the very inexpensive turmeric produced the same brilliant color, the sacred saffron was guarded for special culinary dishes.

Precautions-always read labels when purchasing herbal medicines
Turmeric, also known as: Curcuma longa, Curcuma, Gauri, Haldi, Indian Saffron, and You Jin.
As with any herbal remedy turmeric should be used in moderation. Too much turmeric used for extended periods of time may cause stomach distress.  Turmeric is also is a strong anti-inflammatory.  Since turmeric is included in Ayurvedic formulas for birth control, women trying to become pregnant should limit their consumption of the herb, and it should be avoided entirely while pregnant. Excessive use of turmeric should also be avoided in people with congestive heart failure. The curcumin in turmeric activates a gene called p53. This gene deactivates damaged cells in the heart. The health benefits of turmeric-- which has a long tradition of use in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine remains a hot topic among natural health advocates.  Many of the healing of benefits of turmeric have been attributed to curcumin, a group of antioxidant compounds found in the rhizome. Although curcumin is available as a standardized extract, the whole herb may be more beneficial for you than the curcumin extract: Only very small amounts of curcumin are absorbed into the bloodstream. Turmeric as a whole herb stays in the digestive tract longer than curcumin, releasing antioxidant curcumin along with other beneficial substances.

Turmeric can replace the golden color with which saffron graces foods, but not saffron's distinctive flavor! To this day, some Hindu brides paint themselves with turmeric as part of the wedding ceremony, while married women rub it into their cheeks to give off an attractive golden glow. In Asia, turmeric is considered a good luck charm; newborn babies might have it rubbed on their forehead, or a bit of the root may be made into a necklace for them to wear.




Chicken or Smoked Turkey Salad
1 lb. cooked cubed chicken or turkey
1 c. minced onion
1/2 c. minced celery
1 T. minced garlic
3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1/2 c. red seedless grapes, quartered
1 c. mayo
1 T. lemon juice
1 T. Curry or 1/2 tsp. turmeric
1 tsp. celery salt
1 T. Dijon mustard
- Stir together all ingredients, and refrigerate two hours before serving.
Serve on bread, toast, or with crackers.

Suggested uses from www.indianfoodforever.com

Uses:
1) Kitchen Use
Turmeric is used as coloring agent. It is used to color as well as flavor prepared pickles, relish, chutneys and rice dishes. Turmeric is combined with almost every dish in India. It is also combined in rice dishes. It is a very important ingredient of curry powders. It is also used in stews and curries.

2) Medicinal use
Turmeric is used as remedy for the following common problems:

WOUND, BRUISES and SPRAIN:
1. Apply bit of turmeric on cuts and scrapes after washing them with cold water.
2. Take 1 tsp turmeric powder with hot milk.
3. Make a bandage of the following things and apply on the wound: mix 4 tsp flour, 2 tsp turmeric powder, 1tsp pur ghee, 1/2 tsp sendha namak (non refined salt) with water.
4. Take 500ml of water and boil it with 1 tsp sendha namak and 1 tsp turmeric powder. Give fomentation to the bruised part with a cloth soaked in this water. This will help get rid of pain and swelling in that region.
5. Dusting turmeric powder on wounds also helps in relieving the pain and swelling.

SKIN PROBLEMS:
1. Apply the paste of turmeric and sesame oil on body to prevent eruptions.
2. To avoid any kind of skin problems apply turmeric paste before a bath.
3. To cure itching take roasted turmeric with jaggery.
4. To eliminate freckles and spots rub ground turmeric on stone with the help of water and then apply this paste on skin.
5. You can also make a paste of ground turmeric with milk of banyan or pipal and soak it overnight and then apply it for 1 hour before bath. This will help in removing freckles and also give glow to the face.
6. Make a pudding of 2 tsp flour with 1 tsp ghee and 1 tsp turmeric, 2 tsp sugar and 1 cup water and take this in the morning it will halp in curing Utricaria.

DIGESTIVE AID:
1. To get instant relief from acidity take turmeric powder and salt in equal quantity with warm water.
2. Taking curd or butter milk with turmeric after lunch cures digestive problems.
3. Grind 4 gms turmeric, 4 gms dried ginger, 2 gms black pepper and 2 gms cardomom and take this mixture after meals this will aid digestion and will eliminate flatulence.

LIVER PROTECTION: Turmeric help in minimizing liver damages caused by taking excess alcohol regularly or using pain-killer.

ARTHRITIS: Turmeric help relieve wound inflammation and in treating arthritis.

HEART PROTECTION: Turmeric helps in reducing cholesterol