 |
| English: A variety of Turmeric Flower found in Maharashtra, India. Turmeric or "Indian Saffron" is one of the most commonly used spice in India -a key flavoring ingredient in any Indian cuisine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)e |
I was about 5 years old when my dad, a postmaster was transferred to the small town of Batang Melaka. The whole family moved and stayed in a big colonial building that was built on pillars above the ground on top of a hilly slope. Well, we did not exactly occupy the whole building, since the main portion was the post office. The living quarters were at the rear section. However, we had a huge open kitchen that was surrounded by a secondary forest. It may not be as huge now as it seemed then since anything will look bigger to a 5 year old.
After dark, Fruit Bats, Swallows or Flying Foxes make their nightly forage for food just outside the wooden enclosure. Sometimes, snakes would slither into the compound looking for rodents. We have a resident bee hive the size of a hog in one corner of the house, high up on the rafters. Once, a baby swallow flew into my room and was lying quietly on the bed. I mistaken it for my black and white hairband and unknowingly grabbed it. I was so taken by surprise when it started fluttering that I immediately released it and it quickly flew away. Bushy tailed squirrels, chirping birds, woodpeckers and chameleons were common sights and sounds that greet us in the morning.
Our neighbors were mainly rubber tappers and farmers. The town has only one row of shop houses, one cinema, one school and one main road that was about less than five miles long. You can actually see the end of the street if you stand at the other end of the main road. I remember particularly an Indian lady who was a school teacher. She stayed just down the hill with her husband who was also a teacher. She used to invite me to her home since I still have not begun schooling and she did not have children of her own. Her face would be tinged yellow as she liked to rub turmeric powder on her skin. She told me that turmeric was good for the skin and kept the pimples away. Come to think about it, she did have a smooth and flawless skin.
 |
| English: Turmeric powder Deutsch: Kurkuma-Pulver (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Turmeric is a root plant quite similar to Ginger. It is widely used in Indian cuisine as well as a traditional medicine in China and India. It has a distinctive bright yellow color with a spicy and pungenit aroma. Turmeric is also used as a natural food coloring, additive as well as a dye for natural fabrics such as cotton, muslin and silk.
Turmeric has an active ingredient called curcumin. For centuries, it has been known for its anti-inflammatory properties and recent studies has revealed that turmeric has been proven to be beneficial in the treatment of many health conditions ranging from Cancers to Alzheimer's.
Here are the reasons why you should add turmeric to your diet.
- Natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent to disinfect cuts and burns.
- Cooked with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and also stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
- Test on mice indicates that it can prevent breast cancer from spreading.
- It may also prevent melanoma(a form of skin cancer). It cause existing melanoma cells to self destruct.
- Reduces the risk of leukemia in children.
- A natural liver detoxifier.
- May slow the progression or prevent Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
- In many different forms of cancer, it may prevent metastases from occurring..
- As a potent natural anti-inflammatory. It has no side effects.
- Tests on mice showed that turmeric slows down the progression of multiple sclerosis.
- Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
- Ability to increase metabolic rate to burn fat and manage weight.
- As a Chinese traditional medicine to treat depression.
- Since it has anti-inflammatory properties, it is used as a natural treatement for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Can boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
- Studies are being done on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer that has encouraging result.
- Studies are also being conducted on the effects of turmeric to treat multiple myeloma.
- It has been shown to halt the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
- Has quick healing properties especially for damages skin and wounds.
- May also help in the treatment of psoriasis and outher inflammatory skin diseases.
Homemade tumeric mask
Directions
Combine a few tablespoons of turmeric in a small plastic bowl with honey, yogurt or milk. Stir until the mixture is dissolved and apply to freshly cleansed skin. Leave on up to 20 minutes and rinse with warm water. Turmeric can permanently stain towels and clothing, so avoid wearing favorite garments when applying a turmeric face mask.
Source http://www.livestrong.com/article/539544-benefits-of-a-turmeric-face-mask/#ixzz24AHN8W8S
My next topic for discussion is, "The Spice of Life, Coriander Leaves and Seeds."
You may also like to read:
28) SPICES OF LIFE-GINGER29) SPICES OF LIFE-CINNAMON
15) LAVENDER, 10 NATURAL HEALTH BENEFITS
16) DOES BLACK RICE VINEGAR HAVE HEALTH BENEFITS?
66) DOES COLLAGEN CREAM WORK?
MY ART CORNER
THREE BOYS AT THE WATERFALLS
Thanks for looking and taking the time to read my blog. I welcome feedback and please feel free to share your experiences in relation to today's topic.
Until my next post, "Here's to your health!"
DISCLAIMER
No comments:
Post a Comment
Hi I welcome your comments and sharing on the topic that I have posted.