My Vedic Life

What is Turmeric :

• Turmeric, is a plant native to Southeast Asia whose root is used as a culinary spice and traditional medicine. It acts as an adaptogen to reduce stress, depression, boost immunity and brain function, fight inflammation, increases body antioxidant capacity, treat skin disorders, arthritis, and alzheimer’s . (More Details)
• Composition: Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric with powerful anti-inflammatory effects and strong antioxidant properties. The components responsible for the aroma of turmeric are turmerone, arturmerone, and zingiberene. Turmeric is also a good source of the ω-3 fatty acid and α-linolenic acid.

Availability:

• The root of Turmeric plant used as a spice in powder form, and liquid form, used as a paste for the skin. 
• Turmeric root is considered as auspicious and is a part of religious rituals.

What are its benefits:

• Curcumin Boosts Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Linked to Improved Brain Function and a Lower Risk of Brain Diseases.
• Turmeric tea’s strong anti-inflammatory properties can help ease inflammation and swelling in people with arthritis.
• Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory compound, it makes sense that it may help with arthritis.
• Turmeric tea’s many medicinal properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, could contribute to cancer prevention.
• The medicinal properties of turmeric may be able to boost the immune system, even in people with immune disorders.
• Curcumin also has anti-inflammatory property and can reduce the inflammation of the nerve cells, which might help in improving memory functions in Alzheimer’s patients.
• Turmeric is also used as coloring agent in the textile, food, and pharmaceutical industries.

Ayurvedic Properties:

• Turmeric is used in Ayurveda to balance Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, though, in excess, it can aggravate Pitta and Vata. It has many beneficial effects for "Rasa" and "Rakta Dhatus" (the blood and plasma of the circulatory system). It also kindles "Agni" (digestive fire), helping reduce Kapha and "Ama" (toxins) due to its Ushna (hot) potency.
• Turmeric has also Vata balancing property and thus gives relief from the symptoms of "Aamavata" (Rheumatoid arthritis) like pain and swelling in the joints.
• In Ayurveda, osteoarthritis occurs due to an aggravation of Vata dosha and is known as "Sandhivata". It causes pain, swelling, and joint immobility. Turmeric gives relief from the symptoms of osteoarthritis due to its Vata balancing property.
• Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder with symptoms like memory loss, disorientation, tremors, cracked and quaking voice, and stooped spine. These symptoms indicate Vata imbalance in the body. Turmeric gives good results in Alzheimer's disease due to its Vata balancing property.

Regional Names:

• Hindi: Haldi; Bengali: Holud; Gujarati: Haldi; Marathi: Halad, KonKani,  Halad, Ollod, Ollodi; Kannada: Arishina; Malayalam: Manjal; Sindhi: Halda; Kashmiri: Lidar; Punjabi: Haldhor, Haldhar, Haldi; Oriya: Haldi; Tamil: Manjal; Telugu: Pasupu; Sanskrit: Haladi, Haridra, Harita; Urdu: Haladi; English: Turmeric; India: Haldi; Dutch: Geelwortel; Spanish: Curcuma; Italian: Curcuma; French: Curcuma; Portuguese: Acafrao-da-India; German: Kurkuma, Gelbwurzel; Russian: Zholty Imbir; Swedish: Gurkmeja; Japanese: Ukon; Arabic: Kurkum; Chinese: Yu Chin, Jaiang huang; Thai: Kamin; Sinhalese: Kaha; Khmer: Lmeal; Farisi: Zardchubeh; Hawaiin: Olena