Page 31 - Seniors Today - June 2021 Issue
P. 31
Diet
Yellow
Gold
Dr Nandini Saini writes about the emerging importance of turmeric as a
medicine
Introduction Though native to Southern India and
Haldi wala doodh (milk with turmeric Indonesia, it is widely cultivated in islands
powder), is considered by many to be and the mainland around the Indian
a magic potion - whether it be a cold, Ocean. India alone shows the presence of
fever or bodyache. It is also considered around 40 to 45 species and is the largest
an immunity booster for all ages, from producer of turmeric.
children to the elderly, and it is described It has a pepper-like aroma, and stains
as one of the healthiest drinks, the drink of deep yellow to golden.
choice in times of this pandemic. Even the
western world has embraced it in the form History
of the popular turmeric latte. The use of turmeric has been traced back
almost 4,000 years in India. Not only
Description was it an important part of Indian cuisine,
Turmeric (curcuma longa), belonging to people also associated it as a religious
the same family as ginger, is a perennial herb.
herbaceous plant, growing to a height Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine
of about 1 metre. The rhizomes, or have used the spice extensively in their
underground stems, have found extensive medical formulations, The Ayurveda
use in social, culinary and medical fields. Compendium of Rishi Sushruta, dating
The roots are used fresh, or boiled, dried back to 250 BC also mentions the use of
and ground into a powder. turmeric against ailments.
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #24 | JUNE 2021 31
