Page 32 - Seniors Today - June 2021 Issue
P. 32
The secret ingredient Cultural
The most important chemical components Turmeric has a lot of significance in Hindu
of turmeric are a group of compounds culture. The yellow colour of the spice is
called curcuminoids, which include considered auspicious, as well as implying
curcumin (diferuloylmethane), purity and courage. It is strongly associated
demethoxycurcumin, and with Lord Krishna.
bisdemethoxycurcumin. The best- At one point of time, it was used to dye the
studied compound is curcumin, which is robes of monks and priests.
a main ingredient in powdered turmeric, Turmeric is used to adorn idols, along with
responsible for the yellow colour. vermillion and sandalwood. It is also used
Turmeric also has many important to make religious symbols like Om and
volatile oils include turmerone, atlantone, Swastika.
and zingiberene. The popular Haldi Ceremony, a part
Oil and oleo resins extracted from of most Indian weddings, is a ritual of
Turmeric are widely used in the cleansing and beautifying the bridal couple
pharmaceutical industry. by applying Haldi on their skin.
Use
Turmeric has many versatile uses - from
food to religious ceremonies to medicine!
Let’s have a look at all the different facets of
this amazing spice…
The ceremonial application of turmeric is an important
pre-wedding ritual
MEDICINAL:
Ancient medicine
Turmeric has long been considered an
The turmeric latte, made with coconut milk, has caught important part of ancient medicine.
on in the West
Rishi Sushruta, in his book, the Sushruta
NON-MEDICINAL: Samahita, dated 250 BC, has mentioned the
Culinary use of turmeric to treat food poisoning, and
Known for its distinctive golden yellow healing post-surgical wounds.
colour, this spice has long been used in
Indian cuisine. From curries to vegetables, Modern Medicine
it is a part of our everyday cooking. It is Though used extensively as a medicinal
also used in other cuisines, like Thai and herb by the Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha
Cambodian curries; Malaysian dishes also and the traditional Chinese Medical
find the use of turmeric as part of their practitioners, the use of turmeric in modern
ingredients. medicine is comparatively recent, with
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