Medicinal Properties of Turmeric

Scientific name: Curcuma longa
It is known as different names like Indian Saffron, Haldi, Haridra, etc. The plant of turmeric is a herbaceous perennial. It is abundant in Sanjay Gandhi Park of India.
Turmeric plant is planted in the month of September to October. It grows in light black, black clayey loams and red soil.
It is taken as a blood purifier and very useful in common cold, leprosy, intermittent, infection of liver, dropsy, inflammation, and wound healing. The rhizome of turmeric plant is highly aromatic and antiseptic. It is even used for contraception, swelling, insect stings, wounds, whooping cough, inflammation, internal injury, as a skin tonic.
Sweetened milk boiled with the turmeric is the popular remedy for cold and cough. It is given in liver ailments and jaundice. Turmeric has other uses like yellow dye for staining clothes.
For thousands of years, it has been used in the Hindu religious ceremonies. It is the common belief among the Hindus, that turmeric improves fertility. The dry turmeric root is considered as the symbol of purity and prosperity. Turmeric mixed in water is poured on the God and Goddesses. The dried turmeric roots in betal leaves are given to the human during the ceremonies as they are considered as fertile and bring good luck.
Turmeric powder is applied on the main entrance of the Indian houses. The priests in the temples put sindur a vermilion paste.
Recently, scientific research confirms that turmeric can cure host of diseases also they found that used to prevent the various type of cancer, mostly skin cancer. It also prevents bacterial infection in wounds. It can be useful to treat liver conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and jaundice. It has also antioxidant properties.
Haldi protects against certain liver diseases. It helps to promote weight loose and also improves rheumatoid arthritis. Turmeric is a well known preservative. It is also effective as anti-depressant.
Side effects:
1. Use turmeric with caution in pregnancy.
2. It can make gall bladder problems.
3. It can cause extra bleeding.