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Herbs > Ayurvedic Herbs and their Healing Power > Turmeric
By Dr. Satish Kulkarni
The colloquial name for turmeric is halad
or haldi and its botanical name is Curcuma
longa. Turmeric is a perennial herb with short
and thick stem and multiple branches with
unforgettable aromatic smell. The stems are
underground (called rhizomes) and have food,
medicinal as well as ritual value. Turmeric is
regularly included in Indian cookery for giving musky
mouth watering flavor and beautiful yellow color to
recipe.
The use of turmeric starts from day 1 in
Indian life. A mixture of turmeric+ split gram floor+
milk is used to give bath to new born baby. Wet
turmeric powder is applied to a bride and bridegroom
before holy bath and ritual performances of wedding
in a view to give them lustrous and smooth skin.
Powder of turmeric is called haldi which
is yellow in color and processed powder of turmeric
is called kumkum which is red in color. Both
these forms are used in different worships and are
accepted as sign of purity, holiness, innocence,
auspiciousness in all sacred performances. It is a
social belief that haldi and kumkum
bring prosperity in life.
Turmeric has secured a important place
in ayurved because of its antiseptic
properties. Turmeric is applied to any minor wound or
abrasion as a first aid. It also has some analgesic
and anti-inflammatory effect. A poultice prepared
from turmeric powder with few other medicinal herbs
is applied to sprained and/or swollen body part. A
luke warm paste of similar group of medicines is a
popular anti-inflammatory paste, used externally.
Turmeric can be taken internally also. A
powder mixed with honey or a powder mixed in warm
milk is given to sufferers of stomatitis,
oro-pharyngitis, laryngitis etc. It is a good
medicine for voice culture and many vocalists prefer
to take it before public performance, which helps in
improving their voice. A decoction of turmeric can be
used for gargling when nightmare cough is a cause of
sleep disturbance. It is effective household remedy
for asthamatic bronchitis, bronchial asthama,
pulmonary tuberculosis etc. where chronic cough is a
problem. In measles where ‘locked’ cough is
a problem, turmeric is a drug of choice. In catarrhal
infections (in this mucous membranes are inflamed)
like allergic rhinitis, sinusitis etc. steam
inhalation of decoction, by nose is found effective.
Turmeric is used in treatment of boils,
furuncles, carbuncles etc. where repeated infections
are observed. An integrated approach like treating
the condition with antibiotics for ruling out
infection and giving decoction of turmeric for 15 to
20 days as a follow-up to avoid recurrence is worth
trying. I have noted good results of this integration
in my general medical practice. Turmeric can be used
for external application also and proved helping
effective suppuration.
Modern science says, turmeric is rich in
iron. Ayurved has advised to include turmeric
in diet of pregnant ladies, growing children and
patients in a stage of early recovery, must be
because of this reason. It should be taken on an
empty stomach with honey early in the morning. Honey
helps in masking bitter taste of turmeric in addition
to increasing its effects. Turmeric is seen included
in many herbal tonics also.
Turmeric acts good on digestive tract.
Here it is claimed to have antiflatulant and
digestive antibiotic properties. One ayurvedic school
of thoughts has recommended this medicine in escaping
from chronic diarrhea. I have given trials in few HIV
positive patients and found mixed results.
Few traditional healers claim results in
skin conditions like tinea infections, sore skin
condition and scabies. External use in these
conditions can improve the situation. We can say this
is a harmless way and may benefit a few at least for
avoiding relapse.
In short the herb has antiseptic
properties. It is effective in respiratory troubles
like common cold, cough etc. It is rich in iron so
can be added to diet where there is need of ‘natural’
iron. It has nutritional, medicinal as well as
religious status in Indian life.
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Turmeric
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