Articles by Steena Barnett - Medical Herbalist

 

The Yellow stuff: Turmeric also known as curcuma longa

Turmeric root has been renowned for its medicinal properties and as a spice for thousands of years.
It has been used in many cultures from Danish through to Chinese and Asian.
It is a yellow spice frequently found in curries and pickles where it can be used to take the place of saffron. Turmeric comes from the same family as ginger and is gown extensively in India.
The plants requires sub tropical heat and has yellow flowers, it grows up to 2 metres in height and looks like the ginger plant. You can buy it fresh from the local fruit and vegetable store or buy the plant from the Ginger factory, Yandina (phone to check they have some before going).

The taste of tumeric is acrid (dry and bitter).
Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as an anti inflammatory and for digestive and skin disorders such as gall stones, bowel inflammation and psoriasis.

Modern research is focusing on the constituent `Curcumin` which ha shown to reduce plaques in the brain which are linked to alzheimers. It is also showing promise for pancreatic and bowel cancer. It appears to
reduce the incidence of hormone related cancers and autoimmune disorders and can be used to reduce the incidence of gallstone pain.

An all round good guy with new, exciting research constantly appearing.

 

 

 

 

Copyright
Steena Barnett, M.N.I.M.H, M.N.H.A.A., Cert Phyt (1990)