Happy new week great steemians!!
I want to share with you guys something I discovered last year, it's a spice called turmeric, it belongs to the garlic family. Have you ever wondered why curry has a golden yellow color?
It's because of this great spice turmeric. I use it in my dishes, the color and flavour is so unique, you can buy it in the local stores or supermarkets.
Image source
The benefits attributed to this bright yellow spice are often the result of the curcuminoids it contains. The most common curcuminoid is curcumin, which is now available as a supplement and in many remedies. While turmeric has many benefits, it is only about 3% curcumin by weight, and often more concentrated curcumin supplements are used.
[Image source] (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318405.php)
HEALTH BENEFITS OF TURMERIC
Basic nutritional aspects of turmeric include a 26% daily value in manganese and 16% in iron. It's also an excellent source of fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and healthy amounts of vitamin C and magnesium. While it's improbable that someone would ingest an entire ounce of turmeric in one sitting (although it would be completely safe) the nutritional aspects listed above can be seen more easily in this amount than in a teaspoon, which accounts for zero amount of anything. But one tablespoon, being a more reasonable serving does communicate excellent phytonutrients, in fact turmeric is effective even in very small quantities, such as one serving of a turmeric -spiced dish.
The health benefits of turmeric include an improved ability to digest fat, reducing gas and bloating, decreased congestion, joint pain relief and swelling, rhematoid arthritis, lowering cholesterol counts, improper liver function and improved skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne. Curcumin, the primary pharmacological agent in this spice contains proven effect in this area that are comparable to over-the-counter anti-inflammatory agents as some prescription medications. Turmeric also causes prevention and inhibited cancer cell growth specifically cancer of the breast, colon, prostrate and lungs.
[Image source]
(https://wellnessmama.com/5297/turmeric-uses/)
WHAT YOU CAN USE TURMERIC TO DO
Aside putting a tablespoon in your dishes you can also
- Make turmeric tea by
- Boiling four cups of water
*Add one teaspoon of ground turmeric and reduce the heat, allow to simmer for 10 minutes
*strain the tea through a fine sieve into a cup, add honey to taste
*Add a pinch of black pepper which helps to increase absorption in the body.
- As face mask- The antioxidant it contains slow down cell damage, it reduces acne and any resulting scars. Mix a tablespoon of honey, teaspoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of turmeric, apply on your face and wash out after an hour.
- When having cracked feet, mix equal quantities of castor oil and coconut oil, add a pinch of ground turmeric and make a paste. Apply to the cracked heels and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.
- To get rid of dandruff, a mixture of turmeric and olive oil can eliminate dandruff and improve scalp health. Mix equal quantities of both and leave it on your hair before shampooing.
- Finally you can blend a fresh turmeric root with other fruits and vegetables to make a healthy smoothie.
STORAGE
Turmeric powder should be kept in a tightly sealed container and store in a cool dry place protected from light. Exposure to air for a long time will cause flavor and aroma loss, the fresh turmeric rhizome should be kept in the refrigerator or in a cool place.
I hope someone learnt something from this!
REFERENCES
Tadimalla R. T (2017) 25 Best Benefits Of Turmeric (Haldi) for skin, Hair and Health
Online www. Stylecraze.com/articles/turmeric-history-how-to-use-benefits/#gref accessed: 22nd January 2018.
Joseph Mercola (2018) WHat is Tumeric Good For? Online food facts. Mercola.com/turmeric. html.
Wellness Mama (2018) Turmeric : 12 Practical Uses (And Benefits of Curcumin). Online https://wellness mama.com/5297/turmeric -uses/