Medical Research.
Turmeric is currently being investigated for possible benefits in Alzheimer's disease,[6] cancer, arthritis, and other clinical disorders. In the latter half of the 20th century, curcumin was identified as responsible for most of the biological effects of turmeric. According to a 2005 article in the Wall Street Journal, research activity into curcumin and turmeric is increasing, with supplement sales increased 35% from 2004. The U.S. National Institutes of Health currently has registered 19 clinical trials underway to study use of dietary turmeric and curcumin for a variety of clinical disorders (dated February 2010).
Ceremonial uses.
Turmeric is also used in various rituals, such as the turmeric ceremony or gaye holud, part of the Bengali wedding. It is widely used in all parts of India during wedding ceremony, particularly in North India and the Deccan Plateau.
It is also used in Pujas to make a form of the elephant God Ganesha. It is made by mixing turmeric with water and forming it into a cone-like shape.
During the south Indian festival Pongal, a whole turmeric plant with the root is placed as part of the ceremonial decorations. Also, fresh root is some times tied around the pot boiling the ceremonial rice.
In southern India, as a part of the marriage ritual, a piece of dried turmeric tied with string is sometimes used to replace the Thali necklace temporarily or permanently.
Modern Neopagans list it with the quality of fire, and it is used for power and purification rites.
In Goa and Dakshina Kannada (Karnataka state, India) turmeric plant leaf is used to prepare special sweet dishes, patoleo, by layering on the leaf � rice flour, and coconut-jaggery mixture, and then closing and steaming in a special copper steamer (goa).
Friedrich Ratzel in "The History of Mankind" reported in 1896 that in Micronesia the preparation of turmeric powder for embellishment of body, clothing and utensils had a highly ceremonial character. He quotes an example of the roots being ground by four to six women in special public buildings and then allowed to stand in water. The following morning three young coconuts and three old soma nuts are offered by a priestess with prayer, after which the dye which has settled down in the water is collected, baked into cakes in coconut moulds, wrapped in banana leaves, and hung up in the huts till required for use.
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Nutrition Facts
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Serving Size: (100 grams)
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Amount Per Serving
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Calories: 94
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% Daily Value*
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Total Fat 0g
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0%
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Saturated Fat 0g
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0%
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Cholesterol 0mg
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0%
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Sodium 3mg
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0%
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Total Carboydrates 24g
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8%
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Dietary Fiber 2g
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~
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Sugars 0g
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~
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Protein 1g
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2%
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Vitamin A
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5%
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Vitamin C
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11%
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Iron
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3%
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Calcium
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3%
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*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs
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Food Uses
Toxicity
Other Uses
Dye: Turmeric makes a poor fabric dye as it is not very lightfast (the degree to which a dye resists fading due to light exposure). However, turmeric is commonly used in Indian clothing, such as saris.
Leaves: Turmeric can also be used to deter ants. The exact reasons why turmeric repels ants is unknown, but anecdotal evidence suggests it works
