Component of ancient spice makes cells more resistant to infection, report says
Modern technology has revealed the ancient secret behind the healing power of turmeric, a spice regarded as "holy powder" in India.
Turmeric has been used for centuries to treat wounds, infections and other ailments. It's long been believed that curcumin -- the main ingredient in turmeric -- is responsible for its healing power, but it hasn't been known how curcumin works inside the body, explained researcher Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy and colleagues.
They used solid-state NMR spectroscopy to examine molecules of curcumin and found that they act like a "biochemical disciplinarian." The molecules insert themselves into cell membranes and make the membranes more stable and orderly in a way that boosts cells' resistance to infection by disease-causing microbes.
The study was recently published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has more about turmeric.
What It Is Used For
In traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric has been used to aid digestion and liver function, relieve arthritis pain, and regulate menstruation.
Turmeric has also been applied directly to the skin for eczema and wound healing.
Today, turmeric is used for conditions such as heartburn, stomach ulcers, and gallstones. It is also used to reduce inflammation, as well as to prevent and treat cancer.
Uses of Turmeric
Since ancient times, turmeric has been used as a traditional medicine and for beauty care. In Ayurvedic system of Indian medicine, turmeric is an important herbal medicine prescribed for various diseases. In fact, turmeric is even used in modern times to plug radiator leaks in water-cooled radiators.
The various uses of turmeric are as follows :
Food Additive
Turmeric is a mild aromatic stimulant used in in the manufacture of curry powders.
Turmeric is used in products that are packaged to protect them from sunlight.
The oleoresin component of turmeric is used for oil-containing products.
The curcumin solution or curcumin powder dissolved in alcohol is used for water containing products.
Sometimes in pickles and mustard, turmeric is used to compensate for fading.
Turmeric is also used for coloring cheeses, salad dressings, margarine, yoghurts, cakes, biscuits, popcorn, cereals, sauces, etc.
Turmeric also forms a substitute for mustard in the cattle feed.
Medicinal
Turmeric is used for treating digestive disorders.
Raw Turmeric juice is used to treat hyper acidity and indigestion.
The juice of raw turmeric also acts as a blood purifier.
Curcumin - an active component of turmeric, has anti-oxidant properties and so turmeric is used in alternative medicine.
Turmeric is used for cuts and burns as it is believed to have antiseptic effects and promotes healing.
Curcumin also has an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing histamine(hormone) levels.
The flouride present in turmeric is essential for teeth.
Turmeric also has a protective effect on the liver and also in atherosclerosis.
Cosmetics
The juice of raw turmeric is applied to the skin as a paste, kept for around thirty minutes and then washed off. It adds glow to the skin.
It is an essential ingredient of the traditional bathing ritual of Indian marriages where it is applied along with sandal wood paste before the bath.
It is believed that regular bathing in water containing turmeric reduces growth of body hair.
Regular turmeric use is said to make the skin fair, soft and smooth.
Turmeric is used for spots caused due to pigmentation or blotches and also for diseases like eczema.
As a tester for Acids and Alkalies
Unglazed white paper is saturated with an alcoholic solution of curcumin. When dried, this paper is used for testing of alkalies, acids and boric acid.
Alkali and Acid Test : The paper turns red-brown with alkalies. This color becomes violet upon drying and the original yellow color is restored with acids.
Boric Acid Test : When the paper is dipped into a solution of boric acid, it turns orange-red. The color remains so even when it is moistened with free mineral acid. Paper that has been turned to orange by boric acid will assume a blue color when it is moistened with diluted alkali.
Miscellaneous Uses
Ayurveda states that turmeric is poisonous for crocodiles. So anyone swimming in crocodile infested waters should apply turmeric paste to protect himself.
Turmeric is also believed to ward off snakes and the presence of turmeric plants around the house acts as a barrier for them.
The turmeric paste is used in Indian medicine for snakebites.
The leaves of turmeric are said to act as mosquito repellents.
Turmeric is used as a coloring agent for filter paper used in scientific tests.
It has been recently discovered that in water cooled type of radiators, a spoonful of turmeric added to the water, plugs any leaks.