Health Benefits of Turmeric

I just love experimenting with spices. I use them all the time instead of artificial flavorings. One of my favorites is earthy and bitter turmeric.


Turmeric belongs to the ginger family. Its rhizomes are gathered, boiled for several hours, dried, and then ground into an orange-yellow powder that we all come to know (and love!). You might be familiar with turmeric as a common ingredient in curries and other South Asian cuisines. It is also used a lot in Middle eastern food. The town of Sangli in India is by far the largest and most important turmeric trading center in Asia.

Like many spices, turmeric has more than a handful of health benefits. In fact, it is considered as one of nature's most powerful healers. Turmeric's active ingredient is called curcumin.

Here are some of the health benefits one may get by adding turmeric to their diet.

• Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent.
• Very useful in disinfecting burns and cuts.
• May help prevent melanoma.
• Helps detoxify liver.
• A good natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Lowers risk of childhood leukemia.