Turmeric

SCIENTIFIC NAME :

 Curcuma Longa

MEDICINAL VALUE :

 Turmeric is used in preparation of medicinal oils, ointments and poultice. Turmeric is stomachic, carminative, tonic, blood purifier, antiseptic and has biopesticidal properties.

NUTRIENT VALUE :

 rich source of many essential vitamins such as pyridoxine (vitamin-6), choline, niacin, and riboflavin etc, which are essential for optimum health. 100 g herb provides 1.80 mg or 138% of daily-recommended levels of pyridoxine. Pyridoxine is used in the treatment of homocystinuria, sideroblstic anemia and radiation sickness. Niacin helps prevent “pellagra” or dermatitis.contains no cholesterol; but is rich in anti-oxidants and dietary fiber, which helps to control blood LDL or “bad cholesterol” levels

CULINERY AND OTHER VALUES :

 Turmeric oleoresin used to flavour brine pickles, mayonnaise, non-alcoholic beverages, butter etc. The color ‘curcumin’ extracted from turmeric is used for coloring foodstuffs. Also used as dye in textile industry. Turmeric finds application also in cosmetics.

GLOSSARY :

• English : Turmeric
• Tamil : Manjal
• Malayalam : Manjal
• Telugu : Pasupu
• Kannada : Arashina / Harasina Pudi
• Hindi : Haldi / Hardhar
• Bengali :  Halud / Pitras
• Gujarati : Hardhar / Haldi / Halad
• Konkani : Haledi / Halad
• Marathi : Halad / Haladi
• Oriya : Haladi / Haldil
• Punjabi : Haldar / Haldi
• Tulu : Manjal
• Kashmiri : Lader
• Urudu : Haladi