Latin name: Curcumae domestica
Region's name : Kunir, Kunyit, Kunyir, Koneng, Kunyet, Kuneh
Family : Zingiberaceae (ginger family).
Used part : Rhizome.
Used part : Rhizome.
Description :
Fresh turmeric leaves are used in some regions of Indonesia as a flavouring, e.g., in Western Sumatra.Plants trunked wet, high up to 0.75, oval-shaped leaves, flowers, baby red or pink.
This annual herb plant produce tubers form the main roots of old yellow or orange light.
Habitat:
Grown in the fields and in forests, especially in the teak forests.
Many also planted in the compound as nursery and can grow up in low altitude 2000m
Quality sensor :
In fresh state, the rootstock has an aromatic and spicy fragrance, which by drying gives way to a more medicinal aroma. On storing, the smell rather quickly changes to earthy and unpleasant. Similarly, the colour of ground turmeric tends to fade if the spice is stored too long.
Constituents :
Turmeric contains an essential oil (max. 5%), which contains a variety of sesquiterpenes, many of which are specific for the species. Most important for the aroma are turmerone (max. 30%), ar-turmerone (25%) and zingiberene (25%). Conjugated Diarylheptanoids (1,7-diaryl-hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-diones, e.g. curcumin) are responsible for the orange colour and probably also for the pungent taste (3 to 4%).
The Jawanese species Curcumae xanthorrhiza contains 6 to 11% essential oil, which is dominated by 1-cyclo-isoprenemyrcene (up to 85%); it furthermore contains a phenolic sesquiterpene missing from Curcumae longa, xanthorrizol, which makes up max. 20% of the essential oil.
Origin :
Because of ancient trade, the origin of turmeric cannot accurately be reconstructed; probably South East Asia or South Asia. A related species, Curcumae xanthorrhiza, grows on Jawa, where it is called temu lawak, in taste, it is equivalent to Curcumae longa.
In South East Asia, the fresh spice is much preferred to the dried. In Thailand, the fresh rhizome is grated and added to curry dishes, it is also part of the yellow curry paste.
Yellow rice (nasi kuning) is popular on the Eastern islands of Indonesia, it derives its colour from fresh or dried turmeric. In Bali, where alone in Indonesia has survived, a tasty nasi kuning is prepared from rice, turmeric, coconut milk and aromatic leaves (Indonesian bay-leaf, lemon grass and pandanus leaves). Moreover, Indonesian cooks frequently add dried turmeric to their stews and curries.
Contemporary Indian cooking employs dried and ground turmeric liberally. It is added to nearly every dish, be it meat or vegetables. I found the largest quantities of it in boiled lentils or potatoes. Furthermore, it appears in rice dishes (pullao [पुलाव]), although turmeric-dyed rice is not very common in India, which might surprise people who consider curry rice "typical Indian". Still, turmeric is part of all curry powders. Due to Indian influence, turmeric has also made its way to the cuisine of Ethiopia.
Western cuisine does not use turmeric directly, but it forms part of several spice mixtures and sauces, it is also used to impart a bright yellow colour to mustard paste.
Turmeric is sometimes confused with saffron because of similar staining capabilities, although saffron gives a more orange colour. Since turmeric does not share the fascinating aroma of saffron, it is not an acceptable substitute or even alternative to it!
The plant known as white turmeric is a close relative of turmeric (zedoary), whose fresh rhizome is not so much used as a spice, but eaten as a very tasty vegetable. You can do the same with ordinary yellow turmeric, but it will stain your teeth yellow.
Turmeric’s staining capability may seem a nuisance to everybody who must clean cooking utensils — cutting boards are particularly hard to clean with brush and soap alone. The dye is, however, not light-proof and fades away after but one hour in direct sunlight.
Turmeric benefits :
The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in :
01. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties
02. It is a natural antiseptic and anti bacteria agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
03. Can treat cholagogue, stomachic ,anti spasmodic and choleretic
04. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
05. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
06. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
07. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia
08. Is a natural liver detoxifier.
09. The treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to alzheimer disease, May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
10. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
11. It is a potent natural anti inflammation that works as well as many anti inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
12. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
13. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor
14. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
15. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression
16. Because of its anti inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
17. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
18. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
19. Studies are on going in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
20. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumor
21. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
22. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Contra indications: Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction. Though turmeric is often used by pregnant women, it is important to consult with a doctor before doing so as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant.
Side effect :
The health benefits of turmeric are many, but what about the side effects?
In general, turmeric is considered safe even at higher doses. However, turmeric does have some contraindications.
It should be used with caution by people with gallstones, stomach ulcer, or bile duct obstruction as turmeric may exacerbate these conditions.
Turmeric can be a uterine stimulant, so pregnant women should consult with a doctor before taking turmeric during pregnancy.
People with serious liver or heart conditions should also consult with a doctor before taking turmerics supplements.
Traditional recipes:
injuries and ringworm :
1 finger turmeric roots, leaves 1 handheld acid, little water.
than blended, paste on the wound and replaced every 3 hours
diarrhea :
The roots of turmeric 1 / 2 fingers, was wind 1 / 2 tsp, think 3 seed, fruit wood ules 1 seed, trawas 1 piece of leaf, pounded Mixed, plus 115 ml of water and boiled, then filtered.
Drink morning and afternoon, every time drinking 100 ml
Menstrual pain :
1 finger turmeric roots, Clove 1 grains, old tamarind, nutmeg seeds, pounded Mixed, plus 110 ml of water and boiling, then filtered. Than drunk 1 times a day 100 ml
Bellyache :
Turmeric fingers burned 1; Skin stem pulosari 1 finger; think 7 seed; All plants of patikan in hand-held 1; 1 cup water, mix pounded, plus water and gained a cup of boiling up, filtered.
Infants 5-7 months of age: 1 tsp / hours.
Children age 1-2 years: drunk 2 times a day, 2 tablespoons.
Adult: drink 3 times a day: 1 / 2 cup.
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