Turmeric is one of the famous Ayurvedic herbs, which is used in the preparation of many Ayurvedic formulations as well as home remedies. It is a very familiar herb as it is commonly used in cooking. It is considered auspicious and used in many religious rituals as well. It is believed that turmeric gives protection against evil spirits. So, it is always given a sacred position in Indian culture.
Medicinal properties of turmeric
- Taste – Bitter, pungent
- Qualities – Dryness, lightness
- Potency – Hot potency
- Taste conversion after digestion – Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion
- Effect on Tridosha – It balances all the three doshas. (Because of its hot potency it balances Vata and kapha. Because of its bitter taste, it balances Pitta).
Various benefits of turmeric
According to Ashtanga Hrudaya,
हरिद्रा प्रमेहहरणां श्रेष्ठः।
Haridrā pramehaharaṇāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ
Turmeric is said to be the best among all other herbs useful in diabetes. Turmeric is the herb of choice in diabetes, both in curative and preventive aspects.
Role of turmeric in treating diabetes
Turmeric, due to its pungent and bitter tastes and light and dry properties, and hot potency pacifies vitiated kapha Dosha, which is the main cause for diabetes.
According to master Bhavamishra,
Turmeric is –
- varṇyā – improves complexion,
- tvagdoṣahara – cures skin diseases,
- pramehahara – useful in diabetes,
- asradoṣahara – cures blood borne diseases,
- pāṇḍuhara – cures anaemia,
- vraṇahara – heals wounds and ulcers.
- Other benefits – Cures fever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, jaundice and gout, acts as absorbent and digestive.
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Therapeutic uses
In pre-diabetes and diabetes
Nishamalaki churna is an Ayurvedic formulation in powder form. It is a simple combination of two Ayurvedic herbs.
Ingredients – Nisha (turmeric – Curcuma longa)
Amalaki (Indian gooseberry – Emblica officinalis)
Method of preparation – The two ingredients are made into fine powder separately. Then, it should be mixed uniformly in equal proportion.
Benefits – It helps to maintain blood sugar levels and also relieves urticaria and allergic skin manifestations.
Dosage – 2-3 grams per day before or after food.
In hemorrhoids
Turmeric has excellent wound healing, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. Haemorrhoids often present with severe burning sensation, itching sensation, pain and bleeding. Local application of turmeric is extremely useful in relieving these symptoms.
Turmeric ointment
Ingredients – Turmeric powder and latex of Milkweed (Calotropis procera)
Method of preparation – Latex should be added to turmeric powder and paste is prepared.
Alternate method: a teaspoon of turmeric powder is added with 2 teaspoons of milk and a teaspoon of neem oil. This is mixed thoroughly. This is applied over the haemorrhoids to relieve infection, pain and swelling.
How to use – This paste should be applied over the pile mass. Due to its astringent and alkaline properties it reduces pain, itching and size of the pile mass.
In allergic rhinitis
Turmeric is an excellent anti-allergenic herb.
Its immune-modulatory and antihistamine activities are well established.
Turmeric and ghee
Ingredients – Turmeric powder, ghee
Method of preparation – Heat a pan and add one teaspoon of ghee. And add allergic rhinitis. It produces fumes.
How to use – These fumes must be inhaled, which helps in relieving nasal congestion and allergic rhinitis.
Turmeric with hot milk
Ingredients – Turmeric powder and milk
Method of preparation – Put a pinch of turmeric powder into a cup of hot milk and mix well.
How to use – This should be drunk on an empty stomach in the morning. If you are allergic to milk, you consume turmeric with hot water.
Turmeric for eyes
Ingredients – Turmeric powder and water
Method of preparation – A cup of water should be mixed with two pinches of turmeric.
How to use – This water should be used for eye washing. This relieves itching.
In sore throat
Turmeric + salt + hot water gargle
Ingredients – Turmeric, salt and water
Method of preparation – Boil two glasses of water by adding one teaspoon of turmeric and one pinch of salt.
How to use – This water should be used for gargling when it is hot. This relieves throat pain.
Turmeric + salt + hot water gargle
To improve skin health and complexion
As a tradition, turmeric paste is applied to the bride and the groom ahead of the wedding in view of protecting them from infections. It also has beautifying intentions as it enhances complexion and skin health.
In scabies
Ingredients – Turmeric powder, neem leaf powder, butter
Method of preparation – Mix 5 grams of turmeric powder and 25 grams of neem leaf powder with butter and make fine paste out of it.
How to use – Apply on the affected area in case of scabies. It cures itching.
In non-healing wounds
Ingredients – Turmeric and neem leaves
Method of preparation – Leaves of neem and turmeric should be made into paste.
Method of preparation – Apply this paste on non-healing wounds. This helps in faster wound healing and avoids infection of wounds.
Use of Haridra khanda
Haridra khanda is a famous Ayurvedic formulation, in which turmeric is the main ingredient. Haridra khanda is mentioned in the Ayurvedic treatise Bhaishajya Ratnavali.
Ingredients –
Turmeric (Curcuma longa),
Cow ghee,
Milk sugar candy,
Pepper (Piper nigrum),
Long pepper (Piper longum),
Ginger (Zingiber officinale),
Cinnamon bark and leaf (Cinnamomum tamala),
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum),
False black pepper (Embelia ribes),
Turpeth (Operculina turpethum),
Chebulic myrobalan (Terminlia chebula),
Belleric myrobalan (Terminalia bellerica),
Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis),
Indian rose chestnut (Mesua ferrea),
Nut grass (Cyperus rotundus) and
Loha bhasma (calx of iron).
Benefits – It is mainly used in allergic skin diseases. It improves complexion and health. Skin disorders with itching, fungal skin infections etc.
Indications– Allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, dust allergy, eosinophilia, allergic hives, melasma etc.
Dosage
- For above 12 years of age: 5-10 grams twice a day along with hot milk or honey
- 5-12 years of age: 2-5 grams once or twice a day
- Children below 5 years of age and above 1 yr : 1-2 grams once or twice a day
- Children below one year- take as per the instruction of a practitioner.
All these are extremely useful ways to extract maximum benefits out of the versatile Ayurvedic herb – turmeric.
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