Turmeric is a spice widely used in India for many purposes including health, beauty and cooking. Turmeric possesses lot of healing and medicinal properties.
Hindu marriages are incomplete without turmeric. A newly married couple is always offered a Tilk of Haldi (Turmeric), Kumkum and Rice as a good omen. A day before Hindu marriage, 'Haldi Ceremony' is performed for the bride and bridegroom at their respective homes. Turmeric powder is mixed with little milk and sandal-wood and applied to bride and bridegroom during this ceremony. The objective behind this ceremony is to make the person look beautiful and protect him or her from evil sprits. Not only marriages but also there are many such customs and traditions performed by Hindus where turmeric is used as a good omen. Turmeric is considered very holy as well as its yellow colour is also considered to be auspicious according to Hindu tradition.
We can derive many benefits from turmeric while using it in our day-to-day life. Right from the kitchen cabinet to your beauty kit, turmeric can be used effectively for many purposes.
Let's look at the benefits of turmeric:
- Turmeric adds color and flavor to food items and it is an inseparable part of some food recipes. In some parts of India, leaves of turmeric plant are used too in food preparations. They add wonderful flavor and smell to the food at the same time is good for health too.
- Turmeric powder can be applied on cuts and wounds, which help to cure them faster. Because of its antiseptic properties it helps to protect skin from infections and cures skin damages faster by making the skin soft.
- Consumption of turmeric reduces the sugar level in blood and therefore it is good for diabetic patients. However, this home remedy should be followed under doctor's supervision only.
- Add a pinch of turmeric in milk and drink it, it will protect your skin from pimples and get clear skin.
- Massage a little bit of turmeric powder with few drops of milk on your skin. It will help you to prevent pimples.
- Applying a mixture of turmeric powder and sandalwood powder as a face pack gives fairer complexion (Grandmom's suggestion).
- Drinking milk with a pinch of turmeric powder will help in getting rid of soar throat, cough, cold and fever. (Home remedy followed since many years).
- It can be used along with chilly powder and lemon for marinating fish or meat before cooking it. Turmeric powder is specifically used in such food items as it helps to keep food bacteria free and helps to reduce the odd smell of fish.
- Avoid consuming turmeric if you are coping with health issues like gallstone and bile disorder. During pregnancy, consult your doctor if you want to consume turmeric to find out if it will suit you or not.
