TITLE:
A Touch of Turmeric: Examining an Ayurvedic Treasure
AUTHORS:
Prianca Madi Reddi
KEYWORDS:
Alternative; Medicine; Ayurveda; Ayurvedic; Curcuma longa; Curcumin; Phytochemical; Turmeric
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Anthropology,
Vol.3 No.2,
May
15,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Turmeric, or Curcuma longa, is a perennial root plant of the ginger family. This
plant originates from Asia and is widely grown and used inIndia. South
Asians have used turmeric for its medicinal purposes for centuries and it has
become integrated into spiritual life as a symbol of protection and purity
(Ravindran et al. 2007). Turmeric
acts as a powerful healing tool because of the phytochemicals it contains. The
main phytochemical in turmeric is curcumin. Research shows that curcumin
provides anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial health effects,
among others. Curcumin may not be as beneficial as turmeric in its entirety due
to variation in bioavailability (Martin et al., 2011). This extrapolation should be taken into
consideration when attempting to reap the benefits of turmeric in the West.