*Turmeric is the rhizome of the perennial plant, Curcuma longa, of the family, Zingiberaceae, native to tropical South Asia.

*Also called Indian saffron.

*Fresh turmeric has a brown colored outer skin and an orangey yellow colored pulp.

*The fresh rhizomes are dried and powdered to make orange-yellow colored turmeric powder, which is used as spice in curries, lentils, soups, and meat and fish dishes in South Asia.

*Turmeric has a mild fragrance, an earthy bitter, warm, peppery flavor, and a slightly mustard smell.

* Turmeric is known for both its culinary and medicinal uses.

*Buying and storage: Select good quality turmeric powder, organically grown if possible. Store the powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place in the cupboard. Fresh rhizomes should be stored in the refrigerator.

Is it raw?

Yes and No.
*Yes, fresh rhizomes and powdered turmeric are raw.
*No, because sometimes turmeric can be adulterated with certain chemicals. Make sure you read the label.

Health Benefits

1. Turmeric has a volatile oil called curcumin, which has significant anti-inflammatory properties.

2. It is effective against a variety of conditions like Irritable bowel disorder (IBS), Crohn's, jaundice, toothaches, colic, flatulence, etc.

3. Curcumin also acts as an antioxidant, scavenging the free radicals form the body. Thus it relieves pain and inflammation from inflammatory and degenerative disease and also reduces the risk of these diseases.

4. Curcumin has anti-cancer properties, it inhibits the growth of existing cancer cells. It is effective against breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancers.

5. Improves the function of liver by enhancing the detoxifying enzymes of the liver.

6. Curcumin lowers the LDL cholesterol level in blood by increasing the number of receptors for its absorption by the liver. Thus it reduces the risk of heart diseases and hypercholesterolemia.

7. Curcumin may also protect against Alzheimer's, which is still being studied.

8. Excellent source of iron, which is necessary for the synthesis and maintenance of hemoglobin in blood.

9. Excellent source of manganese, which is an essential cofactor in many enzymatic reactions in the body, especially in the production of energy and antioxidants defences.

10. Low sodium and high potassium help maintain normal blood pressure and reduces the risk of hypertension.

11. Excellent source of Vitamin C, a natural water soluble antioxidant, which fights against the free radicals that damage our cells, reduces the risk of heart diseases, cancer and other degenerative diseases, enhances the immunity, maintains the elasticity of blood vessels and skin, increases the absorption of iron from the intestines, improves would healing, and prevents the formation of clots in the blood.

12. Very good source of magnesium that helps in relieving fatigue, relaxing the muscles, nerves and blood vessels, thus relieving the symptoms of asthma, migraine headaches, tension, soreness in muscles.