Turmeric: the powerful plant that few know but that many relieve
For thousands of years, long before the arrival of modern medicine based on synthetic medicines, turmeric or tumeric has played an important role in the health of people in India, where it originated. This is a plant that has enormous medicinal properties, besides being a very powerful spice to season your meals.
Maybe he does not know this powerful spice, but he sure knows the curry, more used in the West. Just the base of this condiment mixture is turmeric.
Like ginger, turmeric uses its rhizome, which is the subterranean stem that contains several buds that grow horizontally emitting roots and herbaceous shoots at their knots.
Among the benefits of turmeric that we can highlight are its antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
Among the benefits of turmeric that we can highlight are its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, so it is excellent to apply on wounds, and its anti-inflammatory action, which is why it is used for treatments in the natural form of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. It is so effective that those who have tried it for this purpose say that they forgot about ibuprofen.
Also its main active, curcumin has neuroprotective properties. This makes it used as an alternative medicine to treat and prevent Parkinson's disease , because it is an antioxidant and because it has a great ability to "penetrate" the brain. The natural curcumin extract is being adopted because it goes to the core of the problem and not only relieves the symptom.
Parkinson's is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a steady decline in nerve cells that produce dopamine, particularly in the area of the brain known as the "substantia nigra".
Much of modern medicines to treat Parkinson's disease (PD), focus on replenishing dopamine. However, researchers from Current Pharmaceutical Design indicated that while most of these pharmacotherapeutic approaches provide symptomatic relief during the onset of PD, the side effects are many, for example most patients develop motor complications in a treatment long term.
"In addition, medications for PD do not effectively address tremors, postural instability and cognitive disorders. Most importantly, most of these medications do not exhibit neuroprotective effects in patients. Consequently, new therapies, involving natural antioxidants and plant products / molecules with neuroprotective properties are being exploited for adjuvant therapy, "they added.
Step by step to plant turmeric at home
(Mam'zelle Kaelle / Flickr)
(Mam'zelle Kaelle / Flickr)
Here's a brief guide to how you can easily grow the turmeric plant in your home, as our climate is conducive to a good plant. This does not produce seeds, so we are going to multiply and grow from the rhizome, you just have to take care of a piece of organic or organic turmeric rhizome (check for someone who has a plant or an organic market ).
When choosing turmeric, make sure that the rhizome has at least one yolk (a button-like formation from which stems, leaves, or flowers will develop). If the rhizome is larger than half of your hand it can split into two pieces. If you do not find any that have the yolks visible, do not worry, leave it outside the refrigerator and in a few days or weeks will come out.
The turmeric plant is perennial, so if you take good care of it, you will have it for many years.
Take a pot that has a width of 40 centimeters and a depth of about 30 centimeters. Make sure there are holes through which the irrigation water will drain. Place a first layer of stones, 4 or 5 will suffice. Then add an organic substrate and a part of humus (in proportion 3 and 1, respectively). The soil should be fluffy and aerated. The most convenient pH for turmeric is between 4.5 and 7.5.
Make a hole in the ground, insert the rhizome and cover it with the soil except for the bud. This is why the buds should be at the top.
Water carefully with a little water every other day. It does not need much daily amount, but the earth does maintain a little constant humidity.
The ideal temperature for the plant is between 18 and 35 ºC. It needs humid environments and does not withstand dry ones. In fact, if you see that the rhizomes are too small they will surely be lacking water.
Put the plant in a place that will receive at least 6 hours of sunshine. It needs a lot of light to grow.
Provide organic matter every 10 months to maintain soil fertility.
In an approximate period of 6 to 10 months you can cut the rhizomes to use them. Cutting them is simple, just dig a little dirt and cut the piece you want to use starting with the outermost part. Use a sharp and clean razor or knife.
The plant can suffer attacks of aphid pests, mainly aphids . If this happens do not put insecticides as this aggravates the situation, in any case place organic fertilizers that strengthen the plant and also do not kill the vaquitas of San Antonio, the natural predator of this pest.
How to consume turmeric
Root: Although it has a bitter taste, you can eat raw and many choose to consume directly your rhizome. All you have to do is rinse it in cold water to remove any dirt or residue and remove the skin from the skin with a knife. The correct dose is 1.5 to 3 grams of this root per day.
Turmeric Powder : You can add it to foods and beverages. The ideal is to consume from 400 to 600 mg, 3 times a day. You can also add it to sauces, soups or drinks, like milk and tea.
Infusion : To prepare a turmeric tea, boil 1 cup of water and dissolve 2 grams of turmeric powder. You can also add lemon, honey and ginger to enhance the flavor of the tea.
Milk : If tea is not your favorite drink, you can add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of milk in order to add antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
T intura turmeric: in this way all the benefits of turmeric root are extracted in a liquid. You can add 2 to 3 drops of this tincture in water, tea, soup or any other liquid you consume daily. It is available at most health food stores.
Golden Milk: The Drink That Rejuvenates
Golden milk: the drink that rejuvenates. (Photo: Internet)
Golden milk: the drink that rejuvenates. (Photo: Internet)
It is a powerful vegetable drink whose main ingredient is turmeric. It has become very popular especially to consume as a beauty tonic to slow down aging and improve hair health preventing hair loss. On the other hand it is advised also to consume it before sleeping to achieve a restful sleep.
In addition to these benefits are all related to the turmeric we named above, so this drink has multiple benefits for health; For something they call it "the miracle drink".
Step 1. Prepare the turmeric paste
Ingredients:
¼ cup turmeric powder (30 g).
½ teaspoon ground pepper (2.5 g).
½ cup of filtered water (125 ml).
Instructions:
Put all the ingredients to heat in a small bowl, cook them and stir well, so that they are fully integrated. The fire must be in the middle, so it is necessary to stir frequently until a thick paste is obtained. Then allow the mixture to cool, pour it into a jar and store it in the refrigerator.
Step 2. Prepare the golden milk
Ingredients:
1 cup almond milk (250 ml). We can also prepare it with cannabis or coconut milk. You can use cow's milk, but only if you are not intolerant to lactose.
1 teaspoon of coconut oil (5 ml).
¼ teaspoon or more turmeric paste (1.25).
Instructions:
Put all the ingredients, except the honey, in a cooking pot. Heat over medium heat and stir the mixture constantly so that all the ingredients are well integrated before it starts to boil. When you're ready, add honey to your liking and drink!
For millennia, turmeric was very popular in the East and today is becoming known and valued in the West for all its goodness.
For millennia, turmeric was very popular in the East and today is becoming known and valued in the West for all its goodness. While its origin is India, it can thrive in any hot and humid environment, so it's a good idea to grow it and have a "natural pharmacy" on our patio or balcony.
In addition you win for two because although what we use for the treatments and as a condiment is the rhizome, the plant is aesthetically very beautiful and has flowers, so while growing a beautiful ornamental plant, you can use its roots for different treatments. Best of all, we know its origin because we plant it ourselves, so we are sure that it is not treated with pesticides and that it is totally organic, healthy and natural.
