Turmeric Root Powder

COMMON NAME

Standardized: turmeric
Other: common turmeric, Indian saffron, yellow ginger

BOTANICAL NAME

Curcuma longa L.
Plant Family: Zingiberaceae

OVERVIEW

Turmeric is a tropical perennial plant in the same family as ginger, native to India, and cultivated throughout the tropics around the world. Growing to a height of about three feet (one meter), it bears pairs of lance-shaped leaves on alternate sides of the stem. At the base of the stem, there is a knobby rhizome somewhat resembling ginger.

Many of the healing of benefits of turmeric have been attributed to curcumin, a group of antioxidant compounds found in the rhizome. Although curcumin is available as a standardized extract, the whole herb may be more beneficial for you than the curcumin extract: Only very small amounts of curcumin are absorbed into the bloodstream. Turmeric as a whole herb stays in the digestive tract longer than curcumin, releasing antioxidant curcumin along with other beneficial substances.

Turmeric supports healthy joint mobility.*

USES AND PREPARATIONS

Teas, tinctures, and poultices.

Turmeric root powder is a popular ingredient is South Asian cooking and adds a distinct flavor to many savory dishes, including stocks, sauces and curries. The root has a brilliant orange color and becomes very hard when dried. It is distinct and fragrant, with a scent that is mildly hot and gingery, but certainly unique to itself. The dried powder is most commonly used in the kitchen, and is a common ingredient in commercially available curry powders. Because of its vivid hue, it is also used to color food products ranging from popcorn to cheese to yogurt.

CONSTITUENTS

1-alpha curcumene, 1-beta-curcumene, camphene, camphor, various forms of curcumin.

PRECAUTIONS

Specific: No known precautions.
General: We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.