Haldi or Turmeric is the sunshine spice.... a glorious yellow spice which brings colour and depth to any dish.
It is native to Indonesia and India, having been harvested here for more than 5,000 years. Apart from the taste effect, it is also a powerhouse of health benefits. It’s packed with fibre, Niacin, Vitamins C, E & K, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium and Zinc, and is an antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic and anti-inflammatory agent all rolled into one!

Anti Inflammation

The yellow colour of turmeric comes from the pigment curcumin. This is what gives haldi anti-inflammatory effects comparable to potent drugs, but with none of the side effects associated with the drugs (ulcers, decreased white blood cell count, intestinal bleeding). Thanks to Curcumin, turmeric could be an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. This is because of its antioxidant activity & because it inhibits cellular inflammatory agents. In diseases like arthritis, free radicals cause painful joint inflammation, and so Turmeric's perfect combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory has an alleviating effect for conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis & even neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Cancer Prevention

Curcumin's antioxidant actions also enable it to protect colon cells from free radicals that can damage cellular DNA. Curcumin also helps the body to destroy mutated cancer cells, so they cannot spread through the body and cause more harm. One of the ways in which curcumin does this is by enhancing liver function, inhibiting the synthesis of a protein thought to be instrumental in tumor formation and preventing development of additional blood supply necessary for cancer cell growth. Epidemiological studies have linked the frequent use of turmeric to lower rates of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer.

Lowers Cholesterol & Improves Heart Health

Tumeric's cholesterol-lowering effects are also the result of the active constituent curcumin, which research reveals is a messaging molecule that communicates with genes in liver cells, directing them to increase the production of mRNA (messenger proteins) that direct the creation of receptors for LDL (bad) cholesterol. With more LDL-receptors, liver cells are able to clear more LDL-cholesterol from the body.

Liver Health & Diabetes

Turmeric protects the liver from damage caused by eating high fat foods and excessive alcohol consumption. This is because of the way turmeric alters the way body metabolizes fatty acids. Turmeric has a potent effect in moderating insulin levels and enhancing the efficacy of anti diabetic drugs. It fights off the ill effects of free radicals and reduces insulin resistance.

Coughs, Colds & Sore Throats

Apart from curcumin, turmeric has volatile oils that have protective & therapeutic action in inflammations. Having half a teaspoon of grated turmeric or a bit of dry powder with warm milk can prevent a cough or cold from getting aggravated, and can even cure it!

Healing wounds

It is also a natural antibacterial agent and can be used as an effective disinfectant. Many a nick in the kitchen or a knock in the playground have been taken care of with a paste made of dry haldi & a few drops of water, and a glass of milk with a few pinches of haldi before bedtime! The phenolic compounds help speed up the wound healing process. In fact, turmeric also reduces the intensity of the scarring on the skin due to wounds.

Skin Health

Turmeric is an elixir for the skin. It helps reduce the signs of ageing, wrinkles and fine lines, reduces burn and stretch marks, fights acne and takes care of cracked heels. Having half a teaspoon of grated raw turmeric with warm milk in the morning will give you blemish-free glowing skin.

For the stomach

The naturally present phenolic compounds in turmeric make Turmeric an excellent antiseptic agent. A pinch of powdered dry haldi mixed in buttermilk or plain water is beneficial in intestinal problems, especially chronic diarrhoea. It also helps prevent flatulence. A few drops of juice squeezed from grated haldi have been found to be helpful in cases of vomiting during pregnancy. Turmeric has been found to inhibit bacterial growth and works as a powerful cleaning agent within the digestive system.

Storage and usage:

Try to select organically grown turmeric to ensure you get all the benefits without the pitfalls of harmful chemicals. The colour of turmeric varies among varieties, and so it is not a criterion of quality.
Store dry haldi in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. If fresh haldi is in season, try and use it as much as possible – especially in place of the dry one. In fact, I even grate and freeze some fresh haldi in ice trays (and then transfer to a metal container into the freezer) to use though the year.