It would be difficult to say that there was a ‘treat all’ spice or herb, but turmeric (sometimes spelt as ‘tumeric’), known as ‘the Golden Wonder Herb’ or the ‘Golden Goddess’ certainly comes top of the list in its healing properties.
Whilst turmeric is native to India and South Asia, it can also be found in other parts of the world where the climate is warm. Whilst modern science only began to recognize the healing powers of turmeric around 20 years ago, this magic ingredient has been used in the East for thousands of years. In Ayurvedic principles it has been used for medicinal purposes, along with cooking and ‘decoration’ (married women would apply it to their faces on the eve of a traditional wedding and on the day of the wedding, the bride and groom would anoint each other on the forehead). It can also be used for dyeing clothes, another Indian tradition, but also used by Buddhist monks to dye their robes in the beautiful orange/yellow color that the herb produces.
Turmeric has had many spiritual connotations over the years and was (and still is in some parts of India) regarded as sacred. In particular, in Southern India, it is used as a talisman in the form of a large bead from the rhizome, and worn round the neck or the arm. It is intended to ward off all things bad or evil, and to give those who adorn themselves with it, protection, salvation and healing.
In cooking it is widely used in curries and other spicy dishes, but is present in many everyday dishes and sauces including mustard, salad dressings and some canned goods.
In both cooking and medicinal purposes, the rhizome of the plant is used and is ground down into a powder and can subsequently be turned into a paste, liniment or a lotion if required, or can be found in capsules. Frequently mixed with other soothing herbs such as lavender, it can be used to treat dry skin and even as a face mask. If you decide to experiment with turmeric as a face mask, test an area of skin first – many people experience staining from turmeric and you do not want a yellow face!
Medicinal Purposes
Medicinally it can be used as a drink such as tea or boiled with milk as an evening drink, or topically as a cream, lotion or ointment. Crudely, it is also made into a paste for application to wounds or sores. turmeric is also believed to be anti-parasitic and can be used for insect bites, scorpion stings (by using turmeric on charcoal to create smoke so that the affected area is enveloped).
Please note that an excess of turmeric when used in soothing drinks, can be very bitter. A heaped teaspoon should suffice, and the drink can be consumed up to three times a day.
In Ayurvedic medicine, Turmeric is used to balance the three ‘doshas’ – vata,pitta and kapha. It is also used in yogic principles as a cleanser for the chakras.
In more common illnesses, Turmeric is used in the following ways:
*It is a published fact that Alzheimers and degenerative brain conditions are far less in the older age group in India (approximately 5%), than in other parts of the world.
Research into the benefits of using turmeric are widespread to include serious illnesses such as cancer, but we make no medical claims in its effectiveness.
Turmeric, used in one of our finest products ‘Soothe CBD Herbal Topical Liniment’ does exactly what it says – it soothes and treats uncomfortable muscle stiffness and pain by acting as an analgesic support. It comes as an easy to apply roll on liniment to reduce pain and simultaneously supply freedom (from pain) and spiritual salvation.
