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The Benefits of Turmeric

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fresh turmeric root
Photo Credit: Howard Walfish

My first experience using turmeric was in scrambled tofu. I noticed that turmeric gave the scramble a cool yellow color similar to what you would see in scrambled eggs.

Whenever I cook tofu scramble, I always use turmeric. I love the flavor it adds to the scramble as well as the color.

 Note: Turmeric gives mustard its yellow color.

I now use turmeric when I cook other dishes, like lentils, beans, macaroni salad, quinoa, and brown rice.

If you have not tried turmeric, you should, because it has some great benefits.

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric is an ancient spice that has a yellow-orange color. This spice is used in foods, medicine, and textiles.

 Note: It is one of the ingredients in curry spice.

Turmeric comes from the Curcuma longa plant and has a brown skin. The flesh of turmeric is a deep orange. Turmeric has a bitter, peppery taste and the smell is a cross between orange and ginger. The ginger smell is not surprising because turmeric is a member of the ginger family.

History

Turmeric has been harvested for more than 5,000 years and is native to Indonesia and southern India. The leading commercial producers of turmeric include, India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Haiti and Jamaica.

Health Benefits of Turmeric

You can buy turmeric (curcumin) in its original form (market), powder, or capsule.  What ever way you choose to use turmeric, do know that turmeric is an added benefit for your health.

Note: I discovered during my research for this post that turmeric is also good for the skin. Consider making a homemade masque for your skin care routine.

Here are some benefits that turmeric provides:

  1. Anti-inflammatory

  2. Effective treatment for inflammatory bowel syndrome

  3. Helps relieve rheumatoid arthritis

  4. May help those who suffer from cystic fibrosis

  5. Aids in cancer prevention

  6. Inhibits the growth of cancer cells

  7. Helps reduce the risk of childhood leukemia

  8. Helps improve liver function

  9. Lower’s cholesterol

  10. May help protect against Alzheimer’s (Source).

Ways to Use Turmeric in Food

  • Add turmeric to tofu scramble, macaroni salad, potato salad and other foods for a bolder yellow.
  • Add turmeric to warm milk with a sweetener (optional) of your choice.
  • Add to an soups and bean (lentils) dishes.
  • Add turmeric to any of your favorite fruits and vegetables or any dish for something different.

Discussion: Have you used turmeric? If you have used turmeric, please share with us in the comment section below, how you use it.

If you cannot view the video above, you can view it here.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I have always love turmeric. It’s best used in cooking curries, and other dishes that needs a spice. But has anyone tried making it a skin moisturizer? 😛

  3. I thought they were ginger??

    Anyways, thanks for sharing the health benefits of it.

  4. I used tumeric in my Walnut meat for spice and color.
    I also just bought a box of organic tumeric tea.

    This is a very powerful spice- used for Alzheimer’s and blood cancers

    • Hey MsFullroller!!

      Hmmm..turmeric in your tea. Now that’s something, I’ll have to try. I know I would enjoy it too.

      Thanks for sharing!

      Evelyn

  6. Hey,
    Good article pointing the benefits of this tasty spice!

    I like to slice Sweet Potatoes about 1/4″ thick, drizzle a little EVOO, top them generously with Turmeric and bake in the oven. Great as a healthy side dish!

    Cheers!
    Bill

    • Hey Ms. Carolyn!

      I’ve never juiced it, but will give it a try. I’ll have to pick up some from the Farmers Market, soon. 😉

      Thanks for sharing!

  9. I guess since turmeric is part of the “ginger family” then it gets most of its health benefits. One of the best parts of the turmeric is it being a good source of curry powder. I love using this when cooking. It gives a different spicy flavor to your food when added with coconut milk. As for its health benefits, I could attest to its effectiveness on relieving some pain brought about by arthritis.