Consumption

A very fashionable dietary supplement, turmeric is rich in many benefits. Apart from cooking and its strong taste, this spice from southern Asia, yellow like the sun of the gods, has what it takes to awaken our senses and our consciences.

The Atharva-veda, a sacred text of Hinduism, indicates that turmeric powder combined with massage can treat heart problems. The evocation in one of the oldest religions in the world gives it its divine character, its noble dimension. Turmeric, the emblem of India, is part of ancestral ceremonies and rituals. "We find it [the spice] mixed with water on the throat and forehead during the fire ceremony, in pre-nuptial massages, at the entrance to mandala houses in southern India, in the form of a dry rhizome to purify homes or even on the third eye" explains Psychologies. Used in Ayurveda, this spice seems to sow benefits.

Ayurveda, or Ayurvedic medicine, is a renowned practice that dates back thousands of years and is still very successful. It seeks to restore harmony between the body and mind, to preserve it through a series of natural treatments and particularly through massages. It covers a wide spectrum of Ayurvedic therapies. In Ayurveda, the subject is more important than the disease itself in the search for a treatment. The disease is the symptom of a marked imbalance between the two major human entities mentioned above: the physical and the mental. This medicine therefore makes it possible to analyze imbalances and highlight appropriate remedies. In this quest for harmony, turmeric plays a valuable role.

Curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric, is a polyphenol. It's an organic molecule found in abundance in the plant kingdom and in foods (fruits, vegetables). A powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, curcumin is full of natural therapeutic properties for both the inside and outside of the body. Indicated to relieve digestive ailments, combat cramps, nausea and bloating, it's said to be an excellent detoxifier for the liver. Its anti-inflammatory action, for its part, is said to soothe pain linked to osteoarthritis. By activating the growth of new neurons, this "magic" spice is also said to have a positive impact on the memory and cognitive abilities of humans. Many scientific studies have established a link between the low rate of Alzheimer's patients in India and the daily consumption of turmeric (in the same country). In addition, its role in the fight against cancer cells is not negligible. Turmeric can prevent certain cancers including prostate cancer and stop the growth of melanomas. Finally, its antiseptic action offers acne-prone skin a formidable purifying treatment and damaged, sunburned skin a natural healing and disinfectant. However, due to the bioavailability of turmeric (curcumin), the necessary and adequate dose for each treatment still questions researchers. The body assimilates very little of the active ingredients in turmeric. In combination with other spices such as pepper and ginger but also associated with oil, the bioavailability of curcumin increases and its properties are preserved.

In the kitchen, in the form of skin care, food supplements or natural treatments to preserve health, turmeric occupies an increasingly considerable place in everyday life. Coming from Asia and then proliferating in Europe, this spice with multiple virtues establishes its notoriety with great hits of flavors and sensations. "A relative of ginger, its rhizome (root) is traditionally steamed, then dried in the sun before being crushed and ground to give it its beautiful orange and golden color," says Psychologies. In order to preserve its main active ingredients and to be able to enjoy all its benefits, it's recommended not to keep it for more than six months from the day it is purchased.

Rooted in Ayurveda, this spice, yellow like the sun of the gods, invites us to find the essential balance for each soul, to reconnect with the pains that lie dormant in each of our bodies, in order to better calm and heal them.

Little extra:

Jamu, an Ayurvedic drink originating from Indonesia and also called the "elixir of life", is recognized on the island of Java for its countless virtues. Today, this herbal and plant-based drink is becoming popular and is reaching trendy bars. A vitamin cocktail, the composition of this trendy shot is reworked to reduce its original bitter taste. It includes other ingredients such as citrus fruits, ginger and honey. All for a moment of relaxation with the flavor of the natural benefits of Jamu.

(MH with AsD/EVG - Source: Psychologies/RTBF - Illustration: Tamanna Rumee via Unsplash)