Turmeric is a perennial plant native to southeast India that is commonly used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It has large cylindrical roots that range in color from yellow to orange. Turmeric can be used in many industries including food, bath and body products, medicine, and chemical analysis. In food, it is commonly used to add flavor and color to curries, rice, and other dishes. In bath and body products it gives a natural yellow color and is used in soaps, lotions, and hair care. Medicinally, turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is used to treat conditions like arthritis, liver disorders, and diabetes.

1. Turmeric
Class

2. Turmeric
• Curcuma longa, or better and more commonly known as turmeric, is a perennial plant
that is a member of the family Zingiberaceae. Turmeric can be known by many other
names as well including Gauri, Indian Saffron, Haldi, Curcuma, and You Jin. The word
turmeric derives from the Middle English “tarmaret” or “turmeryte.” In Asia turmeric is
known as “manjal” or even “kasturi manjal.” Turmeric is native to southeast India, but
it is also cultivated throughout many tropical areas of the world. This herb is best
known for its culinary and medicinal purposes, having been used in Asia for medicine
since at least 1900 B.C. Did you know that turmeric is considered holy in India? It has
been used for various Hindu ceremonies for centuries, as well as being used in every
part of Indian religious ceremonies and even in weddings.
• This perennial plant can grow up to or over 3 feet tall. It has large cylindrical roots that
range in color from yellow to orange. Heavy branches grow up from the roots. The
leaves of the plant are green in color, grow alternate from each other, and are arranged
in two rows. The leaf blades can grow up to anywhere from 30 to 45 inches long. The
flowers of the plant are three-fold and range in color from yellow to pink.
• Turmeric can be used for many different types of products. While most often known for
its culinary purposes, it can also be used for medicinal purposes, soap making, skin
care, and hair care. Bath and body products that can include turmeric are hair
conditioners, soaps, bath teas, facial masks, lip balms, creams, lotions, ointments,
scrubs, bath bombs, and facial toners. Did you know that turmeric has been used as a
dye for Indian clothing? Specifically for saris and Buddhist monks’ robes.

3. Growing Conditions
• Just like any other plant, turmeric has its certain conditions needed grow
properly. It is a drought resistant herb, however it prefers to grow in areas
with moist and well drained soils. Turmeric also prefers areas with only
partial sun exposure, but it survives perfectly well in areas with full
exposure as well. To grow properly, turmeric needs to be in areas with
temperatures between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Turmeric should be planted during late spring, however if in a tropical
area, it can be planted anytime of the year. The shoots of the plant will
begin to appear about two months after first being planted. The roots of
the plant are usually ready to be harvested about seven to ten months
after being planted. You can tell that it is ready to be harvested after the
stems and leaves of the plant have turned dry. The entire plant and entire
root should be dug up.
• There are some pests and diseases that can affect turmeric such as the
shoot borer, leaf roller, and scale insects. Turmeric is susceptible to
diseases like leaf blotch and leaf spot. It can also be affected by root rot
which will eventually cause the plant to decay.

4. Uses in Industries
Food
• One of the main uses for turmeric is for culinary purposes. It is an extremely popular
ingredient in South Asian cooking, used to add flavor to many dishes like curries, stocks,
and sauces. Dried powder can be used in curry as well. Because of its bright color, it is
used to color foods like popcorn, yogurt, and cheese. South Africans use turmeric to give
boiled white rice a distinct golden color, while it Vietnam, the powder is used in dishes like
soup and stir-fry. Many other dishes that turmeric can be used as an ingredient for are
dairy products, baked products, ice cream, cakes, cereal, gelatin, and biscuits. Turmeric
leaves can even be used to wrap food in.
Bath and Body Products
• Turmeric can be used in many different industries and products. Besides its wide variety of
culinary uses, it is often used in cosmetic products and soaping as a natural colorant.
When used for these types of products, turmeric gives a natural yellow color.
• It is commonly used in bath and body products like lip balms, facial masks, face toners,
bath teas, conditioners, lotions, creams, ointments, bath bombs, and scrubs.
• Your hair can greatly benefit from turmeric use. It works to moisturize the hair as well as
promoting new hair growth. Turmeric also treats dandruff, increases circulation in the
scalp and helps to prevent hair loss. It also works to treat any scalp conditions like
itchiness, flaking, inflammation, and even alopecia. When combined with other yellow
colored herbs, turmeric can be used as a natural hair dye to brighten your hair.
• When used for skin care, turmeric works to make the skin brighter and provide it with a
healthy glow, and it also fights the signs of aging. This herb also works to treat many skin
conditions including acne, eczema, and psoriasis, as well as treating dry skin. Turmeric
even works to remove excess oils, lightens stretch marks, soothes burns, removes facial
hair and dead skin cells, reduces redness and inflammation, and it can even be used to
remove skin pigmentation and tans.

5. Uses in Industries Cont.
Medicinal
• In medicine, there are many advantages to using turmeric. It contains many important
vitamins and minerals such as vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D, E, K, magnesium,
manganese, potassium, selenium, zinc, sodium, iron, iodine, calcium, phosphorous, and
copper. Turmeric also has many anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial
properties.
• In the Sidda system in India, turmeric is used as treatment for a wide variety of conditions
including sprains, wounds, liver disorders, aches, chicken pox, shingles, and scabies.
• For women, turmeric does help with menstrual problems. However, pregnant women
should avoid this herb as it does work to stimulate menstruation and can cause abortions.
• In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric has been used to treat ulcers, bruises, strains,
colds, the flu, joint pain and inflammation, parasitic infections, and it works as a digestive
aid.
• The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in turmeric work to reduce inflation in
the brain. Brain inflation is believed to be the main reason of Alzheimer’s disease. These
properties essentially work to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Turmeric is even said
to be able to prevent cancer and childhood leukemia.
• For diabetes sufferers, turmeric works to moderate insulin levels. It also helps to improve
digestion, can help to manage weight loss, and works to reduce bloating and gas.
• There are many other conditions that can be treated using turmeric including jaundice,
hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, inflammatory bowels, rheumatoid arthritis, heart burn,
diarrhea, fibromyalgia, leprosy, depression, worms, water retention, fever, ringworm, leech
bites, and eye infections.
• The heart can greatly benefit from turmeric as well. It works to reduce plaque build-up
associated with cardiovascular disease, lowers bad cholesterol, stops platelets from forming
into blood clots, and it even works to lower blood sugar.

6. Other Uses
• Paper steeped in turmeric can be used in chemical analysis as an indicator of alkalinity
and acidity. This can easily be achieved by putting turmeric powder in a cup with
denatured alcohol. These should be mixed together thoroughly. Using strips of paper
towels, dip them into the cup and then allow the strips to dry. Once the strips are dry,
they can be dipped into any products with a pH level to indicate the levels! The turmeric
indicator’s color will change between an approximate pH level of 7.4 and 8.6. If turmeric
is exposed to neutral or acidic product, with a pH of less than 7.4, it will remain its yellow
color. However, if it is exposed to more alkaline substances, or something with a pH
greater than 8.6, it will change to a dark pink or red color.
• In Thailand, during the Pongal festival, a whole turmeric plant is offered to the sun god,
Suryan. This offering is made as a thanksgiving gift.
• Nature’s Garden sells turmeric powder for external use only. We do not sell it as a food
item. The information above talks about how great turmeric is for many industries,
however we only sell it for external use. We provide this data for educational purposes
only. Nothing in this article is to be construed as medical advice. Please consult your
doctor before using this product or any of this information for treatment purposes.
• Make sure to check out all of our amazing free recipes and classes!
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