Turmeric/ Haldi
Turmeric or Haldi has been used in various food items and in treatments of several diseases since the time immemorial. In olden times, when there were no chemical-based ointments or lotions for the treatment of wounds, Vaidyas (ayurvedic doctors) used to make an ointment out of turmeric to heal the wounds of the warriors.
Though turmeric is among essential spices of every Indian kitchen, none would have thought as to how and why it has got that important place? No doubt it is due to unaccountable merits it possesses.
Everyone knows that turmeric has excellent antiseptic qualities. Besides, it is an antipyretic, antiallergic, anticancer, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and analgesic. Let’s have a look at its other properties: –
- Turmeric is bitter and piercing in taste. It has hot potency.
- It is dry in nature due to which it suppresses the cough. It is beneficial in both common cold and chronic cold.
In case of common cold, prepare a mixture of turmeric and milk, boil it. Cool the mixture a little and add jaggery. Drink it. It will give relief from the condition.
To cure a chronic cold, add some turmeric and ghee to milk and drink it. Inhaling turmeric fumes is also beneficial in the cold.
- Turmeric is useful in Sinusitis and Bronchitis.
- It can treat cough (especially productive cough). Take turmeric powder, add honey to it. It will remedy the cough. Turmeric extract can also be used.
- In Asthmatic conditions, Haridra electuary is beneficial along with turmeric fumes.
- Haldi cures skin disorders, makes skin lustrous, and eliminates blood disorders.
- It is applied on wounds and fractures by making it into a paste.
- It can also be applied and eaten to cure chronic wounds.
- It is beneficial for healing both Jaundice and inflammation.
- Not only turmeric is used in the preparation of daily food items, but also in preserving various edible products like pickles, which need be kept for a long time, due to its preservative property.