Turmeric is one of spices and medicinal plants native to the South Asian
region. These plants then have spread to areas of Malaysia, Indonesia,
Australia and even Africa. Almost everyone Indonesia and India and the Asian
nations in general been consuming this spice plants, both as a culinary spice
supplement, herb or to maintain health and beauty.
Turmeric is known in Latin as Curcuma longa Linn / Curcuma domestica
Val. Familia is a plant or parts of the Zingiberaceae. Turmeric has a variety
of regional names that differ are: Sumatra: Kakunye (Enggano), Kunyet (Adoh),
Yellow (Gayo), Kunyet (Alas), Hunik (Batak), Odil (Simalur), undre, (Nias),
Turmeric (Lampung), Turmeric (Malay), Kunyir (Sunda), Turmeric (Central Java),
Temo koneng (Madura), Kunit (Banjar), Henda (Ngayu), Turmeric (Olon Manyan), Cahang
(Dayak Panyambung), Dio (Panihing), Kalesiau (Kenya), Turmeric (Tidung),
Turmeric (Sasak), Huni (Bima), Kaungi (East Sumba), Kunyi (West Sumba), Kewunyi
(Savu), Koneh, (Flores), Kuma (Solor), Kumeh (Alor), Kunik (Roti), Hunik
turmeric (Timor), Uinida (Talaud), Kuni (Sangir), Alawaha (Gorontalo), Kolalagu
(Buol), Pagidon (Toli-Toli), Kuni (Toraja), Kunyi (Ujungpandang), Kunyi
(Selayar), Unyi (Bugis), Kuni (Mandar, Kurlai (Leti), Lulu panicle (Babar),
Ulin (Corella), Tun (Kayi), unin (Ceram), Kunin (East Seram), unin, (Ambon),
Gurai (Halmanera), Garaci (Ternate), Rame (Kapaur), Kandeifa (Nufor), Nikwai
(Windesi), Mingguai (Wandamen), Yaw (Arso). Name foreigners: Saffron, turmeric
(UK) , Kurkuma (Netherlands), Curcuma, Safran des Indes, Terre-merite, Souchet
des Indes (French), Curcuma, Kurkuma, Indischer Safran, Gelbwurz Turmeric
(Germany), Haldi, Manjal Zard chub (India), Kha min chan, Khamin heluong, Kha
min, Wanchakmadluk (Thailand).
Types of
Turmeric
1. Yellow
Turmeric
This turmeric is frequently used and easy to
find. Turmeric is also the commonly used as a spice in cooking to add a
distinctive flavor to dishes. Examples are used to make yellow rice distinctive
and delicious taste.
2. White
Turmeric
White turmeric is generally have the white
meat. That is why often referred to as white turmeric. White turmeric is not
included in Curcumae descent as having a white color. Therefore his trademark
white and transparent.
3. Red
Turmeric
Actually, the red saffron almost same as the yellow
saffron but the color is more reddish. Turmeric is also commonly used as a
spice in the kitchen and can treat various diseases either mild or severe.
4. Black
Turmeric
Black turmeric is one of the rare plants that
are all so very difficult to find nowadays. Turmeric is quite a lot of demand
because it can treat cysts and also can make us become ageless. Black turmeric
basically has the same shape as turmeric in general it's just flesh blue-black
or purple-black.
Conditions
of Growth
Turmeric plant can grow well in areas that have full or medium light
intensity, so that this plant very well live in open places or little shade.
Best growth is achieved in the regions with rainfall 1000-4000 mm / year. When
planted in the area of rainfall <1000 mm / year, the irrigation system must be arranged and
organized well enough. Turmeric cultivation can be cultivated throughout the
year. The best growth was at the beginning of the rainy season planting. Air
temperature optimum for this plant is between 19-30 °C.
Turmeric thrives in loose soil, the soil dug well will produce abundant
tubers. The type of soil is desired light soils with high organic matter, sandy
clay soil that is free of puddles / slightly alkaline.
Turmeric grows well in lowland (starting <240 m above sea level) to
the highlands (> 2000 m). Optimal production + 12 tonnes / ha achieved at an
altitude of 45 m above sea level.
Chemical
Subtances
The content of chemical substances contained in turmeric is as follows:
a. kurkuminoid
dye which is a compound consisting diarilheptanoid 3-4% of Curcumin,
dihidrokurkumin, desmetoksikurkumin and bisdesmetoksikurkumin.
b. 2-5%
volatile oil consisting of sesquiterpenes and derivatives fenilpropana turmeron
(aryl-turmeron, turmeron alpha and beta turmeron), kurlon kurkumol, atlanton,
bisabolen, seskuifellandren, zingiberin, aryl kurkumen, humulen.
c. Arabinose,
fructose, glucose, starch, tannins and resins
d. Namely
iron minerals magnesium, manganese, calcium, sodium, potassium, lead, zinc,
cobalt, aluminum and bismuth (Sudarsono et.al, 1996).
Benefits
of Turmeric
Turmeric for health benefits has not indisputable, it has a wide range
of healthy nutrients that the human body needs.
1. Anti-Inflammation
(inflammatory)
Volatile oil content in turmeric has
demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity which is significant in a variety of
experimental models and research. Even more powerful than essential oils, this
is due to yellow or orange pigment of turmeric, called curcumin. Curcumin is
considered the primary pharmacological agent in turmeric. In many studies, the
anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin has been shown to comparable drugs
hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone as an anti-inflammatory like Motrin. Unlike
the drugs, which are associated with significant toxic effects (ulcer
formation, decreased number of white blood cells, intestinal bleeding),
curcumin does not produce toxicity.
2. Rheumatoid
Arthritis (chronic joint inflammation)
Clinical studies have shown that curcumin in
turmeric also exerts very powerful antioxidant effects. As an antioxidant,
curcumin is able to neutralize free radicals, chemicals that may be in the body
and cause damage to healthy cells and cell membranes. This is important in many
diseases, one of which is arthritis, where free radicals are the cause painful
joint inflammation and damage to the joints.
The content of turmeric which can give the
effect of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory explain why many people with joint
disease was very relieved when taking this herb. In a recent study of patients
with rheumatoid arthritis (chronic joint inflammation), curcumin compared with
phenylbutazone will produce comparable improvement in such a short duration of
morning stiffness in the joints and reduces swelling.
3. Prevention
of Cancer
This allows the content of the antioxidant
curcumin to protect colon cells from free radicals that can damage DNA. This
process is very useful especially for the large intestine where cell turnover
is quite rapid, occurring approximately every three days. Because of cell
replication is often the case, the DNA mutations in colon cells can cause the
formation of cancer cells much faster. Curcumin also helps the body to destroy
cancer cells, so they can not spread throughout the body that can make the
damage worse. Curcumin main ways of doing this is to improve liver function.
Other mechanisms conducted by curcumin (forming
substances, yellow/orange in turmeric) that could protect against the
development of cancer is by inhibiting protein synthesis is considered a role
in tumor formation and prevent the development of additional blood supply
necessary for cancer cell growth. Turmeric is more potent than the leaves of
lemongrass and possible benefits as well as benefits of soursop leaves in
eradicating the cancer.
4. Increase
Antioxidants
The content of curcumin is a powerful
antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals because of its chemical
structure. Besides curcumin also enhances the activity of antioxidant enzymes
in the body itself. In this way, curcumin provide resistance/kill free
radicals.
5. Improve
Liver Function
Research conducted with the object of study
rats were conducted to evaluate the effect of turmeric on the liver's ability
to detoxify xenobiotics (toxic) chemicals, the levels of two enzymes detoxify
the liver is very important (UDP glucuronyl transferase and
glutathione-S-transferase) was significantly increased in mice fed eating
turmeric compared to those without. The researchers commented, "The
results show that turmeric can increase detoxification system in addition to
anti-oxidant"
6. Reduce
the Risk of Leukemia
Research presented at the conference held in
London leukemia, provides evidence that eating foods spiced with turmeric can
reduce the risk of leukemia.
Is Prof. Moolky Nagabhushan of the Loyola
University Medical Center, Chicago, IL almost 20 years of doing this study. In
his study he said that the curcumin in turmeric can:
• Inhibits
mutagenicity polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (carcinogenic chemicals
created by burning carbon-based fuels including cigarette smoke)
• Inhibit
radiation chromosomal damage
• Prevent
the formation of harmful heterocyclic amines and nitroso compounds, found in
processed foods, such as processed meat products contain nitrosamines.
• Inhibits
multiplication of leukemia cells in cell culture
7. Protection
cardiovascular (disease associated with blood vessels)
Curcumin may prevent the oxidation of
cholesterol in the body. Because the oxidized cholesterol can damage blood
vessels and accumulate in plaques that can cause heart attack or stroke,
prevent oxidation of cholesterol can help to reduce the development of atherosclerosis
and heart disease.
Turmeric is a source of vitamin B6 are
necessary to keep homocysteine levels from getting too high. B6 intake is one of the high intake of
vitamin B6 was associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.
In a study published in the Indian Journal of
Physiology and Pharmacology, when 10 healthy volunteers consumed 500 mg of
curcumin per day for 7 days, not only do the lower the level of blood
oxygenation that lowers cholesterol by 33%, but total cholesterol they fell 11.63%,
and their HDL (good cholesterol) increased by 29%! (Soni KB, Kuttan R).
8. Prevent
Alzaimer
Numerous studies show that curcumin,
biologically active constituents in turmeric, can prevent Alzheimer's disease
by activating a gene that encodes a protein production of antioxidants. A study
published in the Journal of Biochemistry Italy (December 2003) discusses the
role of curcumin in the induction of pathways oxygenase heme, protective
system, when triggered in the brain tissue, causing the production of bilirubin
antioxidant becomes stronger, which protects the brain against oxidative (free
radical) and injury. Oxidation is thought to be major factors in aging and lead
to neurodegenerative disorders including dementia such as Alzheimer's disease.
Another study conducted jointly by the Italian team and the United States and
presented at the annual conference of the American Physiological Society in
2004 in Washington, DC, confirmed that curcumin plays an important role induce
gene, called hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the astrocytes of the hippocampus region
of the brain.
9. Prevent
Depression
Depression is also associated with decreased
function of brain-derived neurotrophic and shrinking of the hippocampus, a
brain area involved in learning and memory, because the content of turmeric has
a function to help it make the process neurotrophic can provide anti-depressant
effect.
Side
Effects and How to Avoid It
1. Disorders
of the stomach
Because of its spicy nature, consume turmeric
in the long term can cause stomach upset. To help avoid these side effects,
while taking turmeric supplements, choose supplements using an enteric coating
which dissolves in the small intestine so it does not interfere with the
stomach.
2. Stimulate
the womb
Turmeric is known as uterine stimulant that can
encourage menstrual flow. Pregnant women and nursing mothers need to be careful
not to use too much turmeric.
3. Hard
absorbed by the body
Turmeric has a tendency difficult to be
absorbed by the body. If you want to buy a turmeric supplement, be sure to
choose containing piperine as one of the active ingredients. Piperine will help
facilitate the absorption of turmeric so the body will get the maximum benefit.
4. Bleeding
Turmeric is known to inhibit platelet clumping
which can prevent blood clots. But it turns turmeric can also trigger bleeding.
It is important to take the right dose to avoid these side effects. When
selecting turmeric supplements, select the products listed and contains
additional natural nutrients so the many benefits you will get. It is important
to avoid turmeric if you are using anticoagulant drugs.
5. Reduce
the effects of chemotherapy
Research has shown that turmeric may have an
effect on chemotherapy, so you should not use turmeric supplements while
undergoing chemotherapy. One of the best ways to avoid side effects and to get
the health benefits of turmeric is by taking supplements that are made from
natural ingredients and are free of chemicals.
Turmeric
Stains
The content in turmeric is curcumin that cause stains that are naturally
bright yellow. Unfortunately, curcumin is insoluble in water as a permanent ink
marker that does not react to water. Thus, washing using water alone will not
be effective to remove the stain of turmeric. Hot water will only make the
stain more attached so the more difficult to remove. The most effective way of
removing stains turmeric is as follows:
1. Apply
a stain remover or detergent products that have been specifically designed to
remove stains directly on the stained. Remember to always check the usage
instructions on the product label and also check the care label on clothing or
objects stained. You should first test the techniques you would do in a small
part hidden to avoid damage.
2. Allow
the detergent on the stained for 10 minutes before patting it with a clean
cloth. Do not rub the stain in order not widespread. Avoid the use of tissue
paper that can leave fiber flakes on your sofa or rug.
3. Continue
to apply detergent and pat stained section until the stain is gone.
4. For
the clothes, rinse the parts that have been cleaned with water. For carpet or
sofa, do not make it wet, pretty pat with clean water or as directed treatment.
5. As
much as possible dry naturally. You can also leave them in direct sunlight.
Sunlight potent bleach works as a natural and highly effective at removing
stains remaining turmeric, so open the curtains to maximize the incoming
sunlight to dry the house sofa.
You could also try other cleaning products are more potent to remove the
stain of turmeric is more stubborn, but first check the product user guide and
test the product on a small hidden part before using it to deal with the stain
of turmeric in a wider area.
Key to remove the stain of turmeric is handled as early as possible. If
allowed to dry turmeric stains, the stains will soak into the fabric fibers and
become more difficult to remove.
Usage As
Spices
Turmeric is almost always used in traditional dishes seasoning
Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and India. Turmeric elliptical like the ring
finger, husk-groove grooved and very thin. Dark yellow with a distinctive aroma
and a slightly bitter taste. The yellow color is what is used as a natural
coloring agent in foods and fabrics. Typically used to color rice/sticky yellow
curry and coconut curry spice mix. Turmeric is also used to reduce the sharp
smell of the seafood and mutton.
