TURMERIC

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.