Written by Maryann Readal
I love it when the Herb Society’s Herb of the Month is a plant to grow in my garden. This month’s remedy is turmeric, Curcuma longaa plant in the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). It is winter hardy in USDA Zones 8-11 and grows well in heat and humidity, making it a great choice for my Texas garden. The pale yellow flowers are pine-cone shaped and long lasting, while the rhizomes, which are underground stems, continue to send up flowers and leaves throughout the growing season. Turmeric does well in the garden with partial shade or can be grown in a pot. In autumn, this plant remains dormant until the end of spring of the following year. The rhizomes can be dug up in the fall and stored for planting in the spring or they can be boiled, dried, and ground to make turmeric spice. Curcumas they are low-maintenance plants whose beautiful summer garden flowers give the garden an outdoor, tropical look and feel.
Curcuma longa it is native to India, where you will find foods flavored with spices made from its rhizomes. India has been a major producer, exporter, and consumer of turmeric for a long time. Traces of turmeric have been found in pottery dating back to 2500 BCE. The ground rhizome is used in Asian dishes and is the main ingredient in curry powder. The leaves of the plant are used to wrap food and the flowers are eaten. Turmeric rhizomes make a bright yellow dye that was once used to dye the robes of Buddhist monks. This dye is also used in the cosmetics industry and as a food dye for butter, cheese, pickles and yellow mustard. The healthy drink Golden Milk offered at popular restaurants and health food stores is made with turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, honey, and nutmeg added to warm milk. It is quite a delicious drink.
Turmeric has been used as a medicine since ancient times. It plays an important role in Ayurvedic medicine, India’s ancient system of natural healing. It is also important in traditional Chinese medicine. There are 100 names for turmeric in Ayurvedic literature, one a giantwhich means one who overcomes diseases (Avery, 2015).
Turmeric has received a lot of attention in recent years for its healing properties. Curcumin is the compound that gives turmeric its color and its powerful medicinal benefits. It is considered a better anti-inflammatory than ibuprofen. It also helps protect the body from developing cancer cells, especially in the intestines. In addition, it supports healthy heart function and cholesterol levels (Avery, 2015). Studies have linked improved brain health and memory to curcumin. According to WebMD, consuming high levels of curcumin “may help reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.”
In the Hindu religion, turmeric is considered holy and auspicious. It is a part of many Indian religious and social festivals and traditions. It is a Hindu wedding tradition for the groom to dress his bride with a thread dyed with turmeric to signify that he is ready to marry. In another wedding tradition, turmeric paste or powder is applied to the bride and groom to brighten their skin and ensure their prosperity. Wedding dresses are sprinkled with turmeric water to purify them. In some places, newborn babies are smeared with turmeric paste to ward off evil and ensure long life. In southern India, wearing a piece of turmeric rhizome is thought to ward off evil. In some Hindu religious festivals, worshipers dust themselves with turmeric powder.
For more information and recipes using turmeric, please see The Herb Society’s Herb of the Month webpage.
Photo credits: 1) Turmeric plant in flower (Susan Vogelgesang, Western Reserve Herb Garden, Cleveland, Ohio); 2) A cup of golden milk (courtesy of the author); 3) Golden milk recipe (Rachel and Dr. Josh Axe); 4) Indian wedding preparations (notsoboringgirl via Wikimedia Commons); 5) Turmeric rhizome and powder (PickPik); 6) An Indian temple worshiper with turmeric on his face, hair, and beard (courtesy of the author)
Drug Disclaimer: It is the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. not advising or recommending medical or health remedies. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement of any specific treatment or health care. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatment.
References
Avery, Tori. 2015. What is the history of turmeric? Accessed 9/22/24. Available from
Kaur, Amanjot. 2019. Historical background of turmeric use: An update. Accessed 9/21/24. Available from
Missouri Botanical Garden. ND Curcuma longa. Accessed 9/21/24. Available from
Prasad, S. and BB Aggarwal. 2011. Turmeric, the golden spice: From traditional medicine to modern medicine. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S., editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. Chapter 13. Accessed 9/22/24. Available from
WebMD. 2022. Golden milk: Are there benefits? Accessed 9/22/24. Available from
Mariann is a member of The Herb Society of America’s Texas Thyme Unit in Huntsville, TX. She is a Texas Master Gardener and a certified Native Landscape Specialist with the Texas Native Plant Society and has received The Herb Society’s Nancy Putnam Award for Excellence in Horticulture. He teaches and writes about herbs and plants and conducts plant training in several Master Gardener programs. He gardens among the pines of the Piney Woods of East Texas.
