A-Z Challenge -- "T" is for Turmeric

Well, Hello there!!! I am so pleased that you stopped by  to visit!
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    For the past many years I have had an interest...no, make that a fascination with herbs, spices and seasonings. - About how they were used by our ancestors centuries ago for a variety of ailments, and how they are used today to enhance your favorite recipe.

With this in mind I am attempting to present a different herb, spice or seasoning  for each day of the  A-Z Challenge. Please drop by often and perhaps we both will learn something new.

Learn more about these terms

                          "T" is  for Turmeric
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Well, here we are all the way up to letter"T". You will of course know about Thyme, and Tarragon, but  as I often use this spice I will  show you  the spice called --

TURMERIC

Turmeric, often misspelled as tumeric, is a pungent Indian spice. It is used in many spice blends as a flavoring and coloring agent. 

The flavor of turmeric is often described as buttery and slightly bitter, with a hint of mustard and horseradish. Fresh turmeric is more like ginger, but sweeter and more aromatic. 
Turmeric is often suggested as a substitute for the much more expensive saffron(although not by professional chefs) and annatto, because it produces that beautiful golden color associated                with saffron-infused recipes. Indeed, turmeric is often added to ground saffron by some unscrupulous manufacturers to increase the profit margin. When substituting turmeric for saffron, be aware that turmeric is much more pungent and should be used sparingly.

While researching info on turmeric I came across an amazing site and a must try  recipe using this spice. This Protein Smoothie sounds super power packed!!! 


Medicinal Uses:

The marigold-colored spice known as turmeric, which is revered in India as "holy powder," has been used for centuries to treat wounds, infections and other health problems. In recent years, there has been increasing research into turmeric's main ingredient, curcumin, and its astonishing array of antioxidant, anti-cancer, antibiotic, antiviral and other properties.

Now, researchers have discovered that curcumin acts by inserting itself into cell membranes and making them more orderly, a move that improves cells' resistance to infection and malignancy.

(joshgitalis.com)

The University of Maryland’s Medical Center also states that turmeric’s powerful antioxidant properties fight cancer-causing free radicals, reducing or preventing some of the damage they can cause.

While more research is necessary, early studies have indicated that curcumin may help prevent or treat several types of cancer including prostate, skin and colon.

Disclaimer

The material provided on this site is designed for information and educational purposes only. The materials are not intended to be a self diagnostic and/or self treatment tool. I encourage you to use this information as a tool for discussing your condition with your health practitioner.    *The medicinal usages are for informational and educational purposes only*
                                      
Sources:
About.com
A Teaspoon of Turmeric ( http://ateaspoonofturmeric.com )
WHFoods