Turmeric

Botanical name

• Curcuma longa

Also known as

• • Hardi or Haldi

Turmeric is one of the essential spices of Indian cooking and can be found in the list of ingredients in most curry recipes. Most commonly used in its powdered form (the root is dried and ground), fresh rhizomes are also now available in the Central Market, Asian grocery stores and some supermarkets in Adelaide. Fresh turmeric has a vibrant orange colour, but once dried, turns yellow.

Other uses

While turmeric has long been used in Eastern traditional medicines, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are now also gaining recognition in the West.

My mother used to give us a hot milk drink which had turmeric and ginger to treat cough and cold and I still use it as a remedy. Here is the recipe: To a cup of milk, add 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp crushed black peppercorns, 1/2 tsp dried ginger powder (or a small piece of dried ginger root, crushed), 2 tsp sugar (or to taste) and bring to boil. Watch it carefully so it doesn't boil over and reduce heat as soon as the milk starts to rise to the surface. Remove from heat, give it a good stir and strain. Drink this just before bedtime.

I have used a paste made from turmeric, yoghurt, honey and some chickpea flour (besan) as a face mask and turmeric mixed with a bit of lemon juice and coconut oil as a face scrub. Messy, but good a good natural alternative.

Turmeric is also used in Indian weddings and religious ceremonies.

How to remove turmeric stains from clothing

Turmeric stains on clothing can be easily removed by just washing with soap - this will turn the stain from yellow to reddish orange. Dry in full sun and the stain will disappear. It's as easy as that.