Turmeric

Turmeric is not a garden herb in North America.  Grown from India to Indonesia, it's a perennial with pulpy, orange, tuberous roots that grow to about 2 feet in length.  The aerial parts, which reach 3 feet, include large, lilylike leaves, a thick, squat, central flower spike, and funnel-shaped yellow flowers.

In the 1870's, chemists discovered turmeric's orange-yellow root powder turned reddish brown when exposed to alkaline chemicals.  This discovery led to the development of "turmeric paper," thin strips of tissue brushed with a decoction of turmeric, then dried.  During the late 19th century, turmeric paper was used in laboratories around the world to test for alkalinity.  Eventually, it was replaced by litmus paper, which is still used today.

American chemists used turmeric paper, but not even the botanically oriented 19th-century Eclectic physicians had much use for turmeric itself, except to add color to medicinal ointments.

Maude Grieve's influential Modern Herbal, published in 1931, said turmeric was "once a cure for jaundice," then dismissed it as "seldom used in medicine except as a coloring."

Turmeric has been revered in India for thousands of years, so it should come as no surprise that Indians have conducted most of the research into the healing chemical it contains - curcumin.

WOUND TREATMENT: Like many culinary herbs, turmeric helps retard food spoilage because it has antibacterial action.  To help prevent bacterial wound infections, sprinkle a bit on cut and scrapes after they have been thoroughly washed.

DIGESTIVE AID: Turmeric also helps stimulate the flow of bile, which helps digest fats, supporting its traditional use as a digestive herb.

LIVER PROTECTION:  One animal study showed curcumin has a protective effect on liver tissue exposed to liver-damaging drugs, lending support to the herb's traditional use in liver ailments.

Turmeric is on the Food and Drug Administration's list of herbs generally regarded as safe.  For otherwise healthy non pregnant, non nursing adults who are not taking anticoagulant medications, turmeric is considered safe in amounts typically recommended.

Turmeric should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor.  If turmeric causes minor discomforts, such as heartburn or stomach upset, use less or stop using it.