Turmeric is a spice that is still in the same family as ginger. Turmeric root has a yellow color inside. This yellow part is used in culinary delights and traditional medicine, just like some spices such as ginger. Turmeric has the scientific name, Curcuma longa. Historically, turmeric has been said originated in southern Asian countries. For almost 4,000 years, it has been used in Indian and traditional Chinese medicine. It moved through past spice routes to become a prized ingredient in various cuisines over time. Additionally, we will explore its culinary applications and health benefits.
1. Natural Food Coloring
Turmeric, as a culinary spice, adds a natural yellow or orange tint to dishes and beverages. In India, turmeric is utilized in curries, golden milk, and turmeric lattes. Turmeric is used to produce Gulai and tamarind turmeric, a traditional drink in Indonesia. In Africa, many pieces of turmeric are cooked with rice to give the rice a natural golden tint. Although the color of turmeric is fully natural and harmless, it is better to use it sparingly in cooking since too much turmeric can change the flavor and make food taste harsh.
2. Fishy deodorizer
Fish, beef, mutton, and lamb are food ingredients that unleashed fishy smells. Since turmeric can eliminate fishy odors, it is often crushed with other spices to marinate these ingredients. Similar to how lemon is frequently used by Europeans to get rid of fishy smells, turmeric is widely used by Asians.
3. Appetite Booster
Turmeric includes the curcuminoid that gives turmeric its yellow hue. Curcuminoid is a chemical group that has the benefit of increasing children’s appetite. Furthermore, turmeric includes curcumin. This component is claimed to be able to swiftly empty the stomach, causing children to feel hungry quickly after consuming turmeric. In Indonesia, mothers provide traditional medicine with curcuma as the main ingredient to overcome their children’s eating problems.
4. Indigestion Medicines
The active component curcumin in turmeric can stimulate the formation of stomach wall, mucus. Mucus will protect the stomach from irritants that cause inflammation and irritation in the stomach, resulting in gastric irritation. Thus, consuming turmeric can help avoid stomach diseases like gastritis, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and flatulence. Furthermore, it can prevent gastritis from progressing to a significant consequence condition, such as peptic ulcers.
5. Body Resistance Sustainer
The advantages of turmeric are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. This is because curcumin compounds can counteract various free radicals that form within the body and cause oxidative damage. This damage is believed to be one of the causes of many diseases and aging caused by free radicals. Therefore, by consuming turmeric, the compounds in it will break up and neutralize radical chains that have already formed in the body. In order to keep the body healthy and free of free radicals.
6. Medicine for skin problems
Turmeric is used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne, eczema, premature aging, pansy, and psoriasis, due to the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties found in turmeric compounds. Turmeric can also help enhance the skin’s general complexion and brightness, making it a popular component in facial mask products.
According to the above description of turmeric’s benefits. It can be inferred that, using turmeric as a safe natural color and eliminating the fishy stench from various foods. Turmeric is also useful for boosting immunity, increasing appetite, and curing a variety of gastrointestinal and skin problems. It is induced by turmeric’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial compounds, such as curcuminoid and curcumin.