Spice series 1 : TURMERIC

Spices occupy an important place in my kitchen. I also like to consume it by brewing as tea. I also love the taste it leaves on food. A good meal always goes through the right seasonings for me. Different spices are used in all dishes, as each one has a different color, smell and texture. My range is somewhat broad in this regard. They look good to me. I'm in love with each one. Today, I wanted to discuss a spice that is my favorite and popular in the world these days. Its name is TURMERIC. Turmeric, which is a miraculous spice, has started to be used in many areas today. While turmeric is used to flavor dishes, it is also used in the field of health. As I mentioned briefly in a previous article, in a news I read, I learned that it was given intravenously to fight cancer cells in medicine. And it piqued my interest. I did some research on this and learned a lot more.

Turmeric is a perennial herbaceous plant with yellow flowers and large leaves in the ginger family. This plant, also called Indian saffron, is based on South Asia and has spread all over the world from here. Although it is known by names such as saffron root, turmeric, yellow dye, this spice, more commonly known as turmeric, has very important positive effects on health thanks to the component called curcumin in it. In recent years, its consumption has increased as its popularity has increased and its many effects on health have been proven by the scientific world. There are many consumption methods such as adding turmeric to meals, preparing tea and consuming it by mixing it with yogurt. As with many spice types, there are scientific studies that have been going on for many years for turmeric. A majority of these studies have agreed on the positive effects of turmeric on health. Although it is not among the spices that are often used on the table, it is turmeric that gives its yellow color to the curry spice, which is often used with chicken dishes. This miracle spice is obtained from the roots of a plant with yellow flowers in regions such as Southeast Asia and India. Turmeric, which has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, is also frequently used in Ayurveda, a traditional treatment method in India. All individuals who do not have any health problems can strengthen their immune systems and overcome infectious diseases more easily by consuming 1-2 spoons of turmeric daily.

The benefits of turmeric are not limited to just consuming it as a food. It also has many positive effects on the skin. Natural mixtures prepared with turmeric can be used to improve many skin-related health problems such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. Thanks to its antioxidant content, anti-inflammatory properties and components that help heal wounds, you can prepare a natural mixture with turmeric and apply it directly to the problem areas of your skin. Yogurt, which is a nutrient that helps to equalize the color tone of the skin and to provide moisture balance, is a very suitable option to be included in these mixtures. You can apply the mixture you have prepared by mixing powdered turmeric, yogurt and natural olive oil on your skin, wait for a while and then rinse. Those who have sensitive skin or those who are prone to allergic reactions should be careful in these applications, if any burning or itching is felt, the application should be stopped and the skin should be rinsed.

Curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric, is a very important component responsible for many of the positive effects this nutrient provides to the body. Curcumin is 3% by weight of turmeric. Curcumin supplements are produced from turmeric extracts because it is necessary to consume large amounts of turmeric to get the most out of this substance and this is not possible for most individuals. These supplements can be used after consulting a doctor. Curcumin is a component with low absorption in the body. Piperine, which is abundant in black pepper, can increase the absorption of this component in the body by up to 2000%. Therefore, the use of turmeric in the body can be maximized by including piperine in the content of turmeric supplements. Additionally, curcumin is a fat-soluble ingredient. Therefore, consumption with meals increases the solubility and therefore absorption of curcumin.

Turmeric is often used as a spice in cooking. Especially in baked vegetables, turmeric adds a very different taste to the dish. To use turmeric in dishes, you can add a little olive oil and a teaspoon of turmeric to the vegetables without baking them first.

This process is usually done more in rooted vegetables. Root vegetables belonging to the cruciferous family and turmeric are among the vegetables most suitable for winter squash. Just 1 teaspoon of turmeric will be enough to add more flavor to your food and make it nutritious. However, if you wish, you can sprinkle turmeric on salads as a spice.

Turmeric also goes well with white and red meats. Before cooking, you can use turmeric spice during the marinating or dressing the meat.

Based on this knowledge, I placed turmeric in my daily routines. I think not using such a useful food is doing yourself a disservice. I mix it with hot water and honey in the morning. Or I add it to yogurt in my snack. I haven't used it for skin care yet. But I will definitely try. In the last article I read, it was even used to whiten teeth. I can't believe how a yellow substance can whiten teeth. But everyone calls it a miraculous plant. I believe it is so.
Goodbye, hope it's useful :)