HARIDRA–Curcuma longa is a flowering plant, of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, the rhizomes of which are used in cookingTurmeric is a common spice that comes from the root of Curcuma longa. It contains a chemical called curcumin, which might reduce swelling.Turmeric has a warm, bitter taste and is frequently used to flavor or color curry powders, mustards, butters, and cheeses. Haridra is used in the traditional system of medicine. It is used as an antioxidant and possesses various beneficial properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antiseptic, blood cleansing etc. It is widely prescribed Ayurvedic drug and is used in various diseases. Haridra has been described in the ancient Ayurvedic text as a Rasayana Lekhaneeya, Kushthaghna and Vishaghna.
Medicinal uses:
Gastrointestinal disorders: The fresh juice of Haridra is considered to be anthelmintic. It also improves gastric mucosal damage and decreases in leukocyte adhesion. Curcuma longa extract tablet decreased IBS prevalence and abdominal pain/discomfort score significantly between baseline and after treatment of eight-week. There were significant improvements in the IBS quality of life scales .
Respiratory disorders: The fresh juice of rhizome is given in bronchitis. In rhinitis and cough boil Haridra in milk and mixed with jiggery given internally. In catarrhal cough, sore throat, and throat infection the decoction of rhizome is used for gargle and also the piece of rhizome is slightly burnt and given for chewing. The chemical constituents of Curcuma longa like Tumerones, curcuminoids, Curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin has an anti-asthamatic action.In asthma and congestion, fumes of Haridradi dhumvarti (fumes wick) is given.
Diabetes mellitus: Turmeric rhizome powder is very useful with Amla juice and Honey in Madhumeha (diabetes mellitus) . The results indicate that Curcuma longa may have an effect on insulin secretion
Cardiovascular disorders: The antioxidants in turmeric also prevent damage to cholesterol, thereby helping to protect against atherosclerosis. In fact, the ability of the antioxidants in turmeric to decrease free radicals is similar to that in vitamins C and E. Since the antioxidant activities of turmeric are not degraded by heat (unlike most vitamins), even using the spice in cooking provides benefits.
Hepatoprotective: The powder of the rhizome mixed with amla juice is used in jaundice Corriliyum (Anjana) with Haridra, Red ochre (Gairika), and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) cures jaundice . .
Curcumin, the most common antioxidant constituent of Curcuma longa rhizome extract, was reported to enhance apoptosis of damaged hepatocytes which might be the protective mechanism whereby curcumin down-regulated inflammatory effects and fibrogenesis of the liver.
Alzheimer’s disease: Curcumin when fed to aged mice with advanced plaque deposits similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease, curcumin reduced the amount of plaque deposition. It reduced oxidative damage and reversed the amyloid pathology in an Alzheimer’s disease . Alzheimer’s disease symptoms characterized by inflammation and oxidation were also eased by curcumin’s powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties .
Anti cancer activity: Curcumin has been found to possess anticancer activities via its effect on a variety of biological pathways involved in mutagenesis, oncogene expression, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, tumorigenesis and metastasis
