Curcumin, from the curry spice turmeric, has been shown to possess potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties and to reduce ?-amyloid and plaque burden in experimental studies, but epidemiologic evidence is lacking. The authors investigated the association between usual curry consumption level and cognitive function in elderly Asians. In a population-based cohort (n = 1,010) of nondemented elderly Asian subjects aged 60?93 years in 2003, the authors compared Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores for three categories of regular curry consumption, taking into account known sociodemographic, health, and behavioral correlates of MMSE performance. Those who consumed curry "occasionally" and "often or very often" had significantly better MMSE scores than did subjects who "never or rarely" consumed curry. The authors reported tentative evidence of better cognitive performance from curry consumption in nondemented elderly Asians, which should be confirmed in future studies.

Just goes to show how good turmeric is for you.

Have tried posting this with a link to the research and been anti-spammed so if you want you may google to paper title to find the publication details.

A lot is known about the ingredients in "curry" and how they affect your wellbeing, thanks for the extra info. (I believe Haldi is also a form of antiseptic if I'm not mistaken)

Steve

Thank you Ted.

This is from a paper my younger sister has written for this site. It is waiting for me to finish editting it and then post it on site!

"Turmeric (Hindi name Haldi or Huldi), Curcuma longa L rhizome is highly valued in Ayurvedic medicine. It contains calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine and niacin. It is also an antioxidant. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antiseptic properties. A pinch of turmeric, boiled with milk and drunk at night, helps to relieve chesty cough. 1/2 tsp. turmeric in hot milk, taken at night, helps to heal bone injuries, reduce joint pains and other inflammatory pains. It helps to stimulate digestion, heal injuries, improves immunity, reduce bad cholesterols and enhance the skin complexion. In India, it is used in various face packs and in many poultices. It is a yellow coloured spice, used in almost all Indian curries and many other dishes. It should be used in moderation only, because it gives the food slightly bitter taste, specially if used excessively."

mamta

i have come across various news articles on why indians have lesser incidence and prevelance of conditions like alzhimer's disese and multiple sclerosis etc and some of the studies pointed towards the decent usage of turmeric in the food.

Well, it all sounds rather tentative, but I'll bump up the turmeric levels nonetheless, just in case. I use it only for colour (a lot less expensive than saffron).

Phil

be careful though as too much tumeric (haldi) is very bitter on the pallete

"Well, it all sounds rather tentative, but I'll bump up the turmeric levels nonetheless, just in case. I use it only for colour (a lot less expensive than saffron)."

LOL Phil!! I will start adding it to milk everyday, like my mum says we should, specially since it is good for arthritis too. I might save some of my remaining grey cells. LOL!!!

Having only just read this thread I am very interested in using turmeric for some of the conditions mentioned. As I live in Frnace I wonder if the powder I buy either from the marketplace or the supermarket is of a quality which would be satisfactory.

Hello Libby

Yes, turmeric powder is fine, as long as it is from any one of the reputable companies/brands. Turmeric is a great healer, we Indian take it for all sorts of ills :-). I have a leg fracture at present and I take 1/2 tsp. in a small glass of warm milk every night. I hope my bone will mend fast.

I am hoping to add a 'healing powers of foods' section to this site, but editing is taking me too long :-(!Mamta

Thank you for answering my two questions so promptly. How kind. I am so excited at having found this website as we've been lovers of Indian food for so many years although my husband has developed reflux quite badly and so we have to be careful not to overdo spicey foods. However, perhaps the tumeric might improve his condition. I also looked at the website for buying spices etc. in the U.K. which I think will be a godsend as I have to rely on others visiting to bring me goods back. I'm wondering if the asoefida might be advantageous with regard to the digestive problem?

Hmmm... maybe I should eat/ drink more turmeric if it's good for bones... might help with the osteoarthritis in the hip, do you think?

Libby, if you do buy anything from the supplier we've recommended can we request that you do it using the link from our site. That will ensure that your purchase is registered as a referral from Mamta's Kitchen and will contribute a (very small) amount to our running costs. Thanks!

Turmeric Information:

"Turmeric (Hindi name Haldi or Huldi), Curcuma longa L rhizome is highly valued in Ayurvedic medicine. It contains calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine and niacin. It is also an antioxidant. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antiseptic properties. A 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder, boiled with milk and drunk at night, helps to relieve chesty cough. 1/2 tsp. turmeric in hot milk, taken at night, helps to heal bone injuries, reduce joint pains and other inflammatory pains. It helps to stimulate digestion, heal injuries, improves immunity, reduce bad cholesterols and enhance the skin complexion. In India, it is used in various face packs and in many poultices. It is a yellow coloured spice, used in almost all Indian curries and many other dishes. It should be used in moderation only, because it gives the food slightly bitter taste, if used excessively." (From Healing powers of foods by Reeta Kumar)

I know, I know Kav, I am trying to edit the article by Reeta mausi, but I get side tracked!!

Mamta

For Liddie:

If your husband has reflux, you might want to check out whether he has a hiatus hernia.

That check-out can be easily done in France: your French GP will refer you to a spcialist who can take a look at it with a camera (apologies if you've already done this, or if this sounds patronising).

I mention this because I had really serious reflux, but since we moved to France, the French health service sorted out what was wrong, and I continue to eat spicy Indian food here at home in France at least 4 times a week.

Cheers

Phil

Sorry: that should have been 'Liddy'

Phil

Perhaps I'm becoming dyslexic: that should have been 'Libby'

C'est grave!

Phil

Hi , my son is 3 years old. He has Atopic Dermatitis ( A kind of ezema). I want to know is Haldi good for him ?

on the other hand, if you look on Google for long enough, you will find every spice has been suggested as a 'cure' for basically everything, except death itself. Please take everything you read about spice panaceas with a huge pinch of namak (though less than the recommended 6 g a day).

If spices were that good at preventing (and curing) then the Indian population (and others) should be amoung the healthiest on earth, they aren't. Throat cancer, for example, is rife in India, if spices were that good, why throat cancer??

The results of some of my work is being used to illustrate an article in an Indian newspaper based in America, so I am not against looking at spices for treatments, I just remain sceptical (open minded?) until scientifically proven.

I have no personal experience of using turmeric for Atopic Dermatitis, but you can consult an Ayurvedic trained physician. Turmeric does have anti-inflammatory properties and is said to help heal closed injuries, lung inflammation (productive cough), reduce oedema in joint swelling and so on. I know that it is used in many skin creams in India, but I am not sure if anyone has carried out any double blind trials. I also know that many Chinese and Indian skin creams work because they have quite large amounts of uncontrolled and unlisted steroids. You have to be very careful about using them. But turmeric does have some beneficial effects, so see a qualified person with your son. Another bad thing about alternative treatments is that sometimes patients stop their well proven medical treatments to try untested ?ancient? treatments. That is the danger. But good luck, hope you find a good physician :-)!

Lapis, high incidence of throat and buccal cancer in India is definitely linked to tobacco chewing, ?paan? eating and smoking. I remember our outpatients having at least 2-3 such cancer patient every session when I was a young medical student half a century ago. I don?t remember seeing anyone of these patients not being addicted to tobacco in one form or the other. I don?t know how bad the incidence is now, probably same.

A lot of herbs/spices have healing properties, but Lapis is quite right, one has to be careful about these things. I have had good experience of many Indian home remedies, so do ask some good Ayurvedic physician who has experience in this field.

Mamta

hawthorn berries are claimed to help with heart problems causing death so even death is covered !....

Steve