A golden healer

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Haldi! Our famous Indian spice is combined with almost every dish in Indian cooking, from vegetables, dal and rice to pickles and chutneys. Used as a colouring and flavouring agent, turmeric is a natural wonder and nature’s most powerful healer. Haldi has been used in India’s Ayurvedic medicine as well as in traditional Chinese medicine. And did you know that it is a first-class blood purifier? It increases circulation and red blood cell formation, stimulates the liver automatically allowing wounds to heal faster and rejuvenates the tissues.
In India, we have reported very low levels of Alz-heimer’s due to the regular use of turmeric in our food. Haldi is good for your skin too. It helps counteract acne and makes the skin soft and smooth.
With its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects, Haldi reduces the risk of the formation and growth of cancer cells. And there is mounting evidence that turmeric extracts fight skin and breast cancer and may also reduce the incidences of colon and prostate cancer.
Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for inflammatory disorders, including arthritis. Used also as a cleansing herb, this root helps in the treatment of digestive disorders, jaundice, liver problems, fever and several infections.
Turmeric is good for diabetics too. It keeps blood sugar levels in check. People suffering from irritable bowel syndrome should consume turmeric as it is helpful for stomach disorders. Turmeric also prevents the oxidation of cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disorders.

The writer is a Mumbai-based nutritionist