Mediscene - temp

Garlic has been called the monarch of herbs. Alfalfa has been titled the herbal 'king of kings'. There are several other members of the royal family of herbs and among them, turmeric is considered the dark horse with the potential to surpass all other herbs in preventing and treating some of the major afflictions of modern-day man, namely cancer, heart disease and HIV AIDS.

This innocuous looking herb known over the millennia in South, South East Asia and China has been popular as an additive in curries, ( particularly in India, where it is known as 'haldi' and in Sri Lanka where it is known as 'kaha' or 'manjal'), giving it the familiar yellow colour.

This bland and somewhat acrid tasting herb, the most medicinally important part being the rhizome, has had a long history in the culinary field in the manufacture of curry powders and mustard and as a food preservative. The general concept in the West is that it was seldom used in medicine though it was the treatment of choice at one time for jaundice. The herb has however been well used in Ayurveda and Siddha for the treatment of several medical problems for well over 5000 years and has its due place in the 30 million page electronic encyclopaedia of India's traditional knowledge being compiled now. Most of the research on turmeric was done in India until recently. The principal compound of turmeric, curcumin, is considered a natural antibiotic and the herb has antioxidant properties because of which free radical damage is minimized.

Turmeric has anti-aging properties as well. It has been recorded that consumption in adequate quantities (manufacturers have flooded herbal shops the world over with bottled curcumin tablets) decreases the cholesterol levels in the body and inhibits platelet aggregation.

It is found to be hypotensive and helps in preventing heart attack and stroke. Recent research has shown that it improves sugar metabolism in humans as well.

Turmeric has anti microbial properties that help in the ability to battle diseases such as cholera, diphtheria and typhoid. An anti-fungal agent it inhibits the growth of fungi. It is also effective in treating amoebic conditions such as amoebic dysentery. Turmeric has also been used extensively in India in the fight against asthma and is an important ally in hepatic disorders. Turmeric also has anti-allergic properties and is every effective in treating skin allergies. Research has shown that curcumin has the ability to fight cancers of the breast, lung, stomach and throat. It has no known side effects even when taken in large quantities. The medical periodical Cancer Letter published a 1985 study which suggested that 'curcumin slows down the growth of lymphoma cancer cells.'

The findings are also encouraging when it comes to its ability to fight the human immuno-deficency virus HIV-AIDS.

Unfortunately the quantity consumed through curries does not provide these medical benefits which can only be got by taking curcumin in tablet form. Those interested in this complementary or alternate therapy should consult a practitioner of alternate medicine.