Hairy Basil
Hairy Basil
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| cooking advice |
The Magic Touch of Turmeric
All of us are familiar with Turmeric, the bright yellow spice, a key ingredient of most of the Eastern dishes. It is being used from antiquity as a dye, a condiment and for various religious rituals. A member of the ginger family, turmeric is scientifically known as Curcuma longa. The active ingredient of this spice is curcumin found in rhizomes, which is the main agent behind its medicinal properties.
Turmeric is extensively used as a culinary dye and to tint many sweet dishes, owing to its brilliant yellow colour. It is sometimes used as a substitute for saffron and hence referred to as Indian Saffron. Turmeric finds place in the preparation of curry powders.
In countries like India and Indonesia, it is used as a body dye to impart golden glow to the complexion. Moreover, it heals sores and acts as cosmetic and bleaching agent. It is a major ingredient in sunscreens and antiseptic lotions. Turmeric paste has been used traditionally by ladies to remove the unwanted superfluous hair growth from face as well as other body parts. Application of turmeric paste all over the body of young ones has been resorted to from time immemorial. Turmeric application and bathing the brides in turmeric water are major ceremonial events during the eve of Indian marriages. To a limited extent, it finds use as a fabric dye also.
Therapeutic properties of Turmeric
The therapeutic properties of this yellow spice dates back to centuries and they have been expounded in ancient Ayurvedic texts. It has been used as a safe anti-inflammatory agent in a variety of ailments. Turmeric is described as ideal to treat skin diseases. Commercial products such as creams have been formulated based on curcumin for the treatment of skin ailments like psoriasis. Besides, it is effective in treating digestive disorders and liver problems. Curcumin is proved to stimulate the production of bile thereby helping the breakdown of fats and facilitates the emptying of gall bladder. Some studies suggest the ability of curcumin to ward off the serious eye ailments like uveitis. It is also used for treating many ailments of cattle and poultry.
Recent reports reveal the role of turmeric in fighting against various sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea. Amongst the ethnic groups of people with a large intake of dishes with turmeric, very low incidence of cancer has been noticed. Clinical trials suggest the efficient role of curcumin in managing cancers like prostrate, breast, skin, oral, pancreatic, colorectal etc. and also multiple myeloma. A study indicates that it slows down the spread of breast cancer into lungs and other body parts.
The discovery that curcumin inhibits the accumulation of beta - amyloids in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients and helps to break up the existing plaques, is an important milestone in the treatment of this dreadful disorder.
Curcumin possess strong antioxidant property. It is effective in a variety of digestive disorders. Turmeric extracts reduce acid secretion from the stomach thereby protecting against injuries and inflammation on the walls of stomach and intestine. It also offers protection against ulcers arising due to stress, use of alcohol and even certain types of drugs with side effects. Ayurvedic studies suggest the effectiveness of herbal combination of turmeric in the therapy of osteoarthritis.
Turmeric is helpful in preventing the development of atherosclerosis i.e., the blockage of arteries eventually leading to the heart attack/stroke. It lowers the cholesterol level and also inhibits the oxidation of bad LDL cholesterol level. The deposits of oxidized bad LDL cholesterol in the walls of blood vessels lead to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Turmeric also prevents the build up of platelets along the walls of injured blood vessels which cause blood clots and lockage of artery walls.
Turmeric possess wonderful detoxifying properties against many harmful compounds like carbon tetrachloride, alcohol, paracetamol (a common drug used for reducing pain, headache etc. which gets accumulated in liver cells if used in excess dose thereby damaging the liver). Curcumin was found to protect breast cells to protect against DDT and other pesticides.
Lab studies suggested that curcuminoides reduce the harmful activity of parasites and roundworms. Volatile oil from turmeric acts as a mosquito repellant along with the oils of citronella, hairy basil and vanillin. The turmeric oil is an excellent antibiotic as well as antiseptic aiding in wound healing process.
Recommended dose for Intake :
Adults can daily take 1.5 to 3 g of raw rhizomes either as raw or as dried powder. As fluid extract (1:1), 30-90 drops can be consumed per day. One third of this dose can be administered to children.
So, be ready to include this wonderful spice in the daily diet to protect ourselves and our family members from major ailments.
However, excessive and extended use of curcumin must be avoided as it may produce stomach upsets and even ulcers. People with gall stones or obstruction of bile passages may avoid the intake of turmeric.
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plant bugs?
hi am new to plants and am growing basil and chill palnts , Tomato plants am haveing trouble with this small green bugs 5 times the size of a flea there all green with tiny hairy thorns looking there killing my plants what can i do to kill them with out harming the plants and poisning are slefs with it?
ugh aphids. dont worry of all the bugs u could have gotten, aphids are the best of the worst. i had them on my trumpet vine this year, and i sprayed them with a weak dishsoap and water solution. also spraying them with the garden hose and rubbing them off can help
