I developed a deep respect for turmeric the last time I was in Myanmar (Burma). Not paying much attention to where I was putting my feet, I tripped on a cracked sidewalk while walking through the streets of Yangon and sprained my ankle. Several friends of mine from Myanmar advised me to smear my ankle with turmeric and water and wrap it. It quickly reduced the swelling and soon I was stumbling through the streets again.
I started asking everyone I knew about turmeric and was amazed at the multitude of ailments it is used for. Everyone agreed that turmeric was a woman’s good friend, for young women who wanted to improve their complexion, regulate their menstruation, and give them that virginal glow, but it was especially important for women right after childbirth.
An enthusiastic and romantic young man told me how he lovingly pounded the fresh and dried root by hand, mixed it with pure forest honey from the Shan States, rolled it into granules, and sun-dried it for his wife in preparation for the arrival of your son. baby. Myanmar women take these turmeric and honey granules orally every day and paint their bodies with the turmeric and water paste for about 40 days after delivery. Turmeric is said to warm their bodies and make them sweat, purifying their blood and improving their circulation, making them fresh and newborn, while at the same time protecting them physically, emotionally and spiritually during a difficult and vulnerable time.
This deep orange turmeric, Curcuma longa, a friend of women, is also used in most Myanmar dishes. It is heated in the oil with the onion, garlic and ginger base of the Myanmar curry and also heated in the si kyet (garlic and turmeric oil) which is added to the myriad of delicious Burmese salads.
From the Zingiberaceae family, which also provides us with other culinary delights: ginger, galangal, and cardamom, turmeric plants grow 3 to 5 feet tall and produce beautiful golden flowers with a delicate aroma of mango and sunshine. The commercial center of turmeric was originally in Maharashtra, India and from here the benefits of turmeric spread to Myanmar and beyond. Traditionally, the fresh roots were stored in huge pits 18 to 20 feet deep and matured for 3 to 4 years. Once these huge pits were discovered, it took 2-3 hours before enough oxygen reached the depths to allow the healed roots to recover.
Modern methods simply include cleaning, boiling, drying, and pounding this remarkable rhizome to make it usable for human consumption. It is interesting to note that most self-respecting Myanmar households grind their own turmeric to ensure that it is not adulterated with rice powder. Turmeric is even used as an ingredient in Myanmar mosquito coils.
The respect and enthusiasm that the people of Myanmar have for turmeric is reflected in today’s scientific community as more and more traditional beliefs are confirmed. Curcumin is the most famous phytochemical in the rhizome and has been found to be a powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, antimutagenic, antiparasitic, and antiviral substance. It has also been found to be very beneficial for stomach problems such as indigestion, ulcers, diarrhea, and helps restore beneficial flora in the digestive system after antibiotic treatment. More recently, studies are underway to test the use of curcumin for nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer’s and MS. There have also been some preliminary studies investigating the use of curcumin as a therapy for cystic fibrosis.
There are many more diseases that this spice alleviates or cures. As a result, curcumin supplements can be found in health food stores around the world. As the people of Myanmar know, it is difficult to determine the purity of such products. No need to pay for additional packaging and marketing. Adding a pinch of ground turmeric to your daily diet is simple, convenient, and cost-effective.
Contraindications:
It is important to note that pregnant women should not consume a lot of turmeric as it can stimulate uterine contractions and turmeric stimulates the flow of bile which helps digest fats so it is best not to use it if you have gallstones .
