Turmeric oil

Common Name:  Turmeric oil

Botanical Name:  Curcuma longa

Other Names:  Curcuma aromatica oil, Curcuma, Curcuma domestica, Safran Bourbon

Introduction

Turmeric is an herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family Zingiberaceae. Its botanical name is Curuma longa. It is native to South Asia and needs temperatures between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius and a considerable amount of rainfall to thrive. It has impressive yellow colour and resembles the root of ginger. It is normally used in powder or oil form.

Turmeric oil is saffron yellow in colour and is not easily absorbed. Its major constituents are phellandrene, limonene, zingiberene, cineole, turmerone, ar-curcumene, ar-turmerone and a- turmerone.

Uses of turmeric oil

Aromatherapy uses: turmeric oil is useful in aromatherapy for relaxing, balancing and stimulating. Medicinal uses: It is used in skin problems, muscular problems like aches as well as also useful for the reproductive system and for nervous system like stress and anxiety.

Culinary uses: It is used as a food additive and is used in imparting rich custard like yellow colour to food items. It is used in canned beverages and baked products, yoghurt, ice creams, dairy products, sweets, sauces, gelatins, biscuits, orange juices and cereals. Turmeric is known as Indian saffron as it was widely used as an alternative to the far more expensive saffron spice.

Holistic uses: Turmeric is considered highly auspicious in India and has been used extensively in various Indian ceremonies. In India it is used during wedding ceremonies and religious ceremonies.

It is used in Pujas to make a form of Ganesha, the remover of obstacles who is invoked at the beginning of almost any ceremony and a form of Ganesha for this purpose is made by mixing turmeric with water and forming it into a shape of a cone.