Turmeric (Curcuma) is a herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the Ginger family. The roots contain essential oils and coloring pigments. For this reason, turmeric is grown as a spice and for medicinal purposes. The most common cultivated forms are: long turmeric, homemade turmeric, cultivated turmeric, turmeric, and yellow ginger.
The roots of the plant are dried and ground into powder for a fragrant seasoning that can be added to a variety of dishes. In the wild, this green representative of the flora grows only in India. In this country, the spice is exported in large quantities. Gardeners began cultivating and growing turmeric back in the early 90s.
Description of the turmeric plant
The wide stems of turmeric are capable of reaching one meter in height. The shape of the leaves is oval, the leaf blades are arranged alternately in two rows. The root system is well developed and looks like gray-yellow tubers, from which numerous roots extend, forming smaller tubers at the ends. Long leaves and flower stalks about 30 cm long grow from the ground. The stipules adhere tightly to the surface of the peduncles, closer to the crown, their color becomes lighter than at the base. Flower formation occurs in the axils of the stipules. The buds are tubular, painted in a bright yellow color, exuding a pleasant persistent aroma. All vegetative parts of the plant are saturated with essential oils.
Planting turmeric outdoors
Turmeric is suitable for growing not only in an apartment, but also outdoors. This is a great spice used in cooking. The value of a flower also lies in its decorative effect. The plant grows and develops better in warm climatic latitudes. To harvest, you need to wait at least 9 months after planting the seeds.
For regions with cold and long winters, turmeric is grown only at home.
The flower prefers well-lit areas with fertile soil. Loamy and sandy soil is also suitable. The site is pre-dug up and leveled. The depth of the holes should be at least 15 cm so that several pieces of rhizome with healthy buds can fit. The segments are laid so that the buds are directed upwards. After that, they are covered with earth, lightly tamped around the soil and watered. Early spring is considered a favorable time for planting turmeric.
Turmeric Garden Care
Taking care of turmeric shouldn't be too much of a hassle. This is a moisture-loving plant that requires strict adherence to the watering regime. If the roots lack moisture, the flower may die. The frequency of watering is determined by the climatic and weather conditions of the region where it grows. The composition of the soil also affects the growth and development of turmeric.The bushes are watered only with warm and settled water.
As a top dressing of turmeric, it is advised to use compositions of mineral fertilizers with a high phosphorus content, intended for growing ornamental plants. When preparing the solution, it is necessary to take a smaller amount of the substance than indicated on the package. The application of mineral fertilizers is carried out several times during the season.
All of the above content requirements are the most important. In addition, it is important to loosen on time, remove weeds and wilted flowers from the site.
Collecting and storing turmeric
Rhizomes are removed from the soil in the fall before the arrival of frost, when flowering ends and the leaves wither. The ground part of the bushes is completely cut off. The roots and tubers are shaken off and placed in boiling water. Water quickly turns yellow due to the release of coloring pigments. Yellowed roots dry well for several weeks.
The spines should be stored in a cool dry place inside wooden crates or plastic containers filled with wet sand. Then the roots are ground into powder. The finished spice is poured into a glass jar, which is best kept in the refrigerator or closed cabinet. Turmeric absorbs any odors well, so it is recommended to tightly close the spice jar.
Types and varieties of turmeric with a photo
Aromatic turmeric (Curcuma aromatica)
Aromatic turmeric is called Indian saffron. It can be found in South Asia, mostly in India or in the east of the Himalayas. The stems reach one meter in length. The rhizome is fragrant, reminiscent of the shape of an ellipse. At the ends of the thin roots, oblong tubers are formed. Petiolate leaves. The flowers are funnel-shaped, hidden inside the spike-shaped inflorescences. Their length is about 15 cm, width - 8 cm. There are light green bracts with a red crown. This spice is often used by confectioners to prepare various sweets.
Long turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Turmeric long or yellow ginger is also prized for its coloring pigments, and the ground parts are used medicinally. Long crushed turmeric roots form the basis of Indian curry.
Round turmeric (Curcuma leucorrhiza)
Round turmeric naturally grows exclusively in India, has elongated and narrow roots. The leaf blades emerge from the petioles. Rounded buds. The indigenous people of India prepare starch from the roots of the plant. To do this, carefully washed roots are ground into a homogeneous mass, which is then filtered. The resulting gruel is dried and used as starch.
Turmeric zedoaria (Curcuma zedoaria)
Turmeric zedoaria is widespread in Indonesia, southern China, Thailand and, of course, India. It is a tall, erect plant. At the base of the long, oblong leaves, dark purple veins stand out. The color of the bracts is pink. During flowering, the bushes exude a rich aroma. The inflorescences extend directly from the rhizome, which is in the shape of a pear. The roots have a pungent camphor smell, they taste bitter and pungent. This type of turmeric is added to many liqueurs and confectionery sweets.
Small turmeric (Curcuma exigua)
Small turmeric is a compact green plant with a branched root system and many small tubers. The leaf blades have a purple hue and red streaks, formed from the petioles. Their length can reach up to 20 cm. The buds are yellow in appearance, they look in the form of an ellipse. There are pale purple corollas inside. The flowering period lasts several months. Turmeric blooms in early August. The plant has no valuable properties, except for visual appeal.
The beneficial properties of turmeric
Healing properties
Turmeric roots contain a high content of starch and essential oils. The source of the specific yellow hue is the polyphenol curcumin.In addition, parts of the plant are rich in lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins B, C, E, K, trace elements, polyunsaturated fatty acids and dietary fiber. Such a unique chemical composition of turmeric suppresses the development of viruses, microbes, inflammatory reactions, strengthens the immune system and increases the body's ability to resist the effects of various infections, restores tissues, tones the body, warms up and accelerates internal blood circulation. This perennial is considered a natural antiseptic that can disinfect open wounds and burns. The use of turmeric can slow down melanoma processes and destroy new accumulations of cancer cells. The substances contained in the plant can stop the development of Alzheimer's disease. They break down the clots of amyloid plaques that form inside the brain.
The risk of developing metastatic cells of any cancer is significantly reduced. If you use the spice together with cauliflower, then you can achieve inhibition of malignant prostate tumors. When prescribing a course of chemotherapy, doctors recommend adding turmeric to food in order to reduce the negative effects of toxic medications. The spice is also used in the treatment of obesity, diabetes and arthritis. In Chinese medicine, it is considered the strongest psychotropic that successfully helps in the treatment of depression. Due to the composition rich in microelements, the use of the powder accelerates the regeneration processes, has a positive effect on the healing of skin diseases - eczema and psoriasis. On the basis of turmeric and aloe juice, a special paste is made that can heal wounds from serious burns.
This spice is an excellent tool in the prevention of influenza, it is prescribed for severe coughs, headaches, chronic forms of diarrhea, ulcerative colic. Many weight loss techniques strongly recommend adding turmeric frequently during cooking. To quickly remove extra pounds, people who are obese are advised to drink a glass of kefir at night, in which it is necessary to dilute half a teaspoon of spice. This drink should be taken within one or two months for best results.
Contraindications
Turmeric is capable of having the strongest effect on the human body. If you use a spice as a medicine, you need to consult a doctor, since there are certain contraindications. For example, for people suffering from urolithiasis, this product is not recommended for use in food. Pregnant women and children under the age of five should also refrain from consuming turmeric. In other cases, it is well absorbed and regulates metabolic processes.
