The Golden Spice For The Golden Years of Midlife

When it comes to adding a healthy ingredient to your food, turmeric tops the list. For  45 plus age group ie in golden years of midlife, turmeric, owing to its colour and health benefits is actually golden spice and can work wonders with a host of health benefits.  In this blog, we will discuss the history and importance of the golden spice for the golden years of midlife.  

History and Origin of Turmeric

Turmeric is a plant with a long history of medicinal use, dating back nearly 4000 years, to the Vedic culture in India. It was used as a culinary spice apart from its religious significance. Later, in around 700 to 800 AD, it reached China, Africa and later in Jamaica. According to Sanskrit medical papers, Ayurvedic and Unani systems, turmeric has a long history of medicinal use in South Asia. Susruta’s Ayurvedic Compendium, dating back to 250 BC, recommends an ointment containing turmeric to relieve the effects of poisoned food. ¹

Turmeric is obtained from Curcuma longa, which is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant, native to tropical South Asia. As many as 133 species of Curcuma have been identified worldwide, most of which are popularly used in medicinal formulations.

The word turmeric is derived from the Latin word terra merita, which means meritorious earth, referring to the colour of ground turmeric, which resembles a mineral pigment. In North India, turmeric is called ‘haldi’, which is a word derived from a Sanskrit ‘haridra’, while in the South, it is called ‘manjal’. In Sanskrit, turmeric has 53 different names, one of them being ‘kanchani’ – one that exhibits golden colour and one being ‘vishagni’ – killer of poison. While all the names of turmeric have their own importance, these two say it all. Turmeric – which is a golden spice, can kill toxins and give you good health.

More than 100 components have been isolated from turmeric. The main component of the turmeric root is a volatile oil, containing turmerone and colouring agents called curcuminoids, which is a great antioxidant.

Turmeric is popular as a colouring and flavouring element used in spices, cosmetics, and medicines. It is widely used as a spice in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. Its distinctive yellow colour and flavour change the look and taste of the food preparation. Turmeric is also used in manufactured food products like canned beverages, dairy products, baked products, cereals, sauces, and gelatins. It is an important ingredient in commercially prepared curry additives and flavours. From glowing skin to healing wounds, from savouries to sweet dishes, turmeric can be useful everywhere.

Turmeric The Golden Spice 

Apart from adding colour and flavour to the food turmeric also boosts immunity. The components like curcumin in turmeric offer graet nutritive value and health benefits. Let us understand the importance of the golden spice for the golden years.

With aging, many health problems pop up, particularly during midlife. We have discussed in our earlier blogs that midlife is the sensitive period for health.– you are truly in the middle of the young and old phase of life. Suddenly you noticed minor health problems like loss of stamina, frequent digestive disorders, etc have made their way in your like and you have to cope with it.  Hence, the changing midlife phase puts you at a greater risk of many illnesses, infections, allergies, chronic pain, degenerative conditions, and even lifestyle disorders. During these times, you need to boost your immunity, regularize metabolism and maintain an ideal weight.

During 45 plus, inflammatory problems like arthritis, chronic pain, slow metabolism, digestive troubles, and reduced immunity are common. This is exactly where turmeric plays a crucial role – it not only adds flavour to your food but adds up the nutritive value. It is indeed the golden spice for the golden years. 

Turmeric has been used in many therapeutic preparations for centuries in different parts of the world. It has great anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which makes it the most precious ingredient. Owing to the effects of turmeric on improving immunity, it is widely used in the treatment of respiratory conditions, which are a result of allergies and infections. The commonest that we have heard of is ‘doodh haldi’ – in which milk is boiled with turmeric powder and is consumed for better immunity, fighting cold and cough and faster healing of wounds.

Your midlife, which is the golden period of your life, is also very crucial in terms of maintaining health. During this period you can invest in healthy food ingredients to pave way for a healthy future. Usually, your healthy, balanced diet that includes healthy spices like turmeric can keep you in good health. In case, you are not able to make the most of the healthy food ingredients, you can consider taking nutritional supplements. These are best taken with medical advice, depending on your health condition.

So, you can spice up your midlife with this golden spice, as it can uplift your health in every way. Boost your immunity and stay active with turmeric during your midlife. Let this golden spice add colour and flavour to your food and to your golden years of midlife.

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/