Rasayana for Childcare

No Indian kitchen is complete without turmeric in
the masala dabba (spice box). Turmeric is centrestage
among the favourite spices in Indian cuisine due
to its quality of adding colour, fragrance and taste to
food. The belief also is that the preventive and healing
properties of this powerful Rasayana are so important,
that it found a place in daily food preparation and intake.
The beautiful yellow turmeric is in fact, inseparably
linked to many aspects of Indian culture. It has popular
cosmetic uses, especially for the skin. It is considered
auspicious in all ceremonies and symbolises strength
and purity. In fact, in many Hindu ceremonies the sacred
thread tied around the wrist is turmeric-dyed yellow
cotton thread. All traditional medical practices in
India including Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani as well as the
Tibetan Swa-rig–pa healing tradition, suggest wide ranging
medical uses for turmeric; from a simple remedy
for cuts and wounds, to an antidote for snake venom,
management of complicated metabolic syndromes like
diabetes etc. Understandably it is called “The Golden
Spice”! Its eminent culinary, cultural, religious and
spiritual significance is also prevalent in Buddhism and
throughout South East Asia. It is today, one of the most
extensively researched herbs world-wide.
Fresh and dry rhizomes of Turmeric
Turmeric powder in a spice box
a
To make turmeric powder, the rhizomes
are boiled for about 30–45 minutes and
then dried in hot ovens. Only then are the
rhizomes pulverised to get the deep yellow
powder that is so well known and loved
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