Why Turmeric ( Pasupu ) is considered holy in India and what is the use of it?

Turmeric is considered holy in India. It been a part in the everyday life of Indians for over centuries. They use it in their food, apply it to their face, apply it their door frame, use it for devotional purposes and in a lot many ways. They believe and treat it as a very sacred one.

Turmeric has been a part in the Indian culture over centuries especially in some parts like Andhra, tamil, Bengal. It is considered so sacred that in most parts of south India a dried turmeric tuber tied with string which is used temporarily or permanently as “Mangalasutra” of Hindus in India. We Indians make Small idol of Lord Ganesha, The God of Obstacles, using turmeric paste for devotional prayers during festivals and other auspicious moments.

what is the real science behind use of Tumeric?

Here are some scientific facts that i came to know while researching about this topic: (Though there are a lot many reasons which i don’t know).

Indians use Turmeric powder in cookings (though we add very little). Many people think they are adding Turmeric for colour. Though colour is also a reason which brings a beautiful golden glow to the curries, apart from this the main reason, which lot of people don’t know is that it acts as an anti-biotic which makes Food bacteria free for hours. The curmin in turmeric delay the liver damage which can eventually lead to cirrhosis. (proved experimentally at the Medical University Graz in Austria).

Turmeric helps in controlling the spreading of breast cancer to lungs (proven by researchers at university of texas). Some indian women apply turmeric paste to their faces and to their foot daily, and especially during marriages, festivals and other auspicious days. Doing so is a part of indian culture. The scientifc advantage is, it is useful to prevent and also to treat certain forms of skin cancer (Proven by researchers at university of texas) & Also helps to cure the cracks in the foot.

According to American Chemical Society, turmeric contains a wide range of antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also loaded with many healthy nutrients such as protein, dietary fiber, niacin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, sodium, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium and zinc. Because of these various factors Turmeric has a prominent role in treating many problems.

Turmeric also helps to :
1. Controls diabetes,
2. reduces cholestral,
3. boosts the immunity,
4. heals wounds faster,
5. prevents memory loss,
6. improves digestion,
7. cures cancer( completely not proven still under research).

There are still a lot many things about turmeric than I mentioned here. May be the ancient indians found this out a long time back and involved it as a part in everyday life.

We know that Turmeric is a part of our culture and our medicial technology since ancients and been in use for thousands of years. Yet in 1990s University of Mississippi medical center was awarded the patent on Turmeric and it’s exclusive use in healing wounds. However the patent was challenged by Indian Council scientific and industrial research 2 years later.  In 1997 the patent has been revoked, because of the strong evidences that prove the extensive use of turmeric ever since ancient period and it’s mentioning in sanskrit writings which date back to thousands of years.

The World is trying to learn, research and develop our ancient technologies and We Indians are insulting our culture in the name of modernization. Just because we don’t know the real scientific reasons behind our traditions and customs doesn’t mean they are superstitions and useless. However i agree not all the customs and traditions in our indian culture are apt today. They change according to the generation.

Jai Hind.