Recently, there has been a new trend of taking ORS for Sahur. People are now of the habit of drinking the oral rehydration salts mixture during or immediately after the pre-dawn meal in Ramadan. This habit is more prevalent in Kano State, even though other states have...
6 Benefits of Turmeric I Bet You Didn’t Know About
This Is What I Learned About Vaginal Yeast Infections While Interning At A Hospital
Have you heard of Vaginal Yeast infections? I ran into an old secondary school classmate at the university clinic where I interned. She came in with a medical report for a test to be carried out. Upon carrying out the test and dispatching the results, she...
How to Make Alkaki Hausa Snack
Alkali is a Hausa snack prepared with local ingredients by the Hausa people. It is a snack served to visitors, mostly during special occasions. Like at weddings, it is usually prepared in large quantities for the bride to welcome her visitors and well-wishers. There...
How to Make Tuwon Semovita (Yadda Ake Tuwon Semo)
Semovita is a popular Nigerian food commonly eaten in many parts of Nigeria. In this write-up, I will teach you how to make Tuwon Semovita. It is very smooth, moldable, and easy to prepare. In addition, it is prepared just like Tuwon Masara, Tuwon Dawa, and the like...
Have you ever been curious about the ginger-like spice called “turmeric”? Well, curiosity kills the cat, they say, and I’m about to do that, but literally by telling you some turmeric benefits I bet you didn’t know about.
Turmeric, popularly called Kurkur in Hausa, is not just a ginger-like spice or a cousin to ginger; its morphology is that of a rhizome, and it is grown and found underground.
Turmeric could either be fresh or dried. The dried ones are ground into powder, which gives them that distinct yellow color.
Where Did Turmeric Originate from?
It is believed that turmeric originated in India, as we all know, India is the land for spices of all varieties, such as black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, etc. Other countries are Asia, Thailand, South Africa, and our very own country, Nigeria.
Nigeria is a developing country, and in regard to that, we are very involved in anything and everything. Nigeria is a major producer of spices over the years and subsequently very much involved with providing health benefits associated with many other common spices.
What are the Turmeric Benefits I didn’t Know About?
Now that you’ve grasped what turmeric is, looks like and where it originated from, let’s take it up a notch. In this article, I’ll be sharing with you some health benefits associated with turmeric.
But before that, let’s talk a little about chemistry. Just a little, I mean who likes Chemistry, right? Not me!
The active ingredient that gives turmeric all its benefits below is “Curcumin”. Curcumin is a chemical compound found in turmeric which is responsible for the distinct yellow color.
In its active ingredient, it is potent as it is packed with powerful biological properties which include anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antibacterial, etc.
Other than the anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial properties of turmeric, another added benefit is in anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Anti-inflammatory is a biological property found in turmeric that helps in reducing irritation, inflammation, or swelling. This is mostly seen on the skin when we have irritation or an allergy to something, it swells and itches. On the other hand, anti-oxidants help in preventing or slowing damage to cells. In a short sentence, these two help in fighting and repairing damage in the body.
In curcumin, these properties are found in and such, turmeric is blessed with health benefits and skincare benefits.
Remember I said just a little, well that’s it. Now, let’s explore.
1. Turmeric Helps Fight Depression and Arthritis
Turmeric is believed to help in relieving pain mostly in athletes and in general. Studies have shown that turmeric can help manage pain in arthritis and depression.
2. One of The Benefits of Turmeric is Improving Liver Function
Remember the biological properties – antioxidant and anti-inflammatory? As a result of this, turmeric helps reduce the risk of many diseases including heart, diabetes, and certain cancers.
It has the potential to fight diseases and it is also found in pineapple, blueberries, kale, fish (salmon), tomatoes, olive oil, oranges, cherries, and spinach.
3. Turmeric Can be Used as A Colouring and Flavoring Agents
Turmeric is mostly used in powdered form and as much as it unlocks this turmeric benefit, it can also be used dried. This helps in giving our meal not just color but also flavor. Remember the distinct yellow color of turmeric, yeah.
It also is used in flavouring; I mean have you perceived turmeric? Its flavor is overwhelming, sits between bitter and sweet but it stains the recipe a lot with that abundant color.
Add a teaspoon of turmeric to your rice and you instantly get flavoured-coloured yellow rice!
4. Turmeric Aids in Digestion
Humans are the main consumer of this spice and as such, it aids in the digestion of food. Have a problem with indigestion? The active ingredients seen in curcumin contribute to healthy digestion due to its biological properties.
5. It Is Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetics is a feminine thing; we all know that but do you know that turmeric is incorporated in your cosmetics? Now you do!
Cosmetics involves chemicals and turmeric is a chemical. So why not?! Cosmetics are made to enhance one’s appearance and examples of them are concealer, primer, concealer, foundation, etc.
Don’t be surprised when you find curcumin in cosmetics product ingredients.
6. Turmeric is Used in Improving Skin Care and Health
This yellow magic can be effective in treating various skincare conditions, including acne, pimples, and psoriasis. Curcumin is packed with anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-oxidant properties and as such, it aids in this.
It is a culture among the Hausas to have their bride engage in “Dilka”. This is like a complete spa and skincare which involves her whole body being rubbed with turmeric to make her glow for her special day. Other tribes have most definitely involved themselves in this. You should too.
How Do We Add These Turmeric Benefits to Our Daily Lives?
Turmeric can be added to rice for a unique color and flavor.
Add a teaspoon of powdered turmeric to a face scrub for clearer skin.
Incorporate this into aloe vera gel and rice flour to make a face scrub. Add in aloe vera gel for smoother skin.
Add dried turmeric into boiling water, and mix with ginger for tea. This has been proven to cure sore throat.
Add a pinch or a teaspoon of turmeric to your smoothie for a unique taste (add my smoothie article)
Conclusion
In conclusion, let’s give curcumin a lot of credit, as it is the main reason why this rhizome is packed with these benefits. Have you made use of it to unlock these turmeric benefits?
With these highlighted above, I hope you make a move toward the next store to get the powdered form or the dried form. Don’t forget to tell me when you do.
Popular Reads
How to Make Faten Shinkafa (Yadda Ake Faten Shinkafa)
Fate is a Hausa term that means "anything in a watery form," and shinkafa means "rice." Therefore, Faten Shinkafa refers to a meal made using braised rice. The letter 'n' in the word 'Faten' simply denotes ownership. In this post, I'll share my knowledge of how to...
How to Prepare Masa Hausa Food
Masa/Waina/Rice pancake, whatever you call it, is a Northern Nigerian delicacy that is consumed mostly by the Hausa tribe, but other tribes eat it too. I know I do. It is delicious. There is a special rice for this delicacy called "the soft, short grain". This is...
How to Make Kosan Rogo (Cassava Cake)
Kosan Rogo is one of the various northern cuisines that many love. Its major ingredient is cassava. It is easy to make and tastes great when done well. Kosan rogo, also called Dan na rogo or Wainan rogo can be done in two major ways: either by using cassava flour or...
Dambun Shinkafa Recipe (Rice Couscous)
Dambun Shinkafa otherwise known as Rice Couscous is a northern Nigerian delicacy and is widely consumed by northerners. The recipe is made with braised rice. I love this recipe and I learned how to prepare it from my stepmother. Let’s get cooking. Equipment for Making...
How to Make Fanke Recipe The Hausa Way
Fanke, commonly known in English as Puff Puff, is a snack consumed by all, regardless of tribe, ethnicity, or financial status. Most people love it. Its major ingredient is wheat flour or semovita. The procedure for making Fanke with any major ingredients is the same....
How to Make Kunun Tamba (Yadda Ake Kunun Tamba)
Kunun Tamba is usually called Finger Millet Porridge in English. It is made using finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) which is an important millet grown extensively in various regions of India and Africa and constitutes a staple food for a large segment of the...
Should I Take Pain Relievers for Cramps?
Many ladies experiencing dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) have asked this question over and over again, "Should I take pain relievers for cramps?” Some have received “Yes" but have been battling with the question "What then should I take? Some have received “No"...
The Rise Of Aphrodisiac Sale In Arewa
Kayan Mata translates as "women's property." This category, Kayan Mata Hausa encompasses all of the products used by women. However, aphrodisiacs are more commonly referred to by this term. Aphrodisiacs are substances that arouse or are thought to arouse sexual...
Delicious Sponge Cake Recipe
Sponge cake (or yellow cake) is a soft, spongy, and delicious cake with a brownish outer surface and a whitish inner surface. This is made with lots of eggs, sugar, and flour, and I’ll be walking you through the sponge cake recipe. Equipment for Making Sponge Cake...
How to Make Banana Bread in 12 Easy Steps
Do you ever get bored of the same old bakery bread? Do you ever want to try something new with bread? If this thought has run through your mind, then how to make banana bread recipe is for you! Too often, I find bread to be bland and I tend to crave something new and...
Crocodile Hotel Kaduna Review and Detailed Guide
...
Bristol Palace Hotel Kano Review and Detailed Guide
...
The Tinubu and Abiola Connection
...
40 Fancy Boxes Lunch and Lunch Bags for all Ages and Genders
...
As Nigerians Head to The Polls, By Salim Yunusa
...
3 Kannywood Stars Contesting Elections in 2023
...
Naira Swap and Buhari’s Endless Search for A Legacy
...
The Top 10 Entries from the Mediahooch Creative Writing Challenge
...
The Best Kimono Styles to Own in 2023
...
What Next for Falalu Dorayi After Gidan Badamasi?
...
You May Also Like…
Reasons Why Suicide is Increasing in Northern Nigeria
Suicide is the intentional killing of oneself. In Nigeria, the suicide rates are about 17.3 per 100,000 people. This might seem like a small number until we consider that it is...
15 Foods That Will Boost Your Immune System
The immune system of your body has its own defence mechanism in fighting diseases off. It is important to keep our immunity in check. There are foods that boost the immune system...
How to Prepare Beans Porridge (Faten Wake)
Faten Wake, otherwise known as Beans Porridge in the English language, is a food consumed basically by almost all tribes in Nigeria. I seriously don't know any tribe that...
How to Prepare Kunun Gyada
As the name implies in Hausa, Kunun Gyada is derived from Kunu (meaning pap) and Gyada (meaning groundnut); when you put the two words together, you will have Kunu Gyada, meaning...
10 Benefits of Moringa Plant You Should Know About
Moringa is a plant known as Moringa oleifera and also known as “Zogale” in Northern Nigeria. This plant is medicinal from the leaves down to its root. Moringa plant benefits...
How to Prepare Fankasau
Fankasau recipe is a traditional snack that originated from the northern part of Nigeria – mostly among the Hausas. Its basic ingredient is flour and it is very easy to make and...
How to Prepare Moi Moi With Nylon
Moi Moi, (Beans Cake in English) also pronounced and spelled as Moin Moin is delicious, soft, fluffy and a must to try. It is called Alale or Alala by the Hausas, Olele/Elele by...
How to Make Your Kunun Tsamiya in 9 Easy Steps
Kunun Tsamiya recipe is a northern Nigerian delicacy that is mainly made from powdered millet and tamarind (tsamiya) – that is where the name even came from. It is a very common...
10 Foods Every Pregnant Woman Should Take
https://unsplash.com/photos/uQs1802D0CQ Women have always wondered what kind of nutritious foods to take during pregnancy with all the hunger pangs and cravings. What snack or...
0 Comments