Turmeric
Other plantsThe Bridal Ritual
In India, turmeric does more than color food: it also plays a part in weddings. In some Hindu traditions, turmeric paste is applied to the bride's face and body before the ceremony. This purification ritual is associated with good luck, fertility, and prosperity: a way of wishing her a happy life before her marriage.
Medicinal properties
Rhizome
Traditionally used in herbal medicine as an anti-inflammatory to help relieve joint pain. In 2020, a study involving 70 people observed a reduction in knee osteoarthritis pain after 12 weeks with a turmeric extract.
Rhizome
Traditionally used to aid digestion and relieve feelings of heaviness and bloating. The dried rhizome is notably prepared as an herbal tea or as a powder taken by mouth.
Recipe
Turmeric Powder
- Plant part
- rhizome
- Duration
- 6 to 12 hours of drying, then grinding
Ingredients
- Fresh, firm, mold-free turmeric rhizomes
Preparation
- Wash the rhizomes thoroughly under running water to remove soil, then pat dry.
- Cut into thin slices, 1 to 2 mm thick.
- Arrange the slices in a single layer on food dehydrator trays, without overlapping.
- Dry at 57°C (135°F) for about 6 to 12 hours. The slices should be completely dry and brittle; continue drying if they remain flexible.
- Let cool completely before grinding.
- Place the dried pieces in a clean, dry coffee grinder.
- Grind in short pulses to limit heat buildup in the powder.
- Wait for the dust to settle before opening, then pass the powder through a fine sieve.
- Grind any pieces remaining in the sieve again.
- Transfer the powder to a small, dry, airtight jar. Label with the plant's name and the date, then store away from light and moisture.
Sources and references
- Wang Z et al. Effectiveness of Curcuma longa Extract for the Treatment of Symptoms and Effusion-Synovitis of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2020;173(11):861-869.
- University of Guam, Land Grant Extension Service. Turmeric Powder. EXT-07-2025, p. 3.
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Plants of the World Online: Curcuma longa L. General information, cultural uses.
- Althea Provence. Faire une teinture : la percolation. Technique de pulvérisation et de tamisage des plantes séchées.
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Plants of the World Online: Curcuma longa L.
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products. Curcumae longae rhizoma - Turmeric herbal medicinal product summary.
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products. Final European Union herbal monograph on Curcuma longa L., rhizoma - Revision 1. EMA/HMPC/329755/2017.
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products. Final assessment report on Curcuma longa L., rhizoma - Revision 1. EMA/HMPC/749518/2016.
- Health Canada. Natural Health Product Monograph: Turmeric - Curcuma longa - Oral. September 26, 2025.
- Health Canada. Summary Safety Review - Turmeric and Curcuminoids for Oral Use - Assessing the Potential Risk of Hepatotoxicity.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Turmeric: Usefulness and Safety.
- Tian WW, Liu L, Chen P, Yu DM, Li QM, Hua H, Zhao JN. Curcuma Longa (turmeric): from traditional applications to modern plant medicine research hotspots. Chinese Medicine. 2025;20(1):76.
