Table of contents:
- Overview of information about white turmeric
- Benefits of white turmeric for health
- 1. Antimicrobial and antifungal
- 2. Natural allergy medicine
- 3. Anti-cancer
- 4. Maintain digestive health
- 5. Antidote for snake bite poison
- 6. Pain relief
Turmeric is a spice that belongs to the ginger family. Orange turmeric, which is more commonly found and processed into daily cooking, has proven many benefits. Well, the sibling of orange turmeric, the white turmeric, turns out to have different ingredients but is equally effective in treating various types of diseases. Come on, see for more details.
Overview of information about white turmeric
White turmeric or often called Zedoaria (Curcuma Zedoaria) is a type of plant that can be used almost all of its parts for medicine, such as roots, oils and leaves. This plant is native to India and Indonesia, but has also been cultivated in Europe, the United States and various other Asian regions. This plant is often found in several countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, China, Japan, Brazil, Nepal and Thailand.
This turmeric has softer flesh and tastes very similar to ginger, although it leaves a trace of a bitter taste at the end. White turmeric is now rarely used as a cooking spice and is often replaced by ginger. However, in some Asian dishes, turmeric is still used. In Indonesia, white turmeric powder is often added to curry dishes. In Thailand, white turmeric slices are used as a flavor refresher in salads.
This plant also contains essential oils, starch, and curcumin. The essential oil from white turmeric is believed to reduce the effects of certain free radicals. In India, this plant is used traditionally for the treatment of menstrual pain, ulcers, vomiting, and cancer.
Benefits of white turmeric for health
1. Antimicrobial and antifungal
White turmeric exhibits potent antimicrobial and antifungal activity. Research has proven that white turmeric extract can fight several species of bacteria that can cause disease, such as E. coli causes of many digestive disorders such as diarrhea and food poisoning, as well as and Staphylococcus aureuscauses of boils, impetigo, cellulitis, sepsis, and osteomyelitis.
White turmeric extract can also fight fungal infections Candida and Aspergillus. White turmeric can also reduce the number of bad bacteria in the mouth with results equivalent to mouthwash products on the market.
2. Natural allergy medicine
White turmeric contains curcuminoids compounds that are useful as anti-allergies and are proven to treat symptoms of allergic skin reactions. Turmeric works like an antihistamine to inhibit the activity of proteins that cause inflammation and prevent the release of histamine, a chemical that triggers an allergic reaction.
3. Anti-cancer
White turmeric is believed to inhibit cancer metastasis or the spread of cancer from one organ to another. However, its effectiveness in overcoming cancer still requires further research.
4. Maintain digestive health
For thousands of years, white turmeric has been used to treat digestive problems. This pale turmeric essential oil is reported to be useful in the treatment of colic, muscle spasms, decreased appetite, intestinal worms, flatulence, infrequent bowel movements, and a bitter tongue. It is also a natural aid in preventing stress-induced intestinal inflammation.
5. Antidote for snake bite poison
White turmeric can also be an antidote for snake bite poisoning because its extract works to inhibit snake venom activity.
6. Pain relief
Turmeric is a better analgesic than aspirin because it contains natural compounds that can help relieve pain. This native Indonesian spice has been used since the time of our ancestors to treat ulcerative colitis. It is also used to protect the lungs of asthma patients by suppressing inflammation in the bronchi that can cause narrowing of the airways during short-term therapy.
Another benefit of turmeric is as an anti-inflammatory, thanks to its diuretic content. Therefore, this spice is believed to be able to treat joint pain due to rheumatism and arthritis. The diuretic properties of zedoary support the elimination of toxic substances from the body and excess fluid, especially in the joints. If there is no detoxification, it can cause inflammation and pain in cases of arthritis and rheumatism. White turmeric also reduces body temperature during fever by fighting infection and promoting sweating.
And as mentioned above, zedoaria can be used to relieve menstrual pain. However, some experts suggest that turmeric should not be used by women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding.
