Tumeric Spice

The products: Humans have long believed in an almost magical connection between strong flavors and good health. The burn from the hot pepper? It must be energizing the body. The pungent tang of a raw oyster? It must be energizing a very particular part of the body. And the zingy sweetness of an Indian curry? For centuries, people in India have believed that the spice turmeric can ease digestive distress and arthritis. In recent years, scientists have taken an intense interest in curcumin, a bright-yellow compound in turmeric that seems to fight inflammation -- in test tubes and lab rodents, at least.

The products: Humans have long believed in an almost magical connection between strong flavors and good health. The burn from the hot pepper? It must be energizing the body. The pungent tang of a raw oyster? It must be energizing a very particular part of the body. And the zingy sweetness of an Indian curry? For centuries, people in India have believed that the spice turmeric can ease digestive distress and arthritis. In recent years, scientists have taken an intense interest in curcumin, a bright-yellow compound in turmeric that seems to fight inflammation -- in test tubes and lab rodents, at least.

Turmeric, the spice responsible for curry's yellow hue, has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic, or traditional Indian, medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Its active ingredient is curcumin, which is found in the plant's underground stem and is reputed to have antioxidant properties. Several studies are investigating the spice's anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer potential.

"Turmeric is the best," said Vasant Lad, an Indian-trained practitioner who runs the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque. But there may be other healing medicines in the Indian spice box hiding out among the cardamom, cinnamon, cumin and coriander. With high-tech laboratories now unraveling the mysteries of exotic ingredients from far-off cuisines, some scientists speculate that Indian cuisine itself may offer enhanced healing powers when certain ingredients are combined.

"Turmeric is the best," said Vasant Lad, an Indian-trained practitioner who runs the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque. But there may be other healing medicines in the Indian spice box hiding out among the cardamom, cinnamon, cumin and coriander. With high-tech laboratories now unraveling the mysteries of exotic ingredients from far-off cuisines, some scientists speculate that Indian cuisine itself may offer enhanced healing powers when certain ingredients are combined.

The goddess of turmeric brings color in life It is the ornament of married woman And any woman who puts turmeric in her purse, Her purse will never be empty An old Indian folk song praises turmeric, the golden spice from the East, for its power to bring beauty, good health and good luck to those who use and carry it. But in Indian medical lore, the pungent, woody-tasting powder is more precious still. Modern medicine is starting to sit up and pay attention.

The goddess of turmeric brings color in life It is the ornament of married woman And any woman who puts turmeric in her purse, Her purse will never be empty An old Indian folk song praises turmeric, the golden spice from the East, for its power to bring beauty, good health and good luck to those who use and carry it. But in Indian medical lore, the pungent, woody-tasting powder is more precious still. Modern medicine is starting to sit up and pay attention.

Turmeric, the spice responsible for curry's yellow hue, has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic, or traditional Indian, medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Its active ingredient is curcumin, which is found in the plant's underground stem and is reputed to have antioxidant properties. Several studies are investigating the spice's anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer potential.