Turmeric
Native to tropical South Asia, Turmeric—often misspelled as Tumeric—thrives in temperatures between 20 and 30 degree Celsius with plenty of rain. After a process of boiling and then drying Turmeric in hot ovens, rhizomes are extracted from it, ground into a powder and used as a spice and dye. Curcumin, its active ingredient, has a peppery flavor and smells similar to mustard. Turmeric is used in many food products and can usually be found in curry powders.
Turmeric has demonstrated ability to compliment circulation and digestion. In India, it is used as an antiseptic to treat burns and cuts and Ayurvedic doctors value Turmeric for its fluoride. The United States National Institutes of Health is conducting four clinical trials to determine if curcumin is an effective treatment for pancreatic cancer, Alzheimer's and colorectal cancer. Curcumin has been used for thousands of years as a safe anti-inflammatory and may be an effective treatment for psoriasis. Finally, Turmeric has demonstrated some ability to help slow down the spread of some cancers.
