Turmeric (Curcuma longa), is a plant native to southwestern India. Its main ingredient is curcumin (responsible for providing the yellow color), it is also responsible for providing different beneficial properties to turmeric. It contains fundamental nutrients for our body, such as dietary fiber, niacin, vitamins C, E, K and minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium and zinc.

Turmeric is one of the most used spices in the kitchen as a coloring for rice, meat and a variety of dishes, and is part of the spices that give it color like curry. Throughout history, its use has extended much more, as for example, it has been used as a textile dye to dye cotton, wool, silk, leather, as well as paper, lacquer, varnish, wax, dyes, etc.

In India it is also known as Indian sulfur, in certain Latin American countries it is known as chopstick and in Colombia it is known as saffron root. It is a condiment widely used in traditional cooking and sold both in root and powder.

Benefits.

• It has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Relieves the symptoms of arthritis and osteoarthritis.
• Improves blood circulation.
• Reduces cholesterol levels.
• Regulates blood glucose levels and control diabetes.
• Useful to lose weight.
• Relieves gastric and gastroduodenal ulcers.
• It is antioxidant.
• It helps you to digest food well.
• It has a high expectorant power.
• Fight insomnia and depression.
• It promotes the healing of wounds and burns.
• Treats certain prostate problems.
• It helps the liver work properly.
• Among others.

Cultivation of turmeric.

• It can be sown at any time of the year.
• The cultivation of turmeric requires a lot of heat and humidity.
• This crop requires good solar exposure.
• They can be planted in pots, in orchards or directly on the ground.
• They develop on land with a relatively low PH, between 4.5 and 7.
• Open a hole in the ground to a depth the size of the rhizome (part of which the shoots will be born), place the root and cover with the same earth.
• The distance between the plants should be 40 cm.
• Water every day but avoid puddles.
• The soil or pot must have good drainage.
• Eliminate the weeds that grow around the plant.
• Between 6 and 10 months we can start the harvest.

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Recommendations.

• Consult your doctor before deciding on the natural.
• It should not be consumed during pregnancy in the form of a concentrated extract.
• It is not recommended for patients who take anticoagulant and antiplatelet treatments, such as aspirin.
• It should not be consumed in high doses or in very prolonged treatments.

Having turmeric at home as a condiment not only offers us the opportunity to enhance exquisite dishes, but it is also an excellent medicinal plant that gives us many health benefits.