Books in Malayalam
1. Ginger & Turmeric (Malayalam), Author: K.V.V.Nair, Published by The Kerala Language Institute, ISBN : 978 81 7638 783 5
2. Ayurveda Darshanam (Malayalam), Author: Vaidya Bhooshanam Raghavan Thirumulpad, Published by The Kerala Language Institute ISBN 978 81 7638 670 8
Web References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deer_musk
Deer musk is a substance with a persistent odor, obtained from a gland of the male musk deer situated in its back/rectal area. The substance has been extensively used as a perfume fixative, incense material, and medicine, since ancient times. It was and still is one of the most expensive animal products in the world. The name originates from the Persian word moshk meaning "deer's navel"
http://webneel.com/kolam-designs
Indians love colours and its natural to show the love for colors in many ways. Indian rangoli is an unique art work which is practiced throughout India. All houses are adorned with these beautiful kolam, kolam designs, rangoli kolams during special occasions like festivals, marriage etc. There are many rangoli or kolam patterns which are used to make colourful designs on the floor. Kolam competitions are held every year to encourage this unique art. Here are a collection of Beautiful Kolam designs which you can try at your home.
http://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=agriculture_facultypubs
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/turmeric
Turmeric has anticancer effects. In patients with colorectal cancer, oral curcumin administered during the pre-surgery waiting period improved cachexia and the general health of patients (21). In a phase II trial of oral curcumin in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, no treatment-related toxic effects were observed, and clinically relevant biological activity was seen in two patients despite limited absorption (22). In another study, supplementation with a blend of green tea, pomegranate, broccoli and curcumin resulted in a reduction in the rate of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) increase among men with prostate cancer following a PSA relapse post-radical treatment (
http://www.hoajonline.com/genetics/2054-1112/1/2
Turmeric belonging to the familyzingiberaceae is used in Indian culinary and is an important spice crop having many medicinal properties. It is known that dietary substances like turmeric may also inhibit the genotoxic potential of some chemical carcinogens]. In addition a careful evaluation of possible toxicological and gentoxicological consequences for human health transplacental and transgeneration effects is necessary as humans will be largely exposed to potent inhibitors of carcinogenesis. In particular it may be of much interest to evaluate the effect of turmeric towards B(a)P toxicity. This study is proposed to identify the in vivoantigenotoxic potential using dominant lethal mutation test in B(a)P exposed, turmeric fed animals and evaluate the role of turmeric in counteracting the germ cell mutations.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27114942
The color of turmeric ( jiāng huáng) is because of a substance called curcumin. It has different pharmacological effects, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Nicotine is a major pharmacologically active substance in cigarette smoke. It is mainly metabolized in the liver and causes devastating effects. This study was designed to evaluate the protective role of curcumin against nicotine on the liver in mice
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27114312
Recent research has demonstrated that advanced liver fibrosis in patients could be reversed, but no approved agents are available for the treatment and prevention of liver fibrosis in humans. Curcumin (CUR) is the principal curcuminoid of turmeric. Inhibitory effects of CUR and its underlying mechanisms in liver fibrogenesis have been explored. In the present study, we hypothesized that epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the protective effects of CUR against liver fibrosis.
http://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=agriculture_facultypubs
The role of curcumin , one of the most studied chemopreventive agents, on antiinflammatory and cancer activity has been well appreciated. Data from cell culture, animal research, and clinical trials indicate that curcumin may have potential as a therapeutic agent in diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, arthritis, and chronic anterior uveitis. The anti-cancer effect has been reported in a few clinical trials, mainly as a chemoprevention agent in colon and pancreatic cancer, cervical neoplasia and Barrets metaplasia.
Recent in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical trials in China and USA suggest that curcumin might be one of the most promising compounds for the development of Alzheimer's disease therapies [37]. Accumulating evidences suggest that curcumin (1) may regulate lipid metabolism, which plays a central role in the development of obesity and its complications [38]. Recently, it was found that curcumin (1) and demethoxycurcumin (2) can reduce lead-induced memory deficits in rates [39]. Turmeric oils/oleoresin or a major compound ar-turmerone (99) have shown antimicrobial [40-43], larvicidal [44], and antioxidant activities [45]. Essential oils of Curcuma also exerts triglyceride-lowering activity on serum as well as liver triglycerides [46].
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27094023
Recent in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical trials in China and USA suggest that curcumin might be one of the most promising compounds for the development of Alzheimer's disease therapies [37]. Accumulating evidences suggest that curcumin (1) may regulate lipid metabolism, which plays a central role in the development of obesity and its complications [38]. Recently, it was found that curcumin (1) and demethoxycurcumin (2) can reduce lead-induced memory deficits in rates [39]. Turmeric oils/oleoresin or a major compound ar-turmerone (99) have shown antimicrobial [40-43], larvicidal [44], and antioxidant activities [45]. Essential oils of Curcuma also exerts triglyceride-lowering activity on serum as well as liver triglycerides [46].
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/turmeric
In addition, curcumin lowers the levels of two enzymes in the body that cause inflammation. It also stops platelets from clumping together to form blood clots. Research suggests that turmeric may be helpful for the conditions such as Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Ulcerative colitis, Stomach Ulcers, Osteoarthritis, Heart Disease, Cancer, Bacterial and Viral Infections, Uveitis, Neurodegenerative Conditions:
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-662-turmeric.aspx?activeingredientid=662
It is also used for headaches, bronchitis, colds, lung infections, fibromyalgia, leprosy, fever, menstrual problems, itchy skin, recovery after surgery, and cancers. Other uses include depression, Alzheimer's disease, swelling in the middle layer of the eye (anterior uveitis), diabetes, water retention, worms, an autoimmune disease called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), tuberculosis, urinary bladder inflammation, and kidney problems.
Some people apply turmeric to the skin for pain, ringworm, sprains and swellings, bruising, leech bites, eye infections, acne, inflammatory skin conditions and skin sores, soreness inside of the mouth, infected wounds, and gum disease.
http://easyayurveda.com/2013/10/23/turmeric-curcuma-longa-benefits-usage-dose-side-effects/
Turmeric side effects –Excess use of turmeric, especially during summer can cause increase in hotness
http://www1.american.edu/ted/turmeric.htm
Turmeric is a tropical herb grown in East India, and the powdered product made from the rhizomes of its flowers has several popular uses worldwide. Turmeric powder, which has a distinctive deep yellow color and bitter taste, is used as a dye, a cooking ingredient, and a litmus in a chemical test, and has medicinal uses as well. In the mid-1990s, this product became the subject of a patent dispute with important ramifications for international trade law. A U.S. patent on turmeric was awarded to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1995, specifically for the "use of turmeric in wound healing." This patent also granted them the exclusive right to sell and distribute turmeric.[1] Two years later, a complaint was filed by India's Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, which challenged the novelty of the University's "discovery," and the U.S. patent office investigated the validity of this patent. In India, where turmeric has been used medicinally for thousands of years, concerns grew about the economically and socially damaging impact of this legal "biopiracy." In 1997, the patent was revoked. But for two years the patent on turmeric had stood, although the process was non-novel and had in fact been traditionally practiced in India for thousands of years, as was eventually proven by ancient Sanskrit writings that documented turmeric�s extensive and varied use throughout India�s history. Many developing countries are concerned that the globalization of intellectual property rights under the WTO's TRIPs agreement, and the negative consequences it has for traditional indigenous knowledge and biodiversity
Image Courtesy
http://rasaayurveda.com/2009/12/manjal-good-as-gold/
Growing turmeric
http://www.therainforestgarden.com/2011/12/how-to-grow-turmeric.html
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/organic-herbs/growing-turmeric