Grow Your Own Turmeric (Curcumin) for Your Medicine Cabinet

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Lately, turmeric (curcumin) has been the most talked about herb with amazing healing properties. The Chinese have used this herb for several thousand of years as medicine. In India, it has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for several thousand of years as well. You can find curcumin supplement in health stores such as GNC or Vitamin Shoppe. What makes this herb so special? Well….it can relieve pain and promote healing. It is also a great source of vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium.

This medicinal plant was originally from Asia. Surprisingly this one of the easiest herb to grow. You can have your own access of turmeric for your own medicinal need in your garden. With beautiful flowers this herb makes an ornamental garden piece, as well. However it takes minimum of two years before the plant matures and bloom flowers.

You can practically take common turmeric root from an Asian grocery store and plant it in the ground and then watch it grow. It is that easy! In the grocery store, they are found with ginger. Turmeric look like tiny yellow fingers.

To grow turmeric in your garden, plant them 4 inches deep. Turmeric grows best in moist soil that is well drained so watering it is a must. It can be grown indoors in a large pot.

In general turmeric is a tropical plant and requires plenty of sun. However, there are variety of species that can thrive in colder climates. Some being more exotic and beautiful, like purple or pink blooming flowers.

Harvest the turmeric during fall and remember to leave a root in the ground so next spring it can bloom again so you can have your unlimited supply of turmeric. Store turmeric in a paperbag and in a dry area to keep it from rotting. Never store it in plastic bags.

Turmeric is commonly used as a spice and for curry dishes. It has a bitter taste to it. So if you are ingesting turmeric for medicinal use understand that it is rather bitter by itself.  It can be mixed with honey to diffuse the bitter taste.

Other uses:

Tumeric have a bright yellow color to it and it is commonly used as dye in other parts of the world. Be very careful with clothing because it can stain it.

Caution:

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, turmeric should not be taken when pregnant because it can abort the fetus. A good book to read on properly using Chinese herbs is Dan Bensky book of Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, (3rd Edition.)

Better yet, if you want professional counseling on using Chinese herbs for healing, seek a licensed acupuncturist. Many acupuncturist who practices prescribing herbs commonly prescribe curcumin in an herbal formula.

Sources:

www.ecoyardfarming.com/all/growing-turmeric-the-health-benefits-of-curcumin/

www.gardeningblog.net/how-to-grow/turmeric/

www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/turmeric/growing-turmeric-plants.htm

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydu_0ZGN4Rs

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNgGrogSf98

www.amazon.com/Chinese-Herbal-Medicine-Materia-Medica/dp/0939616424/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419041636&sr=8-1&keywords=dan+bensky

About the author:
E. Wong is a licensed acupuncturist in Texas that practices Traditional Chinese Medicine. With over 30 years of training in Tai Chi and Qi Gong, he shares his knowledge with his student as a Tai Chi and Qi Gong instructor.

He believes in being a responsible denizen of this planet through actions such as recycling, alternative energy, and green living.

For more info, please visit:

www.HeavenlyNeedles.com

www.BellaireYogaTaiChi.com

ewong
Edward Wong is a licensed acupuncturist in Texas that practices Traditional Chinese Medicine. He is an alumni of American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
His acupuncture website is HeavenlyNeedles.com.

Edward has been practicing Tai Chi and Qi Gong for over 30 years. You can find more info on BellaireYogaTaichi.com