• Halad / हळद / Turmeric / Curcuma longa L.
  • Halad / हळद / Turmeric / Curcuma longa L.
1 2

Halad / हळद / Turmeric / Curcuma longa L.

Local Name: Halad / हळद

Common Name: Turmeric

Botanical Name: Curcuma longa L.

Halad / हळद / Turmeric / Curcuma longa L.
Halad / हळद / Turmeric / Curcuma longa L.

Status & Habitat

  • Habitat: Herb

  • Occurrence: Humid areas with lots of rainfall

  • Season of Availability: Monsoon

  • Geography: Indian subcontinent, southeast Asia

  • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation

  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Rhizome

  • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes

  • Ripe: Yes

  • Both Raw & Ripe: Yes

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: N/A

  • As Food: Rhizome powder is used medicinally or as a spice.

  • As Medicine: Paste of powder applied to skin as a face pack; drank with hot milk or honey to cure sore throats.

  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: N/A

  • Boiling Before Cooking: N/A

  • Pickling: Yes

  • Brining: N/A

  • Fermenting: N/A

  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A

  • Overall Method: Use rhizome powder as a spice in sweets, curries, salads, etc.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

  • Medicinal Benefit: Helps cure sore throat; clears skin; general immunity.

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Paste of powder applied to skin as a face pack; drank with hot milk or honey to cure sore throats.

Recipes

  • Tribal Recipe: Haldi doodh: Mix turmeric, cardamom, black pepper, ginger, cloves, and allspice in a bowl. Warm milk, then add honey and vanilla, stirring until dissolved. Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric mixture to milk, simmer for 2-3 minutes, and strain before serving.