Nature is amazing. It not only provides us with food but also matching flavor enhancing substances. One such substance is TURMERIC. 

We grow organic Turmeric at Shako Farm Organics. Turmeric is the ubiquitous popular bright spice that we use every day in our kitchen. But the use of turmeric is not restricted to only cooking. It has a wide range of applications spanning culinary, medicinal and cosmetic uses for beauty & health care. 

Why Turmeric? 

A staple spice

Turmeric is a staple spice in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, particularly in curries, lending its characteristic yellow color and warm, slightly bitter flavor. It is also used in mustards, pickles and various savory dishes. 

But what does Turmeric do for your body? Besides making food taste good, the effects of Turmeric come from curcumin, which is the active ingredient inside. This curcumin is very strong and has antioxidant properties, so it can help your body in many of different ways.

It is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties and provides other health benefits. Turmeric is used in Ayurvedic medicine.

A medicinal plant.

Anti-inflammatory: Turmeric has an active compound called curcumin. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties are used to address conditions like arthritis, joint pain and inflammatory bowel disease.

Antioxidant: Turmeric’s antioxidant properties help combat free radicals, potentially protecting against cell damage.   

Digestive Health: It is used to alleviate digestive issues like indigestion, bloating and stomach ulcers. Turmeric’s antimicrobial properties and antibacterial properties help our body fight off harmful germs.

Skin Conditions: Topical application of turmeric paste is used for skin conditions like acne, eczema and wound healing.

For Beauty & health care

Skin care: Turmeric is used as a face mask and also as a skincare product to improve skin complexion and address skin blemishes

Traditional Practices: In our culture Turmeric is used in paste form in bridal rituals to enhance skin radiance.

Other potential uses: 

Research is ongoing regarding turmeric’s potential benefits for various conditions, including heart health, brain health, and cancer prevention.

Why Shako Farm Organics?

1. Organic production: We grow Turmeric in our Organic plot. Our organic agricultural production prioritizes natural processes, biodiversity, and ecological balance by avoiding synthetic chemicals like pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilizers. 
2. Third party testing: We are transparent in all our processes. We not only carry organic certification from govt-approved accredited agencies but also send our farm produce for rigorous third-party testing for potency, purity and safety. We ensure that our product is free from contaminants, heavy metals and other impurities. 
3. Sustainability and Ethical Practices: We are dedicated to sustainable and ethical practices. Our Turmeric is produced with minimal environmental impact and our focus is on protecting both the planet and the communities involved in production. 

Key considerations 

• The bioavailability of curcumin is relatively low. Combining turmeric with black pepper (piperine) can significantly enhance absorption.

• While generally safe, excessive turmeric consumption may cause side effects in some individuals. 

• The Ayurvedic and Unani branch of medicine have been actively using Turmeric as a medicinal ingredient for ages.  This imparts a higher confidence index to this wonder spice. However, it is always a good idea to consult with a medical professional before beginning to use turmeric for its medicinal values. 

Is Turmeric Safe?

As a spice, Turmeric is usually considered safe for most people, provided it is used in measured quantity as per recipe recommendations. However, you should be aware of possible side effects and how to use it with caution. 

Potential Drug Interactions

Turmeric can mess with some medicines, like blood thinners and diabetes pills. If you take any such medicines, it’s important that you consult your doctor if you wish to use turmeric as in say Turmeric Latte. 

Health Benefit of Turmeric

Turmeric has many health benefits. 

1. Anti-Inflammatory: Turmeric can help calm down body inflammation. Curcumin helps your body fight swelling. Studies show that it might help resolve digestive issues and arthritis. The protective effects of curcumin may also help alleviate swollen bowels.
2. Antioxidant: Turmeric is a superhero – it can fight free radicals and protect your body from damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage our cells. As an antioxidant, Turmeric can help your body stay strong and fight aging and illness.
3. Potential Heart Health Benefits: By helping with swelling and damage, turmeric might keep your heart healthy. Studies say it can help fix problems in your heart and keep your cholesterol at the right level, so your blood flows well. Turmeric may help reduce high blood pressure.
4. Brain Health and Cognitive Function: Turmeric can help your brain learn and remember things. It might make more of a protein in your brain that’s important for learning. Some studies show that taking curcumin supplements can help older people remember things better and might stop a disease called Alzheimer’s.
5. Arthritis Relief: Because it helps in swelling/inflammation, turmeric can ease joint pain from arthritis. Studies show that it can make your joints feel less stiff and swollen.
6. Helps Fight Depression: Turmeric might help you feel happier. Studies say that curcumin can make more of a good stuff in your brain and help with feeling sad.
7. Helps Prevent Cancer: Turmeric is believed to help in fighting cancer. Studies suggest it may help stop bad cells from growing and help with cancers of the colon, prostate, and chest.

Can I Get all these Benefits from Adding Turmeric to My Food?

Putting turmeric in your food is yummy, but it might not be enough to get all the health benefits. That’s because there’s not a lot of curcumin in turmeric (only about 3%), and your body doesn’t absorb it well.

To help your body use it better, try adding black pepper -it’s the Piperine (alkaloid present in pepper) that makes curcumin easier to absorb. Also, cooking turmeric in oil can help.

If you want more curcumin, you might want to take turmeric supplements or turmeric extract. That way, you get a stronger dose. 

What is the dosage?

Even though turmeric is usually safe, eating too much can cause side effects. So, it’s important to stick to the right amount of curcumin and observe how your body responds to it. Consuming a high dose is not a good idea for any food/food supplements/spices that have medicinal value.

Negative Effects of Turmeric

Turmeric is usually safe, but it can have some possible side effects.

The negative effects of turmeric mostly happen when you take high doses or if your body is sensitive to it.

Here are some things that can happen:

1. Digestive Symptoms: Some people might experience an upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. This is often because their bodies cannot tolerate too much curcumin.
2. Blood Thinning: Turmeric can make your blood thinner. People who take blood thinner medicines or have problems with bleeding should be careful. It might make them bleed more easily.
3. Iron Deficiency: Turmeric can make it harder for your body to absorb iron. So, if you don’t have enough iron, watch how much turmeric you eat and talk to your doctor.
4. Liver Injury: There’s some worry that turmeric can hurt your liver, especially if you already have problems with your liver. People with liver problems should avoid turmeric.
5. Lead Poisoning: A few years ago, some turmeric was found to have lead in it, which is very bad for you. It’s important to buy turmeric from a good company that checks for lead.
6. Allergic Reactions: Some people might be allergic to turmeric and get a rash, itch, or hives. Always test a little bit on your skin first before you put it all over your face. Allergic reactions are also one of the adverse effects of turmeric. Also, it is important to note that children, older adults, and people with medical conditions should consult a doctor first.

Where To Find My Turmeric?

Why not source it from Shako Farm Organics? We grow turmeric in our organic plot and make it available to you in powder form. We handle both bulks as well as retail orders.