Interview with Prof. Pratip Kr. Debnath, Deapartment of 
Kayachiktisa, JB Roy State Ayurvedic medical college and 
Hospital, Calcutta on Turmeric


1. Prof Debnath, you are an ayurvedic expert. Kindly tell us the significance of turmeric
2. How old is the use of turmericr? 
3. Where are the places turmeric is cultivated?
4. We understand that turmeric per se is not effective. 
It has to be linked with lime. your comments
5. You are a specialist in ayurved. How do you use it?
6. What are the recent researches in turmeric?


 

 

Comcom: Prof Debnath, you are an ayurvedic expert. Kindly tell us the significance of turmeric

Prof Debnath:

Haldi signified yellow colour. One of the  component of vibgyar and one of the seven colours of specturm. There is certain thing in this country which you may adopt as fundamental. We have a great  tradition in medicine. Dating from ancient times, turmeric     form the ancient plants - scientifically identified as congomolanga.


 

 

 

 

 

 

Comcom: How old is the use of turmeric? 

Prof Debnath: Use of turmeric dates back to ancient  vedic period.  Turmeric is a unique plant associated with diverse activities.

It is popularly known to the Indian community as a colour symbol. In our society besies its medicinal use, turmeric is  linked with different cultural events. 

In any ritual, for prosperity and success use of turmeric is a must.

It removes agitation and has a soothing effect on our mind, may be due to its bright lively colour. Not only turmeric is associated with all above, it forms an integral part in cuisne as curry powder. Turmeric enrich the odour of our food dishes. 
 



 

ComCom: Where are the places turmeric is cultivated?

Prof Debnath: Turmeric is cultivated in the most rockey soil of Java, China, India, Bangladesh as valuable item. The leaf of the plant resembles with lily flower and some funnel shaped yellow flower comes oun on maturation?

The underground stem or risom is the most important part under use. Till now, in rural areas, woment burn the heap of the plant and divert the funmes while suffering from headache due to cold.

This process also acts as mosquito and fly repellant. In earlier days it was used for fabric dyes. Even today for auspicious cermony people wear turmeric dyed clothes. Dried and grounded to a powder, on extraction, it gives a susbstance called cargumin. Cargumin has a  long history as a folk remedy and is still popular in many parts of the country as local application in sprains, and injuries.



 

 

ComCom: We understand that turmeric per se is not effective. It has to be linked with lime. your comments?
Prof Debnath: Most often turmeric powder is mixed with lime. It is observed that turmeric powder as such is not effective. As and when added with lime, the effective resistance cagumin? being insoluble by chemical process turns to soluble effective compound can easily penetrate through the skin to remove inflammation.

According to recent reports, the rizhome may also contain bacterial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi from the basis of the external application throughout the body. Ceremonially before marriage in an Hindu family, the application is part of the ritual. Besides, its scientific validated use as a folk medicine, its popularity is unparallelled. It is prescribed to remove gas frp, tje stomach and intenstine helping to relieve pain. 

Chicken pox lesions heal quickly with the help of turmeric paste. Cargumine helps to correct the liver function, stimulate the production of bile, and helps in the digestion of food. In indian literature, use of turmeric for beautification had surpassed in its socio cultural 
importance.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ComCom: You are a specialist in ayurved. How do you use it?
Prof Debnath: In ayurved turmeric is used in the treatment of diahorrea, along with pipes. In urinary tract infection th burning sensation during urination, haldi use is a remedy. 

For one infections to keep the liver healthy and for     maintenance of healthier lifestyle for prevention of diseases it is a common practice to consume green  turmeric and molasses in empty stomach.

Chewing of dried rhisome or powder along with ghee is beneficial. It has come out as an anti allergic. In conjuctivities, fresh juice is applied. In villages where leaches are common people use the powder to dislodge the leach sucking and to stop bleeding. In hoarseness of voice, turmeric powder help in providing clear voice by removing the inflammation.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ComCom: What are the recent researches in turmeric?
Prof Debnath: Recenctly turmeric became central point to global scientists for its multifaceted potentioal effects On evaluation cargumine is coming out as to prevent mutagenicity and as possible cure for cancer. There is a report that people living in orient part of the globe consume turmeric and are less sufferer of colonic cancer.

From cargumine a new drug is already in the market for the treat ment of rheumatic arthritis. Use of turmeric could cure peptic ulcer.

Efforts for patenting this precious plant could be averted It is expected that coming future, cargumine will appear as a saviour of human race.