Turmeric in Ayurveda: more than a kitchen spice

Turmeric is probably the most familiar Ayurvedic herb in the world. In India, haldi is in almost every kitchen, used in daily cooking, in ceremonies and in traditional home care. Here is how Ayurveda thinks about it.

The plant

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a leafy plant of the ginger family. The part used is the rhizome, an underground stem with bright orange flesh. The rhizomes are boiled, dried and ground into the golden powder we know.

Turmeric in Ayurvedic tradition

In Sanskrit, turmeric is called Haridra. Ayurveda describes it as bitter and pungent, light, dry and warming, and says it balances all three doshas, especially kapha.

It is traditionally used to support the skin, the joints, digestion and overall wellbeing. It is also one of the most important herbs in traditional skin care.

Traditional ways to use turmeric

In cooking

The simplest way is daily cooking. Turmeric is usually cooked in oil or ghee with other spices at the start of a dish.

Haldi doodh (golden milk)

Warm milk with turmeric, often with a pinch of black pepper, ginger or cardamom, is a traditional evening drink.

Face packs (ubtan)

Turmeric mixed with gram flour and milk or rose water is a traditional face pack, especially before weddings. It can stain the skin yellow briefly, so a little goes a long way.

Supplements

Turmeric capsules contain either the powdered rhizome or a concentrated extract. They are often combined with black pepper.

Why black pepper?

Traditional preparations often pair turmeric with black pepper and fat, such as milk or ghee. Many modern turmeric supplements also include black pepper for this reason.

Who should take care?

Turmeric in food is widely used. Concentrated supplements are different: speak to your doctor first if you take blood-thinning medication, have gallbladder problems, are pregnant, or are due to have surgery.

In Girivana products

Turmeric is one of the key herbs in Pure Glow, alongside classical skin herbs such as manjistha and khadira.