and grooms are anointed with Turmeric on their wedding day in order to balance their mind, body and spirit and prepare them for their new roles as husband and wife. In addition, mixing Turmeric with lime creates the distinctive red forehead mark of spiritual followers – the kumkuma. Turmeric is also added to the water used daily in the ritual ablution of the Deities and mixed with unpolished rice as an important offering during puja (prayer).

Turmeric and the Fight against Cancer and Other Diseases
Ayurvedic doctors have long used Turmeric as a medicine for treating diabetes, wounds/bruises, skin rashes, arthritis, bronchitis and liver problems. Today, Western medicine is discovering that this powerful spice also can help the body battle cancer. Recently, researchers at Detroit’s Henry Ford Health System found that the active ingredient in Turmeric,

curcumin, can boost the cancer-fighting power of treatment with a naturally occurring molecule called TRAIL, which helps combat cancer cells. Other studies have found Turmeric to be as effective as hydrocortisone in treating cases of arthritis and acute inflammation – without side effects. Turmeric also has important antibacterial properties and is effective in killing Salmonella and E. Coli bacteria.

Turmeric and Beauty
Asian women rely on Turmeric to help them achieve younger-looking, smoother, brighter and radiant skin. This ancient “beauty secret” is often applied to the body in paste form before a bath to cleanse and revitalize the skin, achieving tighter pores and refined skin texture. Turmeric also is widely recognized to have antioxidant qualities, which fight free radicals and thereby help slow the aging process. For such skin problems as rashes or acne, sandalwood extract is often added to the formula to enhance its antibacterial action.

Ayurveda may be a new approach to skin care, but it is a time-honored philosophy of wellness, according to Carina Chatlani, who studied the ancient Vedic texts in the Himalayas. Working alongside Tibetan and Indian sages, she grew herbs, extracted essences and created plant oils according to 5,000-7,000 year old practices. Determined to bring the healing benefits of Ayurveda to the Western community, Chatlani earned her degree in Biological Sciences, and then embarked on the long and arduous process of developing, testing and refining formulas.