Turmeric...

Turmeric is an excellent herb. It originated in India and it has more medical values. Turmeric reached the western part of the world through Britishers and they took fair amount of turmeric from India during their rule. In medieval Europe, turmeric became known as Indian Saffron, since it is widely used as an alternative to far more expensive saffron spice. Turmeric is basically used as coloring agent in food used and as a significant ingredient in most commercial curry powders. In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is thought to have many medicinal properties and many in India use it as a readily available antiseptic for cuts, burns and bruises. Practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine say it has fluoride which is thought to be essential for teeth. It is also used as an antibacterial agent. Turmeric also finds its application in cosmetics, it is used for producing sunscreen lotions and Indian women apply turmeric paste in order to keep them away from superfluous hair. It is also used as fabric dye and used as an ant repellent in garden. The exact reasons why turmeric repels ants is unknown, but anecdotal evidence suggests it works. The largest and most important trading centre for turmeric in Asia or perhaps in the entire world is Sangli , a state in southern part of Indian state Maharashtra.