With its colorful inflorescences, the turmeric plant looks quite exotic, which may give some hobby gardeners the impression that this plant poses a possible poisonous danger. This is actually the plant whose rhizomes provide the intense yellow color for curry powder.
Is the turmeric plant poisonous?
Turmeric plants are non-toxic to humans and animals. The rhizomes from which curry powder is obtained even have positive he alth effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. However, gloves should be worn when processing the tubers.
Non-toxic to humans and animals
Neither the leaves nor the tubers, which weigh up to 3 kg, are poisonous to humans or animals. However, when processing the tubers, the curcumin they contain can cause your hands to turn yellow if gloves are not worn.
Positive effects from consuming turmeric rhizomes
The turmeric species, which belong to the ginger family, are cultivated in India and China mainly for their rhizomes. Using them to prepare food is said to have the following positive he alth effects:
- antioxidant effect (anti-inflammatory, for example in arthritis)
- Prophylaxis against Alzheimer's
- alleged slowing of cancer cell growth
- Removal of mercury from the body
- Treatment of intestinal and respiratory diseases
Tip
The human body is generally very difficult to utilize the active ingredients contained in turmeric tubers. A combination with oil and black pepper (which contains piperine) is said to drastically increase the bioavailability of curcumin in the body.
