Non-toxic for humans and animals
Neither that leaves, nor the bulbs, which can weigh up to 3 kg, are poisonous for humans or animals. However, due to the curcumin it contains, the hands may turn yellow when processing the tubers if gloves are not worn.
Positive effects from eating the turmeric rhizomes
The turmeric species, which belong to the ginger family, are cultivated in India and China mainly for their rhizomes. Their use for the preparation of meals is said to have the following positive health effects:
- antioxidant effect (anti-inflammatory, for example in arthritis)
- Prophylaxis against Alzheimer's
- alleged slowing down the growth of cancer cells
- Removal of mercury from the body
- Treatment of intestinal and respiratory diseases
Tips
As a rule, the human body can only utilize the active ingredients contained in the turmeric tubers very poorly. A combination with oil and black pepper (which contains piperine) is said to drastically increase the bioavailability of curcumin in the body.