Turmeric or Haldi is a vital spice in Indian cuisines that adds a lovely yellow tinge to dishes and offers many wellness benefits. Yes, turmeric is more than a condiment, the Ayurvedic system of medicine vouches for its incredible health benefits, and it has been used for ages for treating several health maladies. The potent bioactive compound curcumin is attributed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory traits that are valuable for uplifting overall health and beauty. Well, you have been using yellow turmeric for multipurpose, but have you heard about white turmeric? White turmeric or zedoary is also an age-old spice, which is the root of the Curcuma zedoraia plant that works magic for your skin, hair, and health. 

White Turmeric is a perennial herb that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family and is an indigenous plant to India and Indonesia. Though white turmeric is rarely used as a spice these days and has been replaced by ginger, it is still largely used in Asian cuisine. In Indonesia, white turmeric is often added to enhance the flavour of curries and rice dishes. Also, fresh, sliced white turmeric is used in making salads in Thailand. White turmeric has lighter flesh and flavour like ginger but has a bitter aftertaste.

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White Turmeric Plant

Curcuma Zedoaria is a herbaceous rhizome that resembles ginger in its shape and size. Each rhizome is multi-branched with transparent, pale-brown skin that darkens upon maturity. The Rhizome and off-shoot measure 5 to 12 centimetres long and the flesh is pale ivory to light yellow in hue. The aroma of white turmeric melds unripe, green mango, ginger, and a carrot's earthiness. The rhizome has a bitter flavour and mild spice, similar to ginger. It is available in the spring and all through the fall months.

It is known as Amba Haldi in Hindi, which translates to “mango turmeric, “indicating its camphor green mango aroma. It is used in Indian cooking as fresh Haldi or pickled. Other common names include Poolankilangu and Kachur. The rhizomes are widely cultivated in India and Indonesia for medicinal and culinary purposes.

White Turmeric Uses

White turmeric has been used since times immemorial in traditional medicine for treating menstrual disorders, dyspepsia, vomiting, and even cancer. The spice was highly valued for its rubefacient, carminative, expectorant, demulcent, diuretic, and stimulant actions. While the root is beneficial for curing flatulence, dyspepsia, cold, cough, and fever. Moreover, white turmeric is a natural remedy for healing acne and hyperpigmentation and removing unwanted hair in skincare, and its essential oil promotes hair growth.

Health Benefits

Promotes Digestive Health

White turmeric is greatly used to treat several gut problems and improve digestive health. Both herb and its essential oil are imbued with powerful healing traits that are helpful in treating colic, indigestion, poor appetite, worm infestation, flatulence, constipation, and spasms. Apart from these, it also works as a natural healer in averting stress-related ulcers.

Combats Inflammation

The strong anti-inflammatory activity of white turmeric works wonders in reducing inflammation. It supports getting rid of the body’s toxic materials and excess fluids in the joints, easing pain, and benefits people suffering from arthritis and rheumatism. The goodness of active compound curcumenol is responsible for its analgesic and wound healing actions. Besides these, it is helpful in healing wounds and other skin woes.

Rich Antioxidants

White turmeric is a storehouse of several antioxidants that impedes the growth of free radicals and oxidative stress of healthy cells. The compound curcumenol acts as an anti-allergen that averts the release of chemicals that initiate allergic reactions and trigger the immune system.

Promotes Skin Health

The natural skin soothing and calming properties of white turmeric work magic for optimising skin health and beauty. Regular use of this fantastic ingredient can heal skin problems like acne and dark spots and slows down signs of ageing. The topical application of white turmeric pastes onto the wounds helps in faster healing.

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Remedies Respiratory Problems

Excess accumulation of fluids like phlegm and mucus in the lungs is known to trigger respiratory problems. These fluids block the nasal passage and lead to breathing difficulties and other disorders like asthma, cough, and cold. Drinking white Haldi concoctions is beneficial in treating respiratory problems and enhancing lung health.