Turmeric has been used in many civilizations for thousands of years now. The true origin of turmeric is vague to everyone but it was said that its history can be traced to 4,000 years ago in India. Back then, it was used as herb mainly for cooking. They use it for religious activities and rituals too.
For the Indo-European people were said to worship turmeric for its golden-yellow color because it look like the color of the sun. They call the practice Arya where they worshipped the solar system and associated it to plants where they awarded special protection. Furthermore, Turmeric was utilized as a dye in ancient times because its color is strong enough to provide colorful designs to clothes and fabric.
Also, Indian Hindu rituals were using turmeric during activities until now; it is a very sanctified herb for most of them. Based on Sanskrit medical text called Sushruta Samhita, it was discovered that turmeric was also an ancient medical remedy for disorders and diseases. It was used topically used for wounds and even hemorrhoids. Before, turmeric was used to treat jaundice.
Turmeric was also famous for Mesopotamians. Actually, indication that turmeric has emerged thousands of years ago is that clay tablets with engravings dating back to 650 B.C. showing turmeric as a spice, dye plant and stomach tonic.
By 700 A.D., Turmeric has extended to China. Chinese writings indicate turmeric as a source of yellow dye. Though, both China and India claim to be the first to use turmeric in the medical field.
As800 A.D. approaced, turmeric reached East Africa and then to West Africa in 1200 A.D. As a matter of fact, Marco Polo in 1280 exposed this herb and described it as similar to saffron.
In medical use, Indians are the first ones to use turmeric for medical purposes. Their writings pertain to turmeric as a potent herb for many diseases. It has many health benefits such as firming the body, relieving gas pains, improving digestion and assuaging arthritis pains. In Asia, civilizations use it as an antiseptic for wounds and burns.
