TURMERIC & HONEY

Origins of Turmeric
Turmeric, also known as Curcuma longa, is a large tropical plant that is native to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. It has historically been used for thousands of years in Asia for various purposes, including as a spice for cooking, for ceremonial use, as a dye due to the vibrant yellow colouring of the root, and for health benefits. It played an important role in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, traditionally being used to treat inflammation, to provide digestive support, and to aid the healthy functioning of the liver.

Nowadays, turmeric is still widely used in cooking and in teas. To obtain turmeric in its powdered form, the root of the plant is cut, dried, and powdered. The main active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, a natural polyphenol that is identified as a highly pleiotropic molecule.

Origins of Honey
Honey is a food substance produced by honey bees. Bees use the nectar of plants to create honey and store it in honeycombs, from where it can be collected by humans. Honey has traditionally been used by humans for thousands of years, playing an important role in Ayurveda, Egyptian medicine, Greek medicine, and Islamic medicine. It was used topically as an antibacterial ointment to treat wounds, infections, skin disorders, and scars, as well as orally for tooth and gum health and to treat coughs and sore throats.

Bees also produce a compound known as propolis, which is found in raw honey. Propolis is a resinous mixture that is formed by bees from a combination of natural substances including tree sap and beeswax. Similarly to honey, propolis has been used for thousands of years by humans to treat various ailments and it is thought that the suggested benefits of honey come from propolis.