Magical and Medicinal Properties of Turmeric

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun or Jupiter
Element: Fire
Powers: Beauty, Confidence, Courage, Healing, Luck, Purification

Magical Uses and History: The use of turmeric dates back nearly 4000 years to the Vedic culture in India where it had both religious and culinary significance. In Vedic texts, turmeric is referred to by 53 synonyms, each denoting different properties, both magical and nonmagical. For example turmeric is referred to as mangal prada meaning luck bringer, laxmi meaning prosperity, pavitra meaning holy, and hridayavilasini meaning giving delight or charming. As such, turmeric is widely accepted in Hindu culture to be sacred, bringing protection, luck, and even fertility when used correctly. In Ramayana, turmeric is one of eight sacred ingredients used to perform Surya Arghya, the practice of offering water to the Sun God. Performing such a ritual is believed to bring blessings, prosperity, and protection, thus furthering turmerics association with these properties. In Hinduism, turmeric is also associated with the goddess Uma or Parvati, a fertility goddess who rules over marriages and crops. As such, turmeric has found its way into a number of Hindu wedding practices, including haldi ceremonies. During a haldi ceremony, relatives and friends come together to apply a turmeric paste (haldi) on the bride and groom's face and body to cleanse and purify the mind, body, and soul, and bring prosperity and fertility to the new couple. It's also believed to prevent evil spirits from harming the couple before being wed. In other traditions, a string, known as mangala sutra, is dyed yellow with turmeric paste and tied around the bride's neck by the groom to indicate the woman is married and running a household, similar to the exchange of wedding rings in Western culture. Slices of turmeric are also commonly worn as a protection amulet. As such, turmeric can be used in a variety of spells and rituals for protection, luck, prosperity, or fertility.

By 1200 AD, turmeric had spread to China, East Africa, and West Africa where it was quickly adopted into local customs and traditions. Its vibrant yellow coloring and staining ability led to it being used to dye clothing and thread for centuries. Buddhists used turmeric to dye their robes the saffron-yellow still seen today, as turmeric was believed to help purify and protect the wearer. As such, turmeric is perfect for creating magical inks, dying sachets and poppets, or adding color to sweetening jars and other similar spells. Because of its vibrant yellow color and warming nature, turmeric is perfect for spells and rituals for confidence, courage, strength, and happiness.

Apart from ceremonial uses, turmeric was also used in culinary dishes and folk medicine. In Ayurvedic practices, turmeric was used to strengthen one's energy, relieve gas, dispel worms, improve digestion, regulate menstruation, and even relieve arthritis. In southern Asia, turmeric paste was used to cleanse wounds, especially for mild cuts, burns, and bruises. In traditional Chinese medicine, it was used to treat abdominal pain. Turmeric has also been widely used to reduce aging, wrinkles, and skin blemishes when used as a face mask. This is only the tip of the iceberg regarding the historical medicinal uses of turmeric making it perfect for healing spells and rituals, especially those related to stomach issues. Add to healing sachets and brews or even burn as an incense for the same purpose. Because of its associated with beauty, turmeric can also be used in beauty and glamour spells and rituals, especially when applied as a face mask.

Turmeric can be used in a number of spells including:

    Glamour Magic
    Communication Spells

    Luck Spells

    Protection Magic

    Healing Spells
    Banishing Magic

Medicinal Uses: Tumeric has long been used to treat a variety of ailments. It is a natural detoxicant, helping to remove inflammation and countering infection within the stomach and small intestine and stimulating bile production in the liver. Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it's also used to treat nausea, gastritis, high blood cholesterol, arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties, it's useful in topically treating candidiasis and other mild skin infections.

Preparation and Dosage: To create an infusion, combine a 2-inch piece of fresh turmeric root sliced thinly with 1 cup water in a sauce pan. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce the heat to simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly before drinking. Drink up to three times a day. To make golden milk, a popular turmeric decoction, combine 2 cups of milk with 1 teaspoon ground turmeric, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, a pinch of black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or honey to a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce the heat to simmer for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid scalding the milk. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly before enjoying. Drink up to three times a day. To create a poultice or paste, combine one part ground turmeric with 1/2 parts water. Stir to form a thick paste and apply to the affected area. The paste can be used to treat minor wounds, acne, hyperpigmentation, or wrinkles. Turmeric paste is safe to use as a face mask for 10 minutes at a time.

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