People in Asia have used the spice as a medicine for thousands of years, she learned. “But it hasn’t been researched too much in terms of wound healing,” Ishita found.
In response to what she learned, the teen created her first version of TurmBand in 2022. She showcased it at ISEF that year in Atlanta, Ga. Her prototype was made of organic cotton cloth. It contained a padded area smeared with turmeric and shea butter to help the spice stick. Hook-and-loop tape sealed the bandage shut.