I love spices. I love the way they taste. I love the way they smell. And I love that they all have their own medicinal healing properties. Today I am sharing with you some of awesome health benefits of turmeric, one of my favorite spices.
Turmeric is a rhizome of the ginger family and is known officially as Curcuma longa. It is sometimes also called Indian Saffron. This hearty, earthy root is dug up, baked, and ground into a vibrant orange powder. Turmeric imparts a slightly spicy,bitter flavor and widely used in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Southeast Asian cooking. Even though I adore turmeric for it’s culinary flavor, it’s the medicinal side of this amazing root that I want to talk about today.
Indian culture has long used turmeric to treat wounds, infections, and other health problems. It has been revered as “holy medicine.” Recent research is now confirming of these claims, and medical doctors are beginning to acknowledge the antioxidant, anti-cancer, antiviral properties of this root.
5 Amazing Health Benefits of Turmeric
1) Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory
Turmeric contains more than two dozen anti-inflammatory compounds, including six different COX-2-inhibitors (the COX-2 enzyme promotes pain, swelling and inflammation; inhibitors selectively block that enzyme.) In addition, curcumin, the main component in turmeric, lowers the levels of two other enzymes in the body that cause inflammation.
The University of British Columbia conducted a study that showed curcumin to be effective in inhibiting inflammation in arthritis.
Research has shown turmeric to be an effective anti-inflammatory in the treatment of conditions like arthritis, sports injuries, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, tendonitis and various autoimmune diseases.
And unlike aspirin or ibuprofen, turmeric’s curcumin reduces inflammation naturally, without damaging the liver or kidneys.
2) Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant
According to the University of Maryland, turmeric has many antioxidant properties. Antioxidants fight off cancer-causing free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause.
This is important in many diseases, such as arthritis, where free radicals are responsible for the painful joint inflammation and eventual damage to the joints. Turmeric’s combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects explains why many people with joint disease find relief when they use the spice regularly.
3) Turmeric has been shown to block cancer
A recent study from UCLA found that curcumin, the main component in turmeric, appeared to block an enzyme that promotes the growth of head and neck cancer.
Evidence from test tube and animal studies suggests that curcumin may help prevent or treat several types of cancers, including prostate, breast, skin, and colon cancer. (source)
4) Turmeric lowers your risk for diabetes
Research, published in the journal Diabetes Care, found that people with prediabetes who took capsules containing curcuminwere less likely to go on to develop Type 2 diabetes, compared with people who didn’t take the curcumin capsules.
5) Turmeric is good for your liver
Other conditions turmeric has been noted to improve
- Indigestion
- Ulcerative Coilitis
- Stomach Ulcers
- Ostoearthritis
- Heart Disease
- Bacterial and Viral Infections
- Alzheimer’s/Dementia
How to take Turmeric
Use liberally in your cooking to enjoy the health benefits of turmeric. Combine it with other spices like cumin, coriander, garam masala, cinnamon, and mustard to create delicious savory curries. Sprinkle it over veggie before you roast them. Add a titch to your soups and stews.
Take turmeric supplements. You can purchase turmeric pills OR you can buy turmeric in bulk and encapsulate it yourself. These are the veg-caps that I use. I like to make my own because it saves me money.
Drink turmeric milk in the evening. Gently simmer 1 and 1/2 cups of milk of your choice with 1/2 to 1 tsp turmeric powder, a bit of fresh grated ginger, a couple of crushed cardamom pods, a titch of black pepper, and a pinch of cinnamon for 3-4 minutes. Allow to cool slightly then strain and serve. I like to add a bit of honey and coconut oil. Delish! You can also make a Golden Milk Turmeric Paste that last for several weeks in the fridge. Simply add a tablespoon to hot milk and you have the best Golden Milk ever.
Use a little bit of fresh turmeric root in your juicing. It will give you a potent raw juice that’s sure to heal.
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Precautions
Turmeric and curcumin are extremely safe to take. However, please note that they can lower blood sugar, so anyone being treated with diabetic medications should discuss supplementation with their primary care provider. It may also act as a blood thinner, so anyone planning surgery should discuss this with their doctor or surgeon. Extremely large doses can lead to stomach upset, and, in extreme cases, ulcers. Anyone with ulcers, gallstones, or gall bladder issues should consult their primary doctor before using.
I would love to hear your favorite uses for turmeric. Please share in comments below.
Sources
- http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/04/26/the-spice-that-actually-doubles-as-a-powerful-antiinflammatory.aspx
- http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/turmeric
- http://www.bri.ucla.edu/bri_weekly/news_060206.asp
photos by: Steven Jackson Photography & bengal*foam
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Michelle says
I make this following recipe from “Sweet Potato Heaven” several times a week (it’s very similar to your recipe – I am interested to see what it is like with cardamom and pepper). I add way more turmeric, and I don’t heat it on the stove-top – I either have freshly blended, or blend until slightly warmed. It’s beautiful either way… I think it is rather like a spicy latte.
“Turmeric Heaven.
1 sq. centimeter fresh turmeric (or 1 tbsp turmeric powder…less if you’re not accustomed to the taste)
1 sq. inch fresh ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 Medjool date
1 cup almond milk
Put the ingredients in your blender, and blend until completely smooth. Leave no chunks behind.
Then heat the liquid in a pot on the stove, but don’t bring it to a boil. Sprinkle a little more cinnamon on top and serve. Then close your eyes and enjoy Turmeric Heaven! And thank God for your blessings, which include this tasty drink. And share it with all of your friends : )”
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Kelly says
How many pills do you take per day? I would like to start making my own as well. Right now I put 1/2 tsp in with my cayenne drink in the morning but would like to take more if possible. I have horribly elevated inflammation due to Lyme disease. Thanks!
Katja says
It depends. If I have something acute going on, I will take 3 pills 3 times per day. If I am just doing daily maintenance, I will take a couple of pills in the morning with my probiotics. 🙂
Kelly says
OK thank you!!
Colleen says
I have heard of tumeric being used for candida. Any thoughts on that?
Katja says
Turmeric has been found to be a powerful antifungal so is being used to treat candida. I’ve been reading a bit about it. Definitely worth a try if you are dealing with candida. 🙂
Bonnie says
I’m eager to try the turmeric milk, but I need to know more about the ingredients. Are the cardamom pods the green ones? I don’t know if I’ve seen anything else aside from it in ground form.
Thanks
Katja says
Bonnie, I use cardamom powder for this recipe. Hope you enjoy it!
katrina says
How much powder is equal to 2 crushed pods? Thank you.
Katja Heino says
I would use about 1/8 tsp of cardamom powder. Or better yet, just make the Golden Milk Paste recipe and keep in fridge for whenever you want a bit of golden milk —> https://www.savorylotus.com/golden-milk-turmeric-paste/
Emily Nance says
To make my paste, I use 1/2 cup local honey and 1/2 cup organic coconut oil (melted for ease of mixing). Then I add 1/4 cup organic turmeric, 2 Tbs each ginger, black pepper and cinnamon. This paste can be used in may ways, but my favorites are to stir 2 Tbs into warm milk or coffee and for a healthy turmeric breakfast parfait, I combine plain greek yogurt, crushed walnuts, granola clusters and I drizzle 2 Tbs of my paste over the top! It’s sweet, spicy, tangy and crunchy! VERY satisfying and beneficial!
Katja Heino says
Thank you so much for sharing. It sounds delicious! 🙂