The Healing Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric Love
In most of my cooking I add turmeric. It is tasty and adds a great colour in your curries, casseroles, stir fries, soups, basically anything… You can even add it to your pancakes and I am now making it part of my breakfast rice pudding. In Ayurveda it is popular to take as a drink (add it to warm milk), in capsules or make a paste for internal or external use.
It is not just me who is all excited about turmeric. You can get high end organic turmeric powders, drinks and teas. Wonder Workshop is even offering an instant turmeric latte (which I am looking forward to trying at some point). It is in various beauty products. And medical science is looking into and confirming it’s many healing properties.
The Traditional Ayurvedic Science
Turmeric, or haridra or haldi, has been used in food for its beneficial properties on the digestion. It kindles the digestive fire, agni, and helps clearing any toxins or ama. It is recommended for the reproductive system too as well as for purifying breastmilk.
Applying it externally it helps any sprains and bruising. Even internally it supports the ligaments and heals injuries according to yogic and ayurvedic texts
It is said to offer the energy of the Divine Mother and prosperity.
It is Tridoshic (balances Vata, Pitta and Kapha constitutions) but can aggravate Vata and Pitta if taken in excess.
Western Modern Medical Science
More and more research is being made into turmeric and it’s compounds. Most of it agrees with the ayurvedic claims of this wonder spice.
It is anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant. It acts as a painkiller and is even more effectively than our over-the-counter variations in some circumstances. If you suffer with chronic pains such as achy joints it is definitely worth adding turmeric to your diet.
It does in fact support your digestive system. As an anti-inflammatory it helps the liver and thereby the production of bile.
It’s good for your heart health as a cardio protective.
Some of the compounds in turmeric exhibit anticancer potential. Still many trials but it is worth adding this spice to your diet.
Turmeric may improve behavioural and psychological symptoms in Alzheimer‘s patients as well as an antidote for depression.
Turmeric is safe and to take as a supplement or in your cooking. (but always check with your health care provider before taking a new supplement or changes in your diet)
How to Add Turmeric to your Life
Simply add some dried powder to your cooking. Or get the root (which you can prepare like ginger): peel/scrub and chop.
You can also add the root/powder and create a tea. Take it in a bit of milk (cow’s, nut, coconut, hemp or other alternative). If you make your own ghee add it to the ghee, or purchase a ready made turmeric ghee such as Yoghee.
In Ayurveda it is believed that black pepper helps the absorption, bioavailability and digestion of certain foods. This is backed up by science now when it comes to turmeric. Create a turmeric paste which you can add to cooking and to your warm milk.
Turmeric Paste
1/2 cup of organic turmeric
1 – 1 1/2 cup of water
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper – ground
Mix it all in a pot and heat it up. Continue to stir until it becomes a paste. This will take about 5 -7 minutes.
When it is cooled down store it in an airtight container.
Use as normal turmeric powder.