Turmeric is a staple across kitchens in India and is a rhizome, or underground stem. It is one of nature's most powerful healers, and owes its preventative and curative nature to its active ingredient: curcumin. Curcumin is a compound rich in anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory actions that have been proven to improve and protect every organ in the body. Curcumin has been shown to combat more than 70 ailments, including heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes, poor circulation, skin disorders and more.
Turmeric is a natural antibiotic, strengthens digestion, and improves intestinal flora (gut health). It also purifies the blood and stimulates formation of new blood tissue. It reduces Kapha Dosha but can increase Pitta and Vata when consumed in excess. Turmeric is energetically bitter, astringent, pungent and heating and works on all the 7 tissues (dhatus), which effectively cleanses the Chakras, purifying the channels of the subtle body.
Why is the fact that Turmeric is an anti-oxidant with powerful anti-inflammatory abilities so important??
Oxidation is a kind of internal "rust" caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) - which are molecules that are missing an electron from their outer ring and so they steal an electron from other molecules, creating oxidative damage or oxidative stress. These little thieves! The oxidative stress leads to chronic low-grade inflammation, which may trigger or advance many dis-eases.
The East has used this spice for over 2,000 years. Natural Medicine uses for Turmeric include:
- antacid to soothe digestive problems
- topical paste for skin problems
- analgesic to relieve headache (curcumin is the active ingredient in Tylenol!)
- decongestant to clear nasal passages
- speed wound healing and prevent infections
How to consume for best benefit?
A teaspoon a day, spread throughout all meals is suggested. Turmeric is a key ingredient in Curry, however they are not the same. Turmeric is what gives Curry its bold yellow color, which used to be incorrectly called the "poor man's saffron" due to Marco Polo mistakenly identifying this powerful, healing spice. Adding Black Pepper with Turmeric has shown to improve absorption, when consumed together.
Turmeric and Black Pepper?
"Curcumin only makes up about 5% of turmeric, similar to black pepper where the active ingredient, piperine also makes up about 5% of the spice. Piperine is responsible for black pepper’s rich flavor and helps inhibit drug metabolism. For example, the liver gets rid of foreign substances by making them water-soluble so that they can be excreted, and piperine can inhibit this process so that curcumin is not excreted. This explains how piperine can help to make curcumin more bioavailable. With just 1/20 teaspoon or more of black pepper, the bio-availability of turmeric is greatly improved, and turmeric’s benefits are further enhanced.
Another way to increase the bio-availability of turmeric is to consume this spice with a source of fat (such as avocado, nut butters and nuts, fish, etc.), and therefore curcumin will directly be absorbed into the blood stream and bypass the liver."
Recipes
Tri-doshic Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed vegetables according to what’s in season
- 8 cups of water
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 6 black peppercorns
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 10 cloves
- 10 cardamom pods
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- a pinch of salt
Directions
- Cut vegetables into bite sized pieces and cover with water.
- Cook on medium heat until tender.
- Grind cumin seeds, peppercorns, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods and cloves in pestle and mortar or blender.
- Add ghee to large saucepan and then ground spices.
- Sautee for a moment but be very careful not to burn them. Remove from heat once they become fragrant.
- Add the vegetables and 4 cups of the water they were cooked in.
- Boil for 2 minutes, reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes,
- Add salt and serve. Serve with toast.
Face Mask
Ingredients
1/2 cup besan (garbanzo bean flour)
1 1/2 tsp turmeric
odorless oil (coconut or sesame)
water
Directions
Mix the flour and turmeric in a container with a lid.
To Make Mask
Mix 1 tablespoon of the mixture with 5 drops of oil. Add enough water to make a paste with a consistency like cake batter.
Application
Using your fingertips, spread mixture on your face and neck, staying away from the eyes. Remember this stains, so use old t-shirts and towel. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse off. Pat face dry with clean towel.
After learning about this healing spice, will you be giving it a try? Would you like to learn more? All year long I'll be sharing about spices, herbs and how to use them for healing internally and externally. Coming up next is Black Pepper! Stay tuned!
