Turmeric is the root structure used from the Curcuma longa plant (a leafy plant that is related to ginger). It has an extensively long history of medicinal use which dates back 4,000 years and spans a multitude of cultures. Originating from Indonesia and Southern India, turmeric was traditionally known as “Indian Saffron”.

Turmeric is an amazing herb with many benefits which means a longer blog than usual, but it is 100% worth the read!!

How to Choose and Store

You can find both fresh and powdered prepackaged turmeric in your local grocery store. As always, make sure to buy organic when possible.

Fresh turmeric needs to be stored correctly to maintain freshness. Wash and dry your fresh turmeric and then place it in a plastic resealed bag, making sure to push out all the air. It should then be kept in the refrigerator. When stored correctly, it should keep for up to 2 weeks. Turmeric powder should always be stored in a tightly sealed glass container and stored in a cool, dark, dry place. If stored correctly it can be kept fresh for about 6 months.

Nutrition

Modern medical sciences are beginning to recognize its importance: there are currently over 3,000 scientific publications researching turmeric—all of which have been published within the last 25 years. So, what’s the health buzz about?

Turmeric has been found to be a potent anti-agent-for-almost-everything: antioxidant, antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, antitumor, and anti-cancer. Furthermore, turmeric helps to protect the heart, lungs, and kidneys and assists in protecting the body from radiation exposure. Combining turmeric with foods has also been shown to assist—and effectively improve—the digestion of foods.

More than 100 chemical components have been isolated from turmeric. The main component of the root is a volatile oil, containing turmerone and curcuminoids, which are found to be powerful natural antioxidants that have anti-tumor capabilities. Curcumin (one among the many healing substances found in turmeric) is one of the main antioxidant chemicals that help the immune system to subdue free radical formations within the body. It is vitally important to eat foods that have antioxidant properties because free radicals dismantle healthy cells within the body. When there are too many free radicals the body then becomes more prone to disease and illness, and will be unable to achieve optimal wellness.

In a 2007 research study, nutritional analysis showed that 100 g of turmeric contains 390 kcal, 10 g total fat, 3 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0.2 g calcium, 0.26 g phosphorous, 10 mg sodium, 2500 mg potassium, 47.5 mg iron, 0.9 mg thiamine, 0.19 mg riboflavin, 4.8 mg niacin, 50 mg ascorbic acid, 69.9 g total carbohydrates, 21 g dietary fiber, 3 g sugars, and 8 g protein. Turmeric is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid.

The use of turmeric as a spice, and as a household remedy, has been utilized across various cultures and has known to be safe for centuries. To date, no scientific studies in either animals or humans have discovered any toxic effects associated with the use of turmeric, and it is clear that turmeric is not toxic—even at very high doses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has conducted its own clinical trials with turmeric and published a 300-page monograph. The FDA has declared turmeric, and its active component curcumin, as GRAS (generally regarded as safe).

Turmeric has been scientifically tested in a multitude of aspects and has a substantial list of observed benefits. These health benefits span a wide range of useful applications:

• Regulates the immune system: a healthy and balanced immune system is one of the foundations of optimal wellness

• Is the most efficient at killing H. pylori when turmeric was tested among other herbs

• Improves insulin resistance: this can help current diabetics, those pre-diabetic, and those who are looking to prevent diabetes

• Increases metabolism: can help to lose weight more effectively (always best in combination with other weight loss protocols/healthy lifestyle changes)

• Acts as a repellent against both day and night-biting mosquitoes (turmeric volatile oil specifically)

• Reduces skin inflammation; helping to relieve and heal acne, cuts/wounds, psoriasis, eczema, etc.

• Support collagen production: collagen is the ‘glue’ that holds the body together. Turmeric also provides a mineral, manganese, which helps to rebuild/replace old collagen in the skin and elsewhere throughout the body—thereby keeping skin young-looking, soft, and less prone to wrinkles

• Help to hasten gallstones out of the gallbladder: great preventative for those whose family has a history of gallbladder stones/removal or those who may be on the brink of needing gallbladder surgery.

• Be at least 10 times more active as an antioxidant than vitamin E. Extracts can scavenge free radicals, increase antioxidant enzymes, and inhibit lipid peroxidation (stops cell damage due to free radicals).

• Be antimutagenic: this means that its compounds can prevent the mutation of your cells & genes. If the body has too many toxins, free radicals, etc. then genetic mutations can occur; these mutations cause disease and illness. Because toxins lie within everyone’s bodies, ingestion of antimutagenic agents becomes imperative.

• Prevents damage to the liver and also serves to protect the heart
  
  

Energetics

Turmeric is warming to the body and has a bitter taste; it has been used to improve protein digestion, reduce uterine tumors, reduce joint swelling, decongest the liver, dissolve gallstones, increase ligament flexibility, and reduce menstrual pain.

If taken in small amounts, turmeric will stimulate the qi energy of the liver and thereby remove liver qi stagnation. It will also dry up virus-feeding dampness. This spice is extremely versatile and can be added to a plethora of meals, tinctures, salves, and drinks. As with anything, turmeric affects everyone differently, so a general dosage suggested is ¼ – ½ teaspoon daily (as a spice or taken in capsules).

In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is a well-documented treatment for various respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma, bronchial hyperactivity, and allergy), as well as for liver disorders, anorexia, rheumatism, diabetic wounds, runny nose, cough, and sinusitis. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used to treat diseases associated with abdominal pain. From ancient times, as prescribed by Ayurveda, turmeric has been used to treat sprains and swelling .

In both Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, turmeric is considered a bitter digestive that relieves flatulence. Unani practitioners also use turmeric to expel phlegm or kapha, as well as to open blood vessels in order to improve blood circulation. It can be incorporated into foods, including rice and bean dishes, to improve digestion and reduce gas and bloating. Turmeric is a cholagogue—stimulating bile production in the liver and encouraging excretion of bile via the gallbladder, which improves the body’s ability to digest fats and helps to detoxify the body.

Ginger Turmeric Aromatic Rice

Ingredients

• 1 cup white basmati rice

• 1.5 cups water

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (or oil of choice)

• 2 cloves garlic minced

• 1 tablespoon ginger peeled and grated

• 1 teaspoon fresh turmeric peeled and grated*

• 1 teaspoon sea salt to taste

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• ½ cup dried cranberries

• ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped

• ¼ cup pine nuts toasted

Directions

1. Add all ingredients for the rice except for the dried cranberries to a small pot, cover, and bring to a full boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, covered, until rice has absorbed all liquid, 15 minutes (or according to package instructions). NOTE: if using a rice other than white basmati rice, follow package instructions for the amount of water and cooking time.

2. A few minutes before the rice is finished cooking, stir the dried cranberries into the rice - this allows them to plump up and lends more flavor to the rice. Replace the cover and continue to cook.

3. Taste rice for flavor and add more sea salt if desired. Serve with fresh cilantro and pine nuts alongside your favorite main dish.
   
   

Turmeric Golden Paste

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup turmeric powder

• 1 cup filtered water (can add more if needed depending on desired thickness)

• 1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

• 1/4 cup high-quality cold pressed organic oil of choice

Directions

1. Gently heat water in a pan (do not use Teflon or aluminum pans. if possible) and add turmeric powder and ground black pepper as it heats up

2. Gently stir until you get a thick paste (around 6-10 mins). Carefully add in the oil and site more.

3. When you reach your desired thickness, turn off the heat and allow the paste to cool.

This paste can be used as an herbal remedy when feeling a flu or cold. It can also be used as a way to prevent illness and keep your immune system healthy and within the optimal range. Turmeric paste can be mixed with milk or water and taken to treat intestinal disorders, colds, and sore throats. This paste can be eaten by itself, added to coffee, a smoothie, or your favorite dish. Get creative and enjoy!

Sources

Mateljan, George. The World’s Healthiest Foods: Essential Guide for the Healthiest Way of Eating. George Mateljan Foundation: Seattle, 2007. Print.

Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods: Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition. North Atlantic Books: Berkeley, 1993. Print.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/

https://draxe.com/turmeric-benefits/

https://www.theroastedroot.net/ginger-turmeric-aromatic-rice/

https://deeprootsathome.com/how-to-make-use-turmeric-golden-paste/