our-yoga

Got joint issues or want to implement a practice that will benefit your overall health? Welcome to the miracles of turmeric! What are the benefits of turmeric exactly? Well for one it is a natural anti-inflammatory, which let's face it we could all use from time to time. Also, it is known for its' anti-parasitic and anti-bacterial properties. The list goes on. This healing herb from India is cost effective and worth having in your kitchen especially when learning all the good that it does. I've started taking turmeric in the form of Golden Milk to help alleviate a bit of joint and muscle pain I've been experiencing lately. I figure I have nothing to loose so might as well try it.

Benefits Include

• Supports healthy joint function.
• Promotes radiant healthy skin.
• Improves digestion.
• Promotes healthy blood and liver function.
• 5 - 8 times stronger than vitamin E and stronger than vitamin C.
• Research has found it has cancer fighting properties.

Turmeric recipe

Take 1/4 cup turmeric powder, mix with 1/2 cup pure water and simmer over medium-high heat for at least 7 minutes, stirring constantly. You will notice a thick paste form. If it get's too dry while cooking you can add addional water. Once cooled, put into a glass jar and put in fridge. This is good for up to one month. 

Golden Milk:

Add 1 tsp. to 1 cup. hot milk (cow, goat, soy, rice, almond, or any combination), maple syrup or honey to taste and 1/2 tsp. of almond or sesame oil. Gently heat and stir. 

A while back I posted a recipe for the highly popular turmeric milk. Nonetheless, dare I say, I might have found something that tops it. Homemade turmeric tea! I am in love, love, love with this drink! It is quickly becoming my favorite hot drink of all time - move over coffee. Bold statement, I know.

I've already posted the long list of turmeric's benefits and making it as part of one's regular routine will no doubt do the body good. One benefit I have noticed right away is the clarity and quality of my skin. It does the job. Again, for those that are experiencing joint pain or minor muscle aches, turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that help in the healing process, naturally. Solid gold.

The good thing is this recipe is simple and easy. Two words I undoubtedly like to hear. Here are the quick and dirty details adapted from one of my favorite healthy cooking blogs, 101 Cookbooks.

Ingredients

1/3 Cup Raw Honey
2 1/2 - 3 Teaspoons of Turmeric
Lemon
A dash of Black Pepper or Cayenne Pepper

Optional Additions
Fresh Ginger
Peppercorns
Cardamom
Cinnamon

Mix the honey and turmeric together forming a thick paste. It will make enough for multiple uses so whatever is extra can be stored in the refrigerator.

For each serving place a heaping teaspoon (sometimes I go for a little extra) in a cup. Pour hot water (not boiling hot) into the cup and stir, dissolving all of the turmeric paste. Then, squeeze half a lemon into the cup adding a few dashes of black pepper, or my personal favorite, cayenne pepper. The turmeric and spices have a tendency to settle to the bottom so it is a good idea to have a spoon on hand to stir the tea occasionally. For added benefit, I like to add grated fresh ginger to my tea or you could also add cardamom or even cinnamon depending on your taste.

FYI. Just a little side note in regards to the effectiveness of turmeric is it's a good idea to add black pepper in that it increases it's potency making the compound curcumin found in turmeric more bioavailable. No worries, it actually complements the tea quite well.