Turmeric is certainly having its moment in the spotlight.

It has been on everyone’s radar for the last few years as a powerful anti-inflammatory – and, it can also help with reducing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, fighting the development of cancer cells, and, more recently, in potentially reducing the symptoms of some neurodegenetive disorders like Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and even Prions disease.

Turmeric has long been touted for its healing properties in the Chinese and Indian cultures.

In fact, it has been used for over 5,000 years as a way of adding both flavour and colour to dishes. This spice is native to Indonesia and southern India.

The active ingredient in Turmeric is a compound called Curcumin. The plant it comes from, the Curcuma Longa plant, has a tough brown skin and a dark orange flesh. The resulting ground spice is a dark yellow-orange colour that adds a beautiful complexity to curries, soups, and other dishes.

As well as containing the potent anti-inflammatory chemical compound curcumin, this spice also contains the following vitamins and minerals, which only serve to increase the benefits of this super spice:

• B6
• Manganese
• Iron
• Copper
• Potassium

Several Benefits of Adding Turmeric to Your Diet Are…

1. Anti-inflammatory – a safe and natural way to reduce inflammation in your body – including joint and muscle pain, menstrual cramps, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. There have been many positive results from studies on the use of turmeric in treating the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

 

2. Cancer prevention – because it is high in phytonutrients, turmeric has been shown to protect cells from free radical damage. It is also being used to help people who have developed resistance to chemotherapy after their treatment cycle. This is very promising news.

 

3. Weight Loss – curcumin is known to speed up the rate of metabolism, which essentially helps your body to burn more calories at a faster rate.

 

4. Lowering Blood Pressure – turmeric is thought to be a natural blood thinner, which helps to deal with the effects of hypertension.

 

5. Skin Care – the benefits of turmeric on our skin can be found from both a topical and a dietary application. Applied to the skin, turmeric is known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties (it can be used to treat cuts, burns, and acne). Added to your diet, turmeric is thought to reduce the amount of oil produced by the sebaceous glands (oil glands that cause acne), and, because of its potent antioxidant content, it can help fight the signs of aging (wrinkles and hyperpigmentation).

 

6. Liver Detoxification – turmeric supports and enhances the body’s natural methods of removing metabolic waste and a build up of chemicals from the liver. A cleansed liver secretes bile, which helps to break down fats (which also store toxins).

According to the principles of Ayurveda, turmeric can also be used to treat the following conditions:

 Allergies, problems with lactation, anemia, digestion, skin infections, fevers, diarrhea, mucous in the throat and nose, etc…

There is truly an exhaustive list of conditions that this super spice is known to treat!

You can see why it is considered to be such a wonderfully healing and soothing spice and is revered by so many people in various cultures around the world.

Our Favourite Ways to Add Turmeric to Your Food

• As an ingredient in soups, stews, and curry dishes
• Added to salad dressings
• As an ingredient in tea
• Sprinkled on roasted or sautéed vegetables
• As part of a dip or spread for raw veggies
• Added to any dish where you’d like to augment the colour
• Added to your favourite smoothie recipe

In addition to food, many people – especially those following an Ayurvedic lifestyle – make a wide variety of tonics, teas, and tinctures to help with specific health concerns as needed.

For example, for pain:

Mix 1 tsp. turmeric and 2 tsp. ginger with a bit of water to make a thick paste. Apply to the affected area (usually a sore or inflamed joint) and cover with a bandage.

Or, add 1 tsp. of turmeric to 1 cup of dairy-free milk (coconut, almond, or cashew) and drink before bed.

Burns:

Mix 1 tsp. of turmeric with 1 tsp. of aloe gel and apply directly to the skin as a salve.

Conjunctivitis:

Mix 1 Tbsp. of raw, crushed turmeric in 1/3 cup of water. Boil and sieve. 2-3 drops of this mixture can be used in each eye up to 3 times / day.

Contraindications

Turmeric is considered safe for most people, however, if you are pregnant, you will want to consult your healthcare practitioner before consuming turmeric as a supplement (small amounts added to food are fine).

Also, if you suffer from any of the following conditions, you should avoid using turmeric as a supplement: gallstones, ulcers, acute hepatitis, jaundice, and bile duct obstruction. Also avoid if you take blood thinners or platelet-inhibiting medication.

We hope that this information has demonstrated just a few of the many reasons why turmeric is our go-to spice in so many of our healing recipes at Ki’s Kitchen.

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Lastly, thank you so much for visiting! I hope you have found some valuable information, if so, I’d love to hear about it!

Please feel free to share this post with anyone who might benefit, and comments are always welcome!

I look forward to connecting with you next time!

And be sure to check out why you should order your family’s next meal courtesy of Ki’s Kitchen  

From our kitchen to yours,

Love + Peace

Kiran