Turmeric is one of the most beneficial spices on Earth, and it has been commonly used in Asian cuisines and traditional medicine for centuries.
It is believed that turmeric was the ‘gold’ brought to baby Jesus by the wise men, and references to it go even further back than that.
Its power is a result of the miraculous compounds it contains. It offers potent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
Moreover, turmeric is a rich source of magnesium, potassium, zinc, protein, calcium, copper, niacin, iron, dietary fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K.
Over 7,000 studies have confirmed the miraculous properties of turmeric, and these some of the most important health benefits of this healthy spice:
Boosts the immunity
This healthy spice is high in lipopolysaccharides which offer strong antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effects that boost immunity and prevent viruses and colds.
Protects the liver
The enzymes in turmeric detoxify the body and improve the function of the liver.
Heals Wounds
Its powerful antiseptic and antiviral properties treat burns, wounds, and soothe skin issues like psoriasis.
A healthy heart
Turmeric breaks down fat and cholesterol and lowers the risk of heart diseases.
Prevents Alzheimer’s disease
Its properties are vital for the healthy blood and oxygen flow in the body, so turmeric can help you lower the risk of Alzheimer’s by improving the blood flow to the brain.
Body weight control
Turmeric regulates body weight by breaking down bile, the main component in dietary fat, and provides a feeling of satiety.
Treats depression
The active ingredient of turmeric, curcumin is high in antioxidants that treat depression.
Relieves arthritis
Turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory properties which soothe joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis.
We suggest 7 healthy recipes to reap the benefits of turmeric:
1. Turmeric Juice
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder or ½ inch turmeric root
- ½ lemon
- sea salt
Instructions:
Juice the lemon, and add the turmeric and the sea salt. Pour into a glass and drink.
2. Turmeric Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 knuckle chopped/grated turmeric
- 4 cups veggie or organic bone broth
Instructions:
Boil the water, add the broth and the turmeric, simmer for 15 minutes, and strain. Then, add some black pepper, and enjoy it!
3, Turmeric Tea
Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon fresh grated turmeric
- dash of black pepper
- a squeeze of lime (to boost the bioavailability of turmeric)
- raw honey to taste
- 1 cup hot water
Instructions:
Boil the water, add the turmeric, and leave it to simmer for 5 minutes. Then, remove from heat, strain the tea, sweeten it, add the rest of the ingredients, and serve after 10 minutes.
4. Turmeric Kefir
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of fresh Turmeric or ⅓ cup dried whole root
- 1 cup organic sugar or rapadura
- 1 cup of fresh Ginger
- ½ cup Water Kefir Grains
- 1 gallon Filtered or Spring Water
Instructions:
Peel the ginger and turmeric, and chop them roughly. Pour the water into a pan, and boil it. Add the ginger and turmeric, and reduce the heat.
Cover the pot, and cook for an hour. Then, remove it from heat, and leave it in the refrigerator to cool.
Strain when cool, and pour it into a large one-gallon glass jar. Add rapadura or sugar, and stir to dissolve it. Add the kefir grains, cover with a dish towel and leave for 3-5 days.
It is done when it gets fizzy and tastes a bit sour, and tangy. Enjoy!
5. Golden Milk
You can either add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to your glass of warm milk, or prepare the following recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder/fresh grated
- ¼ teaspoon ginger powder/fresh grated
- dash of cardamom
- dash of cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla
- dash of clove
- 1 cup coconut or almond milk
- ¼ cup water
- 2 teaspoon raw honey
Instructions:
In a pot, mix all the ingredients, and leave them to simmer for a minute. Then, remove from heat, and enjoy.
6. Turmeric Scramble
Just add some turmeric to your traditional eggs and prepare a healthy breakfast.
7. Turmeric Smoothies
You can simply add turmeric to your smoothies, or prepare the following one:
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder/fresh turmeric
- 1 teaspoon maca root
- ½ coconut or almond milk
- 1 ½ cups frozen pineapple or mango
- 1 teaspoon hemp seed hearts
- 2 tablespoon coconut flakes
- A dash of black pepper
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in the blender, and blend until you get a homogeneous mixture. Enjoy!
How to grow Turmeric indoors:
Similar to ginger, turmeric is grown from rhizomes (root cuttings). Turmeric does not propagate seeds. So all you need is one turmeric root which you can find at your local health stores.
To grow turmeric indoors, just follow these simple steps:
- Break a larger rhizome into a small rhizome piece that has two or three buds.
- Fill your pots with rich organic soil, which is lightly moist but well drained.
- Place it about two inches below the surface of the soil, with the buds facing up.
- Water the container.
That’s all there is to it!
Note: Turmeric will benefit from bi-monthly feedings of a good organic fertilizer or compost tea.
How To Water Turmeric
Turmeric likes water. Keep the soil moist, particularly in hot, dry climates. Try watering it once every 2 days or misting with a spray bottle.
If you live in cooler climates, water less frequently. The key here is to keep the soil from ever getting soggy.
How To Harvest Turmeric
Turmeric takes between 8 to 10 months for the edible rhizomes to mature. While the leaves and stems are edible, most people harvest turmeric only for its roots.
Most herbs can be harvested throughout the growing season, but turmeric root is best if harvested all at once when mature.
When the rhizomes are large enough, dig up all rhizomes from the pot. They are best if all harvested at once.
Dig up the rhizomes and save a few pieces to plant for the following season. Make sure to change the soil, though, because the original plant probably depleted it of all its nutrients.