Turmeric is that amazing natural spice that gives a beautiful yellow color to our food. I grew up in India so this spice was part of my life - Indians put turmeric in everything! In India, they call this spice 'Haldi' or Haldhar'. It is said to have originated about 4000 years ago!
Turmeric has a free, natural active ingredient called Curcumin which has antioxidant properties.
It helps flight inflammation in your body
It Improve brain function - less chance of getting Alzheimer's, perhaps?
It improves function of the endothelium that regulates blood pressure and clotting
It contributes to killing cancer cells of particular kinds of cancer
It helps with depression issues
It revives your skin, reduces scars and makes the skin glow
It also helps with psoriasis
It is good for joints and helps folks with arthritis issues
What's not to like about a spice with such amazing bioactive components?
K's TIP:
Start with tiny portions to ensure you do not have an allergy to turmeric. Also, turmeric will make everything yellow, a little bit goes a long way. Too much turmeric may also make your food bitter so less is more.
Good to Know:
Pt1: There is a debate out on whether black pepper should be consumed with turmeric because traditionally, black pepper was said to activate the curcumin in the turmeric. Some studies say YES but some of the more recent ones say there are no obvious, proven cases.
Pt.2: Turmeric is a great spice but it is not the only great spice...Use it with other spices, do not obsess over it.
Whether you're a seasoned turmeric enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of herbal remedies, finding the right turmeric products can make a world of difference in reaping its rewards. In this article, we will explore a curated selection of exceptional turmeric products available on the market today.
Ground Turmeric
Organic is the best but definitely buy what you can afford. I buy mine at Whole Foods but most grocery stores carry this in spice bottles in the Seasoning section. You can sprinkle turmeric on rice, veggies, curries, chickpeas, etc.
You can also make lattes or golden milk, which is good to have in the evening, especially if you are fighting a cold. Here is my recipe.
Don't want to make your own? You can buy a ready to go turmeric latte powder which is slightly sweetened too.
You can also make turmeric face masks (with ground powder) which are great for the skin.
Hello Glow has some wonderful turmeric face mask ideas!
Fresh Turmeric Root for Juices or Shots
Best for juicing. You only need a tiny portion to make a quick smoothie drink or even to make your own homemade turmeric shot.
The Minimalist Baker has a good carrot-ginger-turmeric smoothie recipe with turmeric powder
The Goodie Godmother has a wonderful Fresh Turmeric smoothie recipe with turmeric root
The Alpha Foodie has a decent Turmeric-Ginger energy shot recipe.
For those folks who do not own a juicer or prefer just buying them, you can always buy little shot bottles.
Turmeric Ghee
Anything you cook with this will turn pretty yellow and give you the taste of ghee. Definitely buy this if you like ghee. Personally, I prefer buying plain ghee because I apply it on bread, and I don't always want that yellow color. But it is a good two-in-one product and it works for so many people!
Turmeric Cereal
There are a few breakfast cereals in the market that turn your cereal milk yellow. This one here is from Nature's Path and it is organic and vegetarian. It is interesting to see that they have black pepper in the cereal. The taste reminds me of a turmeric latte. By the way, you can always use almond milk instead of regular milk and it will still taste pretty good.
Turmeric Pasta
Turmeric Pasta, what's not to like?
A pasta like this one has brown rice, quinoa and amaranth.
It is also vegan, corn-free, organic, gluten-free and it has turmeric in it.
Worth a try, eh??
Turmeric Tea / Coffee Creamers
You can make your own fresh turmeric tea but you can always buy teabags if that is easier! I absolutely swear by the Laird Plant-based coffee creamer. There is slight turmeric aftertaste but with coffee being a strong, overpowering taste, it tastes just fine!
Turmeric Supplements
Over the counter supplements may be an easy way to increase your turmeric intake, but you must consult with a physician before you do this. Why? Because, maybe you don't need THAT MUCH turmeric in your body...ask the experts!
Few ideas here - take tablets or take it in liposomal form. Mary Ruth's has some interesting options, I generally like her products and I tend to find them at Target.
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