Turmeric

One of the most powerful and effective medicines available to you today might reside in your spice rack.

Curcumin, the yellow pigment found in the spice, turmeric, has for centuries been used in the treatment of anti-inflammatory diseases, especially inflammation of the digestive tract.

More recently, however, research has shown curcumin  to have anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-diabetic effects.

Turmeric is one of the key ingredients that comprises the Indian spice mix, curry.  The mix of spices found in curry not only taste good together, but they actually work together synergistically to enhance each other's healing properties.

For most healthy adults, 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric every day should be enough to allow you to experience its health benefits.

If you're not up for eating a bowl of curry everyday, there are other ways to incorporate this spice into your daily diet.  But, keep in mind, for turmeric to be fully assimilated by the body it needs to be mixed with one or all of the following:

• black pepper
• fat - coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, or ghee is best
• ginger
• raw honey

Looking for an easy way to incorporate turmeric into your diet?

Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric in two tablespoons of oil or ghee.  Throw in a hefty pinch of black pepper and add this mixture to your soups, stews, smoothies, salad dressings, and vegetables.  

In this blog I offer several recipes that include turmeric and at least one of the foods listed above.  Try my Anti-inflammatory Smoothie for a morning pick me up or Hearty Red Lentil Stew for sustained energy in a bowl!