Have you delayed going to your doctor recently because of the pandemic?  Finding yourself looking for more ways to improve your health and well-being?  Perhaps you should try making some Turmeric Tea.  Turmeric, a rhizome called Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae family) is a member of the ginger family and has been in use for holistic medicine for thousands of years.  Widely used in Asia and the Middle East as a food but also as a mainstay in Ayurvedic and traditional medicines.  Turmeric is also used in popular food dishes, like curry.

With more than 17,000 peer-reviewed articles on Turmeric, and more specifically the prevalent bioactive ingredient, curcumin, Turmeric has a reputation for providing health benefits in a host of different health issues, like:  treatment for osteoarthritis, diabetes, depression, viral infections, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, gastro-intestinal disorders (colitis), and metabolic syndrome.  Turmeric is also thought to slow or prevent blood clots, fight inflammation, improve skin health, aid in cancer treatment, reduce pain, and detox your liver.

To get the most biologic benefits from turmeric, you’ll need a good amount circulating in your system.  While you could take supplements of Curcumin specifically, dried extracts or pills aren’t guaranteed to be pure and many are filled with pesticides.  One of the best ways to consume turmeric and gain the benefits of curcumin, is to buy organic, fresh roots and make a tea or add to your food (eggs, curries, golden milk).

  • Turmeric tea recipes vary, but they usually include turmeric in fresh or dried form, water, honey and lemon adjusted as desired, and sometimes ginger.
  • Be sure to include black pepper as it will increase the curcumin absorption. You generally want a 95% turmeric to 5% black pepper ratio. Some people also use cayenne but that won’t give you the improved absorption of black pepper.
  • If you find it messy to make tea, you can purchase tea bags online to use for steeped tea.
  • If you use honey as a sweetener, raw honey should be added once the tea is cooled, to avoid cooking it and losing the benefits.
  • Fresh turmeric is best, but if you use dried, ground turmeric, use approximately 1/3 the amount of fresh.
  • Ginger also has health benefits and makes a wonderful tea in place of turmeric.
  • Fresh turmeric and ginger can be stored in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks. Ensure the root is dry, wrapped in paper towel, and place in a zipper plastic bag in the fridge.
  • Turmeric and ginger can be frozen as well. Grate the roots and store in the freezer for later use.
  • Fresh ingredients really make the best tasting teas. Try to use fresh turmeric, ginger and lemon when possible.
  • Keep in mind that fresh turmeric can stain counters, clothing and cups. Using Barkeepers Friend will remove most stains from kitchen surfaces.

Note: Consuming too much of any food can cause side effects.  The same is true of turmeric and/or ginger.  A few cups of tea should have no negative effects, but if you start to experience nausea or diarrhea stop drinking the tea. Look for more information at:

Side effects:

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-662/turmeric

Precautions and Interactions

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-662/turmeric

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-662/turmeric

Dosing:

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-662/turmeric

Research Further:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=curcumin

#1 Simple Turmeric Tea

Ingredients:

4 cups water

1-2 tablespoons fresh grated turmeric

Boil water, add turmeric, and simmer for 12 minutes.   Strain and allow tea to cool slightly.  Add pepper.

#2 Soothing Turmeric Tea

Ingredients:

4 cups water

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

3 tablespoons honey

Lemon peel (no pith)

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Pinch of black pepper

Place everything in a saucepan and bring to boil. Remove from heat, cover with a lid until room temperature. Strain liquid, reheat and serve warm. Keeps up to 1 week in fridge.

#3 Anti-inflammatory Tea

Ingredients:

1 cup water

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 pinch black pepper

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Honey to taste

Boil water, add turmeric, ginger, and pepper to mug.  Pour water over and mix. Add lemon and honey to taste.

#4 Smooth Turmeric Tea

Ingredients:

1 cup boiling water

1 tablespoon coconut oil (improves bioavailability of turmeric)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper

1 teaspoon honey

Combine in mug, let steep for 2 to 3 mins. Drink.

#5 Turmeric and Ginger Tea

Ingredients:

1 cup boiling water

1 teaspoon fresh turmeric root

1 teaspoon fresh ginger

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Raw honey

Slice of lemon

Add ginger and turmeric to boiling water. Steep 5 minutes with a lid on. Strain. Add honey when cooled.   Add pepper to taste.

#6 Simple Turmeric Tea

Ingredients:

1-2 teaspoons fresh turmeric or 1/2 teaspoon dried, ground turmeric

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Raw honey, to taste

Fresh lemon juice, to taste

Fill a cup with boiling water. Add turmeric, cover with a plate to infuse. Add pepper. Add raw honey and lemon as desired.

#7 Immunity Building Tea

Ingredients:

5 cups water

Peel from a lemon

2 inches of ginger, sliced or grated

2 inches of turmeric, sliced or grated

Pinch of fresh black pepper

Pinch of cayenne

Juice of 1 lemon

1 teaspoon of avocado, coconut or MCT oil or butter

Raw honey

Add lemon peel, ginger, turmeric and peppers to a pot. Add water and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat to the lowest heat for 8 to 10 minutes.  Remove from heat, strain tea.  Pour into a cup, lemon juice and oil.  Stir to cool.  Add honey to taste.