In the world of natural remedies Turmeric is a perfect example of how powerful healing substances are actually in your kitchen, not your medicine cabinet.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and all information in this article was found on the internet, and has links to those websites. Please consult your physician before you make any changes that will affect your health, to make sure it is right for you.
Turmeric is an ancient root used for its healing properties for centuries. Turmeric comes from the rhizome (rootstock) of the Curcuma longa plant. Turmeric’s healing power is the chemical compound curcumin. Having a peppery, warm and bitter flavor, and a mild fragrance that resembles orange and ginger, which is why it is favorite in curry dishes.
In an article from Dr. Axe Food Is Medicine Some of the health conditions that turmeric has been shown to help with are:
Chronic Inflammation and Pain
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Depression
Diabetes
Cancer
Skin and Aging
Brain Health and Memory
Mind Body Green offers these suggestion on how to use turmeric!
1. Spice up your food.
Add this spice to anything, besides sweets, for a new flavor and a ton of health benefits. You can use turmeric to add some zest to cooked vegetables, eggs, and meat dishes. You can also add it to boiling water you’re using to make pasta, rice, soups, and more.
2. Drink it as a tea.
Bring four cups of water to a boil. Add one teaspoon of ground turmeric and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the tea through a fine sieve into a cup, add honey and/or lemon to taste.
3. Use a turmeric supplement.
Take tumeric supplements if you are traveling and unable to cook with it.
4. Mix it with castor oil for a skin detox.
Castor oil with tumeric powder is a powerful toxin releaser for your skin. For women, it is great to apply to the breast and under arm because it will pull out harmful toxins from the lymph nodes and fat cells of the breast.
As with anything there can be some adverse side affects in high doses which may include
Indigestion
Heart burn
Nausea
Diarrhea
Liver problems
Increased risk of bleeding
Increased liver function tests
Hyperactive gallbladder contractions
Alopecia (hair loss)
Hypotension (lowered blood pressure)
Uterine contractions in pregnant women
Increased menstrual flow
People taking certain medications should also be careful when using turmeric in their food or supplementing with it. Turmeric may interfere with anti-coagulants like aspirin, clopidogrel and warfarin. It also can affect medications such as non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. As with any herb or supplement, use as directed.
According to Dr. Axe’s article :Turmeric dosage mainly depends on age. For instance, adults are generally recommended to follow these guidelines:
• Supplement: 450 milligrams of curcumin capsules each day or up to 3 grams of turmeric root daily (divided into several doses).
• Tea: 1 to 1.5 grams of dried root steeped in 5 ounces of water for 15 minutes twice daily.
• Oil: ½ tablespoon of turmeric oil three times daily.
Whether you are adding it to food, making a tea, or taking a supplement. Turmeric can be a healthy addition to your day.
I tried this Turmeric Smoothie:
PrintTurmeric Smoothie
- Yield: 1 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup frozen pineapple or mango chunks
- 1 fresh banana
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a blender and process until smooth. Try to drink this smoothie in the morning before you have anything to eat. It’s a solid way to start your day and pack your body full of antioxidants.
I haven’t tried mixing turmeric with castor oil as yet but will definitely give it a try… Do I have to rub it to the skin
?
I have not personally tried this either but, yes it is topical.
I want to try the turmeric in castor oil for detoxifying the skin.