Herb of the Month: Turmeric

Turmeric is the brightest yellow-orange relative of ginger you ever did see! While it’s used extensively for its culinary sublimity throughout the globe, it also has a long history of medicinal use throughout Asia. In fact, it’s because of its highly potent medicinal properties (curcumin) that turmeric is famous for its vibrant golden orange color. Turmeric has been a favorite plant for culinary, medicinal, and artistic applications for thousands of years. 

 

Common name: Turmeric 

Latin name: Curcuma longa

Part Used: rhizome (the underground stem of a plant that stores food and creates new shoots and roots to spread and reproduce)

Benefits: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, liver support, digestive aid, anti-microbial, cardiovascular support, joint health, cognitive health, skin health

Taste: earthy, bitter, pungent

Energetics: warming, drying

History:

Records show turmeric being used in India as far back as 4,000 years ago. It was essential to culinary staples like curries, dal, and even pickles. Additionally, Hindu religious ceremonies often feature turmeric as a sacred plant. Around 1,000 BCE, Ayurvedic texts like the Charaka Samhita described turmeric being used for medical ailments like wound healing, as well as lung, skin, and liver ailments.  From India, it moved along trade routes from China, where it was used in region-specific soups and medicinal foods, to East Africa, West Africa, and Jamaica, where it was used in spice blends and for preserving foods.  

Today, herbalists worldwide use turmeric in their herbal medicine preparations as well as for creating natural dyes. 

Benefits: 

According to Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is an excellent cleanser. It purifies the blood, detoxes the liver, promotes circulation to mitigate stagnation, and, overall, reduces inflammation. 

 

In Traditional Chinese medicine, turmeric is used to move stagnant qi and blood, relieve pain, unblock menstruation, and combat arthritic and rheumatic conditions. 

Antioxidant: Turmeric’s abundance of curcumin makes it a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, which damage other cells in the body. 

Cognitive Health: Studies show that curcumin may work to increase brain levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). Decreased levels of BDNF have been linked to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Joint Health: Many cases of arthritis involve inflammation of the joints. Luckily, turmeric contains curcumin, which has been used for thousands of years to treat inflammation. Additionally, a 2022 study showed curcumin to be more effective in pain relief than a placebo, and a 2021 study found it to be as effective as NSAIDs.

Emotional Aspects of Turmeric:

Similar to its physical properties, turmeric is also used in energetic work to clear emotional stagnation. Energy workers may recommend it to support individuals who seem to be holding on to excess grief, anger, and resentment. Practitioners may also use it to support emotional clarity for individuals needing support with willpower, confidence, and identity concerns. 

 

Emotionally, turmeric promotes: clarity, courage, cleansing, and confidence. 

 

Using Turmeric In Your Everyday Life: 

Golden Milk Powder Recipe from Mountain Rose Herbs

Makes about ¼ cup powder

Ingredients

• 3 Tbsp. organic ground turmeric
• 2 tsp. organic ground ginger
• 2 tsp. organic ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. organic ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. organic ground cardamom

Instructions

• Combine spices.
• If making ahead, store in an airtight container away from heat and sunlight.

 

Spiced Golden Milk Recipe from Mountain Rose Herbs

Makes 1 cup.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp. golden milk powder blend (see above)
• 1 cup organic milk or alternative milk of choice
• Sweetener of choice, to taste—I prefer raw, local honey

Instructions

• Whisk golden milk powder with 1 cup milk of choice in a saucepan.
• Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Allow to simmer for at least a couple of minutes, and up to 10 minutes to increase solubility of curcumin.
• Stir in sweetener of choice—if using honey, make sure not to add to milk hotter than 115° F.
• Enjoy while hot or put in the refrigerator to cool and then serve over ice.

 

Pro Tips

• If this blend has too much turmeric for your taste, it’s A-OK to add less. All the spices can be adjusted to your palate.

 

Other Ways to Use Golden Milk Powder

• Add a bit to your rice cooking water for delicious Indian-style flavor.
• Add a pinch to scrambled eggs, frittatas, or tofu scrambles.
• Sprinkle on squash and roast in the oven or blend into soup.
• Mix in a pinch with your yogurt.
• Make a golden milk smoothie or milkshake.
• Incorporate into pancakes, oatmeal, or other breakfast goodies.

Missed our other Herbs of the Month? Check them out!:

August: Lavender

July: Burdock

June: Calendula

May: Cleavers