I’m not a doctor, but with turmeric, I don’t have to be. Because of all the healing herbs there are, the most tested and proven is Turmeric. Why has it been tested so much? Because it is beneficial for your body in so-many-ways.
(see foot notes)
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What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a tropical herb or actually more accurately a spice. (Since technically an herb is the leafy part of a plant and turmeric is the rhizome or root.) It has been used in India for thousands of years as both a food and a medicine. It is what gives curry its yellow color.
Turmeric is Powerful Medicine.
The main healthful ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. It has so many healing properties and more are being found all the time. This is a plant you want to get to know.
Related: How To Grow An Herb Garden And Why You Should
Below are only a few of the things that scientists have proven and come to appreciate about this healing herb plant.
1. It is a Natural Anti-Inflammatory
Chronic inflammation is the cause of so many of our diseases from osteoarthritis to DNA damage.
Turmeric is used to heal sports injuries as it is as powerful as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
Arthritis is another disease that is helped by Turmeric
All types of arthritis have been shown to be helped by it, but rheumatoid arthritis sufferers seem to be especially helped by this herb.
2. It is a powerful Antioxidant And Full of Vitamins and Minerals
Antioxidants ward off disease and keep the body young. It boosts the immune system and it’s just plain good for you.
3. It Helps Prevent Heart disease
Since heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, turmeric may save lives. Another help from the antioxidant properties in it is keeping inflammation from damaging your heart and it lowers your bad cholesterol at the same time.
4. It helps improve brain function.
Turmeric helps improve memory and has even been shown to help delay and even help reverse age-related brain diseases.
5. Studies have shown turmeric can cause cancer cells to die.
Other studies show it may prevent some types of cancer from forming in the first place.
6. It’s effective for healing intestinal issues
Colorectal Cancers and Ulcerative Colitis have both been helped significantly. It supports a healthy liver.
Related: The Ultimate Beginning Vegetable Gardening Course
7. Turmeric Combats Diabetes
Turmeric may help combat type 2 diabetes. The use of this herb in those who have Type 2 diabetes may find that it lowers your blood sugar and helps keep it under control. It also increases glucose metabolism. Studies have shown it may lower the risk of developing the disease.
If you are a diabetic, use caution that your blood sugar does not drop too low and let your doctor know you are using it.
8. It Helps Maintain an Ideal weight
Since it helps with lower blood sugar and increased glucose metabolism, it is no surprise that it will help bring your weight down to normal levels.
9. It Decreases Depression
So many people have problems with depression. And turmeric has been shown to help those sufferers as well as prescription drugs.
10. Turmeric helps fight aging and fight age-related diseases
With the boost to the immune system, the anti-oxidants, and anti-inflammation properties, turmeric has got to have major positive health benefits for the human body. Use more of it and keep your body young!
Related: Mint: Growing, Cooking, Using, Healing
There are so many more ways that Turmeric is good for you, so let’s find out how to grow and use this healing herb.
How To Consume Turmeric.
- grow it at home
- buy whole at some grocery stores
- find it powdered on the spice aisle
- take a supplement.
Turmeric is very safe. The only side effect I could find is stomach upset if you consume too much. So start slow and work up as you are comfortable with this new herb.
And it is a mild blood thinner. So if you are already on blood-thinning medication, consult your physician.
Buy itself turmeric is not easily absorbed, but with a little help, the absorption is greatly increased.
- Add a little black pepper. It makes the important properties in turmeric more easily absorbed, so always add it. It makes the absorption of curcumin increase by 2000%.
- Curcumin is fat-soluble, so take it with a meal that contains a healthy fat or add fat to the tea for absorption. (2% milk or higher has all the fat that you need or add.)
- Heating Turmeric also helps absorption and increases its antioxidant properties.
So put it in your favorite dish or try this amazing tea.
A Popular Way To Consume Turmeric.
I am not a fan of curry, so I was afraid that golden milk would be terrible. Boy was I wrong! Not only is it good for you, but it’s also really yummy! Similar to chai. Try it, I think you will love it.
Golden Milk
There are many recipes for golden milk or turmeric tea, but a good place to start is with this recipe. From there experiment to see what you like best.
Warm on low,
2″ fresh turmeric, peeled & sliced
1/4 Teaspoon Black Peppercorns
2 1/2 Cup of Milk (dairy or nondairy)
1 teaspoon coconut oil
Stir so the milk doesn’t scorch.
When it starts to simmer (small bubbles) remove from heat, let steep for 10 – 15 minutes, then strain.
Stir in:
Honey to taste
(Optional) Spice to taste (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, or other that you like)
Pour into a mug and enjoy once or twice a day
Or if you only have powdered, use:
2 Tablespoons ground Turmeric
1/8 Teaspoon ground black pepper
Everything else is the same, there is just no need to strain.
Related: My Garden Journal – Planner
Growing Turmeric
You can often buy rhizomes right in the organic grocery store. Yep, the part you eat is the same part you plant. If you can’t find it there you can get them here.
Mix compost into your soil and plant sideways 2” to 3” deep. Keep soil warm and damp. It can take a while to sprout so be patient. (4 to 6 weeks on average)
Plants can grow up to 4’ tall.
If you live in Zone 9 or higher, you can grow the turmeric plant right in the ground. They like partial shade and temperature between 55°F and 95°.
If you live in a temperate zone (zone 8 or lower) grow them in a large pot that you can bring inside for the winter. (At least 12” across) Don’t let the roots freeze.
Turmeric is usually ready to harvest at about 10 months old as the lower leaves will start to turn yellow.
To harvest, dig up the roots (rhizomes – that’s the part you eat) save enough to plant again. Or you can harvest part and let the rest continue to grow as turmeric is a perennial. It will die back in the winter and start again in the spring.
Rhizomes can be stored in the refrigerator or root cellar for up to 6 months after cleaning and drying them.
Peel the roots before you use them. Fresh Turmeric has a stronger taste than powdered so tread lightly until you find the amount that you are comfortable with.
Another great way to store your excess is to dehydrate the roots.
Peel and slice the turmeric. Place them on the dehydrator tray. Dehydrate until they are very dry, then they can be ground in a coffee grinder or even a small food processor.
With all these health benefits, I’m going to go make some Golden Milk. How about you?
Resources:
Curcumin: A Review of Its’ Effects on Human Health
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Happy Gardening!
I believe everyone can grow at least part of their own food! Let me show you how.
Foot Notes:
2) https://health.clevelandclinic.org/turmeric-health-benefits/
3) https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/turmeric-benefits-weight-loss#effects-on-weight
Mary is a gardener, backyard homesteader, and duck wrangler. She is also the owner and writer of LifeIsJustDucky.com and AGoodWordADay.com. (for daily devotions) Mary is passionate about helping others expand their backyard homesteading skills and learn to be more self-sufficient, no matter where they live.
thanks for sharing this great ideas of health benefits of turmeric and what it can do in our body.
Thanks!