Turmeric: Yellow Health Powers

Turmeric: Much more than just a spice. It has incredible powers and is packed with loads of health benefits.

Photo from authoritynutrition.com

Turmeric is one the most thoroughly researched plants in existence today.  Its medicinal properties and components (primarily curcumin) have been the subject of over 5600 peer-reviewed and published biomedical studies.  In fact, our five-year long research project on this sacred plant has revealed over 600 potential preventive and therapeutic applications, as well as 175 distinct beneficial physiological effects. This entire database of 1,585 ncbi-hyperlinked turmeric abstracts can be downloaded as a PDF at our Downloadable Turmeric Document page, and acquired either as a retail item or with 200 GMI-tokens, for those of you who are already are members and receive them automatically each month.  (The Mind Unleashed)

Incredible reasons to eat turmeric everyday

• The most promising quality of is its ability to prevent cancer. This super-food can stop cancer from growing and spreading into other organs. It causes cancer cells to commit suicide.
• Its anti-bacterial agents may help our body fight against colds, cough and flu.  Turmeric’s key ingredient Curcumin is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which can help in healing cuts and wounds.
• Stimulates the production of bile which helps to break down fatty foods, which in turn, may help you lose weight. Taking one teaspoon of Turmeric powder with every meal may help in loosing weight. This of course doesn’t cancel the fact that you need to eat healthy and exercise.
• Has major antioxidant properties which helps fight diseases by destroying free radicals.
• Improves liver function. This is done through the production of enzymes that break down toxins into materials that are easily eliminated by the body. Taking turmeric increases the production of these enzymes, thus improving liver function.
  

Tips for adding turmeric into your daily life:

• Include turmeric as an ingredient in regular meals.
• Add turmeric into daily smoothies/glass of plant-based milk (help fights cold and flu)
• Make tea out of turmeric. Boil 3-4 C. of water with spoonful of turmeric for 10-15 minutes. Strain and enjoy!

---

While no food or herb is right for everyone, and everything has the potential for unintended, adverse side effects, turmeric is truly unique in its exceptionally high margin of safety vis-à-vis the drugs it has been compared with, e.g. hydrocortisone, ibuprofen,chemotherapy agents. Furthermore, nothing within the modern-day pharmaceutical armamentarium comes even remotely close to turmeric’s 6,000 year track record of safe use in Ayurvedic medicine. (Ref: Natural Health, Natural Medicine)

---

Fresh root or dried powder?

Turmeric's earthy, exotic aroma and flavor make it a delicious addition to many dishes. Found in the dried spices at grocery stores and some specialty markets carry the fresh root.  Swapping fresh root for dried in recipes is possible.
Cost Savings Tip:  Buy bulk when purchasing the power.

Fresh herbs and spices are almost always more desirable than their dried counterparts, and turmeric is no exception. 
Fresh turmeric is less bitter than dried turmeric. 

• Wash the root of any dirt and scrub it well
  
• Peeling? You don't need to, but some people prefer to. 
  
• Grate it with a ginger grater or the small side of a cheese grater
  
• Smash it with a garlic press 

Conversion:

The general rule of thumb for converting dried herbs or spices to fresh in a recipe is 1-to-3, so 1 teaspoon of dried spice is equal to 3 teaspoons -- 1 tablespoon -- of fresh. 

• Roughly 2 inches of fresh turmeric root will yield 1 tablespoon of the freshly grated spice.
  

Storage:

Refrigerator: 

• Short term: Wrap loosely so it doesn't mold
• Long-term: Wrap unused turmeric root in a paper towel, and store it in a plastic bag
• Another method is to peel the rhizomes and pack them in a jar with vodka. Stored in the fridge, these should last for a year or more.

Freezer: 

• You can also freeze turmeric. It will be mushy when it thaws out, but fine to add to your dish.  Freeze it in usable sizes so you only defrost what you will use at one time. 
  

Tips:

• Will stain surfaces and fingers, especially in its fresh form. Wear gloves while grating it if you don't want yellow fingertips. 
  
• Pickle fresh turmeric root in vinegar and lime juice for a tasty Asian-style condiment.

References:  Livestrong, Natural Health-Natural Medicine, The Mind Unleashed