Turmeric: The Golden Spice with Ancient Roots & Modern Magic ✨

Sep 16, 2024

Turmeric is everywhere these days — in smoothies, supplements, skincare, and maybe even in your spice cabinet. But before you toss another turmeric capsule into your shopping cart, there are a few important things you should know about this powerful golden root.

Let’s dive in — because turmeric is way more than just trendy.

A Golden History
Turmeric has been used for thousands of years, possibly as far back as 10,000 years ago in Siddha medicine, and for over 4,000 years in Vedic traditions. More than just a cooking spice, turmeric has played an essential role in both healing and sacred rituals for millennia.

Why? Because turmeric is basically a natural medicine chest all on its own.

Top Benefits of Turmeric 🌿

  • Anti-inflammatory (great for joints and muscle pain)

  • Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal

  • Supports digestion and gut health

  • Studied for potential benefits in Alzheimer’s, certain cancers, hormonal health, and more

  • Naturally balances all three doshas (bitter, pungent, and astringent in taste)

BUT WAIT! Read This Before You Supplement ⚠️
Here’s the thing: turmeric doesn’t absorb well on its own. In fact, your body can barely use it unless it’s paired with black pepper (thanks to a compound called piperine), which boosts absorption by hundreds of times!

🔥 Want even more absorption? Combine turmeric with ginger too — Ayurveda figured this out thousands of years ago, but now science agrees.

So — if you’re buying turmeric capsules without black pepper? You might just be wasting your money.

Best way to get turmeric’s benefits:
1️⃣ Use it in cooking! Whole spice = whole medicine.
2️⃣ If using supplements, look for ones combined with black pepper (sometimes labeled as “BioPerine”) and preferably organic.

Why Organic Matters:
Conventional turmeric is often grown with heavy pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Choose organic whenever you can, whether it’s fresh root, dried powder, or supplements.

⚠️ Important safety note: Avoid turmeric supplements if you’re pregnant, trying to conceive, or on blood thinners.

More Than Medicine — Turmeric in Ritual & Ceremony
Turmeric isn’t just revered for health — it’s also sacred. In Indian culture, it’s used to bless brides and grooms, mark rites of passage, and as an offering in spiritual ceremonies. Turmeric paste is traditionally applied to the bride and groom during pre-wedding celebrations for good luck, glowing skin, and spiritual protection.

Favorite Way to Enjoy Turmeric:
One of my absolute favorites is Golden Milk — warm, creamy, soothing, and packed with all that turmeric goodness (recipe below!).

Final Thought:
Turmeric isn’t just a “superfood trend” — it’s ancient, powerful, and deeply woven into the traditions of Ayurveda. Use it wisely, pair it well, and you’ll unlock its full potential.

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Golden milk recipe

 Drink this tea if you have any respiratory issues, fever, need to increase your digestive capacity or want to warm up on a cold day. You can drink this tea up to three times per day. You can increase or decrease ingredients depending on your taste/need or leave one out altogether - feel free to experiment! It is also delicious without milk as an herbal tea.  Avoid if pitta is aggravated

 Ingredients:

 1-3 teaspoon  freshly chopped or grated ginger  

  • 1 tsp Tulsi (AKA holy basil) - fresh or dried or plain tulsi tea bag
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder (or fresh if you can find it!)
  • 1 pinch to ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1-2 teaspoons honey (or maple syrup if vegan)
  • Water
  • Choice of milk (organic cow, almond, oat, etc)

 

Instructions:

  1.  In a small pot, add water (half your total tea volume), ½-¾ cup
  2. Add ginger, tulsi, turmeric and black pepper.
  3. Bring to a boil x 1-3 minutes. 
  4. Add the milk (2nd half of your total tea volume), ½-¾ cup
  5. Bring to a boil again
  6. Remove from heat.  Stir in choice amount of sweetener
  7. Strain into a mug and enjoy!

 

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