Turmeric Heals The Way Drugs Do, Only Better

There are two good reasons for cooking with turmeric. The first one is that the spice’s attractive yellow color and pungent flavor satisfy the sense of having eaten real food. The second, as folk wisdom has always known, is that it’s good for you. Our previous post on turmeric vs. arthritis offers a wide view of the root’s healing properties.

Now science comes to back up folk wisdom, with studies proving that turmeric’s natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant  properties compare favorably to the effects of conventional drugs, without their side effects. It’s curcumin, the constituent of turmeric that makes the spice yellow, that contains these properties.

With the ability to lessen or eliminate inflammation, turmeric can treat a huge number of human ailments, like cancer. And arthritis, infections, chronic degenerative diseases, even depression. Over 590 abstracts, available through PubMed, attest to the near-miraculous healing qualities of the humble yellow root.

Rather than wait until life catches up with you and needing to start huge turmeric consumption, it’s better to simply eat a little every day.  I suggest that you learn to flavor rice, quinoa, and potatoes with it. Stir some into the next sauce you create. Look up some home-made curry recipes.

Or get a good dose of turmeric every morning by blending half a teaspoon into your favorite smoothie. And if you can find the fresh root, get your hands on as much as you can and freeze it. Grated into curries or sliced thinly into a smoothie, it’s the best way to get curcumin into your body..

It need not be said that turmeric won’t protect a person’s health if they also consume processed foods regularly, or smoke. And if serious illness is already present, very big doses of the root must be consumed.

In the meantime, here’s a turmeric smoothie recipe that packs a power of health and energy into your morning.  To your health!

Turmeric-Enhanced Morning Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup natural yogurt, kefir, or nut-based milk

1/2 cup frozen or fresh seasonal fruit chunks

1 banana or 1/2 avocado

1 teaspoon ground turmeric or a 1/4″ slice of turmeric root

1/2 teaspoon dried, ground or freshly-grated ginger root

A pinch of sea salt

Honey or natural date syrup or maple syrup to taste

More delicious ways to get turmeric into your life:

• Majadra Lentils and Rice
• Jordanian Mansaf Recipe
• Saudia Arabian Bukhari Rice
• Sweet and Tangy Cucumber Chips

:: Pubmed

:: GreenMedInfo

Image of ground turmeric and fresh turmeric root courtesy of Shutterstock.

Author: Miriam Kresh

Miriam Kresh is an American ex-pat living in Israel. Her love of Middle Eastern food evolved from close friendships with enthusiastic Moroccan, Tunisian and Turkish home cooks. She owns too many cookbooks and is always planning the next meal. Miriam can be reached at miriam (at) greenprophet (dot) com.

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