Last night I was watching a video of Dr. Andrew Weil speaking on health and longevity. He reminded me of the benefits of turmeric which he says is one of the intensively studied herbs at the moment.
Turmeric has anti-inflammation and anti-cancer effects. Indian villagers who consume large amounts of turmeric have the world’s lowest rate of Alzheimers and Okinawan Japanese who consume turmeric tea are the longest living people on the planet. There are other factors behind their longevity of course, but turmeric is one of them.
In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is used to stimulate circulation (helpful to bring on menstruation), heal bruises, strengthen the gall bladder, free blood clots, reduce liver toxins, acts an anti-inflammatory, and help metabolize fats. We can also put it on the skin in the case of infection.
Many students ask me about what to do when healing from an injury as a result of yoga. Generally the advice I give is the same as a doctor would give: take an anti-inflammatory substance and rest it; if it doesn’t heal within a few days, take a second look at it. The difference is you can use turmeric as opposed to an alopathic drug.
Try one of the following and you’ll likely notice that your flexibility improves and joint and muscle injury heal faster!
Yogi Bhajan style
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup milk (soy or dairy)
- 2 tbsp almond oil
- liquid sweetener, to taste, optional (honey, agave, maple syrup)
PREPARATION:
Bring water to a boil and add turmeric. Allow to simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring to make sure the turmeric is fully dissolved. Reduce heat, add milk and oil and stir well. Add sweetener if desired and enjoy!
Turmeric Tea
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
1/2 teaspoon powdered turmeric
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1. Bring water to a boil, then add powdered herbs. Simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Strain tea into a mug, add maple syrup and lemon, stirring to combine. Drink warm. Makes 1 serving. That’s it!
3 responses so far ↓
1 Chef Boy // Nov 25, 2007 at 7:52 am
Interesting to see the comments about tumeric; I have been studying it since coming to SEA in 1994. It is common in many traditional recipes for medicinal benefits and healing throughout Indonesia. My own flu cure is a hot tea based on fresh tumeric. Recipe as follows:
Flu Cure / 1-2 Portions
Thumb size knob; Fresh tumeric roots, peeled, crushed
Thumb size knob; Fresh young ginger, peeled, crushed
2-3 each; Lemon Grass stalks, crushed
1-2 tbs.; Sugar,(of your choice)
Hand full; Mint leaves
500 ml.; Hot water, simmering
*Combine all ingredients in a super size mug or tea pitcher.
*Let infuse with the hot water for at least 5 minutes.
*Sip slowly while liquid is still hot.
2 admin // Nov 25, 2007 at 8:44 am
you don’t have to boil it all together?
3 Chef Boy // Dec 21, 2007 at 11:57 am
I never believe in boiling an infusion, unless I want to concentrate the liquid. If we boil, it would increase the heat in the ingredients; and as this is a cure for a fever or flu adding heat to the recipe is not my goal. Try as he recipe states, maybe adding honey in place of the sugar part. let it set and sip it slowly for up to 1 hour and see if you don’t feel better.
I use the same recipe for a dry cough, adding additional honey (to caot the throat) and brandy (for its local effect of relaxing the throat).
Not that I am prescribing a cure for anything; but I’ve gotten some sick people smiling that were ready to cash it in an hour earlier. Is it the tea they feel or my generious contribution to their well being?
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