I can’t believe I forgot to post this amazing anti-inflammatory tea until now! Last Friday one of my patients told me of a turmeric paste she was going to make and it sparked my memory of my mum and dads favourite night time tea! They were given it whilst travelling in Mexico for a cold. After consuming the tea and then going straight to bed they both woke up without colds the next day! Placebo perhaps but they continued to take it to help with general pain and inflammation in their joints and muscles. They both swear by it! Let me know what you think. I have also included the recipe for a turmeric golden paste that you can add to virtually anything!
Benefits of turmeric
Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory with it’s main active ingredient named curcumin having passed rigorous studies in the science world. The main benefits of turmeric are reduced arthritis discomfort, healthier skin, stronger immune system and better liver detoxification. It may also help with some forms of cancer and dementia as well as other illnesses or pain associated with inflammation. Besides anti-inflammatory properties turmeric is also a anti-microbial, antioxidant and anti-neoplastic. Click here to peruse the latest research on turmeric.
Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tea
Ingredients
- 1 teabag rosehip tea
- 1 capsule of turmeric/curcumin or 1 teaspoon of normal turmeric (which ever you have handy is fine)
- 1/3 tsp ceylon cinnamon (normal cinnamon can have the opposite effect)
- 1/3 tsp ground ginger
- good sized pinch of quality black pepper and freshly ground
- raw honey to taste (Optional and remember that honey is mostly sugar so if you can go without and get the nutrients that honey provides from other sources instead!)
- Juice from 1/4 lemon (Optional, great for colds!)
Method
Step 1 – Brew 1 cup of rosehip tea
Step 2 – Add the turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and black pepper remembering the the honey is optional and to taste.
Step 3 – give it a good mix with a tsp and continue to give it the occasional stir as you drink. Bottoms Up!
Turmeric Golden Paste
Click here for the original recipe and for more information about turmeric!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup turmeric powder
- 1 cup water plus a little reserve as needed
- 1/3 cup cold pressed Olive or Coconut oil
- 2-3 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper (use recently purchased pepper as well because old pepper can go moldy)
- 1-2 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
- 1-2 teaspoon ceylon cinnamon (optional)
Method
Step 1 – Place the water and turmeric in a small pan on low heat. Stir until you have a thick paste but add more water if it gets too thick! This should take 10 minutes or less.
Step 2 – Remove from heat and add the spices and the oil using a whisk until it starts to cool. This way the oil and the spices will blend properly through the mixture. Once cooled place in a jar for storage purposes.
The paste will last in the fridge for about 2 weeks so freeze some if you don’t think you will go through it all at once. You can use it for smoothies, in Kefir or yoghurt, with savoury dishes and even on your pets plate! The choices are only limited to your imagination and perhaps your palate! You may have noticed the tea is basically the same ingredients, you could try adding the paste to your cup of rosehip tea!
Dose
It is recommended by Dr. Doug English (Vet) for humans to start with 1/4 tsp 3 times per day and build up from there to 1 teaspoon 3 times per day. Please see their more comprehensive website for details about dosage for your pets and for some delicious turmeric recipes!