This page is here to let you know the different ways that turmeric can be consumed. There are basically 3 ways: powder, root or in a capsule. The other pages of this site will tell you how to eat it for specific ailments. This page gives a general overview and some interesting recipie ideas especially for turmeric tea.
The easiest way to get turmeric is to buy it as the powder sold for cooking. Try and find the
large containers which work out much better value. Instead of buying capsules, make a paste with water and roll it into a small ball the size of a pea. Then take two a day. These homemade turmeric capsules (curcumin) don’t absorb into the body as well as when it is bolied first. Capsules sold in health food stores will be far more effective.
As a side note for women, I have seen some posts online that tumeric powder can be added to cosmetics to give a more natural look. Perhaps this is worth a try?
Turmeric Tea
1 large cup of water
3+ teaspoons brown sugar
1 inch ginger root
1/3+ teaspoon powdered tumeric (or 1 inch piece of fresh root)
juice of 1/2 lime (or lemon), or milk
This is an easy recipe that I use most often, it is tasty and easy to alternate between lemon juice and milk. I boil the turmeric powder and ginger root (chopped in 2-3 pieces) first for approx. 10 minutes. I have also recently started adding a touch of pepper which doesn’t effect the taste. Pepper is said to make curcumin absorb into the body easier.
aprox. 2, 2″ pieces (yellow Tumeric)
1 lemon
1 tablespoon of honey
Cayanne pepper
optional (banana)
2 cups of water
1/2 teaspoon powder Turmeric
1/2 teaspoon powdered Ginger
1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup or Honey
Juice of 1/2 Lemon
4 cups of water
1 Tablespoon of powdered Turmeric
Lemon (optional)
Honey (optional)
For best results boil turmeric (and ginger) for 10 minutes before adding other ingredients. This helps the body to absorb the nutrients so that you get the maximum turmeric benefits. When using powder beware of that last sip of tea as the powder will collect there and not taste very nice.
To avoid staining my teeth yellow I take a few sips of water afterwards and use it to rinse the inside of my mouth (this isn’t necessary though). It has also been suggested that adding oil or black pepper to turmeric tea can aid the body with absorbing turmeric.
Turmeric recipes can be found all over the internet. I enjoy cooking and find that i can easily sneak some into many different dishes as alternative to drinking turmeric tea. It goes well in all curry recipies, even those not from India. It can also be used to give dishes and rice a yellow color. Just try adding it to your favourite recipes. I use it regularly in green Thai curry, chicken curry with coconut milk, and Bicol Express (Filipino pork dish with coconut milk and shrimp paste). It can also be used in marinades for BBQ food.
If you prefer not to drink or eat it, you could try turmeric capsules which are an easy way of ensuring your body has all the goodness from curcumin. many dishes which feature this spice are Asian recipes which are delicious. I have found some great options which utilize this ingredient such as Thai soup.
My favorite easy turmeric tea recipe:
I have been drinking it for over a year now and the easiest way is as follows:
Boil 1 pint of water with half a teaspoon of turmeric powder for 10 minutes. Also with a quarter of a teaspoon of powdered ginger (optional) and a very small pinch of pepper (aids absorption into the blood stream). Then add 3 teaspoons of brown sugar and lots of milk. This should serve two cups or one large cup/glass. This is similar to Indian tea (chai) which is creamy, sweet and spicy. Other Indian spices such as cardamon or cloves could also be added.
