The Healing Benefits of Turmeric plus a recipe for a ginger-turmeric tea!

TURMERIC (Curcuma longa), the bright yellow of the spice rainbow, is a powerful medicine that has long been used in the Chinese and Indian systems of medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent to treat a wide variety of conditions, including flatulence, jaundice, menstrual difficulties, bloody urine, hemorrhage, toothache, bruises, chest pain, and colic.

Turmeric has a peppery, warm and bitter flavor and a mild fragrance slightly reminiscent of orange and ginger, and while it is best known as one of the ingredients used to make curry, it also gives ballpark mustard its bright yellow color.

Turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant and has a tough brown skin and a deep orange flesh. Turmeric has long been used as a powerful anti-inflammatory in both the Chinese and Indian systems of medicine. Turmeric was traditionally called "Indian saffron" because of its deep yellow-orange color and has been used throughout history as a condiment, healing remedy and textile dye. 

HEALTH BENEFITS :

1. A Potent, Yet Safe Anti-Inflammatory

2. An Effective Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

3. Relief for Rheumatoid Arthritis

4. Help for Cystic Fibrosis Sufferers
5. Cancer Prevention6. Inhibits Cancer Cell Growth and Metastases

6. Turmeric and Onions May Help Prevent Colon Cancer

7. Turmeric Teams Up with Cauliflower to Halt Prostate Cancer

8. Reduce Risk of Childhood Leukemia

9. Improved Liver Function

10. Cardiovascular Protection
11. How Turmeric Lowers Cholesterol

12. Protection against Alzheimer's Disease
13. Curcumin Crosses Blood-Brain Barrier, May Help Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

14. Turmeric Boosts Amyloid Plaque Clearance in Human Alzheimer's Patients

I found a great tea tonic recipe online which you can check out  http://blainearin.com/

Ingredients
2 teaspoons ground turmeric (or 1 - 2 tablespoons minced fresh turmeric root, if you can get it)
1 1/2 tablespoons minced ginger
10 grinds fresh black pepper
8 1/2 cups water

For each 1 1/2-cup serving
Juice of half a lemon
1 teaspoon honey, more or less to taste

Instructions

In a medium pot, combine the ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and water. Bring a simmer. Just before it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and gently simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it cool down with the lid on.

1. Strain the tea into quart-size mason jars (or any other container you have - just not plastic!) using a fine-mesh strainer. Store in the refrigerator...or use immediately.
2. For each 1 1/2-cup serving, add the juice of half a lemon and some honey to taste

I had a cup of this tea last night before my usual Sunday massage and I really enjoyed the play of strong flavors from the ginger, turmeric and pepper...so warm, relaxing and soothing. Perfect for a long stressful day! Try it out!

cheers,

Pattie