“Each spice has a special day to it. For turmeric, it is Sunday, when light drips fat and butter-colored into the bins to be soaked up glowing, when you pray to the nine planets for love and luck.” – Chitra Baneriee Divakaruni
This post was originally on my old site, tarynraineyoga.com
Turmeric is one of my favorite spices. I love the flavor AND it is known to have some great health benefits. I seriously tell everyone I know about my favorite morning tonic for bloating that features turmeric and brag about my turmeric lattes. I am obsessed! Plus, I have found that a good powder is nearly just as beneficial as the fresh root, so it is easy to keep stored on hand.
What are some of the awesome benefits of turmeric?
- Supports joint and muscle health – Curcumin is beneficial for inflammatory responses and eases aches and pains
- Supports cardiovascular function – The stronger inflammatory response supports a healthy heart
- Boosts cognitive function – Protects brain cells
- Promotes healthy mood balance – Been shown to be a natural mood booster
- Boosts detoxification – Curcumin helps to optimize the functions of the liver
- Promotes glowing skin – Helps to give youthfulness to skin, diminishing wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin
- Supports weight loss – Can help enhance digestion and weight loss (of course, with proper diet)
Scientists are also discovering that adding black pepper to turmeric can increase the bodies ability to absorb the power of curcumin to help fight inflamation and support healthy living.
Turmeric is also one of the main contributors to curry spices and I freaking love curry. So, amen to that too!
Here are some of my favorite ways to use turmeric:
Morning or Anti-Bloating Tonic
LADIES! (and gents!) This stuff works! It is one of my favorite secrets (that I really don’t keep secret at all). I have made a recipe of incredible ingredients that help with digestive and gut health on a daily basis, but it works freaking wonders for bloating. I can literally have the worst bloating on my period, but I drink a cup of this stuff and I am ready for a crop top and a night out. I bring this to all my brides on their wedding day to help alleviate bloating, especially from traditional champagne toasts and mimosas the morning of the big day (PS – I used to be a wedding/event coordinator).
The recipe is super easy. I make a full recipe and put it in a mason jar in the fridge. Then, I can reheat it each morning to make my life a bit easier (rather than making a daily amount each morning).
Click here for my Recipe >
Turmeric Latte
?This is my favorite thing to drink when my belly is upset. It may not work for everyone, but it is seriously a god send in my life. I definitely recommend using coconut milk, but you can really use any milk recipe. I roughly follow this recipe and it is delicious!
Turmeric Face Mask
Very simple and I love the way my skin glows after use!
(pssst… sometimes I add a dash of cinnamon to help reduce redness)
I would love to hear if you have any favorite uses for turmeric. If you are new to this ingredient, I want to warn you that it stains EVERYTHING! Fingers, counter tops, clothes, etc. So, be super careful to avoid staining everything you own yellow… not that I have ever done this….. 🙂
?Much love, Taryn
