Every culture has their own spices and herbs that have been proven to be nutritional powerhouses. Here’s how (and why) to add more turmeric to your kitchen cupboards and weekly dishes.
What is turmeric?
Turmeric is a finger-sized root that is traced back to Chinese and Indian “systems of medicine,” is slightly spicy, warm, fragrant, and known for its rich yellow-orange pigment, called curcumin.
Where to find it
You can find the ground-up spice in the spice section of most grocery stores. If you are looking for fresh turmeric, you may need to check natural health food stores or farmers markets.
How to select it
If you are looking for fresh turmeric, choose firm and plump roots that are not bruised. Otherwise, just look for the brightly colored powder in the spice aisle.
How to store it
Place the fresh root in a brown paper bag (unpeeled) and store in the refrigerator vegetable drawer for roughly 3 weeks. You can also seal it in a plastic bag and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. For the ground-up spice, just be sure to keep it in a sealed container to protect it from moisture.
Organic or Non-organic?
Since it is exposed to the soil, choose organic when possible.
Top 3 ways to use it
- Add it to curries, stir fried dishes, or dry rubs
- Add it to smoothies or drinks
- Add it to spicy salad dressings
A replacement for Motrin maybe?
Curcumin has been been shown to “be comparable to the potent drugs hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone as well as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory agents such as Motrin” without the toxins. In addition, the antioxidant properties in the yellow-orange pigment can also “neutralize free radicals...[which is] important in many diseases, such as arthritis, where free radicals are responsible for the painful joint inflammation and eventual damage to the joints.” On top of all of that, “curcumin also helps the body to destroy mutated cancer cells, so they cannot spread through the body and cause more harm. A primary way in which curcumin does so is by enhancing liver function.” All-in-all, it’s a beautiful spice that not only adds amazing flavor (and color) to your dishes, but also combats ailments naturally.
Here’s a list of our favorite benefits that turmeric has to offer:
- A safe anti-inflammatory
- Improves digestion
- Prevents progression of Alzheimer’s
- Lowers cholesterol
- Helps prevent gas or bloating
- Helps prevent cancer (i.e. breast, prostate, skin, lymphoma)
- Reduces side effects of chemotherapy
- Improves skin conditions (i.e. eczema)
- Blood purifier
- Natural antiseptic
Cheetos or turmeric? You choose!
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