Turmeric is a healthy orange root that’s often advised to take on daily basis. There’s a lot of ways you can take it including the popular Golden Milk. Keep reading to learn why turmeric is so important and check out the turmeric smoothie recipe below. It’s delicious!
Turmeric has been used in India for thousands of years as a spice and medicinal herb. It has a group of compounds called curcuminoids, among which curcumin is the most important.
Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant. Unfortunately, curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. It helps to consume black pepper with it, which contains piperine, a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin.1
Turmeric is used in Ayurveda to balance Vata, Pitta, and Kapha dosha, though in excess, it can aggravate Pitta and Vata. It also nourishes the rasa and raktha dhatu (circulatory system). It’s bitter, astringent and pungent in taste and is known for it’s antimicrobial properties. Ancient Ayurveda used turmeric for wound healing and in inflammatory conditions. Also, turmeric is used in respiratory tract diseases.
Here’s a healthy turmeric smoothie recipe with ginger.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
1 tsp turmeric
A pinch of black pepper
1/2 tsp grated ginger
1 tsp coconut oil
2 tsp honey
Directions
Mix all the ingredients and blend on high speed until smooth.
Variations – you can include your choice of vegetables like carrots, beets, spinach or fruits along with this recipe.
References
1 Shoba, G, et al. “Influence of Piperine on the Pharmacokinetics of Curcumin in Animals and Human Volunteers.” Planta Medica., U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 1998, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9619120/.
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