A small slice of turmeric a day can save you from a number of ailments. The use of turmeric in India goes back thousands of years. It is a custom for all households in India, irrespective of culture and religion, to add a pinch of turmeric to all our cuisines. It is added, not only to color our cuisines with the quintessential vibrant yellow but also because it has been used as a medicinal herb in India for as long as one can remember. Most Indian traditions, I must say, have a strong scientific basis. We cannot ignore the benefits of all the herbs and spices we use in our food. They have their roots deeply embedded in Ayurveda.

Curcumin

Turmeric belongs to the ginger family. Turmeric root, which is the edible part, contains a compound called curcumin. Curcumin gives turmeric its distinct yellow color.  Curcumin has rich anti-inflammatory properties along with dozen other medicinal values. Thus, “Haldi”, as it is spelled in Hindi, holds a revered place amongst all the Indian spices. “Haldi Doodh”, or turmeric milk is used in many a state in India, especially northern India, for its effective healing property.  It is known to reduce pain, treat wounds and is used even to treat fever and cold.

Turmeric Tea

Having turmeric in its raw form, while very beneficial, is not preferred by most, owing to its bitter taste. Though having in large proportion is not recommended, one good alternative to consume turmeric in raw form is to make a tisane out of it. The recipe is simple. Grate a few chunks of raw turmeric, steep them in water, simmer for a few minutes and it’s done. You can also add honey or a dash of lemon to enhance its taste. Simple with a truckload of health benefits, turmeric tea is an assured good addition to your diet. Bagged turmeric tea is also available in numerous stores, a much-needed supplement.

Benefits of Turmeric Tea

While turmeric is one of those herbs brimming with health benefits, the best way to absorb the benefits of curcumin is to consume it in the form of tea. Turmeric roots boast of a number of medicinal assets, the benefits all laid out for us to reap. Here is a list of some of the most effective health benefits that turmeric tea has to offer-

1. Reduces Arthritis-related pain: Curcumin possesses anti-inflammatory properties that helps to reduce pain. This also applies to pain and swelling related to osteo-arthritis.
2. Boosts Immunity: Loaded with anti-oxidants, turmeric works magic in boosting our immune system. With the growing consciousness of keeping oneself healthy, a lot of people has made it a practice to have small slices of turmeric a day, especially in the morning before meal, to keep fit.
3. Mitigates cardiovascular complications: Owing to its anti-oxidant rich and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is attributed to reduce risk associated with heart diseases. It helps in regulating cholesterol level in the blood, thus affirming the heart.
4. Helps prevent cancer: Curcumin is known to be an anti-carcinogen. It helps to prevent the growth of tumours and cancerous cells, thereby reducing the risk of cancer.
5. Can help treat uveitis: Uveitis is an inflammation of the iris. Corticosteroids, which are used in the treatment of uveitis, may possess certain side-effects. Certain research has indicated that curcumin also contain properties which may produce the same effect as corticosteroids minus the side effects. This may prove to be effective in the treatment of uveitis.
6. Prevents and treats Alzheimer’s: Curcumin helps to alleviate the effects of a number of neuro-degenerative diseases. The strong contents of curcumin are its anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory substances. It helps reduce cellular damage and inflammation, which is the reason why it helps reduce the effect of Alzheimer’s.
7. Good Skin: In the Indian tradition, on the day of the wedding or a day before that, bride and groom are laden with ‘haldi’ or turmeric. This is a tradition carried out in India through generations, across a number of cultures. This tradition is attributed to the skin- rejuvenating property of turmeric. Having a cup of turmeric tea a day can give you glowing skin. It helps reduce dermatological problems like acne, facial photoaging and psoriasis.

So, here’s your regular herbal fix. If you have not tried yet, go make yourself a cup to reap the benefits of turmeric, which I can assure you are a lot. From tending to pains and cleansing your stomach to leaving you with bright, glowing skin, turmeric can be an answer to many of our health problems.