turmeric

turmeric (Curcuma longa) is one of the most powerful natural healers. the active constituent of turmeric is curcumin. curcumin is a polyphenol with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. polyphenols have the ability to stabilize free radicals, which can damage the body’s cells. if you suffer from arthritis, back pain or any kind of joint pain, it helps reduce the inflammation by reducing histamine levels. curcumin lowers the levels of two enzymes in the body that cause inflammation.

here is a recipe i use for making a turmeric syrup. adding black pepper to turmeric enhances curcumin's bioavailability by 1,000 times due to black pepper's hot property called piperine. honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

9 parts dried turmeric powder

1/2 part freshly ground black pepper

warm up some honey in a pan. the amount of honey is dependent on how sweet you want it. i add a little water to thin the honey down. add in the turmeric and pepper and mix thoroughly. stir slowly until all the powder is dissolved. i put it into a used wine bottle and keep it in the fridge and take a small shot of it everyday. proportions are not critical as this is a food grade herb.

turmeric is extremely safe. it has been used in large quantities as a food, with no adverse reactions. but, if you are taking certain medications for blood thinning or stomach acid reducers, you should talk to your doctor first before using curcumin for medicinal purposes because there might be adverse reactions.