How to Make Turmeric Tea

3 Ways to Prepare this Popular Healing Herb

Apr 29, 2009 Cindy Ausbrooks

Turmeric tea can be prepared in several different ways to improve gastrointestinal complaints, joint pain, acne, sore throat, and a variety of other ailments.

An herbaceous plant in the ginger family, turmeric is native to South Asia. However, it’s become a popular culinary and medicinal herb around the world. Most praised for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties, it’s also known as a powerful gastrointestinal remedy, and as a treatment for wounds and skin infections, chronic stomach upsets, gastrointestinal disorders, acne and skin disorders, arthritis and bursitis, and bad breath and gingivitis.

Turmeric’s healing benefits are attributed to curcumin, the compound responsible for the herb’s yellow pigment. Practitioners of Ayurveda, a traditional Indian medical system, believe the herb can cleanse and heal the entire body when taken internally. Use any of these turmeric tea recipes to make your own healing beverage.

Turmeric Tea with Ginger

This tasty adaptation of turmeric tea includes ground ginger, maple syrup, and lemon juice. It’s recommended to help ward off colds, flu, and other viral infections, any gastrointestinal problems, and to detoxify the body.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups spring or distilled water
• ½ teaspoon each powdered ginger and turmeric
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• Juice from ½ fresh lemon

Directions:

1. Bring the water to a boil, and add powdered ginger and turmeric. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Strain the liquid into a clean coffee mug, and add the maple syrup and lemon. Stir to combine, and drink immediately.

Turmeric Tea for Joint Pain

This is an Ayurvedic turmeric tea recipe that is believed to aid in joint pain relief. It’s thought to lubricate the joints and is recommended for arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis sufferers, or anyone with chronic joint pain.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup spring or distilled water
• 1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 3 cardamom pods
• 1 cup whole, organic milk
• 2 tablespoons cold-pressed almond oil
• Honey or maple syrup to taste

Directions:

1. Bring the water to a boil, and then add the turmeric powder and cardamom pods. Reduce heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer for 5-10 minutes.
2. Add milk and almond oil to the liquid. Heat just to the boiling point, but do not allow the mixture to come to a boil.
3. Remove from heat, and strain the tea into a clean coffee mug. Add honey or maple syrup to sweeten, if desired, and drink immediately.

Turmeric Tea – Milk & Honey

This recipe may be the most popular way to consume turmeric spice, aside from its use in culinary dishes. Turmeric tea made with milk and honey is soothing to the whole system, and recommended for sufferers of muscle aches, acne or skin problems, colds, and sore throat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole, organic milk
• 1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon honey or sugar to taste

Directions:

1. Heat the milk on low heat until very warm, but don’t allow it to come to a boil, and be careful not to scald.
2. Add the turmeric powder, and mix well to combine. Transfer the tea to a clean coffee mug and add honey or sugar to taste. Drink immediately.

Turmeric Tea Dosage Information and Precautions

Drink 2-3 cups of turmeric tea per day, as necessary. Although turmeric is safe to consume, it should be taken in moderation, as with any herbal remedy. Women who are pregnant or nursing and sufferers of congestive heart failure, gallstones, or obstruction of the bile ducts should not take turmeric tea.

References:

White, M.D., Linda B. and Stephen Foster. The Herbal Drugstore. New York: Rodale, 2000. Print.

The copyright of the article How to Make Turmeric Tea in Natural Medicine is owned by Cindy Ausbrooks. Permission to republish How to Make Turmeric Tea in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Turmeric Powder