Turmeric, which has been used as a health supplement for over 4,500 years, originated in India where it was used in cooking and most likely in religious practice. Historians found powder residue, dating back to 2,500 BC, in ancient pots that proved people living in New Delhi frequently used turmeric. It was found that around 500 BC was when turmeric became a key ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine.
According to research, the use of turmeric traveled to China by 700 AD, East Africa by 800 AD, West Africa by 1200 AD, and Jamaica in the 18th century. Even back then, the word was getting out about the health benefits of turmeric. Today, India produces and consumes most of the world’s turmeric, but the U.S. especially is catching on to this superfood.
These days, we’re looking for healthy and natural ways to boost our immunity and stay healthy (especially during the flu season), and turmeric is a tried and true go-to for millions of people around the globe.
What is turmeric?
Turmeric comes from a plant, whose botanical name is Curcuma longa. Turmeric, which is a rhizome, looks like a root and produces flowers — in fact, the turmeric root is part of the ginger family and looks very similar to the ginger plant.
Turmeric can be consumed in many forms, which include powder, capsules, extract, and the whole root. In the kitchen, it’s easiest to incorporate turmeric by using turmeric powder, which you can find at the grocery store or online. While it’s a common addition in eastern cooking, it also makes for an amazing tasting tea thanks to its golden glow and its delicate unique flavor.
What makes turmeric such a powerful supplement is compounds called curcuminoids that have medicinal properties. Of those curcuminoids, curcumin has been identified as the main active ingredient that researchers found has proven health benefits.
Health Benefits of Turmeric Tea
Many people choose to consume turmeric tea daily, either in the morning as a substitute for coffee or at night as a nice way to wind down. As turmeric tea doesn’t contain much caffeine at all, it is also an excellent alternative for those wanting to sip something that won’t leave them jittery. The lack of caffeine also means there’s no wrong time or place to make yourself a cup of turmeric tea. Want the benefits of turmeric without skipping your morning caffeine hit? You can totally have it with your favorite coffee too if that’s what you prefer. Turmeric tea is easy to make and snuggling down with its healing warmth makes for a cozy pick-me-up.
Some folks use turmeric tea as part of their daily health regimen since it’s been shown turmeric can mitigate and even alleviate many types of health problems. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcuminoids but they tend to have a low bioavailability meaning that the body can’t always absorb all of the goodness. One of the reasons it can be tricky for the body to absorb is because of its low water content so by drinking it in tea form and adding a twist of black pepper you can totally up the game and send all that goodness running through the body.
For thousands of years, Turmeric has been adored for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. By making turmeric tea part of your ritual, you can lap up all the goodness and enjoy the golden glow that naturally comes from this delicate and dreamy tea.
Curious to find out more? Here are the proven health benefits of turmeric tea.
Immune System Booster
Research has found that curcumin, the powerful compound in turmeric, can boost the immune system and possibly even help those with immune disorders. This 2007 study which was published in the Journal of Clinical Immunology states that curcumin is a “potent immunomodulatory agent” that is capable of modulating the activation of “T cells, B cells, macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells.” The study went on to suggest curcumin could be used as a form of therapy for those who have an immune disorder. If you have an already compromised immune system, or even if you feel like you’re experiencing some early symptoms of the cold or flu, make yourself some turmeric tea in the morning or at night and let those antibacterial and antiviral properties get to work on giving your immune system a much-needed boost. Tea Drops’ Turmeric Tea is so tasty that you’d forget that you’re treating your body to some vital, medicinal goodness.
Powerful Anti-inflammatory
Inflammation due to oxidative stress (which is caused by an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in your system) can be caused by various chronic illnesses like MS, heart disease, allergies, asthma, colitis, psoriasis, and even cancer. Certain mental illnesses like depression can also cause inflammation in the body. Research shows that curcumin in turmeric can suppress inflammation, and is considered an anti-inflammatory agent.
Chronic inflammation has been shown to negatively impact the immune system, which is why you might notice you’re getting sick more often if you, say, are struggling with depression, or are dealing with a psoriasis flare-up.
Lowers Cholesterol
The studies that have been conducted have shown that turmeric can successfully bring down cholesterol levels (LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels). In the study, cholesterol level improvement was shown in subjects that were fed a high-fat diet after being given doses of turmeric. However, one study done in 2008 concluded that, after administering turmeric to patients with high cholesterol, those patients experienced lower total cholesterol levels across the board.
Eases Irritable Bowel Syndrome
In one study published in 2012, researchers tested two seperate groups — 45 patients were given curcumin and 44 were given a placebo. The curcumin was administered twice a day for six months. The results? The ulcerative colitis patients in the first group were found to relapse and show symptoms of IBS. Only 4 percent in the first group relapsed after six months versus the placebo group, where it was found 18 percent relapsed. This study concludes that, if taken regularly, turmeric is an effective supplement to help minimize ulcerative colitis symptoms (which can include abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea, and more).
Preventative Measure for Alzheimer’s
Interestingly, it’s been found that India has an extraordinarily low percentage of patients with Alzheimer’s — and some believe that’s because turmeric is the main ingredient in most Indian food. While more studies need to be done, researchers have discovered that for test subjects, turmeric lowered inflammation and oxidative stress (both of which might be contributing factors to developing Alzheimer’s). Other studies claim that it’s possible curcumin stops brain cells from breaking down, along with the formation of amyloid plaque in brains.
Soothes Uveitis Symptoms
Uveitis, which is an inflammation that occurs in the section of your eye between the white part and the retina. Uveitis can ultimately lead to blindness, so it’s important to treat this right away. While healthcare professionals do recommend medical treatment, it’s been found that turmeric as a supplement can help bring down inflammation and help reduce uveitis symptoms.
Decrease Inflammation from Arthritis
In a 2016 review, eight clinical trials were analyzed and it was found that taking 1,000 milligrams of curcumin every day for eight to twelve weeks helps with pain and lower inflammation due to arthritis. The doses taken may possibly be as strong as taking NSAIDs, so turmeric may be a natural, healthier alternative. In 2018, a study showed that curcumin did decrease joint inflammation in rats by blocking a signaling process called the mTOR pathway.
Prevents Heart Disease
Although many of the studies are specific to patients who have recently undergone heart surgery, researchers have found that by taking turmeric as a supplement (before and after the surgery), there was a decrease in myocardial infarction by 56 percent compared to a group that took a placebo bill.
There is one study that shows curcumin can mitigate the risk of developing clogged arteries. Though the test involved mice, the results were promising nonetheless. Mice who were given curcumin in their diet had a 26 percent reduction in fatty deposits in their arteries compared to the mice who weren’t given curcumin.
Protects Against Liver Damage
A 2016 study found that turmeric extract and curcumin “significantly” protected against liver injury. The data collected informed scientists that turmeric “protects the liver from chronic [liver injury] by suppressing hepatic oxidative stress.” This once again shows that oxidative stress is a culprit for many illnesses and turmeric is a powerful supplement that helps fight it. As the liver is one of the largest organs in the body with some of the most important metabolic jobs, anything you can do to protect against liver damage is always a good investment in your health and wellbeing.
Helps With Lung Illnesses
While more needs to be researched on this topic, the initial connection between turmeric and lung illnesses like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute respiratory distress disorder (and more), shows promising results.
If you’re feeling inspired to incorporate turmeric into your life, Tea Drops’ Turmeric Tea is a delicious (and easy) way to start. Cheers to a healthier you!
Possible Side Effects of Turmeric
So we know that turmeric has many awesome qualities when it comes to your health but what about the side effects? Side effects from drinking too much turmeric are rare but if you sip staggering amounts of turmeric tea you may notice some of the following symptoms showing up:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea or stomach upset
- Dizziness
- Blood thinning
- Higher levels of stomach acidity
It’s also worth remembering that turmeric is a mighty spice and it doesn’t do well when paired with certain medications. If you are on the following medications you may want to chat with your health professional before bringing turmeric tea into your daily diet or explore different teas to enjoy instead.
- Antibiotics
- Antihistamines
- Antidepressants
- Blood thinners
- Medication for blood sugar levels
- Some chemotherapy drugs
How To Use Turmeric
Turmeric is a versatile spice and can be added to soups, stews, curries, and even desserts. It’s also used as a way to marinate proteins, like chicken or tofu. Since turmeric is a mellow spice, adding a little bit to your dish won’t overpower the main ingredients. Turmeric has been used as a coloring agent in dairy products (like cheese, butter, and yogurt), desserts (cakes, ice cream, icing, and sauces), and snacks like popcorn and chips. Turmeric can also be pickled (like ginger).
Another simple way to incorporate turmeric into your diet is by making turmeric tea or “golden milk.”
How to Make Turmeric Tea or Golden Milk
Turmeric tea, unlike golden milk, is similar to ginger tea. It’s not watered down by milk, so the taste is much stronger (turmeric has a spicy, bitter taste to it). Various recipes exist and there’s no one “right way” to make turmeric tea, but here are the basic ingredients you’ll need for a version of this beverage: hot water, turmeric powder, honey (to enhance antimicrobial benefits), lemon, and ground black pepper (the latter is optional, but it does give your drink a nice kick).
Golden milk, or golden latte, on the other hand, is a sweet and creamy drink that requires a few more ingredients (but is still easy to make at home). You’ll need coconut milk, almond or oat milk, ground turmeric powder, ground ginger or ginger root, cinnamon, cardamon, coconut oil, ground black pepper, and a sweetener (like honey or coconut sugar).
Here’s an easy turmeric tea recipe to get you going:
You will need
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Half a teaspoon of ground turmeric
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A quarter teaspoon of black pepper
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2 tablespoons of lemon juice
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2 teaspoons of honey
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2 cups of water
How to make it
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Whisk together the water, turmeric, pepper, and lemon in a small pan and turn on the heat to bring to a boil.
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When bubbling, turn the heat down low and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes.
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Turn off the heat and add in the honey.
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Let the mixture cool for a few minutes and then pour through a strainer and into your cup.
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Sit back and enjoy!
If you’re looking for a more hassle-free route, you can always buy premade golden milk, like Tea Drops’ Turmeric Tea. No need to worry about a teabag, either. Tea Drops are dissolvable pods that just call for some hot water or milk if you’d like your tea creamy. Tea Drops’ Turmeric Tea is made with just two ingredients: organic turmeric and coconut palm sugar. It only has 5 calories, less than 1 gram of sugar, and is caffeine-free. It’s an easy (and delicious) way to get your daily dose of turmeric.
Wrap Up
Turmeric, the golden yellow spice, has gotten some extra love in the last few years with Instagrammable drinks like “golden milk” and dessert recipes calling for a teaspoon or two for taste, color, and magical properties.
Turmeric tea is one of our favorite soothing teas to sip on when we are craving comfort. Its bright color and bounty of health benefits give us that golden pick-me-up we need to face the day. Combine that with all the antioxidants and inflammatory powers that help fight colds and flu in the winter season, not to mention the signature health effects on the body, mind, and soul, and it's no wonder that people have been turning to turmeric for thousands of years.
**Medical Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informative purposes only and shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. Those who have any health-related queries should be sure to reach out to a medical professional. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
