How to Make Turmeric Tea – Recipes & Health Benefits

Drinking turmeric tea is an enjoyable way to supplement your diet with the active ingredient, curcumin.

Turmeric is a plant that has been used for thousands of years in Asia as both a medicine and culinary ingredient. Some estimates suggest turmeric tea use dates back over 5,000 years.

Turmeric spice is produced from the roots and rhizomes of Curcumin longa. Like ginger, it is a member of the Zingiberaceae botanical family. It was introduced to the West by Marco Polo, the famous Italian explorer.

Traditional uses for turmeric tea include depression, skin disorders, digestive upset, liver ailments and infections. Contemporary uses include cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver dysfunction and much more.

Turmeric has a number of beneficial characteristics, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Drinking turmeric tea is a good way to increase consumption of this beneficial herb, however the low oral bioavailability of curcumin means that high dosages may need to be used.

Turmeric

Herbal Supplement

Joints

Heart Health

Anti- Aging

How It Works:

• Contains anti-inflammatory curcuminoids
• Promotes brain & cardiovascular health
• Supports the immune system & anti-oxidant enzymes

Dosage:

Between 400 - 1800 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Turmeric Tea

Turmeric spice is produced by boiling, drying and grinding the rhizomes (underground stems) of C. longa. It is the primary ingredient in curry powders and is often used to make dyes.

The rhizomes of the turmeric plant contain the highest concentration of curcumin – turmeric’s bioactive constituent. Curcumin exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also responsible for turmeric’s golden pigment.

Curcumin is a type of curcuminoid. There are three curcuminoids of note in turmeric rhizomes: curcumin (which is formally called diferuloylmethane), demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin.

Turmeric tea has a slightly bitter, enlivening, “zingy” flavor. Many people like to add some fresh organic lemon or lime juice to the tea. Honey can also be added to help accommodate individual tastes.

Why Drink Turmeric Tea?

Turmeric tea is usually consumed to support digestion. The German Commission E, the regulatory body charged with overseeing the prescription of herbals, has approved the use of turmeric for digestive upset.

Alternatively, some consume turmeric tea for its pleasing and invigorating flavor. In general, people often drink the tea tea in the hopes of gaining health benefits from the plant’s medicinal properties.

Turmeric and curcumin have been the subjects of scientific investigation. The therapeutic effects of turmeric in humans are still being investigated. In general, turmeric has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that many hope to consume via tea supplementation.

This compound is considered effective for relieving chronic inflammation, joint pain and improving functionality related to arthritis. It is also taken to support the immune system.

Although there is a growing body of scientific research focused on the therapeutic effects of turmeric and curcumin, few studies have involved turmeric tea. Most studies have involved the oral consumption of turmeric powder or a specific curcumin supplement that has been formulated to improve bioavailability.

Uses of Turmeric Extract

Turmeric supplements, including teas, tablets, capsules and decoctions, are taken for a variety of indications, including:

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Type II diabetes mellitus
• Liver conditions, including jaundice, hepatitis and liver disease
• Chronic inflammation and associated pain
• Depression and Alzheimer’s disease
• Asthma, allergies, bronchitis and other respiratory disorders
• Migraine headaches, fibromyalgia and analgesia
• Fever, parasite infections and leech bites

Available scientific evidence varies considerably from one use to the other. The FDA has not approved the use of turmeric for the prevention or treatment of any disease.

Effects of Turmeric Tea

Laboratory and animal experiments indicate that turmeric and curcumin exhibit antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

In animal models curcumin has been observed to decrease symptoms of depression. Researchers hypothesize that it may modulate the production of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.

In addition, curcumin supplements have been reported to help reduce knee pain in those suffering from osteoarthritis.

However, turmeric tea is unlikely to have the same magnitude of effects as curcumin. On average, turmeric only contains between 2 and 5% curcumin. Many of the studies cited involve curcumin supplements that are standardized to contain high levels of the curcuminoid.

Furthermore, many of these studies have used a blend of curcumin with piperine (black pepper extract). The combination of these two has been found to improve absorption of curcumin from the intestinal tract and enhance bioavailability by as much as 2,000%.

Although there is limited scientific evidence to suggest that turmeric tea will confer any particular therapeutic effect, many enjoy consuming the tea to improve their general sense of well being and consume some of the beneficial properties of turmeric.

How to Make Turmeric Tea

Turmeric tea can be made in a number of ways. Raw turmeric rhizomes can be chopped or ground and then decocted in hot (not boiling) water until the water becomes a rich orange color.

Fresh turmeric rhizomes can also be used in cooking – from shredding and sprinkling on salads, to flavoring barbecue sauces. Alternately, turmeric powders can be purchased and used to make tea and add flavor while cooking.

The following is a recipe for making turmeric tea from fresh rhizomes:

1. Cut approximately 3 g of turmeric rhizome into thin slices.
2. Place slices in a glass or stainless steel saucepan with 24 oz of filtered water.
3. Cover with a loose-fitting lid.
4. Place the mixture on low heat.
5. Add juice of a fresh, organic lemon or lime (optional).
6. Allow the mixture to simmer for at least 30 minutes (do not boil).
7. Strain the mixture to remove all plant matter.
8. Add honey, coconut milk or another flavor enhancer and enjoy!

Turmeric and curcumin are potent medicinal substances and may interact with some prescription and over-the-counter medications. Speak with your doctor before drinking turmeric tea to make sure you are not at risk of any adverse interactions.

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