Turmeric: The Golden Healer
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Siri Ved Kaur
Turmeric has been recognized by yogis and ayurvedic healers since ancient times for its many healing properties. Grown mainly in India, the turmeric root is a close cousin to ginger root. It is dried and ground into a fine powder, brilliant gold in color, and used in many Indian recipes (this is what makes curry yellow). Commercially, turmeric is used for its color and as a thickener (yellow prepared mustard, canned soups, and many processed foods contain turmeric!). Little do those food manufacturers know of this amazing root’s qualities!
Sometimes referred to as the "poor man’s saffron" because of the golden color it imparts, the similarity ends there. Taken internally, turmeric is a friendly healer to the liver and stomach, promoting healthy mucus membranes and skin. Yogis know that it also helps with stiff or creaky joints and arthritis. It is also used as a digestive aid. There is also some evidence that it is even helpful in lowering cholesterol. Turmeric also has a drawing quality, to draw out toxins, dry up secretions, and to heal.
Now, how to get that rather bitter tasting powder into your body?
First of all, cook it. You can either boil it in water for 8-10 minutes to make Turmeric Paste which you can add to curries, soups, or use in Golden Milk, or sizzle in a little ghee or olive oil for 20-30 seconds. This takes out the bitter taste and also releases the essences of the turmeric into the oil or water. It must be cooked!
You can also get turmeric in capsules at the natural foods store. Usually the capsules contain a greater concentration of curcumin, its active ingredient.
Yogic Remedies
Sore Throat (especially with mucus/phlegm stuck in throat): Take about ½ teaspoon of thick turmeric paste and form into a ball. Pop it into the back of your throat and swallow with a glass of water. You can do this a few times a day or as often as every hour if desired.
Creaky or Stiff Joints: Take at least 1 cup of Golden Milk every day for 40 days.
Stomach & Digestive Problems: Golden Yogurt, a total of at least 1 cup a day. This is also good for intestinal candidiasis; the yogurt brings in the good bacteria for healthy intestinal flora and, since turmeric is a natural anti-fungal, it helps to counter the yeast overgrowth.
About 15 years ago, during a very stressful time, I developed gastritis. Yogi Bhajan suggested I take a daily concoction of yogurt, banana and 1 Tbsp. of turmeric paste. I found this really quite helpful.
And, you can add turmeric to so many foods. Keep a jar of turmeric paste in the fridge (it keeps for a couple of weeks), and add a spoonful to your breakfast cereal, smoothies, and even spread on toast with a little honey. Also, it’s easy to add a spoonful to cooking foods, such as rice, tofu, and vegetable dishes.
Its benefits do not stop yet! Turmeric is used externally as well.
Skin Conditions: The juice of fresh turmeric is prized as a cure/soother for many skin conditions, including eczema, chicken pox, shingles, poison oak/ivy, and scabies. Turmeric paste makes quite a satisfactory substitute! Apply the paste directly to the affected area, cover lightly with gauze or loose cotton clothing (that will likely be ruined with stain). This is known to help dry the blisters up and accelerate the healing process.
For shingles, one ayurvedic remedy calls for first spreading a light coating of mustard oil on the shingles rash, and then spreading the turmeric paste over that. (Skin conditions such as those described above are seen in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine as originating from liver congestion/toxicity. You can help your rash from the inside out, by also ingesting turmeric.
Sores/Wounds: Keep turmeric in your first aid kit! It acts quickly to help stop bleeding, plus because of its anti-bacterial quality, will help prevent infection. For cuts, pile on the turmeric, cover with gauze, and apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding. Of course, serious wounds require immediate medical attention.
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Siri Ved Kaur
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