When I found this organic turmeric at the grocery store the other day, I squealed like a little pig!
That’s because this is probably the most powerful root on the planet and just the thought incorporating it even more in my diet is a dream come true.
I knew the first thing I wanted to do with the turmeric was kiss it… haha, just kidding.
Actually, I wanted to make juice!
Turmeric is super powerful at reducing inflammation in the body naturally – without drugs – i.e. Advil, etc.
Did you know that the inactive ingredients in different forms of Advil include artifical food coloring made from petroleum, artificial sugars, sodium benzoate, GMO’s, propylene glycol (the stuff used in anti-freeze for your car) and parabens?
When I had a bad accident a couple of years ago, I did not take ibuprofen long term or any other prescribed drugs, I took turmeric extract in pill form to allow my body to heal naturally and ease the pain of my injury. And I would not be sharing this story, unless it freaking worked! To this day – whenever I have an ailment – I turn to turmeric.
But that’s just the icing on the cake – Turmeric can also be used a preventative measure against a myriad of diseases, not just treat a specific aliment.
This is evidenced by what Dr. Andrew Weil shares below:
Reviewing some 700 studies, Duke concluded that turmeric appears to outperform many pharmaceuticals in its effects against several chronic, debilitating diseases, and does so with virtually no adverse side effects. Here are some of the diseases that turmeric has been found to help prevent or alleviate:
- Alzheimer’s disease: Duke found more than 50 studies on turmeric’s effects in addressing Alzheimer’s disease. The reports indicate that extracts of turmeric contain a number of natural agents that block the formation of beta-amyloid, the substance responsible for the plaques that slowly obstruct cerebral function in Alzheimer’s disease.
- Arthritis: Turmeric contains more than two dozen anti-inflammatory compounds, including sixdifferent COX-2-inhibitors (the COX-2 enzyme promotes pain, swelling and inflammation; inhibitors selectively block that enzyme). By itself, writes Duke, curcumin – the component in turmeric most often cited for its healthful effects – is a multifaceted anti-inflammatory agent, and studies of the efficacy of curcumin have demonstrated positive changes in arthritic symptoms.
- Cancer: Duke found more than 200 citations for turmeric and cancer and more than 700 for curcumin and cancer. He noted that in the handbook Phytochemicals: Mechanisms of Action, curcumin and/or turmeric were effective in animal models in prevention and/or treatment of colon cancer, mammary cancer, prostate cancer, murine hepatocarcinogenesis (liver cancer in rats), esophageal cancer, and oral cancer. Duke said that the effectiveness of the herb against these cancers compared favorably with that reported for pharmaceuticals.
So now that I’ve hopefully convinced you to try this root…. I need to tell you that juicing turmeric can be really tricky. If you use too much – the juice can end up very bitter and not at all pleasant to drink.
I experimented with a few different blends that don’t use fruit juice or sugar (like most recipes call for) because I wanted to find a way to drink this all the time without having to consume the additional added sugar.
The blend that worked is so REFRESHING. The coolness of the cucumber and romaine worked like a charm…. I hope you can find fresh turmeric root where ever you are… because this juice is the BOMB.
- 2 inch piece of turmeric
- 1 bunch romaine lettuce
- 3 carrots
- 1 cucumber with ends removed
- 1 lemon with peel removed
- Wash all vegetables thoroughly and place into a large bowl
- Juice each vegetable in this order – turmeric, romaine, carrots, lemon, and cucumber
- Stir mixture before serving
- Clean juicer immediately
If you are like me, sometimes you can get in a juicing rut. I am so glad to have this new medicinal cocktail in my repertoire…. if you know someone who could benefit from incorporating this juice into their diet – please tell them about it and share this recipe with them.
The feeling of not having to buy that little blue package of Advil is quite incredible and something everyone should experience!
XOXO,
Food Babe
Just be careful…I took a teaspoon full a day last year for several months to heal the inflammation in my neck and ended up frying my esophagus and stomach. SOOOO much pain and took several months to heal.
This is what I take for Tumeric. (capsule form) It is another way to get it in your diet.
http://www.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/curcumin-95-60-p-natural-anti-inflammatory.html?gclid=CKOS-cCv8bYCFY9eQgod5BEADA
Thanks a lot for your information. We do take a lot of turmeric everyday. Now Ill try to remember all its uses .
Love from Mom.
I have a Vitamixer, not a juicer. Can I make this into a smoothie?! Sounds great
I have a vitamix as well and I just add a teaspoon or dried tumeric or piece of fresh root, along with ginger to my “green drink” that I make every day. 1/2 carrot, 1/2 banana, kale, swiss chard, spinach, thick slice of ginger, half as much tumeric, brocolli and pineapple juice…..sometimes I add some frozen anti-oxident fruit blend or some frozen pineapple.
Do you have any idea if you could ferment/pickle tumeric and still maintain the nutrient properties (like sauerkraut or pickled beets) so as to keep it longer and more readily available. I have a juicer but never get the chance to use it.
I make a hot drink with dried organic turmeric.
I have about a tsp a day with no stomach problems what so ever.
1 T coconut milk powder in approx 3/4 c organic milk
Froth with espresso maker or heat in pan
Add 1/2 tsp powdered turmeric and 1 rounded tsp organic Ceylon cinnamon and whisk.
Add stevia to taste.
Very soothing like hot cocoa or a latte
Yes I do this too. But I mix 2T. turmeric with 1/4 c. water and warm gently on stove and add more water til it is a nice shiny pasty consistency 7-9 minutes. I add 1/2 tsp of this to 1 C. coconut milk, add 1 t. honey and some cinnamon and drink before bed. 1/2 tsp Udo’s oil. It’s a very good drink. Helps you sleep well too. And you can save the turmeric paste 2-3 weeks and use daily or add it to soups or chilis.
Hey foodbabe, yay for you! aint it hard getting the ‘real deal’! instead ive opted for using ground turmeric in my smoothies – just a 1/2 teaspoon. Do you think I’d receive enough benefits from 1/2 teaspoon of the ground turmeric you get in the little jars in the spiced section, or should I up it or just omit it altogether? Obviously fresh is best, but not often easy. btw.. thank you for your inspiration – im feeling fabulous!
It is hard to know the quality of ground turmeric but it’s not going to hurt so sprinkle away! Try to buy organic spices when you can. Glad to hear you are feeling great!
Can you recommend a juicer?
Omega8006
Vani uses a Breville juicer
http://foodbabe.com/shop/for-the-kitchen/
A local blogger, cool.
Hello sir, for long time i am suffering from extreme body temperature, my hb- has drop down these days, but seens i was in 7 th standard i took lots of medicine as i was suffering from heavy menses then after taking ayurvedic medicines now i dont have any problem related to mense, but my body temperature is so high that my palm, feet they literally burn my home town being India its very hot these days i can set for a min without AC. SO YOU PLEASE HELP ME OUT OF THESE PROBLEM
I am allergic to citrus so I will try it with organic apple juice
I just tried this recipe, and it was fab!! I felt a real boost in energy and everything was just bright and jazzy. My first time juicing raw turmeric and it was amazing. Totally crushing on Food Babe right now.
Great to hear!
Great recipe, I look forward to trying it. I’m currently making one juice a day using turmeric and I love it. Just for something a little different with a small bit of fruit for sweetness if your interested.
2 kale leaves
2 handfuls of baby spinach
2 cm fresh turmeric
1cm fresh ginger
150 ml coconut water
1 small green apple or kiwi fruit
This is delish and really good for you! Hope you enjoy
Can I use dry turmeric? How much?
Of course, start with a small amount to make sure you like the taste and then gradually add more…a few healthy sprinkles. I put it in scrambled eggs, stir fried veggies and soups sometimes too. Buy organic if you can.