One of the first supplements I started taking when I began looking for natural remedies for inflammation years ago was: turmeric. At the time, I didn’t really know anything about it, except that it was bright orange and used in sauces like curry.
But, the more I read about this super powerful little inflammation fighter, the more I knew I needed to get some more turmeric in my life: STAT. Luckily, it’s really easy to do – especially since the word has gotten out that turmeric is a mighty little spice – so you can get your turmeric easily in powder form, pills, drinks like golden milk, and even in skin care.
Let’s learn a bit more about this brightly colored spice that acts like a natural pain reliever!
The Health Benefits of Turmeric:
Turmeric is, hands down, one of the most effective natural remedies and/or supplements for fighting free radicals and inflammation in the body. It’s especially effective when combined with a little black pepper, which is why the best supplements always combine the two and a lot of golden milk recipes ask for a dash of black pepper.
Without the pepper, our bodies may not be able to absorb very much curcumin (the main active ingredient in turmeric) – so make sure to combine the two for optimum inflammation fighting power!
Regardless of how you get the turmeric in your body, the health benefits can’t be beat. Here are just a few of the many health benefits of upping your turmeric (source):
- Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal herb!
- Fights inflammation at the molecular level!
- Neutralizes free radicals
- Boosts the body’s own antioxidant defenses
- Improves brain function
- Fights brain degeneration over time
- Lowers risk of heart disease
- Reduces the risk of cancer
- Can even slow the growth and spread of cancer!
- Reduces joint pain associated with arthritis and other autoimmune diseases!
- Powerful anti-depressant
- Incredible anti-aging supplement
Bottom line: turmeric helps with relieving pain, reducing swelling in joints, cleansing and flushing out toxins, and helping fight infections.
Are you ready to get more turmeric? Here’s how!
Ways To Get More Turmeric:
Due to the strong taste of turmeric, you will most likely know if you’re getting enough of it in your diet. If you don’t care for the taste, there is definitely more than one way to get enough turmeric. Here are a few ways to pack more of this powerful spicy punch into your belly:
1. Diet:
If you love curry sauces and Indian food, you might already be getting a lot of this gorgeous spice in your life. If that’s not your jam, you can also add turmeric powder to things like anti-inflammatory smoothies and golden milk (or turmeric tea).
Personally, one of my favorite inflammation fighting smoothies, a homemade version of the popular The Cure smoothie by Vibe, contains turmeric powder, as well as other anti-inflammatory foods and spices. I drink it as often as I can and definitely up my intake when I’m feeling a flare of inflammation coming on.
2. Supplements:
But, my favorite way to motherload the turmeric into my life is through supplements. I take a turmeric supplement everyday. Yup – every day – as part of the 10 supplements I take for inflammation.
I recently worked with a naturopath who analyzed all of my supplements and helped me fine tune them to exactly what my body needs and she even said I could be taking MORE turmeric than I already was!
I was super excited about this, because I definitely see results in my inflammation when I take turmeric. It’s also great for digestive health, too. Although, if your’e having any digestive distress, you will love this post on my natural remedies for that, too.
Gaia Extra Strength Turmeric is one of my all-time favorite turmeric supplements. I have used this for years. I typically take 2-4 tablets in the morning, with food and my other supplements. If I am taking 4, I’ll usually break it up into 2 in the morning and 2 in the middle of the day.
If you’re suffering from a headache or particular aches and pains, you can up this even more, as well as put turmeric powder in your smoothies.
I think supplementing with turmeric is such a no-brainer. It’s gentle on the body, but is still very, very powerful and really will make a difference in your inflammation. You’ve got to try it.
3. Skin Care:
Yup, our body absorbs quite a bit of what is put on our skin, so lather on that turmeric girl! You can use turmeric in homemade face masks as well as buy skin care that uses turmeric.
Because turmeric is so great for inflammation, skin care with turmeric is perfect for people who have rosacea or other skin conditions flared up by inflammation.
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If you’re suffering from health issues, autoimmune diseases, recovering from an injury or just looking to be your healthiest, you will love the results of taking turmeric.
And, if you’re looking for more ways to reduce inflammation – don’t miss these posts on even more ways to use food as medicine and restore balance in your body:
- 15 Powerful Foods That Fight Inflammation
- Powerful Health Benefits of Collagen
- Health Benefits of Dandelion Root Tea
- 10 Free Yoga Sequences for Chronic Pain
Have any questions on taking turmeric? I’d love to hear from you!
Have a fabulous day,
E
