If you’ve been to a health food store recently, there’s a chance you’ve seen turmeric in some form. This spice, a flowering plant in the ginger family native to India and Southeast Asia, contains the active ingredient curcumin, which is said to have anti-inflammatory properties and many other benefits. Read on to learn more about this super supplement.
What Is Turmeric Effective For?
While more research still needs to be done, here are just a few things turmeric has been effective in treating
- Hay fever symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion
- Depression
- High cholesterol
- Buildup of fat in the liver
- Inflammation
- Sores inside the mouth
- Osteoarthritis
- Itching
Does Turmeric Cause Any Side Effects?
While you should always get doctors approval before starting supplements if you’re currently taking anything – whether you take turmeric by mouth or apply it to the skin, turmeric is generally safe to use in the short term, causing few side effects. When taken at higher doses, people have experienced upset stomachs, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. So start slow, and be mindful of your body!
How to Take Turmeric
If you’re looking to make turmeric part of your daily regime, you have some options:
- Honey, Honey: Mix one part powdered turmeric with three parts raw honey. Eat a teaspoon of the mixture anytime you feel a cold coming on. This concoction gives your immune system a boost and lowers inflammation.
- Soup-er Foods: Throw a tablespoon of powdered turmeric and lots of fresh oregano into a pot of your favorite soup to kick infections that may be lingering in your body.
- Tea Time: Dissolve two teaspoons of powdered turmeric in two cups of boiling water. Add one tablespoon of raw honey and the juice of a lemon to create a tea that will help stop inflammation in its tracks.
- Pill Form: The taste of turmeric isn’t for everybody. If you’d rather take it as a supplement, your body will digest it all the same. Just make sure you take it with food.