Turmeric tea: properties, contraindications and recipe

Turmeric is a spice that boasts multiple benefits thanks to its well-known properties. With a very delicate flavor and intense aroma, it is used both in cooking and in phytotherapy to treat various disorders that can affect the entire body. In this article we will learn about the recipes for preparing herbal tea with turmeric and the ways to take it, illustrating in detail the properties and contraindications.

What are the properties, contraindications and recipe for preparing turmeric herbal tea? For some time now, in the kitchen, we have been flavoring our dishes with more or less well-known spices, with a varied color and a fine smell, which give the preparations that extra touch. Sometimes, however, we forget, or ignore, the actual healing power that a certain ingredient possesses and which goes far beyond the simple culinary value. Turmeric , for example, has important therapeutic properties if taken as a herbal tea, depending on the doses and other ingredients associated with it. Let’s see together how to prepare it and for which ailments to use it.

Beneficial properties

The turmeric plant is native to India, where it has been known and used as a spice, medicine and natural dye for over 5,000 years. The word turmeric comes from the Persian term “Kour Koum” which literally means saffron, in fact this is why it is also known as Indian saffron.
The properties of turmeric come from its rhizome, which can be consumed fresh or dried. Although it is a natural source of important mineral salts such as calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, manganese and copper, scientific studies on the plant are particularly focused on curcumin, its main active ingredient .
Among its benefits are its anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying action. Turmeric, in fact, has always been used to detoxify and purify the body, especially the liver. The antitumor effect, however, is especially indicated against the onset of tumors such as colon, mouth, lung, liver, skin, kidney, breast and various types of leukemia.
In the phytotherapeutic field, we find dried turmeric root in the form of capsules as a food supplement or in powder form , to make infusions, decoctions and herbal teas.
The antioxidant properties of curcumin are very interesting, capable of counteracting the formation of free radicals and significantly slowing down cellular aging. This is essential for preventing diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and other age-related pathologies.
In addition, turmeric also boasts healing properties , prevents cardiovascular problems, neurological and mental illnesses, such as depression and Alzheimer’s, and lowers the level of bad cholesterol in the blood.

Contraindications

The recommended daily intake of turmeric is 1.5-3 grams of powder or fresh rhizome. However, this dose is excessive in the presence of gallstones, hypersensitivity to curcumin or in the case of obstructive liver diseases. In all these cases, its intake is not recommended even in the form of herbal tea.
Furthermore, it is important to know the possible interactions of turmeric with some drugs , including:

• chemotherapy drugs, which undergo an increase in antitumor action
• anti-aggregating agents, for which turmeric is responsible for an increase in anti-aggregating activity
• oral anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin or Sintrom), due to a possible risk of bleeding

It is therefore recommended not to exceed two cups a day during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if you are taking anticoagulant drugs. For more information, it is always best to consult a trusted specialist.

Precautions for use

Currently, clinical studies recommend avoiding the use of turmeric during pregnancy and breastfeeding , due to possible gastric disorders and heartburn and other problems still being studied.
It is also necessary to pay maximum attention when taking turmeric in subjects suffering from gastroesophageal reflux or peptic ulcer, given the high risk of irritation to the gastric mucosa.
To avoid annoying side effects, it is important not to overdo the doses of the herbal tea with turmeric and ginger because it could cause gastrointestinal problems, such as abdominal cramps, nausea and constipation, especially in those who suffer or have suffered from gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder.

Turmeric Herbal Tea Recipes

Turmeric herbal tea has different recipes and preparations of popular origin , depending on the benefits you want to obtain. Preparing it is simple starting from turmeric powder, better if organic and of proven origin to avoid possible contamination, or from the fresh rhizome, which can be purchased in herbalist’s shops.

Herbal tea to aid digestion

Turmeric can be used to treat mild gastrointestinal disorders associated with poor digestion, thanks to its eupeptic properties. To prepare it you need:

Bring the water to the boil in a saucepan with the grated fresh turmeric and let it simmer for no less than 5 minutes. Let the drink cool down, add a natural sweetener to taste only at this point. The classic turmeric herbal tea against bad digestion can be consumed in the morning on an empty stomach or after meals.

 

Herbal tea to strengthen the immune system

Against seasonal ailments, such as colds and sore throats, turmeric herbal tea can be a valid remedy capable of stimulating weakened immune defenses. Here’s what you need:

Dissolve the turmeric in hot water and then add the other ingredients. Mix carefully and take one or two cups a day, preferably in the morning and evening.

 

Purifying herbal tea

A purifying herbal tea is useful to help the body eliminate toxins accumulated especially through food. The liver and kidneys are thus facilitated in their daily task of purification, but the benefits also concern the elimination of excess fluids.
For a purifying and rejuvenating action, the ideal is the turmeric and ginger herbal tea. Both ginger and turmeric boast particular antioxidant properties, which through the consumption of the herbal tea become an irreplaceable concentrate of well-being for the health of our body. Antioxidants, in addition to fighting cellular and aesthetic aging, purify the body, repair damaged tissues and reduce the risk of the onset of certain heart diseases and type 2 diabetes.

In particular, this herbal tea acts on the liver, that is, the organ most “stressed” by the presence of waste and toxins because it is useful for their disposal.
The detox effect is made even more effective because both turmeric and ginger have notable anti-inflammatory properties, so the herbal tea prepared with these two spices has a double regulating power. If consumed every day, in fact, it has the ability to significantly reduce pain, relieve swelling and treat any inflammatory process of organs and tissues.
Furthermore, thanks to its healing power, it is able to facilitate tissue regeneration and stimulate cell production.

Add the turmeric powder or, better yet, grate it fresh. Cut the ginger into small pieces and bring the two ingredients to the boil in a saucepan of water with the lemon, preferably organic and untreated. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, then filter the mixture and drink, sweetening to taste.

 

Energizing and antioxidant herbal tea

To start the morning off right and get the right amount of energy, you can prepare a turmeric herbal tea with the addition of matcha tea, a variety of tea rich in vitamins, mineral salts, chlorophyll and carotene. Let’s see how to take it:

To prepare a drink rich in energy and anti-aging substances, pour the water and all the ingredients into a saucepan, bring them to the boil and stir continuously to mix the matcha tea. Pour the drink into cups and add lemon or honey to taste.

 

Herbal tea against liver disorders

Turmeric has important cholagogue and choleretic properties , that is, it is able to stimulate the flow of bile with a beneficial effect on the liver and duodenum. Here are the ingredients needed for the preparation and the subsequent procedure:

Add the powdered or finely chopped ingredients to boiling water. Leave to infuse for about 10 minutes. Cool and drink a cup of herbal tea after main meals.