What are turmeric and turmeric tea? Turmeric, an herb often used in cooking, has many great health benefits. Turmeric, a plant in the ginger family. Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.

Meghan Telpner, author of the blog Making Love in The Kitchen, shared the following benefits one should consider it.

Historically, turmeric was used in Ayurveda and other traditional Indian medicine, as well as in Eastern Asian healing such as traditional Chinese medicine. In India, it was traditionally used for disorders of the skin, upper respiratory tract, joints, and digestive system.

Today, turmeric is promoted as a dietary supplement for a variety of health conditions, including arthritis, digestive disorders, respiratory infections, allergies, liver disease, depression, and many others.

Turmeric tea, especially when combined with coconut milk offers several therapeutic benefits:

• Anti-inflammatory properties: Turmeric contains curcumin, which is known for its strong anti-inflammatory effects. This can help in reducing inflammation in the body, which is beneficial for conditions like arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
• Antioxidant benefits: Curcumin also has powerful antioxidant properties. This helps neutralize free radicals in the body, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases and promoting overall health.
• Enhanced digestion: Ingredients like ginger and cayenne pepper can support digestive health by stimulating digestive enzymes and reducing gastrointestinal discomfort.
• Boosts immune system: The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of turmeric, along with ginger’s antimicrobial effects, can provide a boost to the immune system.
• Supports heart health: Curcumin may help improve heart health by enhancing the function of the endothelial lining of blood vessels, reducing the risk of heart disease.
• Improves skin health: The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of turmeric can help improve skin health, reducing conditions like acne and promoting a healthy complexion.

The combination with coconut milk also makes the curcumin in turmeric more bioavailable, as curcumin is fat-soluble and better absorbed with fat.

I love that this recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free which makes this recipe even better for the digestive system. Plus it is super simple to make.

Turmeric Tea Ingredients*

• 8 ounces (1 cup) coconut milk (or any plant milk)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2-inch wide round slice of ginger root, peeled and finely chopped
• Dash of cayenne pepper
• 1/2 – 1 teaspoon honey or other natural sweeteners
• Optional additions: cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, etc (I add 1/4 tsp of cinnamon to mine)

Instructions

Gently warm the milk on the stove. In a mug, combine the remaining ingredients. Drizzle a teaspoon of the warmed milk into the mug and mix until the liquid is smooth with no lumps. Add the rest of the milk and mix well. You can leave the pieces of ginger in the tea, or strain it out before drinking.

If you love turmeric as much as I do, check out this Maple Pecan Cauliflower recipe!

It’s so delicious on a chilly night and so therapeutic if you are having digestive issues. I’m all about supporting the gut so let me know if I can help you further. I’m one of the top Digestive Health Specialist in the Summerville, SC area but work with people all across the U.S. If you’d like to learn more about gut health, we’d love to connect!

*Recipe courtesy of Joanna Kneller.