Turmeric tea helps in weight loss, boost immunity, manages symptoms of arthritis, prevents cancer, keep the heart healthy, treats alzheimer’s, helps get rid of uveitis, lowering diabetes, promotes liver health, relieves irritable bowel syndrome or ibs and improves sleep are some of the health benefits of turmeric tea for your family.

Turmeric is a bright yellow spice obtained from the roots of a plant of the ginger family. It is a native of Southeast Asia and is used to give flavor and color to Asian dishes. On account of its anti-inflammatory and anti oxidant properties, it is extensively used as an herbal medicine in Indian Ayurveda since thousands of years.

The active component in turmeric, which gives it its characteristic bright yellow color, is curcumin. Curcumin has an excellent anti inflammatory, anti oxidant and immune boosting properties.

Turmeric tea and its preparation

Turmeric can be consumed in many ways, most common of which is adding it to curries and sauces. However, the way that is considered to be most effective is turmeric tea. Turmeric tea can be prepared using either grated or powdered turmeric.

Turmeric tea recipe is very easy and it can be prepared using these simple steps.

• Take around 3-4 cups of water in a pan and bring it to a boil.
• Add 1-2 teaspoon of grated or powdered turmeric and give it a stir.
• Let the mixture simmer for around 10 minutes.
• Strain the tea and relish it after it cools down a bit.

Although the turmeric tea may be consumed as it is, additional ingredients may be added to enhance the taste and absorption. The most common additives are honey, black pepper, lemon, ginger and milk. Honey helps sweeten the tea as well as add to the anti microbial properties. Black pepper contains piperine that helps in curcumin absorption. Lemon and ginger increase the anti oxidant and anti microbial properties. Milk, almond milk, coconut milk or a tablespoon of ghee, when used as additives, help promote the curcumin absorption.

11 Amazing Health Benefits of  Turmeric Tea

Turmeric tea benefits people of all ages. Its health benefits are numerous; some of which are listed below.

Turmeric tea helps in weight loss

Turmeric being an anti inflammatory reduces inflammation and keeps a check on the fat deposition in the body. The active ingredient curcumin helps increase metabolism thus burning excessive fat. On account of this, turmeric ginger tea is extensively used for weight loss.

Helps boost immunity

Turmeric has anti oxidant, anti inflammatory, anti bacterial and antiviral properties which help it improve the immune function. Turmeric ginger tea is an excellent immunity booster. Furthermore, it may boost immune system even in people having immune disorders.

Helps managing symptoms of arthritis

As an anti inflammatory, turmeric helps in reducing the most prominent symptom of arthritis, i.e. inflammation, thus reducing the pain. Moreover, turmeric is proved to provide a better result, in managing pain, as compared to leading anti inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin.

Helps prevent cancer

Curcumin, found in turmeric, is recognized as an effective anti-carcinogen, a substance that helps in preventing cancer. Anti oxidants, found in turmeric, prevents free radicals from causing damage to the body. Curcumin has best effects on cancer of the bowel, skin, breast and stomach. Curcumin can also help in preventing cancer from spreading to other organs of the body and may prevent the reformation of cancer cells after treatment. It also has anti-tumour properties which limit the growth of tumours.

Helps keep the heart healthy

Turmeric tea can prevent the hardening of arteries and reduces cholesterol level. By lowering LDL or bad cholesterol, turmeric reduces the risks of heart diseases and heart attacks. Curcumin reduces the deposits in the artery hence managing heart strokes. Curcumin also improves the health of the lining of blood vessel, i.e. the endothelium.

Helps treat Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s is progressive mental deterioration that occurs due to the generalized degeneration of the brain. Curcumin in turmeric soothes inflammation, oxidative damage and metal toxicity caused by Alzheimer’s. Curcumin is also effective in improving memory and mood.

Helps get rid of Uveitis

Uveitis is the degenerative condition of eye which causes inflammation of eye and may affect vision. Anti inflammatory properties of turmeric help in relieving this inflammation. Many studies have also proved that turmeric can help prevent the production of protein that causes blindness.

Helps in lowering diabetes

Curcumin in turmeric may reduce the levels of glucose in blood and can also help in other complications related to diabetes. Furthermore, having turmeric tea regularly can even prevent diabetes.

Promotes liver health

Curcumin increases the secretion of digestive fluid and protects the liver from damage caused by bile related chemicals. Turmeric tea can also improve the detoxification of the liver. The antioxidant properties of turmeric also protect the liver from oxidative stress and damage.

Relieves irritable bowel syndrome or IBS

Turmeric is very beneficial for people suffering with problems associated with digestive system. For this reason, turmeric has been used for years as a medicine for treating problems related to digestion. Turmeric is also helpful in reducing the pain related to IBS. Turmeric can also soothe pain and swelling caused by anal fissures.

Improves sleep

Curcumin has proved very helpful in improving mood thus improving the sleep as well. Curcumin also relieves anxiety, which is the biggest reason of issues related to sleep. As turmeric helps improve mood it is very useful in managing depression.

Dosage and potential risks associated to Turmeric tea

Turmeric tea is safe for most of the people and can soothe pain and inflammation with minimal side effects.  It is also a proven medicine for boosting immunity and improving digestion.

Amount of daily intake of turmeric is not specific. However research shows that it is safe to consume around 600 mg of pure turmeric powder thrice a day. In cases when grated or dried turmeric is used, it is safe to consume around 3g daily.

However, if the daily dosage increases it may result in potential side effects. Turmeric taken in higher quantities may result in acidity which can cause ulcers. People taking diabetes medicines for the same must consult a doctor before consuming turmeric tea, as turmeric results in lowering blood sugar levels way too much. Turmeric acts as a blood thinner and slows down blood clotting. Thus, the intake of turmeric must be reduced or stopped at least two weeks prior to a surgery. Turmeric may also decrease sperm count in men thus accounting for decreased fertility.