Turmeric

Buy Turmeric
Buy Turmeric Essential Oil

Scientific Name:  Curcuma Longa


Parts Used:  Root


Cautions:

• Can cause skin rashes in sensitive individuals and may increase sensitivity to sunlight.
• Consult a doctor before using if you have gallstones.

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Healing Properties

• Used as digestive, circulatory and respiratory stimulant. 
• Good for hepatitis, nausea and digestive problems (good for those who have had their gallbladder removed).
• Cleanses chakras, combats digestive infections, useful for some parasites.
• Used externally on sprains, bruises, and arthritic pains. 
• Cleanses and improves the skin, good for eczema.
• Eases parasitic skin problems and poor eyesight, encourages milk flow in breastfeeding. 
• Eases rheumatic pains, arthritis, sore throats, indigestion. 
• Blood and energy stimulant.  Can help with abdominal/chest pain and menstrual problems.
• Some studies show it may prevent breast and colon cancer, reduce the risk of stroke and boost insulin activity.
• Also used for bone health, allergies, cancer, candida, liver issues, AIDS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Crohn's disease.
• Can also be helpful for blood in the stool. 
• Calms the stomach, so can be good for hangovers and IBS.
• Overall good for the skin and general immunity.

How to Use: 

• Add a little black pepper whenever using turmeric - it helps the body absorb it.

• Add fresh or dried herb to food and beverages.
• Can be taken in store-bought capsule or extract form.
• Tea/Infusion (best consumed immediately, but can be stored in the fridge for up to 48 hours):
  • Cover 1/2" chunk of peeled root with boiling water.  Let steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain & drink.
  • Cover 1 teaspoon dried or ground herb with boiling water.  Let steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain & drink.
• Essential oils: Apply externally, or add 1-2 drops to drinks or directly on tongue.
• Syrup (Can be stored longer - up to 2 weeks in the fridge, or frozen indefinitely): 
  • Make 2 cups of the tea.  Add to cast iron or stainless-steel pan.  Add 2 cups sugar or honey and heat the mixture on med-low heat until the sugar/honey is dissolved and it thickens into a light syrup.  Remove from heat and let it cool.  Store in a glass bottle (cork top, not screw, because syrups can ferment and explode if sealed too tightly).  Take in 1-2 teaspoon doses every 3-4 hours. 
• Tincture (Can be stored longer - generally last for 2+ years and some say potency increases with age):
  • Add 2 cups water to 1 quart of vodka or rum that is approximately 37.5% alcohol).  Put this in a clean bottle, clearly labeled (not all will be used for the tincture and you can use the remaining for additional batches).  Put 1/4 pound of dried herb (or 3/4 pound fresh) into a large wide-mouthed glass jar.  Add 2 cups of the diluted alcohol mixture to the jar, screw lid on tight and shake well.  Leave jar in a cool dark place for 2 weeks, shaking well every couple of days.  After 2 weeks, strain the mixture and store the liquid in a clean, dark glass bottle.  Add 1/2 - 1 teaspoon tincture to juice or warm water  3-4 times daily.  
• Ointments/Creams: 
  • Ointment (use when needing to protect and seal the skin):  Melt 1/2 pound lard or vaseline in a saucepan over very low heat.  Add 3 Tablespoons of dried herb and stir well.  Heat for about 2 hours or until herb is starting to get crispy. Strain into glass ointment jars and store in a cool dry place.  This should last about a year if all equipment is clean/sterile.
  • Cream (use when you want the mixture absorbed by the skin):  Use a large double boiler.  Fill lower pan with water and put 1.5 Tablespoons white beeswax and 1.5 Tablespoons anhydrous lanolin into the top pan.  Heat until melted and add 1/2 cup of base oil (sunflower or similar), 6 Tablespoons water and 2 Tablespoons glycerol.  Heat until fully melted again.  Add 3 Tablespoons dried herb and heat for at least 3 hours (check water level of bottom pan often and add boiling water as needed). After 3 hours, pour the hot mixture through a strainer (quickly, as it will begin to re-solidify).  Stir cream gently until it cools.  Store in small dark glass jars and use as needed.  This should last about a year if all equipment is clean/sterile. 
• Oil Infusions (Can be stored longer - generally will last for at least a year, often longer): 
  • Hot Infusion:  Use a large double boiler.  Fill lower pan with water and put 1/4 pound dried herb (or 1/3 pound fresh) and 2 cups of base oil (sunflower or similar) to the top pan.  Heat on medium-low heat for 3 hours (check water level of bottom pan often and add boiling water as needed). Strain the oil into a pitcher.  Cool completely, then pour oil into glass bottles and store in a cool dark place.
  • Cold Infusion: Pack a medium sized jar with dried or fresh herb (1 inch from the top).  Cover herb with safflower or walnut oil.  Leave the jar in a sunny indoor location for at least 3 weeks.  Strain the mixture and repeat process again using more herb and the oil from the first infusion.  Leave it in a sunny indoor location again for an additional 2-3 weeks.  Strain the oil again, place in glass bottles and store in a cool dark place. 
• Compress: Soak a cotton ball or gauze in hot tea/infusion or tincture (4 teaspoons tincture to 2 cups hot water) and apply to area affected.  Note: it may be beneficial to use a cold compress instead, for some types of headaches for example).  
• Poultice:  Use a cotton ball or piece of gauze about 3 times the size of the area needing treatment. Fold in fresh or dried herbs and place it in a shallow dish. Pour boiling water on it and soak for 5 minutes.  Remove poultice from water and place on affected area.  Replace when it cools (or put a heating pad on top to keep warm).  

Grow/Harvest Yourself:

• Buy Turmeric Seeds
• Zone: 8-11
• Soil pH: slightly acidic to slightly alkaline
• Moist and well-drained soil
• Partial sun

*I am not a doctor.  The information on this platform is not a claim to treat, cure, prevent or diagnose any illness.  These remedies are intended to aid the healing process within your body (in correlation with existing traditional treatments).  Please talk to your family doctor before trying any natural remedies (especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or on prescription medication).  ​