Turmeric – The golden spice

Turmeric is the Golden Spice of Ayurveda, a multi-faceted ingredient with extraordinary properties and health benefits. It supports detoxification, immune health, and promotes healthy looking skin.

It can be consumed as a) fresh rhizome, b) a powdered spice, or c) curcumin supplement tablets. Turmeric rhizomes can be used fresh (like ginger) or they can be boiled in water and dried to form a deep yellow-orange powdered spice that is used for cooking curries. The powdered spice has a strong mustard-like flavor and aroma that can be described as bitter, earthy, and pungent.

In the past decades, scientists have extensively researched turmeric to understand the benefits of curcumin, an active ingredient of turmeric. 

Turmeric enjoys a special place in Ayurveda due to its rejuvenating properties. Thus, the consumption of turmeric eliminates ama (toxins) and improves the flow of fluids and subtle energies. Ayurveda says it has an affinity for the blood and plasma. It also helps mobilize various elements in the body that are responsible for supporting liver health and immunity.

In moderate quantities, turmeric can balance all three doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) but in excess, it will aggravate vata and pitta. It should be consumed with some form of fat and a pinch of black pepper to improve absorption and increase the bioavailability of its active ingredients. If you cannot include turmeric as a spice in your cooking, you can take it in the form of curcumin + black pepper tablets or capsules.