Also known as

Turmeric, Curcuma Longa, Curcumin

About Turmeric

Turmeric originates from India and the Middle East, including Pakistan, China, Peru and Taiwan. India is considered to be the best in the world market because of its high curcumin content. Turmeric is a perennial, herbaceous plant of the ginger family. It is native to the tropical lands of India and attains a growth rate of 60-90cm in height and has a short stem and tufted leaves.

It is the roots and the rhizomes of the Curcuma Longa plant that are consumed, and they give turmeric its characteristic bright yellow/orange colour and strong peppery taste.

What makes Turmeric so special?

In a word, curcumin. Curcumin is a natural chemical compound that lends the bright stunning yellow colour to turmeric. Curcumin is predominantly what gives turmeric all it’s valuable health benefits.

It must be said that turmeric varies in curcumin content, ranging from around 2-6% Curcumin. The typical turmeric spice used in curries and bought from your local supermarket will certainly have a relatively lower, if any, curcumin concentration than a premium pure turmeric powder found in your health store.¹. They are indeed not the same!

Turmeric, contains special chemicals called curcuminoids and although curcumin has by far the most health benefits among all the curcuminoids, it is better to consume the whole plant turmeric to ensure that you benefit from all curcuminoids and all the vital nutrients the turmeric root has to offer.

Benefits

Because of it’s strong and natural colour, Turmeric is widely used as a vegetable dye, used to colour clothes as well as a colouring agent in pharmaceutical, food and confectionary industries.

Traditionally Turmeric has been used in Ayurveda medicine for its health benefiting and therapeutic properties for thousands of years, for nearly every health condition known – from smallpox to stomach problems. There are 1000’s of studies referencing the benefits of Curcumin and Turmeric from around the world, and with good reason.

Among the most commonly discussed and researched are:

1. Anti-oxidant¹
2. Anti-inflammatory Diseases ¹
3. Aid digestion
4. Helpful for arthritis
5. Protects the heart
6. Brain Boosting
7. May be helpful as a Cancer preventative¹

Turmeric for external usage

Turmeric has a wealth of benefits externally too. For centuries, it has been used as a rub for chest pain, insect bites, burns, skin disorders and one of our all time favourites – a teeth whitener and gum soother/ anti-septic.

Below are a list of other ways you can use Turmeric.

• For skin, mix with aloe vera gel or coconut oil to form a paste.
• For teeth and gums, mix 1:1 with coconut oil to form a paste and brush teeth for 2 mins. Follow up with your normal toothpaste.
• Practical uses for consuming turmeric
• Turmeric is best consumed unheated so as to not destroy any of its health-giving properties. Add over food, such as soups, curries and roasted veggies.
• Add to smoothies and smoothie bowls
• Create a warming or cold Turmeric Latte

Turmeric Latte

Ingredients

• 1 cup of coconut, almond or soya milk
• 1 teaspoon KIKI Health Organic Turmeric Powder
• ½ teaspoon raw honey
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

• Method

Blend all ingredients (except the Turmeric Powder) in a blender until smooth

Pour into a small saucepan over medium heat until warm (not boiling)

Remove from heat

Add KIKI Health’s Organic Turmeric Powder and mix until smooth.

Turmeric Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 cup pineapple, chopped
• ½ tsp ginger, peeled
• 1 teaspoon KIKI Health Organic Turmeric Powder
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Topping (Optional)

• Grated almonds

Method

Add all ingredients to a blender and blitz until smooth. Top with fruit of choice.

References:

1. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15327914nc5502_2?journalCode=hnuc20