Ginger And Turmeric: A Dynamic Pain
Are they pain cure-alls? No, but they may help ease your aching head, belly, or bones. Heres whats known about the medicinal qualities of ginger and turmeric, and how to incorporate them into your diet.
Both ginger and turmeric are rhizomes, or root stalks, used around the world, not only as food seasonings but also as traditional herbal medicines. As herbal remedies, both spices are used primarily to help alleviate different types of pain. Many scientific studies have been conducted to determine if and how each rhizome actually works. Although results have been mixed, theres reason to believe that ginger and turmeric both contain active ingredients that can provide at least some relief to those suffering from a number of painful conditions, from arthritis and gastric discomfort to migraine headaches and post-surgical pain.
The active medicinal ingredients in ginger are phytochemicals known as gingerols and shogoal. Ginger has long been used as an herbal remedy to relieve motion sickness, morning sickness, general nausea, and upset stomach and, more recently, post-surgical nausea and chemotherapy-induced nausea. Ginger has also been used to treat and prevent the growth of H pylori, the bacteria responsible for gastric infections and ulcers.
Working ginger into your diet
Turmeric as a Pain Relief Tool
Working turmeric into your diet
Supplements as an Option
Is Drinking Turmeric Tea Good For You
While scientists are still studying the health benefits of turmeric, whats clear is that the spice contains curcumin, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. Inflammation can cause a slew of health problems, so turmeric may offer several potential benefits.
Potential Turmeric Tea Benefits
- It has antibacterial and antiviral properties, which may ward off colds and flu
- May reduce swelling or stiffening in joints and muscles
- Cinnamon and ginger, usually added to turmeric tea, also have anti-inflammatory benefits
- May boost brain health and memory
- May ease digestive upset or symptoms of chronic digestive disorders
- Can ease menstrual cramps
Turmeric And Black Pepper
Unfortunately, its hard for your body to absorb enough turmeric to see positive effects. The good news is combining it with another spice, black pepper , may enhance its strength in the body.
A past study reveals that combining 20 mg of piperine, the main ingredient of black pepper, and 2 g of curcumin increases the bioavailability, or the amount of curcumin that can be absorbed by the body, by as much as 2,000 percent. According to an August 2014 review published in Medicinal & Aromatic Plants, piperine increases the bioavailability of many nutrients, mainly by preventing enzymes from breaking down foods and other substances.
If you plan on using turmeric or curcumin for health purposes, be sure to find a supplement that contains piperine.
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How To Use Turmeric To Lower Blood Pressure
Turmeric is usually considered safe to consume. However, consuming large quantities of turmeric can cause stomach problems including ulcers. Hence, you should consult your physician to know about the acceptable dose and not try to self medicate.
The dose of turmeric depends on the formulation and the severity of the problem.
1. Fresh Roots of Turmeric and Blood Pressure
They are an excellent addition to diet however, a therapeutic effect is difficult to occur due to the limited quantities of roots you eat.
Recommended dose: ½ long or 1-3 g of root chopped or sliced. You may also take out its juice and consume it with a pinch of ground black pepper. You can consume the juice along with other fresh juices or take it individually. Golden paste can also be made from fresh roots of turmeric.
2. Turmeric Powder
1 tsp. of turmeric powder is sufficient in cooking. If you are consuming it with black pepper, then you should take 1-2 g of powdered turmeric with a pinch of ground black pepper. Begin with small doses and increase the dose gradually. The maximum dose is 1 tsp. of powdered turmeric with ¼ tsp. of ground black pepper three times a day. Do not take it on empty stomach.
3. Golden Paste
4. Tincture of Turmeric and Blood Pressure
5. Turmeric Tea
Turmeric tea is an excellent option for people who love tea and do not like the taste of paste of turmeric. Recommended intake is one to two cups of tea per day.
6. Turmeric Milk
7. Turmeric Supplements
Precautions
The Health Benefits Of Turmeric Tea
The main compound of turmeric is curcumin which gives the spice its distinct color and contains most of the health-boosting properties.
The book Herbal Medicine reports that turmeric contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and can help to relieve gas and boost liver health. Among the health benefits of turmeric, Herbal Medicine states that it has been used to treat joint inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic digestive problems, and treat abdominal pain.2
However, curcumin is poorly absorbed by the body. To increase the amount of curcumin the body absorbs, its important to add black pepper. For example, a study published in the journal Planta Medica reported that by adding piperine , you can increase the absorption rate of curcumin by around 2000%.3
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Ginger And Turmeric Tea Have Anti
This is exactly how the ingredients in ginger and turmeric in turmeric are credited with strong anti-inflammatory properties. Specifically, the ingredients themselves are considered natural analgesics to improve our health.
The addition of black pepper in the preparation of tea has an effect on turmeric. Black pepper enables better absorption of turmeric in the body.
Turmeric is always recommended to be used together with black pepper. Ginger and turmeric tea protect the health of blood vessels and the heart
Ginger as an ingredient is ideal for reducing the level of bad cholesterol in the body. On the other hand, turmeric, more precisely curcumin, has the same effect.
When you put them together you get a double action which is really phenomenal.
Ginger helps to improve blood circulation through blood vessels, regulates blood pressure and at the same time helps to prevent the possible occurrence of blood clots.
Together, ginger and turmeric help reduce the risk of heart attack and clogging of blood vessels.
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Can Ginger And Turmeric Help Fight Pain And Sickness
This dynamic duo has countless benefits that are essential for us. But can ginger and turmeric reduce pain? Let us see what research has to say about that. A study was conducted in the year 2016 to see the effect of ginger extract and echinacea on the pain and inflammation of patients with osteoarthritis of the knees. The patients were given ginger extract and echinacea extract and their level of improvement was tracked for 30 days. The results showed a significant improvement in pain and inflammation in the patients, proving the effectiveness of ginger as a remedy for pain .
Research suggests that turmeric is an effective pain reliever. A study was conducted to examine the effect of curcuminoid in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The patients were either given curcuminoid or placebo for 6 weeks. The researchers found a remarkable decrease in pain and a marked improvement in the physical function of the knees .
Ginger and turmeric together have proven to be very successful in fighting pain, especially in people diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Let us look into whether ginger and turmeric are good for every day consumption.
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Turmeric Tea Side Effects
Turmeric is generally considered safe both as a spice and as a tea. Therefore, most people can consume it without serious side effects.
As said before, curry stew is most likely more dangerous than homemade ginger turmeric tea since you already know the ingredients.
Consequently, studies on the effects of turmeric and ginger have reported little or no side effects. In this context, these spices perform better than widely used drugs .
However, some people may experience the following isolated side effects:
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
However, these are side effects that are usually caused by excessive consumption of turmeric.
Without the additional intake of turmeric supplements, such high doses are difficult to achieve. Therefore, turmeric tea is a healthy alternative to dietary supplements, which pregnant women should avoid.
For example, high doses due to the oxalates in turmeric can promote gall or kidney stones. Moreover, there is the possibility that people are allergic to turmeric, although this tends to be rare.
What Are The Benefits Of Turmeric And Ginger Tea
Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, which really helps when your sick because your body is inflamed. Ginger is not only good at soothing your gut, which in turn boosts your immunity, but it also does wonders to clean you lymphatic system. Thats our bodies network of organs and tissues that cleanse toxins and waste.
You may see many teas on the market that have dried or powdered ginger and turmeric, and sometimes mixed with sugar. You should avoid those because sugar kills good gut bacteria and dried turmeric and ginger are not nearly as good as fresh ones.
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Helps Manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Similar to ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome often means pain, cramping, and frequent pooping.
A 2012 animal study showed that curcumin can slow down gastric emptying. Thats the amount of time it takes food to leave the stomach and head to the small intestine. Less trips to the toilet? Yes please. Human studies need to still be performed to verify this benefit.
When To Drink Turmeric Tea: Best Time
Homemade turmeric tea can be drunk in between as any other tea. In short: Teatime? Any time!
Hence, there is no single best time to drink turmeric tea. However, it can be smart to drink turmeric tea before or with lunch and dinner since it aids digestion.
Also, some people like it after a meal. However, I would not drink it at night before bed time since your digestive tract needs some rest too.
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Spices Are Powerful So Use In Moderation
The beneficial properties of spices can sometimes lead people to overuse them. It is important to remember that spices are extremely potent. While they are good in moderation, it’s a good idea to not use too much of any one spice at one time. Ginger, for instance, has very strong warming effects on the body and can cause some digestive discomfort in some people as well as increased bleeding in women who are menstruating. Even turmeric, in very high quantities, has been shown to have problem effects. So always start out with less and use more only if your body can tolerate it. With spices, a rule of thumb is that a little goes a very long way.
Nutritional Value Of Turmeric Ginger Tea
Turmeric and ginger separately have a lot of nutritional value. But when used together in the form of turmeric ginger tea, its nutritional benefits increase manifold. Turmeric ginger tea has a large amount of manganese, which is an essential mineral for the body, involved in bone, cholesterol, carbohydrate, and protein production.
Ginger turmeric tea is also a good source of iron. Iron is essential for helping blood transport oxygen through the body. Iron also helps keep your skin, nails, and hair healthy.
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Health Benefits Of Turmeric & Ginger
These two tubers are healthy-food rock stars on their own, but together they are quite the culinary pair. We have the benefits of turmeric and ginger, as well as several mouthwatering recipes to help you enjoy them.
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Turmeric and ginger have been consumed for centuries and, over time, they have built up quite the reputation for being super healthy. We have all the details about what they are, their health benefits and how you can start eating more of them today.
Why Turmeric Helps Lower Blood Pressure And How To Use It
The force exerted by the flowing blood on the blood vessel walls is referred to as blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the risk of developing heart failure, coronary artery disease, kidney failure and stroke. Approximately 1 in every 3 adults in the USA suffers from HBP. Your physician may prescribe medicines to control your blood pressure in association with performing regular exercise and eating a healthy diet. Certain supplements and herbs such as turmeric may also help in managing blood pressure.
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A New Study Suggests Supplements May Not Offer The Same Nutrient Benefits As Food
Aid Weight Loss Its unclear whether turmeric can actually help you lose weight, but preliminary research suggests it may enhance your efforts. In one study of 44 people and published in November 2015 in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, people with metabolic syndrome who lost nearly 2 percent of their body weight added an 800 mg curcumin supplement to their daily diet. After 30 days, this group lost close to 5 percent of their body weight, helping them reduce their body fat by more than 8 percent.
Complement Cancer Treatment Its unclear whether turmeric can prevent cancer growth in humans, according to the American Cancer Society. Yet this spice may offer potential, thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, according to a past review. Authors of past research note that turmeric may prevent tumors from forming and becoming cancerous, though more research in humans is needed.
Support Skin Health Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant-rich spice, making it potentially effective for treating skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis, though more studies are needed. Due to its poor bioavailability, it likely wouldnt be a standalone treatment for skin disorders but rather complement existing treatments, write the authors of an article published in September 2019 in Nutrients.
The Health Benefits Of Ginger Turmeric Tea
I have a family full of tea lovers so we are forever trying out new combinations both for their flavor and their health value. One of our more recent additions to the tea menu is a healthy combination of turmeric and ginger. Turmeric ginger tea is a delicious, refreshing brew whether you drink it hot or cold. It is also among the healthiest possible combinations that you can try.
Turmeric ginger tea or ginger turmeric tea has a delightful flavor. It is sweet and slightly spicy and is perfect for those cold, winter nights. But not only does this delicious brew taste great, it is also chock full of medicinal properties that can help treat a wide range of illnesses. This article will take a detailed look at the most impressive benefits of this tea and maybe will convince you to add it to your tea cabinet.
Before we go on to look at the specific health benefits of the tea, let us take a look at the two main ingredients. If you have spent any time reading the articles on this site, you will have sen that both ginger and turmeric feature heavily in various home remedy articles. There is good reason for that. Both ginger and turmeric contain a range of nutrients and compounds that can help treat a host of illnesses and keep you in good health.
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An Overview On The Uses Of Turmeric
Turmeric is an herb plant that grows in India and Central America. You most likely know it best for its near-ubiquity in Indian cuisine, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, which is part of the National Institutes of Health . If youre eating turmeric , youll find the root in the produce aisle at the grocery store it looks similar to ginger.
You can also buy it ground as a spice, which is sold as turmeric, or as a spice blend, like curry powder. Turmeric has a long history in Ayurvedic medicine to treat health problems like pain and fatigue. In fact, its been used as a culinary spice and in religious ceremonies in Southeast Asia for 4,000 years, according to the book Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. Given its superfood status of late, people use turmeric as a modern-day natural medicine for reducing inflammation and treating disease.
What Are Turmeric And Ginger
Turmeric and ginger aren’t new foods both have been consumed for thousands of years. Ginger has its origins in ancient China, where it was used as both a spice and a medicine. It was long considered an herbal remedy for motion sickness, nausea, pain and digestive distress. From there, it spread through Asia and on to Europe and is now a household staple for many. Turmeric has also been historically grown in southeast Asia, with India still being the primary producer. Both foods come from the part of the plant called the rhizome, a stem that grows underground and produces shoots off its sides, similar to a root system. Both plants actually grow beautiful flowers above the ground when they are ready to be harvested.
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Making Ginger Turmeric Tea
There are many ways to make ginger turmeric tea. To make a basic turmeric ginger tea, heat a cup of water to a boil then slowly stir in 2 teaspoons of ground turmeric and 1 teaspoon of grated ginger. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Add honey to sweeten the tea.
You can also make a creamy ginger turmeric tea. In a container, mix 2 teaspoons of ground turmeric and 1 teaspoon of grated ginger. Then, heat one cup of almond milk, but be careful not to bring it to a boil. Stir regularly as youâre heating it. Then, pour a small amount of the heated milk into the spice mixture and stir. When the consistency is smooth, pour the remaining heated almond milk, stir and enjoy.