Golden milk

Turmeric is wonderful herb for fighting flu and colds not only in the Autumn and Winter, but all year round. This is wonderful recipe that can be used before bedtime, to help relax nerves and ease the mind in to sleep, while boosting the immune system. Now, this has a little more kick to it then the original, but I wanted to make sure the curcumin was adsorbed into the bloodstream and did its work. To learn more about turmeric click here.

Turmeric milk, golden  milk, traditional has been used for colds, congestion , headache and sore throats. This gold her is also a depression- fighter. It is something that I need to take more time to build into my everyday life. Healer heal thy self.

This a simple a quick-ish drink to make. If you have fresh turmeric and ginger please use them. If not the powdered if fine, it is what I use.

* 2 Cups of milk or milk substitute
* 1 teaspoon dried turmeric

*1 teaspoon dried ginger  

* 1/4 tsp of whole black pepper. 

* Honey to taste

One add  in that I have seen that I have not tried in a 1/4 tsp of coconut oil. 

1. Place milk in a saucepan over medium heat.
2, Add everything but the honey. Stir well to combine the ingredients
3. Let the milk simmer, small bubbles will form on the side of the saucepan. Stir
4. Continue simmering for 1-2 minutes not allowing the milk to come to a boil.
5. Remove form heat, cover and allow the mixture to rest. This will improve the infusion.
6. Strain the mixture to remove the whole black pepper corns.
&. Serve warm.


For fresh ingredients:
* 2 Cups of milk or milk substitute
* 1/2 inch fresh turmeric thinly sliced or diced
* 1/2 inch fresh ginger thinly sliced or diced
* 1/4 tsp of whole black pepper.
* Honey to taste

Please consulate your doctor before taking any herb or using any recipes or remedies.

Soucre:
http://www.freshbitesdaily.com/turmeric-milk/

Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

Face mask: Turmeic and Honey

Bring turmeric form inside the body, to the outside. This face mask is very simple. Just two ingredients. Turmeric and honey.

Turmeric is known for centuries for its anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties. It  is a great remedy that will help get rid of your acne. Honey, also has wonderful healing properties. The type of honey that you use is important. Unpasteurized and local would be the best, as the honey would have come form your area. Unpasteurized just meet that it has not been heat, to the point where many of the good nutrients have been killed. Honey dose not spoil, or that is dose, the time frame that it takes is unknown Crystallized honey, which is honey natural state, has been found in the tombs of Pharaohs. This honey was still safe to use and was depicted on the walls in many uses. One being a face mask . 

So I use about a 1/4 cup of honey and about 2 tbsp of turmeric. To make this mask, have the honey at room temperature. It can be in a bowl or a small jar , which is what I used. Them mix in the turmeric with a spoon or a chopstick. Now, if the honey has crystallized do not worry. Put the jar of honey into a small pot and then  fill with water. Heat the water up till in is warm, do not let it boil. If it boils it will pasteurize the honey. Also, the microwave is out because it would do the same thing.

I leave this mask on for about 15-20 minutes. It leaves the skin very bright and soft. I pick any of the leftover mask with a toner, before moisturizing. I try to use this once a week. 

Miso Soup with Turmeric and Tofu

I love this soup. I have been making it all summer and it is about time that I shared it with everyone. It is a wonderful soup to transition in to fall. It is very light and refreshing. Miso paste can be hard to find. It can be order online or if your store has an international aisle sometimes it can be found there. I bought mine at the local Wegman's.

This recipes is from Food& Wine form the March 2014 magazine.

So what you will need.

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium fennel bulb, trimmed and quartered
1 large carrot, chopped
1 small yellow onion, quartered
4 garlic cloves, halved
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
3 tablespoons white miso
Kosher salt
6 ounces firm tofu, cubed
Minced chives, for garnish

Make sure you have the whole black pepper corn. I did not the first time and just used black pepper and the soup came out this ugly brown color. It was also to spicy and overpowered the other flavors. I am glade I gave this soup another try with the right ingredients this time.

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the fennel, carrot, onion, garlic, peppercorns and turmeric and stir over moderate heat until evenly coated with oil. Add 6 cups of water and bring to a boil. Gently simmer until slightly reduced and the vegetables are soft, 15 to 20 minutes. Strain the soup into a large bowl; discard the solids.

Wipe out the saucepan and return the broth to it. Whisk the miso into the broth and cook over low heat, whisking, until hot. Season with salt. Stir in the tofu and simmer until the tofu is warm, about 2 minutes. Serve the soup garnished with chives.


Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún


http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/miso-soup-with-turmeric-and-tofu

Golden Elixer

In look over some of the lovely recipes that are coming up for Turmeric. I found one buried in the archives of the free people blog. 
 This lovely golden elixir is just perfect for upcoming time of year, flu season. This elixir can be made quick and easy in the microwave if you are feeling under the weather. It can also be maybe on the stove top. The bonus of making ti stove top , you get to breath in the wonderful smell as it comes together.  This has the benefit of helping clear up you stuffy nose and allergies.

Turmeric Elixir

Ingredients:

1 cup water

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1/4 tsp ginger powder

a pinch of cayenne pepper

1tsp fresh lemon juice

1/4 tsp of  whole black pepper corn

Honey to taste

Bring the water to a rolling boil. This can be done on the stove top or in the microwave. If you are using the microwave, about 3-5 minutes in a microwave safe container should do the trick.  Once the water is boiling, stir in the other ingredients. Allow the mixture to cool before imbibing.

Enjoy!

Please consulate your doctor before taking any herb or using any recipes or remedies.

Herb of the Week: Turmeric

Cite Elzbieta Sekowska/Shutterstock

This week I have decided to add in a herb. This weeks herb is Turmeric.

This a wonderful root plant that has a lovely golden color. It is great herb that can boost the the immune system and even promote a more restful night sleep. This plant has been used in Indian cook and traditional medicine for thousands of years.

The medicinal compound in turmeric are called curcuminoids, curcumin is main active ingredient and the most importan  of the curcuminoids. Curcumin has powerful anti-infammatory effecft and is a strong antioxidant.

Benefits of Turmeric:
 Abdominal Pain
 Anti inflammatory
 Antioxidant
 Anti bacterial
 Anti-venom
 Anti viral

Tumrmeric  has a  slightly bitter, slightly hot peppery flavor and a mustardy smell. Curcumin may treat cancer, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, allergies, arthritis and other chronic illnesses.

The amount of curcuim in turmeric in about 3%, by weight.  Just consuming the herb  itself will not impart all the effect of the herb. also, curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream.  When taken with black pepper, which contain piperine, the abosration rates rise by 2000% .

This suggest that the benefits of turmeric to be full experienced should be taken in a pill form or in a tincture. 

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking turmeric by mouth in medicinal amounts is LIKELY UNSAFE in pregnancy. It might promote a menstrual period or stimulate the uterus, putting the pregnancy at risk. Don’t take turmeric if you are pregnant.( WebMD)

There is not enough information to rate the safety of turmeric during breast-feeding. It’s best not to use it.(WebMD)

Gallbladder problems: Turmeric can make gallbladder problems worse. Don’t use turmeric if you have gallstones or a bile duct obstruction.(WebMD)

Surgery: Turmeric might slow blood clotting. It might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using turmeric at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.(WebMD)

Tumeric might slow the clotting of the blood. Especially if taken along with any other medication that  slow clotting , and could improve  chances of bruising and bleeding. 

Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.(WebMD)

Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

Please consulate your doctor before taking any herb or using any recipes or remedies. A berry orange day is not responsible for how this information is used. 

Soruces:

http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turmeric

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-662-turmeric.aspx?activeingredientid=662&activeingredientname=turmeric