Turmeric is a perennial plant (Curcuma longa) of the ginger family native to India. The powdered turmeric root is a truly amazing herb popularly used as a spice in many delicious recipes as well as an ingredient in medicinal remedies. Bulk Turmeric powder can be made into a spicy flavoring that smells a little like mustard but has a hot, almost pepper-like taste which compliments a variety of cultural dishes. It is popular in soups, sauces, curries, meat dishes, and rice preparations. However, turmeric powder is not just for the taste buds! Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as a powerful herbal agent in Ayurvedic medicine, one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems.

 

Health Benefits: A Little Goes a Long Way

Medical research indicates that just as little as 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder has been linked to positive health effects. The main phytochemicals that provide the health benefits in turmeric are curcuminoids. Thousands of medical studies have found that intake of turmeric has numerous health benefits due to all the power of curcumin and other curcuminoids.

 

• Cardiovascular Health

Your heart will love the benefits of turmeric powder! One of the main drivers in heart disease is endothelial dysfunction. The endothelium is the lining of the blood vessels. When the endothelium is not operating properly, it is not able to regulate blood pressure, resulting in blood clotting and other issues. Studies suggest that curcumin, found in turmeric powder, leads to improvement in endothelial function as well as reducing the risk of heart attack.

 

• Antioxidant Properties

Need more powerful antioxidants in your diet? Curcuminoids in powdered turmeric are what provide your body with antioxidant power. Regular intake of turmeric may help your body fight back against oxidative damage from free radicals. Turmeric actually helps antioxidant enzymes reduce free radicals in your body and will help prevent cell damage.

 

• Turmeric for Skin

Studies on rats have demonstrated that turmeric may help increase your skin’s molecular and cellular biochemistry. The studies showed that by applying a topical turmeric ointment on rats, it actually helped to accelerate the wound healing process. Turmeric helps to support collagen synthesis, increase tissue strength and cell proliferation. Isn’t that amazing?

 

• Inflammation

Feeling stiff and not sure what will help? Turmeric powder has been shown to help loosen stiff joints and provide comfort for active joints. Studies done by the Clinical Interventions in Aging found that turmeric is as effective as ibuprofen for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Evidence from the studies revealed that curcumin has an inhibitory effect on substances involved in the inflammatory pathway. The studies also revealed the efficacy of curcumin as an antioxidant and anticarcinogen.

 

• Digestive Health

Give your digestion a helpful hand by adding turmeric powder in your recipes. Turmeric is not only known for its taste and color in curry dishes, it also helps support the digestive process by protecting the cells in the stomach lining. It helps soothe the stomach lining against acidic foods. The spice can stimulate the gallbladder and release bile. Bile helps your body digest food and plays an important role in absorbing fats and certain nutrients.

 

Make Your Turmeric Powder Effective

Turmeric has a relatively low bioavailability. Your body rapidly removes turmeric after consumption. Ever wonder why black pepper is a common ingredient in curry powder? Black pepper helps boost your body’s absorption of curcumin for more effective bioavailability. In India, they traditionally combine turmeric powder with black pepper and fats. Why? Curcumin levels literally skyrocket when combined with black pepper and/or with natural fats. To properly absorb and benefit from your turmeric powder, it is vital that you mix it with coconut oil, flaxseed oil, or olive oil.

 

How to Enjoy Your Turmeric Powder

Turmeric can almost be called an “all-purpose” spice! It’s incredibly versatile! If you want to add this super spice to your diet, but don’t know how to enjoy it, here are some ideas:

 

• Add a pinch to scrambled eggs, tofu and frittatas
• Toss it with roasted vegetables
• Add it to rice
• Try it with greens
• Use it in soups
• Blend it into a smoothie
• Make turmeric tea

 

Organic Turmeric Powder

Our Turmeric root powder is organic and produced by the farmer co-op of Frontier Herbs. Find it in our Bulk Foods Department.

Come shop bulk turmeric powder from the bulk foods department at Martindale’s!