Turmeric has been in the spotlight for many years now because of the potential health benefits of drinking it either as a tea or in supplement form. The curcuma longa plant is a rhizome that is closely related to ginger. It is a spice that is native to most parts of Southeast Asia and India. To this day, India still produces around 78% of the global supply of turmeric.
Turmeric lends a distinct flavour to many Asian dishes, and the Indian culture uses it extensively in religious rituals. Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda also use turmeric in a variety of concoctions prescribed to treat different ailments.
What makes turmeric a common ingredient in alternative medicine?
According to research, turmeric contains the active ingredient curcumin, which is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. However, the compound itself is not easily accessed or absorbed by the body. This is the reason why today, most turmeric drink and supplement options available in the market often guarantee that the product has high curcumin concentration.
Apart from the commercial supplements that you can buy in health stores, one of the most popular ways to consume turmeric is in tea form. By brewing freshly grated or powdered turmeric, you can effectively absorb the right amount of curcumin. While health experts do not recommend a specific daily dosage of turmeric, most research available today concludes that the safe amount for an adult is 1 to 3 grams of freshly grated turmeric, or 400 to 600 milligrams of powdered turmeric three times a day.
Benefits of drinking turmeric tea every day
Alternative medicine believes that turmeric tea has many health benefits. The following are some of the reasons why drinking turmeric in tea form is quite popular today.
- Reduce the symptoms of arthritis. Studies conducted on the compound curcumin concluded that it has anti-inflammatory effects. Because of this property, turmeric is commonly used to relieve the symptoms of arthritis.
- Boost immunity. Aside from the anti-inflammatory property of turmeric, it is also believed to be an antioxidant. Drinking turmeric tea regularly may help improve the immune system’s defence against diseases.
- Treat digestive problems. In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is used for flushing toxins from the stomach and intestines. Doing so is believed to help restore balance and overall well-being. People who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome may experience relief from symptoms with the help of turmeric.
- Cancer prevention and treatment. Many clinical studies conducted to explore the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of curcumin are related to cancer treatment and prevention. These studies showed that turmeric was effective in reducing the size of tumours.
Indeed, there is not enough scientific research and human clinical trials to verify all the health claims made about turmeric. But if you are looking for a natural product or supplement to include in your lifestyle, turmeric tea is worth considering. With thousands of years of use in alternative medicine, drinking turmeric tea every day in recommended quantities will do you no harm. Perhaps in the coming years and with more conclusive evidence available, turmeric will be ultimately recognised as a real cure for various diseases.
To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.
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