If you’re looking to get anti-inflammatory benefits and bold flavour with your morning cup of tea, allow us to introduce turmeric tea to your repertoire. You’ve probably already heard of this popular tea already, as it has made big waves in local cafés, but we’re here to tell you about all of its benefits and share recipes you can make at home. Ready to upgrade your morning tea routine? Turmeric tea is about to change everything.
What is Turmeric Tea?
Turmeric is a spice made from the root of the Curcuma longa plant and is a member of the ginger family. It has been used as an herbal remedy for thousands of years and is packed with anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties due to its curcumin content. Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric and gives turmeric its characteristic yellow colour. Turmeric tea is made by using grated turmeric root or turmeric powder. It has a subtle yet unique flavour and is one of the best ways to reap all the benefits turmeric has to offer.
10 Health Benefits of Turmeric Tea
1. Gives Your Immune System a Boost
Curcumin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral and antibacterial properties, which are all key to boosting immune function. Curcumin has also been shown to regulate immune cell function against cancer. Try adding extra turmeric into your diet during times of high stress or during cold and flu season to help give your immune system a boost.
2. Helps Manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Curcumin is helpful for many digestive issues and can help you manage IBS. It has been found to reduce the abdominal pain and discomfort associated with IBS and improve the quality of life for those with the condition.
3. Eases Arthritis Symptoms
Due to curcumin’s amazing anti-inflammatory properties, it can help reduce the most prominent symptoms of arthritis, including inflammation and swelling. Curcumin has also been found to reduce pain in patients with osteoarthritis.
4. Boosts Cardiovascular Health
Curcumin has been shown to have many heart health properties due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory content. Turmeric tea has the potential to prevent heart disease, as it improves the function of the endothelium, which is the lining of your blood vessels. Endothelium dysfunction is a major driver of heart disease. Curcumin also reduces inflammation and oxidation, which play a role in heart disease as well.
5. Improves Brain Function
Curcumin is known to boost the hormone brain-derived neuropathic factor (BDNF), which is linked to improved brain function and a lower risk of brain diseases. Brain disorders such as depression and Alzheimers have been linked to decreased levels of BDNF and curcumin has been proven effective in delaying or even reversing diseases and decreases in brain function.
6. Lowers Cholesterol
Turmeric has been found to be effective at lowering LDL (or bad cholesterol), which reduces your risk of serious heart conditions such as heart attack and stroke.
7. Increases the Antioxidant Capacity of Your Body
Oxidative damage is believed to be responsible for aging as well as many diseases. It involves free radicals, which tend to react with important organic substances like fatty acids, proteins or DNA. Antioxidants protect your body from free radicals and curcumin is able to neutralize free radicals due to its chemical structure. Curcumin also boosts the activity of your body’s antioxidant enzymes.
8. Helps Prevent Liver Damage and Conditions
The liver has many important functions and is one of the largest organs in the body. Curcumin has been found to increase bile, which breaks down fats during digestion. It also helps protect liver cells from damage and keep them healthy.
9. Aids in Lung Conditions
Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it great for managing lung conditions. If you struggle with asthma, pulmonary and cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), turmeric can help treat you due to the curcumin.
10. Helps Manage Diabetes
Curcumin has been found to decrease the level of glucose in the blood, as well as other diabetes-related complications. It can help combat insulin resistance and may also have a role in diabetes prevention.
How to Make Turmeric Tea
It’s easy to make turmeric tea at home! For a simple recipe, follow the steps below:
1. Boil 3 to 4 cups of water on the stove or using an electric kettle
2. Add two teaspoons of natural turmeric powder and stir
3. Turn the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for 5 to 10 minutes
4. Let the tea cool for a minute or two and pour into your favourite mug
5. Add honey, black pepper, freshly squeezed lemon or milk to taste, and enjoy!
20 Turmeric Tea Recipes to Try
1. Ginger Turmeric Herbal Tea | All Recipes
2. Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tea with Cinnamon and Coconut Milk | Elizabeth Rider
3. Golden Milk Turmeric Tea | Epicurious
4. Healing 3-Ingredient Turmeric Tea Tonic | Minimalist Baker
5. Anti-Inflammatory Lemon Ginger Turmeric Iced Tea | Unconventional Baker
6. Easy Turmeric Tea with Lemon, Honey and Black Pepper | Downshiftology
7. Turmeric Tea with Ginger and Orange | BBC Good Food
8. Immune-Boosting Turmeric Tea with Cayenne Pepper | Flavcity
9. Ginger Mint Turmeric Green Tea | Nutrition Twins
10. Iced Orange Turmeric Tea | Seasonal Cravings
11. Fruit-Infused Turmeric Tea | The Harvest Kitchen
12. 24K Gold Vanilla Turmeric Latte | Ambitious Kitchen
13. Healthy Turmeric Tea | The Spruce Eats
14. Morning Detox Turmeric Tea | Eat Well 101
15. Turmeric Latte (Golden Milk) | Real + Vibrant
16. Magic Turmeric Tea | The Endless Meal
17. Creamy Golden Milk Turmeric Tea | Mark’s Daily Apple
18. Turmeric Cinnamon Tea | Delicious Made Easy
19. Vegan Turmeric Latte | The Vegan 8
20. Coconut Turmeric Golden Milk Tea | Simply Recipes
Ready to boost your immunity with turmeric tea? Try these recipes for a delicious and healthy start to your morning!
