Viva Turmeric!

To me it was always just this gorgeous yellow orange powder that added color and flavor to curry dip and Indian food. Then a few years ago, I learned that it has amazing healing properties...as do many herbs and spices. I was reminded of theturmeric magic late this afternoon while pulling ingredients from the refrigerator to make a salad. I grabbed it out of the freezer (yes I keep it there to keep it dry and frozen for "time release" effects...don't know if that works but I try.) and sprinkled it all over my spinach leaves.

Checking out various sites that concur with the findings I mentioned, I chose this information from Wikipedia to share with you:

"In Ayurvedic practices, turmeric is thought to have many medicinal properties and many in South Asia use it as a readily available antiseptic for cuts, burns and bruises. It is also used as an antibacterial agent.

It is taken in some

Asian countries as a dietary supplement, which allegedly helps with stomach problems and other ailments. It is popular as a tea in Okinawa, Japan. Pakistanis also use it as an anti-inflammatory agent, and remedy for gastrointestinal discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome, and other digestive disorders. In Afghanistan and northwest Pakistan, turmeric is applied to a piece of burnt cloth, and placed over a wound to cleanse and stimulate recovery. Indians, in addition to its Ayurvedic properties, use turmeric in a wide variety of skin creams that are also exported to neighboring countries.

It is currently being investigated for possible benefits in Alzheimer's disease,[4] cancer, arthritis [5] and liver disorders.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa or Acne Inversa, an incurable and debilitating disease, is also treated with turmeric powder. It is unknown why it works, bVivaut people who have suffered from HS for 30–40 years have reported almost an immediate improvement after consuming one teaspoon in 1/4 cup of warm water three times a day. Within one week of using turmeric, these same people have reported almost a complete reduction of boils and purple scarring."

Like all foods, turmeric is probably best in its most natural form, and even though it's not the greatest tasting root, it's probably more than worth it. A friend of mine buys it in Little India here in Southern California, and he has shared it with me. It looks like ginger except for its deep yellow-orange color; its texture is like a carrot and the fun thing is...it turns your tongue bright orange...for about thirty minutes. :)

Most people will find it easier to sprinkle on food in powdered form, and if you want to get some from a really good source, try Frontier brand organic.

Meanwhile, the rest of my salad: fresh spinach, fresh cilantro, pine nuts, cashews, almonds, cherry tomatoes of many colors, green olives, turmeric powder and my special homemade dressing (olive oil, vinegar, Bragg's Aminos). With a sun dried tomato bagel on the side, it was perfect.

This was so easy to throw together, especially since the spinach was already washed and cut!

Get some turmeric powder; for all it does for you, it's well worth the trip to the store.

Have a great night and peace be with you...

Bev