Turmeric is a nutritional powerhouse that can protect, heal and restore our health from within. Researchers are continuously working to find out more and more about this wonder spice. Turmeric is effective in treating inflammation, depression, cancer, diabetes, microbial infections and many other diseases. So, including this spice in our diet and daily regimen can enhance our immunity and help to promote good health.
Turmeric is a perennial rhizome belonging to the ginger family. The scientific name of this plant is Curcuma longa. This plant is a native to Southeast Asian countries. This spice is used for preparing almost all the culinary dishes in countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal and Iran. This condiment has been extensively used in Ayurvedic medicine because of its powerful medicinal properties. Other than Ayurveda, this powerful spice has also been used for medicinal purposes in other branches of eastern medicine like Unani, Siddha and traditional Chinese medicine.
Why Is Turmeric Medicinally Important?
Turmeric is an absolute medicinal wonder. Turmeric contains some incredible compounds like curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. In addition to these curcuminoids, turmeric also contains some volatile oils like zingiberene. Curcuminoids are known as the super-oxide radical scavengers because of their incredibly potent antioxidant properties. Besides antioxidant properties, turmeric also has strong anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.
Numerous researches have been conducted with turmeric. These researches have successfully proven the potency of turmeric to fight against diseases like cancer, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, different kinds of ulcers, Crohn’s diesease and many other diseases associated with inflammation. Thus, turmeric is rightfully a medicinally important plant.
How To Include Turmeric In Your Diet?
In countries like India and Pakistan, turmeric is generally used as a powdered condiment. This powder is added in several vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. This spice adds both flavor and health benefits to the food.
But there are certain hacks that can maximize the benefits of turmeric. You can increase the absorption of curcumin by ingesting it along with saturated fats like coconut oil, clarified butter and palm oil. Secondly, you can also add black pepper along with your turmeric. Black pepper contains a compound known as the piperine. This compound enhances the absorption and the bio-availability of the curcumin in the food. Another way to increase the absorption of curcuminoid compounds is by having fermented turmeric.
Fermented food is good for our digestion as it can enhance the quality of our gut bacteria. Consuming fermented turmeric can ease our digestive woes and can relieve us from acid reflux and intestinal gas. Fermentation has been practiced from centuries. It is a great way of preserving food and increasing their shelf life. This process allows bacteria to feed on the sugar present in the food to create lactic acid. This process is beneficial as it creates many beneficial enzymes like omega-3-fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. Turmeric can also be fermented to increase the absorption of its beneficial compounds.
Turmeric Infused Sauerkraut
Ingredients
1. One medium cabbage shredded
2. Two tablespoons of fresh turmeric root, grated or shredded
3. 1 tablespoon of Himalayan salt
4. Half a teaspoon of ground black pepper
5. Fermenting crock or Mason jar with airtight lock
Instructions
Take the shredded cabbage and sprinkle some salt in it. Squeeze and smash the cabbage until a pulpy mess is formed. Use a glove for carrying out this process. Add some turmeric and pepper when you start seeing bubbles in the juice of the smashed cabbage. Now, put this smashed pulp in a mason jar or fermenting crock. Shove all the cabbage in the jar using a spatula and make sure to eliminate all the air bubbles in the process. Close the air-tight lid or the crock. Make sure no air is allowed inside. Store away this container in room temperature in a dark corner. You can keep this jar locked away for a period extending between 4 weeks to 6 months. The longer you keep the better it ferments. After that, you can store the sauerkraut in room temperature for 8 weeks or refrigerate and use up to 6 months.
Precautions
Drink the juice as it is very healthy for your gut. You can remove any scum with a spoon that might be floating in the brine. If the sauerkraut tastes unusual, then throw it off.
Try this out today for a health kick.
