5 Best Immune Health Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric for immune health is becoming more and more popular in today's world despite how unassuming this root may seem at first glance. Especially going through the colder months of the year, people are beginning to pay more attention to their health. Turmeric's immune health benefits outweigh a large number of other medications and prescriptions without many of the ill side effects that over the counter drugs have.

This is the time of year where people begin seeking out a more natural approach to their health as a part of their New Years resolution, and turmeric is a fantastic choice for supplementing many different choices whether you're wanting to forego the immune system boosters or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen. This week we'll be covering the best immune health benefits of turmeric and why you should consider drinking one glass of Turmeric Milk (recipe included) per day to get your morning started off right.

What Is Turmeric?

Turmeric comes from the same family as Ginger, also known as the Zingiberaceae family, inspiring the spicy root to be used many different ways for health and food. This root-like rhizome came from the southern region of Asia. Turmeric powder is often prepared by being boiled and dried before it is crushed into an orange-colored powder and used in a wide variety of culinary dishes. This root is used for both its spicy flavor as well as color, adding life to culinary dishes from several different cultures from Asia to Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. This root gives the common yellow curry its famous color and spice and inspired many other culinary dishes. Many cultures also use it as a natural dye for scarves, blankets, and inks.

This root is also used in many non-curry dishes to help facilitate the metabolism, relieve inflammation and boost the immune system. With Spring right around the corner, many people are asking themselves how they can help prepare for the coming cold and flu season. It's important to keep in mind that most turmeric powders and off-brand ground spices are not always high-quality enough to provide notable benefits. It's important to do your research on turmeric and order from a trusted supplier such as Me First Living.

1. Boosts Your Immune System Health

Turmeric can help boost the health of your immune system through the amazing anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties it holds. Turmeric is known for its health benefits all around. Studies have even shown turmeric to have anti-carcinogenic properties, and all of these benefits are entirely thanks to the active compound found inside of Tumeric's rhizomatous root called Curcumin. Curcumin helps boost your immune system health by helping your body defend itself and function at its best capability.

2. Boosts Your White Blood Cell Count

Studies suggest that turmeric can help provide a boost to the white blood cells that help your immune system fight off bacteria, viruses and other ailments. On top of this, studies have also been performed on turmeric's effects on inflamed white blood cells and the mediation of those cells.

The outcome of all studies provides evidence that turmeric helps regulate the communication of white blood cells to the immune system and the rest of the body, providing a better connection and helping the efficiency of your immune system.

3. Encourages Your Metabolism

Turmeric is a wonderful spice that helps boost your metabolism and even help fight metabolic diseases.

Turmeric is considered a very warm spice, thanks to its spicy nature and color. Warm spices help encourage the metabolism and energize the body. Turmeric also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making it perfect for digestive issues and fighting off food-borne bacteria. Recent developments in scientific studies have even suggested that turmeric can help protect your body against a wide variety of ailments such as cancer and other malignant diseases.

4. Helps You Get a Restful Sleep

By encouraging your metabolism throughout the day, your body burns through more calories and energy on a daily basis. To help recover from this, your brain produces more of a chemical called melatonin and allows you to enter into a deeper and more restful sleep than you might get otherwise. In addition to turmeric, you can get a better night's sleep by eating a healthier diet and working out during the day to burn more energy.

5. Detoxifies Your Body

Your liver processes a lot of different chemicals throughout the day and it's important to upkeep its health. Fatalities from liver disease in 2014 alone was up to 12%. Turmeric can help you detox your liver in addition to providing anti-oxidant properties to help boost the performance of your liver, body, and immune system. By giving your body a much-needed break, it can spend the new energy on other resources such as your immune system's health and fight off dormant colds and bacteria.

So... How Do I Make Turmeric Milk?

The recipe is rather simple, and it's a fantastic way to get your day started or to end your evening, whenever you prefer to drink it.

Keep in mind that this recipe requires your turmeric paste to sit for one to two weeks, so plan ahead and make more if you start to run low! You can make a double or triple batch of the paste to avoid running out.

It's advisable to always prepare your daily glass of turmeric milk fresh so your milk doesn't spoil the whole batch.

Ingredients

      • ¼ cup Turmeric Root Powder
      • 1 tsp Ground Sweet Cinnamon (optional)
      • 1 tsp Ground Ginger (optional)
      • 1 tsp Ashwagandha Root Powder (optional)
      • Sweetener to Taste
      • 1 tbsp Organic Coconut Oil
      • 1 cup Milk (of your choice)

Directions:
1. Make a paste with the turmeric root powder and optional powders by mixing the powder with a ½ cup water in a saucepan and bringing the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously to avoid burning.

2. Reduce the heat to a simmer immediately after it reaches a boil, and continue to let simmer while stirring until a paste is formed.

3. Transfer this paste to a glass jar and store in the refrigerator for 10-14 days.

Once your paste has refrigerated, you're ready to move on to the next step.

4. Combine 1 tsp of your Turmeric blend paste with the coconut oil and your choice of milk and sweetener.

5. Optionally, if you prefer a hot drink, warm the above mixture over low heat in a small pot. For an ice-cold drink, add all of the contents to a blender with a few cubes of ice, blending until the mixture is smooth.