Shelly’s Turmeric Tonic

Turmeric root. The flesh is bright orange. Be careful how you handle. It stains!

If like me you suffer from muscle aches and pains as a result of inflammation or arthritis, you will be glad to know that there are some home remedies that can help to reduce this pain and inflammation. The Turmeric root has recently become a popular spice (or herb to some) to use as a health aid as opposed to an ingredient to enhance colour and flavour in Asian dishes. It’s the superfood on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Turmeric contains an active ingredient called curcumin, a molecule found in plants which is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. It is also great for relieving many other disorders such as indigestion, throat infections, common colds, liver ailments and is sometimes used topically, to cleanse wounds or treat skin sores. The turmeric root looks very similar to the ginger root, but with a deeper carrot orange coloured flesh (the powder form is a deep yellowy red, more like curry powder).

Lemons are packed with vitamin C and therefore a good antioxidant which boost the immune system and helps with iron absorption

I much prefer the idea of using natural remedies as an alternative to prescribed medicine. However, sometimes with herbal remedies, it can take much longer before you feel the benefits (if at all).  When it comes to pain, a quick fix is usually desired. In my search for natural remedies to alleviate pain caused by inflammation, I noticed that turmeric was mentioned quite a lot. I decided to put it to the test. I eventually came up with the below recipe, which I have named Shelly’s Turmeric Tonic. All of the accompanying ingredients in this tonic are easily obtained from a grocery store, and independently offer relief from inflammation.  They each have a number of other health benefits too, which make this tonic a must-have daily brew to fight a number of common ailments, not least, colds and flu.

Garlic is a superfood rich in vitamins and minerals. Its an anti-inflammatory, boosts immune system, and is used to treat cancer, heart disease and many other infections

Ingredients

• a 3 inch piece of fresh turmeric (or a  heaped tablespoon of ground turmeric)
• 1-2 cinnamon sticks (or a heaped tablespoon of ground cinnamon)
• 1 teaspoon of Black peppercorns (or a teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 4 garlic cloves (or a tablespoon of garlic powder)
• about a 3 inch piece of fresh ginger (or a tablespoon of ground ginger)
• 1-2 fresh lemons
• Manuka honey
• Water

Cinnamon is a natural antiviral, anti-bacterial and has an anti fungal agent that boosts the immune system. It is also high in antioxidants and contains calcium and fibre

Black pepper is known to enhance the absorption of the curcumin in turmeric and also reduces inflammation in the nasal passage

To prepare:

Finely grate the turmeric, ginger, and garlic (or use the powdered form). Add these to a large cooking pot with about 2 litres of water along with all of the other ingredients (excluding the honey).  The lemons should be peeled and sliced.  Cover the pot and bring to boil slowly. Then allow to simmer on  low heat for about 10 minutes. If the water starts to evaporate -top it up.  At this point you should start to smell a very appealing warm spicy aroma. After simmering, keep covered and let the tonic sit for a while to enable all of the flavours to infuse (the longer  the better). When you have the desired strength, pour into a glass through a strainer and enjoy while still warm.

Ginger has many medicinal properties. It has been proven to kill cancer cells, reduce inflammation, aids digestion and soothes coughs and colds to name a few

Sweeten to your taste with honey.

I have been preparing and drinking this tonic for over a month now. I make  brew and then have several cups throughout the day. I am pleased to say that in this short time I have definitely noticed a reduction in pain in my joints (specifically my digits which are arthritic) and have less inflammation. It also immediately cleared my sinuses. I am sure that in order to maintain continued benefit, I would need to repeatedly drink this on a daily basis for an indefinite period.  For me, this is more preferable than a daily dose of over the counter pain killers like Ibuprofen or NSAIDS and steroids.

There are various turmeric teas and tonic remedies on the internet. They are usually milky or with a milk substitute base. If you prefer a non-milky drink, then I invite you to try Shelly’s Turmeric Tonic. Each ingredient has been chosen for its anti-inflammatory or other medical benefit, as well as for the taste.  Even if you don’t notice any difference in pain or inflammation, with all of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in it, your immune system will definitely get a boost.  My daughter who has been drinking this daily too, not only enjoys it as a drink, but insist it helped to reverse the symptoms of a bad cold very quickly. Hopefully, you too will  benefit from this tonic or at least find it to be an enjoyable soothing beverage. It’s a win-win!