In a recent article, I wrote about the benefits and the use of turmeric in ayurveda and the ayurvedic diet.
In this article i would like to focus on the application method and the right dosage of using turmeric.
There are many different turmeric recipes, specific turmeric doses and preparations used for health and healing conditions in ayurveda.
I often use about a teaspoon (a piece the size of my thumb) of chopped or grated fresh turmeric for a meal for two to three people.
Most of my Ayurvedic food recipes generally call for turmeric as an essential ingredient.
When using turmeric in Ayurvedic treatment, you should be careful not to take in excessive doses as it can cause an imbalance in ones constitution,
A dose of up to 3 grams of dried turmeric root or 0.5 milliliters of turmeric oil per day has been shown to be safe.
Too much turmeric may thin your blood and contribute to bleeding disorders. Excessive intake of turmeric may cause stomach upset.
Like most foods turmeric is better consumed fresh because it hasn’t been processes in any way and all its natural elements are intact. Buy organic if you can from your local health food store or farmers market.
Buying the herb fresh will often be cheaper and will also be free of many chemicals which are usually added to nutritional supplements.
The rhizomes or roots of the turmeric plant (Latin Curcuma longa) are often sun-dried and then ground to a powder which is use as a spice (found in most curries).
When using turmeric as a spice it can be sautéed in ghee or added to foods as they are being cooked. The Ayurvedic diet recommends cooking turmeric before you eat it.
Turmeric has a potent color, aroma and is quite flavorful.
Turmeric Recipes & Remedies
Anemia: Everyday take a dose of 1 tsp of turmeric juice mixed with honey.
Asthma: Boil 1 cup of milk with 1 tsp of turmeric powder. Drink warm.
Burns: Mix 1 tsp of turmeric with 1 tsp of aloe gel and apply to burnt area.
Conjunctivitis: Mix 1 tbsp of crushed, raw turmeric in 1/3 cup of water. Boil and sieve. 2–3 drops of this mixture may be used in each eye up to 3 times per day.
Complexion: Apply a paste of turmeric on the skin before bed, and wash off after a few minutes. In the morning, remove any remaining yellow tinge with a paste of chickpea flour and oil.
Dental problems: Mix 1 tsp of turmeric with ½ tsp of salt. Add mustard oil to make a paste. Rub the teeth and gums with this paste twice daily. Can be used to treat infected gums. This can also help prevent tooth decay and disease.
Diabetes: ½–1 tsp of turmeric should be taken 3 times a day.
Diarrhea: Take ½ tsp of turmeric powder or juice in water, 3 times per day.
External Pain: Mix 1 tsp of turmeric and 2 tsp of ginger with water to make a paste. Spread over a cloth, place on the affected area and bandage.
Add 1 tsp of turmeric to 1 cup of warm milk and drink before bed.
Nose Bleeds: Mix a pinch of Turmeric with organic ghee and apply it to the mucus lining of nose to stop nosebleeds and help clear the sinuses. It also helps create a more acute sense of smell and purifies the mind and brain.
Digestion: Taking Turmeric will work fine to balance an upset digestion. Just take a small spoonful of Turmeric and stir it in a cup of yogurt right after lunch.