Over the years we’ve heard a lot of talk about inflammation within the body. Inflammation affects us in many ways, from acne to joint pain. There are many ways to tackle these issues and I’m going to share with you how I use ginger and turmeric root in my daily life. I have also created a helpful video that you can find here.

A couple times a week I make a large batch of ginger and turmeric tea to keep in the refrigerator. I drink it as I would water. If I want to relax in the evening, I reheat a mugful and add a dollop of honey or maple syrup as a sweetener. The combination makes me feel relaxed and warm.

How does it work?

Although they appear and taste very different, turmeric and ginger belong to the same family. These plants are recognized for their colorful, aromatic rhizomes, also known as roots. For hundreds of years, people have been consuming turmeric and ginger in their meals and as traditional medicines.   

Turmeric

Turmeric offers many potential health benefits; it may act as an antioxidant and displays anti-inflammatory properties. The two chemicals responsible for these positive attributes are curcuminoid and curcumin. Curcuminoids are strong antioxidants known for their ability to scavenge free radicals and quench reactive oxygen species. You might find curcuminoids present in cosmetics and food products where they act as natural preservatives.

Curcumin is a bright yellow compound that is considered responsible for turmeric’s potential anti-inflammatory effects. The therapeutic effects of this compound are actively being investigated. Here is an article that talks about how you may increase the bioavailability of turmeric.

Ginger

Ginger is popularly known for its digestive health benefits. It is typically used to treat nausea, motion sickness, gas, and loss of appetite. You can keep a few of these ginger chews handy.

Ginger contains compounds that work in the stomach and intestine to reduce nausea and inflammation. One of these chemicals, gingerol has been shown to be effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis. It is currently being studied for its cytotoxic effects against cancer. Gingerol is also responsible for giving ginger a spicy flavor. Cooking ginger transforms gingerol into zingerone, a chemical that offers anti-diarrheal effects. 

To Make Tea

Shave thumb-size pieces of turmeric and ginger. Drop the pieces into a large pot of water. Boil and steep for an hour or more. The water will become a rich golden color. After it’s cooled, you can transfer it into 1-2 pitchers to store in the fridge. Making the tea reduces the spicy taste of the ginger creating a nice flavor. My mother likes to add lemon and a handful of frozen cranberries into her tea.

To Cook

It’s easy to find recipes that contain these two roots. Roasted potatoes, for example, are a delicious way to eat turmeric. You can sprinkle some into the mix, as you would salt, to give the potatoes a nice color and delicious flavor. 

Ginger goes well with sushi and blended into green smoothies. 

Feeling Under the Weather

One time when I had a cold, I couldn’t breathe through my nose. So my homeopath told me to get a small pot of water and drop in a ¼ teaspoon of ground organic turmeric. Then I covered my head and bent over the steamy water for 7 minutes. When I popped out, my nose was much clearer and I could breathe easier. Now, anytime I feel a hint of a cold coming on I do the steam trick a couple times a day. Since I’m an Esthetician, I take advantage of the steam by applying an enzyme paste or mask to my skin and give myself a DIY facial, while I’m at it. Afterward, I apply a hydrating moisturizer to seal in the hydration.

Ginger chews are easy to take along for car rides, flying or eating foods that upset your stomach.

Any form of these products are readily available and inexpensive so you can always have something on hand.

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