Antioxident and anti-inflammatory, Turmeric is a perennial plant in the same botanical family as ginger. It grows predominantly in southeastern India. The rhizomes of the plant are baked and dried and used in curry powder.
Magic:
Use for purification. Mix salt water and turmeric and sprinkle around the place you want to purify. Sprinkle turmeric on the floor or in your circle before spellwork.
Health and Healing:
Turmeric contains the powerful antioxidant curcumin. Turmeric may improve brain function and prevent brain diseases like Alzheimer’s. It’s a great anti-inflammatory and can be applied to a sore spot or wound in a paste. It may also help alleviate depression and arthritis.
4 things to remember about Turmeric
- It will stain just about anything yellow if left in contact for very long. Dissolve a little turmeric in warm water, add vinegar, and use as a natural Easter egg dye.
- Black pepper helps your body absorb the goodies in turmeric by and 2000%. Either grind some black pepper in yor tea or toss down a couple of peppercorns when you take your daily dose of turmeric.
- It’s difficult to get the gram of curcumin you need simply by spicing your food unless you eat a lot of curry. Take a supplement to get the full healing effect.
- This stuff is potent. It could make reflux worse and don’t take it if you have gall stones or liver disease. It also may slow blood clotting, so don’t take it before surgery. If you are allergic to turmeric, you may notice a rash or itching that gets worse as you continue to ingest high quantities of the spice.
Turmeric Tea Recipe:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 1/2 teaspoons dried turmeric
- lemon
- lots of freshly ground black pepper
Work the turmeric into the honey until it forms a paste. Store the paste in the jar in the fridge.
Place a heaping teaspoon of the turmeric paste in your cup. Pour hot (but not boiling water) and stir well. Add lemon juice (preferably from a real lemon and not from a bottle of concentrate). Add freshly ground black pepper to taste.