Gut Soothing Golden Tonic

It is six in the morning. the coffee machine is percolating as I sit in my living room trying to shake off my post wake up haze. The smell of the coffee is doing its job. As I reminisce about my morning coffee ritual, I am unceremoniously reminded of my coffee strike. That's right, I made a commitment last month to let go of certain foods, all in the name of detox and better health.

I have been very disciplined about the whole thing. No coffee means no coffee! Since necessity is the mother of all inventions, I started playing around with different beverage recipes and I remembered the soothing turmeric tonic my mom and grandma used to me make when I was little.

Turmeric the golden supplement

"Turmeric is amazing! It has been used as a medicinal herb in Ayurvedic Medicine for thousands of years. Holistic healers used extracts, teas, tinctures and poultices of botanicals to aid the natural healing process of the body. It was no different with turmeric. "

Novel Turmeric research

With the advent of research, scientists analyzed turmeric and discovered that curcumin in turmeric was the star ingredient. Are you familiar with it? It is probably the highest marketed natural product in the supplement world!

“The gut microbiota helps in production of important vitamins and minerals that are important for the function of so many biochemical pathways in the body."

However, the power of many botanicals lies in the synergistic effect of all its bioactive components. New research shows that turmeric has more to offer than just curcumin. With over two hundred bioactive compounds, the whole root offers turmeric protein, fibers, carbohydrates and essential oils.

Turmeric and the Gut Bugs

There are just so many things that turmeric does in the body. The molecular structure of its compounds provides a pleiotropic effect starting with the gut. The gut and its bugs play a vital role in digestion, detox and overall health. The gut microbiota helps in production of important vitamins and minerals that are important for the function of so many biochemical pathways in the body. We now have data that shows how turmeric helps nullify toxins, increase the number of good bacteria and reduce the count of bad ones. By does this, it keeps the immune system happy and the body nourished.

Picture this, what if you get the full spectrum benefits of turmeric's whole root, just as nature intended? This was such an 'aha' moment for me and inspired to make some of my coffee mornings into a turmeric tonic morning.

This recipe is inspired from my mom's kitchen, a staple in eastern traditions for its detoxifying and gut soothing effects.

Right now, I am feeling pretty cozy in my living room enjoying these golden sips from my cup and the sunshine through my window. I am inspired to write a few words of gratitude in my journal before I unroll my yoga mat.

Soothing Turmeric Tonic Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup washed whole turmeric root (no need to peel)

• 1 inch fresh ginger root

• 4 cups water

• 2 tbsp organic raw honey

• Juice of 1 lime

Directions:

• Combine turmeric and ginger in a blender with 2 cups of water. Blend until a puree is formed

• Pour puree into a pot and add remaining water and honey. Let the tonic come to a boil, then reduce heat. Let it simmer gently for 10-15 min.

• Turn off the heat and add in the lime juice

• Using a strainer, strain the tonic thoroughly.

Enjoy it warm or cold!