Taking care of nature allows it to keep taking care of us. Recap from last week — Part 1: Everyday Plant Medicine at Home:
Food is medicine; Medicine is food
Healthy planet = secure food and medicine supply
Majority of the world still relies heavily on traditional botanical medicine
Almost half our prescription medicines come from plants in one way or another
Plants in their whole from (dried, ground or crude extracts) are often more effective and less toxic than their synthetic counterparts
Pharmaceuticals are designed largely to provide symptomatic treatment, not treat the root cause of disease. When a plant has root rot, what you do above the ground is cosmetic, it won’t fix the problem. While a plant needs water, how you give it (frequency, quantity, quality, etc.) matters more than the fact that it is given. The same goes with food / medicine and our bodies due to factors such as absorption, individuality, and the microbiome.
We use the rhizome of turmeric and ginger for culinary and medicinal purposes. They are modified horizontal stems rather than true roots. Their aromatic and anti-inflammatory properties are relatively well-known, but there’s many more ways to use and benefit from them. Cozy up to these herbal facts and perhaps a warm mug of Golden Milk or Ginger Turmeric Tea (recipes below)!
| Turmeric (Curcuma longa) | Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) | |
| Energetics | Mildly pungent: warming, bitter, astringent | More pungent: spicy / hot, warming, sweet |
| Standout constituent(s) | Curcuminoid (curcumin) | Oleo-resin (gingerols), volatile oil (zingiberene) |
| Main Actions |
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| Medical uses | Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, pain, menstrual difficulties, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol, respiratory conditions, liver and digestive disorders (detoxification, gas, protects stomach lining), cancer | Motion sickness: cramping, gas, nausea, vomitting; rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, and muscle sprains |
| Other uses | Dye, prepared mustard, curry powder, preservative, poultice | Fragrance, baking, confectionery, foot bath |
| Cautions | Staining
Use with caution: pregnancy, bleeding disorder, biliary obstruction, gallstone or stomach ulcer / hyperacidity |
Irritation with external use
Use with caution: sensitive stomach, bleeding disorder, peptic ulcer disease, heartburn, GERD / acid reflux, gallstones, kidney disease |
| Interactions | None known. Not well absorbed orally; best taken in a lipid (fat / oil) base | Increases absorption of all drugs. May reduce absorption of iron and fat soluble vitamins |
Golden Milk Recipe adapted from Minimalist Baker
Makes 2 servings
Whisk to combine the following, with 3 cups of dairy or alternative milk (e.g., almond, cashew, coconut, soy, etc., in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat for ~ 5 mins, whisking occasionally:
1.5 cups coconut milk and 1.5 cups almond milk recommended
~1.5 tsp ground (or ~1.5 tbsp fresh grated) turmeric
~¼ tsp ground (or ~1 tbsp fresh grated) ginger
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 pinch fresh ground black pepper
~1 tbsp sweetener of choice (e.g., coconut sugar / nectar, stevia, maple syrup, honey)
Ginger Turmeric Tea adapted from IBD News Today
Makes 2 servings
Steep the following in 2 cups freshly boiling water:
~2 tsp fresh grated (or ~⅔ tsp ground) turmeric
~2 tsp fresh grated (or ~⅔ tsp ground) ginger
2 tsp coconut oil
Sweetener of choice (see above)
Fresh lemon wedges
In health,
Dr. Vanessa
