Turmeric Tea: 7 Health Benefits Plus Recipes

Turmeric tea is a natural remedy that can help relieve pain, prevent premature aging and diabetes, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular conditions like high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and heart attack.

These effects come from bioactive compounds found in turmeric, such as curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties.

Turmeric tea is made from dried or fresh turmeric (Curcuma longa), also known as golden turmeric or turmeric root.

Health benefits

The main benefits and uses of turmeric tea include:

1. Preventing cardiovascular disease

Because of its antioxidant properties, turmeric tea helps regulate levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. This prevents the buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries and helps lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis.

Its anti-inflammatory action also supports healthy arteries, improves blood circulation, and helps prevent high blood pressure.

2. Helping prevent cancer

Turmeric tea contains curcumin, a phenolic compound with strong antioxidant and anticancer effects that helps neutralize free radicals. This may help reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including colon, breast, intestinal, and bone marrow cancers.

3. Relieving pain

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory compounds, turmeric tea can help ease headaches and joint pain caused by conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory disease that affects the joints and causes pain and stiffness.

4. Preventing neurodegenerative diseases

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric tea help reduce damage to nerve cells caused by free radicals and may increase levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that supports memory. This can improve cognitive function and help prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia.

5. Lowering blood sugar levels

Turmeric tea’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties support the function of pancreatic cells, which produce insulin. This helps reduce blood sugar levels and may assist in preventing or managing diabetes.

6. Supporting depression treatment

Turmeric tea helps balance serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that influence mood and emotional well-being. Turmeric tea may therefore be a helpful natural therapy to complement the treatment of depression, anxiety, or stress.

7. Preventing premature aging

With its strong antioxidant activity, turmeric tea helps protect healthy skin cells from oxidative stress, reducing early signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging.

Does turmeric tea help with weight loss?

Turmeric tea may support weight loss because it has thermogenic properties that boost metabolism and promote fat burning.

However, for best results, turmeric tea should be consumed as part of a well-balanced diet along with regular physical activity.

How to make

Turmeric tea can be prepared using fresh or powdered turmeric root.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp ground turmeric or 1 g of grated fresh turmeric root;

• 150 mL (about 5 oz) water.

Preparation:
Bring the water to a boil, remove from the heat, add the turmeric, cover, and let steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Let cool slightly. Drink up to 3 cups per day for up to 7 days.

When using fresh turmeric root, boil for 5 minutes, then let steep for 5 to 10 minutes before drinking.

Can you drink turmeric tea before bed?

Yes. Turmeric tea can be enjoyed before bed since it does not contain caffeine, a stimulant that increases alertness and can interfere with sleep.

Turmeric tea may also promote relaxation and improve mood by helping balance serotonin and dopamine levels.

Healthy recipes

Some easy recipes for turmeric tea include:

1. Ginger, lemon, and turmeric tea

This tea can help with indigestion, colds, flu, and sore throat.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp ground turmeric;

• 2 cm (about ¾ inch) fresh ginger, grated;

• Juice of ½ lemon;

• 200 mL (about 7 oz) water.

Preparation:
In a pot, combine the water and ginger, and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add ground turmeric, cover, and steep for 5 minutes. Strain, add lemon juice, and drink up to 3 cups per day for up to 7 days.

2. Turmeric and lemon tea

This tea can help relieve sore throat, improve digestion, and ease cold symptoms.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp ground turmeric;

• Juice of ½ lemon;

• 1 cup water.

Preparation:
Bring the water to a boil, remove from heat, add turmeric, cover, and steep for 5 minutes. Add lemon juice, mix well, and drink up to 3 cups per day for up to 7 days.

3. Turmeric and ginger tea

This recipe has strong anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve pain, indigestion, cold, and flu symptoms.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp ground turmeric;

• 2 cm (about ¾ inch) of fresh ginger, grated;

• 200 mL (about 7 oz) of water.

Preparation:
Add the water and ginger to a pot and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add ground turmeric, cover, and steep for 5 minutes. Strain and drink up to 3 cups per day for up to 7 days.

Side effects

When consumed in excess, turmeric tea may cause stomach irritation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, dry mouth, or gas.

Contraindications to use

Turmeric tea should be avoided by people taking anticoagulant medications and those with bile duct obstruction caused by gallstones.

Children and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should only drink turmeric tea if approved by a doctor or other healthcare professional.