A healthy brew to ward off Fall/Winter ailments

[Dover]

Ayurvedic tea for lubricating the joints and other ailments.
Turmeric is called "the internal healer" in Ayurveda. Turmeric is also a blood purifier and is best known for its ability to help the female reproductive organs. Some research indicates that turmeric may be of value in preventing diabetes and cancer. But I just enjoy the taste and soothing effect of this 'tea' either just before bed or first thing on a chilly morning.

Recipe:
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
3 cardamom pods (available to order online if not found locally)
1/4 cup water.
Simmer 5 to 7 minutes, then add :
1 cup of milk (I like goat milk)
2 tablespoons almond oil (cold pressed).**
Bring just to the boiling point (but do not boil).
Add honey, agave nectar or maple syrup to taste.
Sip slowly as a hot tea.


**Almond oil is a very important part of this recipe so don't leave it out.

[tabatha]

1. Thank you!

What kind of cardamom pod, black, green or white?

[HuckleB]

2. Why is almond oil so important to the recipe?

[Dover]

4. This is a traditional Ayurvedic recipe and the ingredients work in combination.

The traditional name of that recipe is "Golden Milk".

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HtPgt0qMcWg/SgaJIv9OROI/AAAAAAAAA3I/hdPqvw9pahA/s320/golden+milk.jpg


I'm no expert but believe in Ayurvedic medicine it is known to reduce vata.

On its own the benefits are many. For instance: In Ayurveda, an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent, almond is considered a nutritive for brain and nervous system. It is said to induce high intellectual level and longevity. Almond oil is called Roghan Badam in both Ayurveda and Tibb Yunani طب يوناني (the Greco-Persian System of Medicine). It is extracted by cold process and is considered a nutritive aphrodisiac both for massage and internal consumption. Recent studies have shown that the constituents of almond have anti-inflammatory, immunity boosting, and anti-hepatotoxicity effects.<21>

In a study printed in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, experts discovered that almonds contain phenolics and flavonoids in their skins analogous to those of certain fruits and vegetables. For instance, a one-ounce helping of almonds holds a similar quantity of total polyphenol as ½ cup of cooked broccoli.

Almonds contain approximately 54% oil<15>, of which 78% is mono-unsaturated oleic acid, an omega-9 fat, and 17% is omega-6 polyunsaturated essential fatty acid. Super-unsaturated omega-3 fats are negligible in almonds. The oil is good for application to the skin as an emollient, because it is more stable (does not become rancid) than those oils that have a higher content of essential fatty acids, and because it has a pleasant aroma. It is a mild, lightweight oil that can be used as a substitute for olive oil.

I also believe it's helpful as a 'good fat' delivery system to the lympathic system and female organs and is very good (like many oils) for lubricating skin and joints.

Here are a few sites to peruse for that and other recipes:

http://dharmadishes.blogspot.com/2009/05/golden-milk.html
http://www.healthy.net/scr/Recipe.asp?Id=47
http://vegetarian.about.com/od/morerecipes/r/TurmericTea.htm

Almonds:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almonds

I suppose one could also use almond milk in the recipe instead of the milk and almond oil, but
don't know if that would provide the same benefits.

[eShirl]

3. What exactly do people mean when they say something is a "blood purifier?"

What does it mean in western, physiological terms?

[trotsky]

6. It's hokum.

If your blood isn't being "purified," you have serious health problems and might already be on death's door.

It just sounds good so big herb and big supplement can sell you more stuff.

[HuckleB]

10. "Ninety-nine and forty-four one hundreds percent pure love!"

Sorry. Couldn't help myself.

[BuddhaGirl]

13. a blood purifier cleanses the blood of toxins

"Blood Purifier: An herb or substance which speeds up the process of detoxification and excretion of waste products in the blood by stimulating intestinal, liver, or bile functions, or creating laxative effects."

http://www.motherherbs.com/herb-glossary.html

Burdock root is an example of a blood purifier.

[uppityperson]

17. Question, how does a laxative do this? Educate me

I am sure you know my standing on varied health issues, but I am willing to listen to what others say since I can always learn something. I do not understand how stimulating the bowels to move faster (via laxative) can "speeds up the process of detoxification and excretion of waste products in the blood". It will speed up the excretion of waste products and decrease intestinal absorption, but not sure how it would affect getting stuff out of the blood.

Thanks.

Edited to add that if you want to pm me to avoid any ensuing public snark of snarkers, I'd be happy to read what you send. Or else post here and I'll read it through.

[Euromutt]

19. Which "toxins"?

One of the big red flags that you're dealing with quackery is the mention of unspecified "toxins." It's not an improvement when some degree of specification occurs, but the "toxins" are actually toxins. See, a toxin means a poisonous substance produced by living cells or organisms; thus, cobra venom and botulism are toxins, whereas lead and radon are not.

[uppityperson]

5. turmeric interacts with coumadin, could lead to dangerous bleeding episodes.If you are going to post

medical advice, PLEASE make sure to post the possible side effects and interactions. I don't think DU wants to be liable for such things.

[tabatha]

7. Turmeric is a VERY common spice

Coumadin is prescribed as an anticoagulant.
Whenever one is given a pharmaceutical, there are always warnings about its use and what not to eat.

For anyone NOT taking Coumadin, there is no problem with turmeric - it is one of the widest used spices in the world.

From wiki:
"Turmeric is found everywhere and grows wild in the forests of Malaysia. It has become the key ingredient for many Malay dishes, not only in curry, but also in masak lemak, rendang, and many more.

In non-South Asian recipes, turmeric is sometimes used as an agent to impart a rich, custard-like yellow color. It is used in canned beverages and baked products, dairy products, ice cream, yogurt, yellow cakes, orange juice, biscuits, popcorn color, sweets, cake icings, cereals, sauces, gelatins, etc. It is a significant ingredient in most commercial curry powders. Turmeric is mostly used in savory dishes, as well as some sweet dishes such as the cake Sfouf.

Although usually used in its dried, powdered form, turmeric is also used fresh, much like ginger. It has numerous uses in Far Eastern recipes, such as fresh turmeric pickle (which contains large chunks of soft turmeric).

Turmeric (coded as E100 when used as a food additive) is used to protect food products from sunlight. The oleoresin is used for oil-containing products. The curcumin/polysorbate solution or curcumin powder dissolved in alcohol is used for water-containing products. Over-coloring, such as in pickles, relishes, and mustard, is sometimes used to compensate for fading.

In combination with annatto (E160b), turmeric has been used to color cheeses, yogurt, dry mixes, salad dressings, winter butter and margarine. Turmeric is also used to give a yellow color to some prepared mustards, canned chicken broths and other foods (often as a much cheaper replacement for saffron).

Turmeric is widely used as a spice in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. Momos (Nepali meat dumplings), a traditional dish in South Asia, are spiced with turmeric. In South Africa turmeric is traditionally used to give boiled white rice a golden color."

So I guess your warning applies to thousands of foods containing turmeric.

[uppityperson]

8. It depends on the dosage. Seems providing a warning when advising more than a dab in food would be

worthwhile. It only takes a dab to color food. Advising 1/8 teaspoon/cup of tea seems a bit more. But hey, I am only concerned about the cya aspect. You must be very sure of your liability protection.

[Celebration]

9. maybe the warning

shouldn't be for the common spice, but for the prescription drug.

[uppityperson]

11. If someone is advising using something in more than typical "spice" amounts, they should know

and should warn. Of course the prescription drug should also. But so should prescribing a more-than-typical useage of a spice or herb. Drugs have interactions, whether made in a factory or from nature.

[beam me up scottie]

12. If you claim altie cures are as effective as science-based medicine you should post similar warnings

You are aware of all the side effects, drug interactions and adverse reactions that should be included, right?

[Tumbulu]

14. the op was not medical advice, it was a recipe

It sounds delicious, if not a bit too complicated for me.

And that is not very much turmeric. I usually use about 3 tbs in my dishes. If someone is taking a prescriptive drug, hopefully they have been warned about common foods and spices that they should avoid.

[Dover]

15. A simpler recipe

Simply use a cup and a half of almond milk (I use Almond Breeze) instead of the milk/almond oil,
and add the turmeric and cardamom pods while it heats on low for 7 minutes(not a boil).
Add honey (or other sweetener).
Add some regular milk (or goat milk) if you like, but it's not necessary.

Obviously almond milk is not a 'traditional' ingredient. I don't think they had almond milk
back when these recipes were created...lol! But it seems to cover all the bases as far
as ingredients go. And MUCH quicker/easier.

[Tumbulu]

16. Thanks, I will give it a try some cold night, thanks Dover! (nt)

[uppityperson]

21. "ward off Fall/Winter ailments" is not a recipe but medical advice

If "ward off Fall/Winter ailments" wasn't there, if it didn't claim medical advice like that, then it would be fine.

[trotsky]

22. Don't leave out "for lubricating the joints and other ailments"

CLEARLY medical advice.

[laughingliberal]

18. Tumeric does have some blood thinning properties and those taking blood thinners should be careful..

By the same token, quite a few green vegetables can encumber the blood thinning properties of coumadin and people should speak with their health care professionals about their intake of these. I assume you would want anyone posting the value of eating more vegetables to be similarly careful in warning patients on anti-coagulants of those dangers?

[uppityperson]

23. If they are posting it for medical advice, then yes.

ward off Fall/Winter ailments
lubricating the joints and other ailments.
Some research indicates that turmeric may be of value in preventing diabetes and cancer

[Euromutt]

20. What "fall/winter ailments" occur in the Indian subcontinent?

I'm having a bit of a problem here. Ayurveda originates in the Indian subcontinent which, to put it mildly, does not have the same climate as the Pacific Northwest. Because it is shielded by the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush in the north, the Indian subcontinent remains warm even in "winter," and apart from the mountainous regions, the whole subcontinent is considered to be tropical. So how does a system of folk remedies originating from a tropical locale apply to an entirely different continent, none of which is considered tropical in climatological terms?

Oh, and how does Ayurveda incorporate such ingredients as agave nectar and maple syrup, which are native to North America and are not found in the Indian subcontinent?

[Heddi]

24. +1 :)

Very good questions that, undoubtedly, will go unanswered.