Terrific and Talented Turmeric!

   Turmeric is an ancient Indian spice with uses dating back to 2500 years ago. It was believed to be first utilized for it's dying properties and then later was incorporated as a spice and also used for cosmetic purposes. In many Indian cultures, turmeric was used as a substitute for the much more expensive saffron, due to it's amazingly similar deep yellow color. Today, turmeric still has many valuable qualities and benefits.

   As stated above, turmeric has a bright yellow color that is gorgeous when used as a natural dye for cloth. All you have to do is add a few shakes of dried turmeric to some hot water and let the item sit for a few hours. For deeper color, you can rinse, dry, and re-dye the cloth. I added a cap full of vinegar to my turmeric bath as well to help the color stick. The color will fade over time, especially when exposed to the sunlight, but you can always re-dye it to suit your liking. It's much better than using commercial dyes that contain questionable chemicals, in my own opinion. :)
   Turmeric also has many medicinal purposes. It is known for it's anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial purposes. This makes it great at combating acne, psoriasis, arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases. I like to mix a little turmeric with some honey and avocado for a hydrating, acne-fighting face mask! Turmeric is a natural pain killer and can help detoxify your liver. It is used to help aid weight management and even helps fat metabolize! It is useful in disinfecting cuts and burns, and also helps to heal and remodel damaged skin. There is even great promise in using turmeric to help prevent and treat cancer!
   How do you obtain these benefits? Some people take supplements of turmeric but that's not always necessary. It could be as easy as sprinkling some turmeric into an egg salad or incorporating it into a traditional Indian curry. You can also make a tea using the root itself or a powdered form. A popular way to drink turmeric in India is making a warm turmeric milk. To make this you add 2 cups organic milk (dairy or non-dairy), 1 tsp. turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp. ginger powder, 4 crushed black peppercorns, a dash of cinnamon, and a dollop of honey or other sweetener (if you chose). It is a delicious and warming "health drink" that has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic practices.
   As you can see, there are many uses and benefits of this miracle root. If you've never tried it before, I definitely suggest giving it a shot in any of the above ways! Have fun and stay clean for now!