There’s a tonic for every sort of body ache and brain-space. Coffee is my tonic to activate my work-brain. Pancakes are my tonic to honor a carb-heavy nap-ready morning. Yoga is my tonic for breathing and clear-mindedness (or moments of it). A cup of tea and a text to Tracy Shutterbean is my tonic for occasional anxiety. Turmeric tea, when served in my favorite mug, is my tonic for inflammation and occasional body aches… the mug is important. A good mug makes for a good tonic.
I feel like the ins and outs of everyday life call for little remedies. More than remedies, they’re just moments to pause and remind ourself that we’re capable and energetic, and at the very least breathing and all up in the noise.
Turmeric is used most often in Indian cooking; it’s often what gives curries their beautiful golden flavor. It’s a gorgeous spice and happens to be powerful as a natural anti-inflammatory. Paired with raw honey for balance and sweetness, tart citrus for brightness, and a few grinds of fresh cracked black pepper to help the turmeric absorb into the body.
I was reminded of Heidi Swanson’s Turmeric Tea when I ran across Jessica Koslow’s Turmeric Tonic on my adventures through the internet. Consider the bandwagon, hopped upon.
Turmeric Tonic
- Prep Time: 5
- Total Time: 5
Ingredients
- scant 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- squeeze of lime juice
- fresh cracked black pepper
- small dab of ghee (optional)
Instructions
- In a large mug, stir together honey, turmeric, lime, and pepper. Fill cup with hot water and stir in ghee until melted (if using). Enjoy immediately.
Sucré Kitchen
I really must give this a try.
Cynthia
If you drink this with a straw you don’t get it over your teeth. The same goes for Apple Cider Vinegar. The acid won’t harm the enamel on your teeth.
Sara
Yum! Turmeric is awesome. I’ll be giving this a try :)
-sara
http://almostpaleokitchen.blogspot.com/
Barbara Stecker
I’ve also been enjoying an organic Tumeric Ginger tea by Rishi. It contains, I think, grated tumeric and ginger, orange and lemon zest, and other all organic ingredients. Naturally sweet I drink it by the huge cupfuls with honey. Really great flavor.
Candice
Dear joy, your posts are always a highlight to my browsing of the internets. Thank you. :)
Mia
Turmeric is also great for skin breakouts! I mix a little with witch hazel to make a paste, then put it on area til it dries, then rinse! Lovely!
Nathalie
I have inflammation in my lower back from osteoarthrosis (big word and I don’t even know if I spelled it correctly lol) and I’ve been off work for over 2 weeks now. I will try this for sure! Thank you for this recipe. If you have any good recipes to help with arthritis, degenerative discs, etc. It would be greatly appreciated. ;) I need all the help I can get!
Carol
Just remember…Tumeric stains. fabric, your cooking utensils, just about anything it touches.
Food Mumbai
It’s quiet new for me, I have ever heard that turmeric can be turned into tonic….. Good Idea to get rid of all occasional body aces in an Ayurvedic process….
http://foodmumbai.co.in
Food Mumbai
It’s quiet new for me, I have ever heard that turmeric can be turned into tonic…. Good idea to get rid of occasional body aces in an Ayurvedic process…..Thanks a lot!!!!
http://foodmumbai.co.in
Eline (Tuk's Kitchen)
Also: your new website looks beautiful!
Alicia
Oh Joy!!! Grabbed both of your cooked books (as Christmas gifts to myself)!!! I’ll be enjoying this recipe just as much all of your others. Thanks
Alison
How does the black pepper help the turmeric absorb into the body? I’m picturing someone sneezing and accidentally snorting it up their nose…?
Nikki K.
Hey Alison,
I had read this article a few weeks ago and thought I’d share. Sounds like black pepper is a must to help your body actually absorb the turmeric. :) http://www.realfarmacy.com/kitchen-table-strategies-effectively-optimize-turmeric-maximum-bioavailability-therapeutic-potency/
Hannah
Yum yum yum! I will make this and be sure I’m wearing all black as I sit on the couch and gulp it up–otherwise, spills could be disastrous!
xx Hannah // http://www.HomemadeBanana.com
DisplacedHousewife
I have just started drinking a turmeric smoothie and I’m obsessed with the stuff. Will def try the tea. Why does it need cracked pepper? I haven’t been adding that in… xo
Barb
I am enjoying this tonic as I am writing this! Just what I needed, thank you!
tj
…Serious case of mug envy here – love! :o)
…And thank you for the recipe! I do see turmeric everything on Pinterest lately so I must give this a try.
…Peace & blessings. :o)
Arthur in the Garden!
Yummy!
Byanca
Thank you, this exactly what I needed! I’m drinking it right now and it’s even better than I expected.
Li
Made some straight away. Thank you for the links! Haven’t spilled it on myself yet either!
Samantha
I’ve yet to try cooking with turmeric and had no idea you could make tea with it :) Excited to purchase some tonight and give it a try!
Considering The Radish
I’ve not yet jumped on that bandwagon, but I’m about to try and catch it. And yes, the right mug is instrumental to tonics. Probably the most important thing.
mormormedstiletter.dk
Definitely something I will try:-)
Alissa
Pancakes are my tonic too!
Katie O
Do you have a problem with the turmeric staining your teeth and mouth? I was really into the idea but the first glass I had covered my entire mouth in orange!
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet
I suffer from chronic pain due to a connective tissue disorder, and I am always looking for new, natural ways to treat my aches and pains. THANK YOU for sharing this! I cannot wait to try it. :)
Suzonne Stirling
I’ve been looking for a good way to incorporate turmeric into my diet, so I’m looking forward to trying this. But do you have thoughts on whether it’s worth including the ghee?
Sarah B
I just read that in order to reap the medicinal benefits from turmeric it must be taken with some fat. So, yes, the ghee is beneficial and necessary!
AR
We do this with hot milk – turmeric, black pepper, and honey in warm milk – it heals anything. My mom’s remedies from India have been so much better than any pills here – I think we need to focus on emphasizing plant-based healing over pill-based cures, because they work so effectively, and you know what you are putting in your body.
genevieve y
I love, love turmeric! Whenever I’m sick I make a dash to the store for fresh turmeric and whip myself up some turmeric tea or golden milk and chug that like there’s no tomorrow. So soothing!
Dolores
Can’t wait to try this! After hearing so many good things about tumeric I started using it a while back. Awesome on my sauteed spinach/kale. Thanks for the great writing!
Amy
Turmeric is definitely having its moment. I’ve been drinking turmeric milk here and there but am eager to try this tonic recipe.
Alonna Smith
Have you tried making a tonic with fresh turmeric? My local co-op has started carrying the fresh version and I am trying to find ways to use it.
Bonnie Arnold
I’m getting out of bed and going downstairs to make this right now! I started a new job yesterday and, of course, I catch a cold. This sounds like just the ticket to make me feel better! Thanks, Joy!
karen
Thanks for the reminder-I forgot about turmeric tea!
lsproull232014
Keep reading about how good turmeric is for you, must do this! Plus anything that is anti-inflammatory sounds awesome to me. Learned that I couldn’t loose weight with the extra inflammation I was having because inflammation decreases your ability to drop pounds! Not good! Need Spanx.
Kathy Mader
I’ve said it before, but you are the most charming food blog writer out there. I thoroughly enjoy your writing and recipes. Thank you!
Rachel
I love making one from the Hemsley + Hemsley book.
Tori
I think I need to hop aboard said bandwagon because this sounds so delicious as a tonic. I love using turmeric in cooking but I’ve never tried it like this!