Golden Yogi Tea

Fresh turmeric root and turmeric powder.

The media is picking up on the many health benefits of curcumin, the active component of the common household spice, turmeric. Curcumin is a champion anti-inflammatory and unlike ibuprofen or other NSAIDS, it will not create digestive distress with long term usage.

The health benefits of turmeric are now being documented scientifically, but they have been known for millennia. I first learned about it when I was studying Ayurvedic medicine and Yoga therapy at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. While Ayurveda encompasses many modalities, healthy lifestyle and prevention are key to its philosophy. About halfway through our first year, I was surprised to be invited to a cooking class.

Fresh ginger root

Food as medicine? Count me in! We learned to make ghee and a variety of Indian dishes specifically formulated to different body constitutions and situations. Guess what ingredient was common to nearly every dish?

Turmeric. As it turns out, the ancients were right…turmeric is extremely beneficial and most easily absorbed by the body when heated and combined with a fat. Black pepper is another helpful addition. With this in mind, nearly all of Indian cuisine is naturally anti-inflammatory! Personally I love Indian food, so this is great news.

Recently, I decided to integrate more turmeric in my daily routine. I'm not always in the mood for Indian food, so I chose Golden Yogi Tea. This tea is recommended for daily intake by yoga practitioners by the Kundalini Yoga tradition. It combines the health benefits of curcumin with another powerhouse, ginger. Ginger is used for a whole host of digestive issues, to relieve pain and to reduce inflammation.

Golden Yogi Tea

Guess what? Inflammation is a major risk and causative factor for most disease! From cardiovascular issues to autoimmune conditions, it all starts with inflammation in the body. Inflammation comes in with injury, inactivity, poor diet, and unmanaged stress.

But back to Golden Yogi Tea - this is a great tool to combat inflammation as well as promoting healthy digestion. As it turns out, it's quite easily made. The medical study referenced above was performed using "powdered curcumin", but I don't know if they produced a powder from the extracted curcumin itself, or whether they used the commonly available powdered turmeric. Fresh is always best, so if you can find it, use fresh turmeric root.

Tip: Look for fresh turmeric and ginger root at your local international grocery store or Indian market. Triangle folks, Around the World Market has both fresh turmeric and ginger root for a reasonable price.  The ginger root (and most culinary spices) are much cheaper there than at your local supermarket!

Here is how I made my Golden Yogi Tea:

1. Slice up 1-2 inches each of turmeric and ginger root, leaving the skin on.
2. Place the root in a quart saucepan filled with water.
3. Bring to a boil.
4. Simmer for 30-60 minutes.
5. Cover and set aside overnight.
6. Strain out the root and store the concentrate in a glass quart jar.

When you are ready to drink your tea, dilute the concentrate to taste. I used about half concentrate and half water. You may drink it hot or cold. Sweeten with stevia or honey. 

Tip: If you use honey, be sure that you have purchased it from a reputable source. Some grocery stores stock honey from China, which can be contaminated with pesticides. Some honey on the market is also adulterated with corn syrup. The safest route is to buy it from a farmer's market or a beekeeper. 

Enjoy your Golden Yogi Tea in good health!