When I was a yoga teacher in New York City in the early 1990’s, I studied Ayurveda. As we went deep into this intensive training we learned to diagnose different conditions and treat them with herbal remedies and yoga asanas.
Using Herbs for Healing
One of the best things that came from my Ayurvedic training was learning how to use herbs in a synergistic fashion. Because of that training, I know how to create healing drinks like this incredible low-carb Keto Golden Turmeric Latte.
Turmeric the Golden Spice
You may be familiar with turmeric as a spice used in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. Turmeric is the main ingredient in curry and the one that leaves yellow stains on my white marble countertops if I don’t wipe it up right away.
What is Curcumin?
Turmeric is an important component of both Western and Eastern medicine. It contains curcumin, a bioactive compound that has a wide array of healing properties. Modern science has found that this traditional remedy can come close to working miracles through its powerful anti-inflammatory processes.
7 Health Benefits of Turmeric
I interviewed my colleague Dr. Robert Rountree, author of Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child and editor of the journal, Alternative and Complementary Therapies. According to Dr. Rountree, turmeric is beneficial for a wide variety of conditions and ailments. Here are just a few!
1. Improves Digestion
Turmeric improves digestion and can be used as a remedy for stomachaches and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), including treating symptoms such as bloating and gas.
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2. Enhances Brain Function
Like exercise and the Keto Diet, curcumin promotes growth of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), an anti-inflammatory agent that enhances and extends the life span of brain cells.
3. Cures Skin Disorders
Curcumin contains natural antibiotics and antiseptics that heal wounds including cuts, burns, bruises, and other types of lesions to the skin. It is also useful in treating skin disorders such as eczema.
4. Regulates Hormones
Turmeric regulates hormonal imbalances in women that can lead to estrogen dominance, irregular periods, and acne.
5. Relieves Muscle and Joint Pain
Turmeric has antiarthritic effects that reduce joint inflammation by blocking the formation of NF-kB, a pro-inflammatory substance. Curcumin also has analgesic, or pain blocking properties similar to those of aspirin and other NSAID’s, without gut harming side effects such as eroding stomach lining.
6. Prevents Cancer
Curcumin is a potent anti-cancer agent. It fights cancer by preventing genetic mutations and the growth of existing tumor cells. Further, curcumin can actually destroy existing tumor cells by preventing blood supply to them.
7. Natural Botox
In addition to containing potent antioxidants that slow the aging process, curcumin promotes the formation of proteins that create smooth, supple skin.
Keto Golden Turmeric Latte Recipe
I love turmeric for all of the reasons above and so many more! I make sure to get as much turmeric as I can by adding it to stir-fries, curries, and keto drinks such as this low-carb Keto Golden Turmeric Latte made with coconut milk.
Keto Golden Turmeric Latte
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup full fat coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric or 2-inches fresh turmeric root, skin on, sliced
- 3 cardamom pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 inch ginger, skin on, sliced
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a saucepan
- Bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer 10 minutes
- Use a tea strainer to transfer mixture to a vitamix
- Blend on high speed until frothy
- Serve
Equipment
This comforting Keto Golden Turmeric Latte is delicious straight up or sweetened. I usually add a few drops of vanilla stevia. If you don’t like stevia feel free to add honey or maple syrup. Blending the latte makes it incredibly frothy and delicious, but if you don’t have a vitamix simply strain straight into mugs and drink it up!
Do Turmeric and Black Pepper Work Together?
Finally, you will often see black pepper used in recipes that call for turmeric because they work in a synergistic fashion. Among his other observations, Dr. Rountree pointed out that black pepper enhances the absorption of curcumin.
Get Turmeric on the Go with A Curcumin Supplement
Dr. Rountree also reminded me that taking a curcumin supplement is a good hack if you need to get this healing miracle spice into your routine when you’re on the go!
Low-Carb Paleo Recipes That Use Turmeric
Here are some of my easy low-carb paleo recipes that use turmeric!
This post is an oldie but goodie from the archives. I first shared this recipe in March 2017.
Laura says
You are very wise and your recipes are wonderful. Thanks, take care…
Elana says
Thanks Laura!
JoAnna Pepe says
Hi, Elana,
Love the new site!!!! Easy to read and follow. And quite joyful. Congrats and every good wish! Thanks for your ongoing commitment to health and healing. JoAnna Pepe
Elana says
JoAnna, thanks so much!!!
JoAnna Pepe says
Your site is my trusted “go-to” for all info and recipes paleo and keto. The fact that there are no advertising and annoying pop up banners speaks volumes of your integrity. Researching recipes and health info is a relaxing, stress free and healing experience. The time you dedicate to creating delicious, simple
and healthy recipes is a precious and mush appreciated gift that supports a lifestyle of balance, health and well-being. My deepest gratitude to you, dear Elana. JoAnna Pepe
Elana says
JoAnna, I am just blown away by your comment!!! Thanks so much for being on this healing path with me :-)
Holly says
JoAnna said it so beautifully! Thank you for generously sharing your unique wisdom with such kindness. I found you for celiac GF recipes though in reading further discovered so much about MS, autoimmune diseases, inflammation, supplements, electrical fields and now, new for me, keto.
Please think about adding another medium- YouTube channel? It’d be wonderful to hear your voice.
Stay well my friend!
Elana says
Holly, thanks so much for acknowledging all of the information I provide here on MS, AI disease, inflammation, supplements, and EMFs. Sometimes I myself forget that I have researched and shared my knowledge in all these areas. I love writing, but I’m not as in love with TV and YouTube. I did a fair amount of television a few years ago. Here’s one you might like from Fox News:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIVC44i_4qg
Thanks again for your very kind words!
Elana
AlyssaSophia says
The recipe calls for putting this in a vitamix, but my two options are a Nutribullet or an immersion blender. I’ve never frothed anything before so not sure which might produce an equivalent outcome. Thoughts?
Elana says
Alyssa, thanks for your comment! I haven’t tried making this with those items so not sure. If you experiment I hope you’ll let us know what works :-)
Anna says
Mmm, yum! I couldn’t be bothered this time to get the smoothie maker dirty so drank this non-frothy, just topped up with some hot water to make it a mugful, and it’s just as nice like that!
Elana says
Anna, thanks for letting me know this is yum!
Gabriele says
Hi Elans. I have a question: I took turmeric with black pepper for over a year. My chiropractor advised that it might help with my chronic inflammation along with a paleo diet. I noticed no improvement and started wondering because it is a nightshade, and nightshades can cause inflammation. Just wondering what your take is on it?
Elana says
Gabriele, black pepper is not a nightshade, so I don’t think that would be an issue. It might be that your doses were not high enough. While I love this latte, I also take around 1 gram of curcumin via supplement every day. That is the type of therapeutic dose that would impact inflammation :-)