Integrative Health Blog

Are you aware of the many anti-inflammatory properties found in turmeric? 

I listed the properties in a previous article in a recipe for turmeric milk. There are over 7,800 studies done on the benefits of turmeric! Reviewing these studies, ethnobotanist James Duke  concluded that turmeric appears to outperform many pharmaceuticals in its effects against several chronic, debilitating diseases, and does so with virtually no adverse side effects (source).

I love to add turmeric to soups and other dishes but I don’t add it as often as I would like and I don’t use a large enough amount to reap all of its benefits. I had a little issue with a back spasm this week and immediately made an appointment with my chiropractor, Dr. Coy Roskosky, because he has a track record for always taking my pain away.

During my appointment he reminded me to increase my anti-inflammatory foods. In need of acute inflammation help, I was very close to gulping down a spoonful of turmeric but quickly changed my mind after gagging at the thought of it. That’s when I created these turmeric balls- they are quick, convenient and delicious! (I mean not as delicious as raw cacao brownies, but I definitely licked the bowel when I was done). These little turmeric balls not only taste great, but they contain other ingredients that work synergistically with the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric.

I was introduced to the concept of making your own herbal pills when reading Rosemary Gladstar’s book Medicinal Herbs. She wrote about homemade vitamin C pills, which I’m going to try soon. But I thought homemade anti-inflammatory pills couldn’t be that much harder, and the process was super easy and practical. You can formulate your own blends and make them taste good enough that even children will eat them. They are great for a sore throat; you can formulate them with herbs that fight infection or simply to enhance your vitamin intake. It’s up to you!

Increase the Anti-inflammatory Properties With:

• Quercetin, a bioflavenoid which inhibits the production of inflammatory proteins also known as cytokines.

• Black pepper contains the potent alkaloid piperine, which has been shown to increase the bio-availability of curcumin up to 150%.

• Fatty acids have been shown to increase the bioavailability of turmeric (source)

Turmeric Balls Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup organic, ground turmeric

• 1 tbsp quercetin powder

• big pinch of ground black peppercorn

• 3 tbsp raw, organic honey (for the most benefits find local honey from a nearby farmer)

• 1 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions

• Line a plate or baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper. And make some room in your freezer.

• Put on your cutest apron because turmeric will stain your clothes.

• If your honey and coconut oil are solid, heat them up a bit to liquefy them.

• In a bowl, stir together the turmeric, quercetin, black pepper, honey and coconut oil.

• Take a small amount of the mixture and roll between the palms of your hands in order to roll into a ball. You may want to stick the bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes to make this part easier. If you can form the mixture into small balls, great…keep going.

• Once you have many little turmeric balls on your parchment paper, place in your freezer for about an hour.

• Transfer the balls into a storage container and keep it in your freezer.

• Enjoy the benefits of these tasty morsels!