Love Letters to Herbs: Turmeric

Dear Turmeric,

I owe you an apology. I didn’t take you seriously. I’ve become so skeptical of hype and advertisements. You’re all over the media. You’re in so many supplements and everyone loves you. But as an herbalist, I would always think to myself, “I don’t need to use popular herbs like Turmeric! There are many paths up the herbal healing mountain and I’m not taking you with me!”

But I was wrong, and I’m sorry. You’re popular for reason. Like so many other people who have benefited from your medicine, you changed my life. Here’s what happened…

My massage therapist was looking for a good quality Turmeric extract for inflammation, so I sold her a bottle of the best one I know of – a 1:1 water and alcohol liquid extract from MediHerb. She came back the next week, saying something to the effect of, “WOW! That shit is amazing! I feel so much better. Happier. Brighter. Less inflamed. Thank you!”

Here’s the rub…I was feeling many of the same things she was. I felt puffy, sluggish, depressed, tired, bloated, blah and just overall off. So I thought, OK, maybe I need to set all my preconceived notions behind, swallow my pride, and give Turmeric a try.

Sigh.

I took 5 mLs in water, three times per day and the very next day I was noticeably improved. I woke up more clear headed. All my belly bloat was gone. I felt happier and much less puffy. You filled my body with your sunshine, Turmeric, and lifted my spirits in a time when I needed it most. I am forever grateful.

But that’s not all…

When I became a parent, green tea wasn’t going to cut it anymore. I needed the big guns – I needed coffee! Now, I know I’m fine with coffee every now and then, but with parenting, I started drinking it every day. It wasn’t working for me. I was irritable and on the stimulant rollercoaster. You, Turmeric, very unexpectedly got me off of coffee. I felt so alive with you running through my blood stream, I didn’t even think about coffee.

And I’ve been done with coffee now for over three years – thanks to you. You were the plant ally I needed, and I ignored you for YEARS! My nervous system is so much more calm and stable. Coffee gave me energy with a twist of tension and anger but you give me energy with a twist of well-being and joy.

Many people don’t know it but you, my herbal friend, are a welcomed remedy for depression. We have to stop thinking of depression as a neurotransmitter imbalance or serotonin deficiency and recognize it for the inflammation that it is: the brain on fire. You manage that fire.

I know some people may complain that you stain their counter, sink or even teeth. Don’t listen to the haters, Turmeric. Fuck ‘em. You’re so worth it!

Scientists say that you nudge hundreds of pathways in the body to bring it into a healthier balance. I’ve heard it called molecular promiscuity and network pharmacology. This is in stark contrast to pharmaceutical drugs that typically shut down a single, targeted pathway, resulting in all sorts of unintended consequences and an overall decrease in vitality. So keep doing what you do and bring gentle, effective medicine into people's bodies. Keep nudging those pathways, baby!

There you have it, Turmeric. I am a convert and stand corrected. You are a gift. Thank you for being the deeply yellow root that you are and for helping so many people have better lives.

In gratitude for plant medicine,

Charlotte

PS: To my readers, quality and appropriate dosage are everything when it comes to herbal medicine. These are my favorite ways to use Turmeric:

I already mentioned MediHerb’s Turmeric 1:1 liquid extract. That’s still a favorite. Recently, MediHerb also came out with a tablet called Turmeric Forte. In this product, Turmeric is combined with fenugreek which significantly increases its absorption, directly delivering it to inflamed tissues and through the blood brain barrier for neuroinflammation. Most people prefer these little yellow tablets of happiness to the liquid.

Please be aware that MediHerb products are potent, require training and, therefore, are available through qualified health professionals, like myself.

Then, for turmeric powder, I enjoy Dr Cowan’s Gardens and my preferred blend for golden milk comes from Further Food. In this formula, turmeric is combined with black pepper, cardamom pods, clove buds, organic cinnamon, organic ginger, frankincense and schisandra with NO sweeteners.

I also enjoy an occasional cup of Turmeric Ginger Tea from Rishi.

Thanks for being here and may you come to know yourself better through herbs!