Ingredient Spotlight: Hibiscus
Hany's first memories of hibiscus were before he even knew what it was - as a young child on his family's farm in Egypt, relishing in a sweet, dark red drink called "karkadae" - a delightfully...
Ingredient Spotlight: Turmeric
No, that's not orange ginger. It's turmeric root!
You may be used to seeing this powerhouse root in its powdered form in a spice bottle. But you'll find its true potency in its whole, raw form.
Featured in our entire Fire Cider & Earth Cider lines, turmeric is a spice that comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. Used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine , it is also commonly used as a food ingredient, adding flavor and color to healthful dishes.
The active compounds contained in turmeric are curcuminoids, known for their potent antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory effects. These properties are posited to make turmeric beneficial for many conditions including: arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, cancer prevention and treatment, heart disease prevention/treatment & diabetes mellitus type 2 treatment. Curcuminoids may help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals that can lead to cancer or heart disease if not neutralized by antioxidants like those found in turmeric.
Several studies have supported the health benefits of the curcumin contained in turmeric root, specifically anti-inflammatory properties that could help prevent or treat arthritis, reduce symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and improve lung function, and protecting against diabetes by reducing blood sugar levels after meals-a benefit that could help prevent or delay complications associated with this disease such as heart attack or stroke.
Additionally, Turmeric contains Vitamins A (as beta carotene) and C and Minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium that help build strong bones and teeth.
It is also thought to contribute to reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, though research on these benefits is relatively new - but promising!
While it's not included in traditional fire cider recipes, we believe turmeric complements its taste profile and augments its benefits, so we've incorporated it into the recipes for our Unsweetened, Maple Honey and Reaper Fire Ciders, our Sweet Fire Oxymel, and our Dandelion Burdock Earth Cider.
Turmeric is counter-indicated if you have a history of kidney stones, gallstones or bile duct blockage, and if you are taking blood thinners, diabetes medications and anti-inflammatory drugs.As always, talk with your doctor before adding turmeric to your diet.
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