Turmeric

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In India, Turmeric has long been a highly revered spice associated with Laksmi, the Hindu goddess of abundance and love.

The active compound curcumin is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory which can help fight cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and arthritis.

I have always loved turmeric’s earthy, pungent taste. A particular joyful memory of mine was digging fresh roots from the rich, volcanic soils in Maui, Hawaii and chewing and juicing the finger like tubers; staining our tongues, fingers and clothing bright yellow. 

For Postpartum

In Ayurveda turmeric is one of the warming, more grounding spices — the nature of being a rhizome or root. As a stimulating spice it is great for blood flow, boosting metabolism and kindling the digestive fire or Agni. As agni is significantly weakened after birth, one of the main goals of the Ayurvedic postpartum diet is to rekindle it.

Increasing our metabolism also helps boost our immune system which can also have become somewhat sluggish and compromised. No one wants to get sick with a newborn to care for!

The anti-inflammatory qualities of turmeric have been touted as hugely beneficial to conditions such as arthritis. And so it stands to reason that any swelling and joint pain after birth can also be soothed with this wonder spice. Particularly when we suddenly have the strain of carrying a new baby and breastfeeding positions to adapt to, not to mention possible birth injuries that need to heal. Turmeric also increases milk supply as it indirectly boosts rasa dhatu – the fluids of the body.

How best to use and prepare

In early postpartum you can use turmeric powder in soothing, nourishing tonic drinks and in watery mung dahl broth.

As digestive fire builds, decrease use if you see signs of Pitta aggravation including frustration, excess heat, diarrhea or very quick digestion. 

A teaspoon is usually a good amount in a dish with 2-3 servings, but potency depends on the freshness of the powder. 

As for the form of turmeric, favor fresh root or fresh powder. You can buy turmeric supplements which isolate the curcumin but it has been found that on its own, curcumin is not the most bioavailable. Actually you need the elements of the whole root to metabolise curcumin well; a discovery that correlates with many synthetic and isolated vitamins throughout the supplement world. 

Medicine really can be found within our food and Ayurveda has known this all along.

Enjoy these turmeric-boosted recipes within your sacred window or at anytime when healing is being called in. These offerings are much more nourishing than popping a pill.

Pumpkin Dahl Recipe

after the first few days postpartum

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup moong dahl or red lentils, soaked for at least 30 minutes

6 cups water

3 tbsp sesame oil

2 tsp cumin seeds

4 cloves fresh garlic, minced

2 tsp fenugreek

4 tbsp finely chopped cilantro

1 tsp black pepper

½ tsp turmeric

1 tsp salt

2 tsp tamarind paste – optional

PREPARATION

1. Drain soaked lentils/mung, rinse and then add to a large pan of water and bring to the boil. Skim foam as they cook. Cook for about 20-30 minutes.
2. Cut butternut squash in half, scoop out seeds and bake in the oven for around 30 minutes until tender.
3. Whilst lentils and squash are cooking, warm oil in a small frying pan and add cumin seeds and mustard seeds. When they start to pop up, add the garlic. Once the garlic starts to brown, add the fenugreek and stir until lightly browned.
4. Add most of the cilantro, stir and add the pepper and turmeric. Stir a little of the broth into the pan to rinse it into the lentils/mung.
5. Scoop squash flesh into the dahl in small chunks, and cook all together to break down the squash into the soup. Season to taste.
6. Add optional tamarind by mixing with a little water before adding to the soup.

Golden Mylk

A great morning beverage to give energy and wake up Mama’s digestion

INGREDIENTS:

¾ tsp turmeric or 1 cm of fresh root

1 cm fresh ginger root or ½ tsp powder

½ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp cardamom

Pinch of black pepper

Pinch of pink salt

1 tbsp coconut oil 

2 medjool dates – soaked

PREPARATION

1. If you have a good blender simply throw everything in and blend on high until smooth.
2. If your blender is basic and you are using fresh root of ginger and/or turmeric, you will need to strain out the fibre after blending or favor powder.

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