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By Laura Stec

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About this blog: I've been attracted to food for good and bad reasons for many years. From eating disorder to east coast culinary school, food has been my passion, profession & nemesis. I've been a sugar addict, a 17-year vegetarian, a food and en...  (More)

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Turmeric Tonic

Uploaded: Apr 30, 2019

It’s not often (never, over here) one finds themselves thinking about turmeric tonic, but lately this had been the case for me. Doing a little research and recipe development for Inflammation Be Gone, my corporate cook class that asks how to adjust our diets to decrease arthritis and swelling.

Many of us have heard of the power of turmeric, a root containing the active compound curcumin, which boasts of amazing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers. I’ve been testing it out on my body to combat arthritis in my right hand, brought on I believe from years of holding a chefs knife. Bought a couple of bottles of the yellow pills, but not satisfied with the results. Maybe a tonic would hasten the healing?

Just started wondering about ingredients for a drink I’ve never experienced, and poof!, like the Survivor audition, a bottle falls out of the air from the heavens. “You have to try this drink,” a new friend says, even before I tell him I’m already looking. “I get it from my Tongan friend. She steeps turmeric with ginger and garlic (also anti-inflammatory powerhouses). I call it Ahi Juice, and drink it all the time. It's good for what ails you.”



The smell is first to hit; definitely garlic, but only light in the taste. Ginger is the strong taste followed by earthy-bitter turmeric. The color is bright yellow.

Hmmmm, I feel better already.

Ahi is not an easy lady to find, so I’m guessing her recipe. Let’s test and see if the hullabaloo is true. Reports suggest adding black pepper and a fat, such as coconut oil, to make the turmeric more bio-available. I’ll give that a shot too.

Anyone make or drink turmeric tonic?

Turmeric Tonic

3 cups water
1 tablespoon each grated turmeric and ginger
1 smashed garlic clove
dash black pepper
1 teaspoon coconut or avocado oil
honey (optional)

Combine first 4 ingredients in a small sauce pan. Bring to a simmer (not a boil) and simmer 2-3 minutes. Strain and compost the solids. Add the teaspoon oil, and some honey if you choose. Drink or refrigerate. Drink cold too.
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Comments

Posted by Dr. Bones, a resident of Menlo Park,
on Apr 30, 2019 at 9:59 am

I prefer Ahi tuna myself.

BTW...ingesting excessive amounts of turmeric + summertime perspiration = you are going to reek & some folks may find you unpleasant to be around aromatically.

It's the same with excessive amounts of garlic and/or alcohol...the natural aroma of the inherent ingredients will ooze through your skin pores.

2 Advil + a couple of hits off a joint works well for arthritis and it's legal.


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