Turmeric & Curcumin: Ultimate Guide, FAQ, History, and Uses

Why is turmeric one of the hottest trends in the health industry and why did we infuse it into our best-selling hemp oil from Mana’s inception? In this post, we’ll explore the history and science behind the renowned “golden spice.”

Hemp is not the only plant that’s been utilized to support overall health and well-being for millennia. Turmeric (Curcuma longa), an herb native to South Asia, is another plant with a rich history.

Its rhizomes (roots) have been used to make spice and traditional medicine for thousands of years, particularly in India. It’s also a long-standing and revered herb in Hawaii, where it goes by the name Olena.

Ground turmeric root has a characteristic orange-yellow color that comes from its main active ingredient curcumin. Curcumin is largely responsible for turmeric’s potential health benefits and has been the subject of intense scientific research with over 10,000 peer-reviewed studies. Curcumin is the perfect match for CBD: another research-backed natural compound that can support overall health through its holistic effects.

Here are some key things to know about turmeric and why it works so well in combination with hemp.

Turmeric’s History

In many ways, the history of turmeric mirrors the history of cannabis. Turmeric has been utilized for nearly 4000 years as a medicinal herb, food ingredient, and skincare tips and cosmetic.

The medical use of turmeric was popularized by India’s Ayurvedic system of folk medicine, where it’s believed to strengthen energy, improve digestion, regulate menstruation, kill parasites, relieve arthritis, and provide other health benefits.

India’s historical records talk of turmeric being used for a broad variety of health issues, including asthma, allergies, respiratory infections, coughing, sprains, swelling, and disorders of the skin, joints, liver, and digestive system.

It was most commonly taken in the form of juice or milk or applied externally as a paste or poultice to treat skin conditions, cuts, burns, bites, and swollen or painful parts of the body.

The use of turmeric later spread to China, other nearby Asian countries, and Africa, although India remains the largest producer and consumer of the beneficial herb.

Polynesian explorers also brought the golden spice to Hawaii. Olena (“yellow” in Hawaiian) was revered by the ancient Hawaiians for its mana — its life force or spiritual power — and was used to cleanse and purify people, physical spaces, and objects. It was incorporated into traditional medicine practices and used for earaches, sinusitis, and other ailments.

Today, turmeric is used all over the world in a wide variety of foods ranging from curries to smoothies and is also popular as a dietary supplement.

What the Research Says

As we mentioned above, turmeric is one of the most researched medicinal herbs in the world with thousands of published studies. Most of the research has focused on curcumin and other curcuminoids, the main active ingredients in the plant.

What are the Benefits?

Turmeric contains numerous bioactive compounds including curcumin. Thus, it is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and the Hawaiian traditional medicine practice known as La’ua lapa’au.

Studies suggest curcumin has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, cardio-preventive, and other beneficial properties.

As a result, it has the potential to support a wide variety of disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, depression, heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and digestive issues, and diabetes.

Happiness

Renowned for its natural healing properties, research indicates that turmeric contains antibiotics, antioxidants, and antiviral properties. For these reasons, it has become an international wellness treasure that has the potential to be of benefit to nearly everyone.

Clinical studies show that curcumin enhances the production of serotonin and dopamine both of which are associated with feelings of happiness and natural joy.

Digestion

Turmeric helps to promote and maintain a healthy inner ecology by supporting both the digestive and eliminative systems.

In a modest-sized Thai study, people ingested turmeric for one week. An impressive 87% of those who participated in this study had partial to complete relief from indigestion symptoms.

Inflammation

Chronic inflammation can cause and worsen degenerative diseases found rampant in western culture. These diseases can be arthritis, cardiovascular disease, disordered metabolism (including obesity), and various neurological disorders as well as many others.

Studies conducted by the University of Maryland discovered that curcumin decreased inflammation in the body by reducing two inflammation-promoting enzymes. Curcumin, found in turmeric, achieves these results without the numerous side effects associated with many non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) medications.

A powerful antioxidant, curcumin mops up free-radical damage within the cells which aids in the management of inflammatory conditions.

Immune Support

Turmeric contains anti-viral properties that help to strengthen the immune system. Research conducted at the Wuhan Institute of Bioengineering found that curcumin inhibits the replication of certain types of viruses. Although the results of a number of studies indicate that curcumin is in fact a potent antiviral, further studies are needed to fully comprehend the antimicrobial properties of curcumin.

Is Turmeric Safe to Consume?

Although some subjects reported mild nausea and/or diarrhea, the conclusion is that turmeric is generally considered safe to consume. In research studies, clients consuming high doses of curcumin (up to 8 grams per day over a 3 month period) showed NO toxicity.

Studies also confirm that turmeric is completely safe, which isn’t all that surprising as it’s been consumed on a regular basis for centuries.

Are Turmeric and Curcumin the Same?

In nature, turmeric and curcumin are interwoven however, they are NOT the same thing. Turmeric is a fragrant flowering perennial plant with a subtly bitter taste.

Responsible for the gorgeous pale yellow to bright sunburst orange coloring, curcumin is one of the primary bioactive compounds found in turmeric and other botanically related plants such as ginger.

Curcumin and CBD

Hemp and turmeric have been utilized as holistic medicines for thousands of years. As it happens, both of these herbs and their main active ingredients — CBD and curcumin — have wide-ranging effects that can support your overall well-being.

Better yet, there’s research evidence that curcumin can interact with the endocannabinoid system, which is the same way that CBD produces most of its beneficial effects.

Ways to Use Turmeric

There are plenty of ways to use turmeric and incorporate the herb into your daily routine. Here are a few of our favorite ways to use the golden spice.

Turmeric FAQ

Where Does Turmeric Come From?

Widely popular as a source of both nutrition and medicine, turmeric thrives in places with copious amounts of rain and average daily temperatures that range between 68-86 degrees Fahrenheit. Affectionately known as golden spice, holy powder, and olena, this wonderful botanical flourishes in subtropical zones around the world including India, Bali, and the Hawaiian Islands.  

What Does Turmeric Taste Like?

A favorite spice for culinary recipes, turmeric and the curcumin found in it, give curry its distinct flavor and color. Naturally grounding and with an aroma similar to mustard, herbaceous turmeric is at once earthy and slightly bitter in taste.

How Much Turmeric Should I Take?

Remember, everyone has individual body chemistry and therefore each person’s health and well-being needs are unique to them.

Research studies typically use doses of 500- 2,000 mg (1/2-2 grams) of turmeric per day. These high doses are NOT recommended for long-term use. 

Start with small to moderate amounts of turmeric and increase as is natural for your individual well-being needs. As with any herbal protocol, the adage of ‘less is more’ also pertains to turmeric.

Your primary care physician can walk you through appropriate doses for you and your needs.

What is the Best Time of Day to Take Turmeric?

Turmeric can be consumed anytime throughout the day depending on your personal preference. Some people enjoy turmeric as a tea, some add it to their superfood smoothie, while still others prefer consuming turmeric in either tincture or capsule form. 

Fresh turmeric root can be shredded (similar to a carrot) and eaten on a salad, on brown rice, as well as used in cooking dishes such as curry.

Should I Take Turmeric on an Empty Stomach?

The general recommendation is to consume turmeric on an empty stomach 30 – 45 minutes before a meal or two hours after a meal. Taking turmeric on an empty stomach works well for some people, while others find that this method of taking turmeric causes them to experience heartburn, indigestion, or bellyache.

Curcumin is ‘fat soluble’ and therefore the healing properties of turmeric are enhanced when combined with plant-based foods that are high in fat such as avocado, macadamia nuts, coconuts, or cold-pressed olive oil.

If you experience a negative response to ingesting turmeric on an empty stomach, it is then recommended that you consume it with life-enhancing plant-based fats.

How Often Should I Drink Turmeric Tea?

Naturally, non-caffeinated turmeric tea can be enjoyed morning, noon, and night. With its robust and delicious flavor ingesting turmeric in tea is a wonderful way to reap numerous health benefits.

Turmeric Tea Recipe:

1. Bring 12 ounces of water to a boil
2. Add 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder to your favorite mug
3. Pour hot water over turmeric
4. Stir until dissolved
5. Sweeten with raw local Hawaiian honey to taste

Golden Milk Recipe:

1. Measure 8-12 ounces of coconut or macadamia nut milk 
2. Add 1 teaspoon of powdered turmeric
3. A drizzle of Hawaiian honey.
4. Can be served warm or chilled

Does Turmeric Stain Your Teeth?

It is a common misconception that due to its bright color that turmeric stains teeth.  This may be temporarily true while enjoying your turmeric tea or meal however, a thorough brushing with toothpaste will remove any initial discoloration caused by the curcumin that is inherently found in turmeric.

You can avoid discoloration altogether by sipping your turmeric tea and golden milk through a reusable personal straw. Excellent reusable straw choices include stainless steel, pyrex, and bamboo. 

Whitening Tooth Polish Recipe:

1. Combine 1/4 teaspoon turmeric and 1/2 teaspoon of organic coconut oil in a small glass or pyrex jar. 
2. Use a modest amount of the Turmeric-Coconut whitening blend on your toothbrush and brush your teeth thoroughly. 
3. Follow up with a second thorough brushing of your teeth with your favorite natural toothpaste. 
4. Only use your turmeric paste once a day.
   

Is Turmeric Bad for the Kidneys?

In service of your overall health and well-being, it is essential to support your kidneys. Turmeric has not been linked to problems with the kidneys. Research shows that turmeric has both a detoxifying and a nourishing effect on the kidneys.

Is Turmeric Bad for Your Liver?

One of the high vibe functions associated with the liver is the ability to purify the blood. Well-known as a natural blood cleanser, turmeric assists the liver in its healing function. There is no evidence to show turmeric or curcumin are linked to liver issues.

Does Turmeric Make You Poop?

As both a detoxifier and gentle laxative, turmeric promotes a healthy digestive system which includes elimination – or pooping. If you experience symptoms of stomach ache including indigestion and/or diarrhea:

• Decrease the amount of turmeric you are consuming until the symptoms disappear.
• Take turmeric with a meal containing essential fats in order to slow down absorption and help to mitigate any adverse symptoms.

The Best of Hawaiian Turmeric

Our goal at Mana Botanics is to bring you the best of what nature has to offer in a clean, sustainable, holistic way. That’s why our hemp products contain not only CBD but many other beneficial natural ingredients, including Hawaiian turmeric.

In fact, we were one of the first hemp companies to combine these two synergistic botanical ingredients to maximize their holistic benefits.

And, unlike most companies, we use fresh, organic turmeric grown right here in Hawaii instead of importing the dried root powder from India. Raw, fresh turmeric preserves all of the plant’s beneficial ingredients, making it superior to the powdered version.

Our turmeric comes from local sources: Honaunau Farm on the foothills of the Mauna Loa Volcano and Aina Culture, a family-run farm based in North Kohala, Hawaii. By sourcing high-quality organic ingredients in this manner we ensure the support of the local Hawaiian economy and regenerative farming.

The end result is uniquely delicious products that deliver quality, potency, and efficacy to you.