Did you know there are over 7,000 studies researching the efficacy of turmeric and it’s active component curcumin?
You’ve certainly heard the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric touted by practitioners, blogs, and wellness publications. I believe this highly-pigmented herb belongs in everyone’s wellness arsenal, both as long-term maintenance and acute inflammation relief. Here’s a simple way to get turmeric into your day!
DIY Turmeric Supplement
I add turmeric to curries and vegetable soups on a regular basis, but, while this is certainly providing some benefit, it is not a highly concentrated dose of the herb. When I was in need of acute inflammation help, I added a couple tablespoons of turmeric in half a cup of water and gulped (or rather gagged) it down. If you’ve ever eaten straight turmeric, you know how bitter it can taste.
Now, when I feel the need for a turmeric hit, I’ll reach for these turmeric bombs. They are an easy way to get the benefits of turmeric without the bitter flavor. Even better, they contain a couple special ingredients to work synergistically with the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric.
This concept of turmeric-honey pills was recently told to me by my friend Anna Matriotti, an experienced herbalist, nutritional therapist and president of the Washington chapter of the American Herbalist Guild. She shared this tip in her presentation at the 2015 Green Gathering, an herb/wildcrafting workshop.
How to increase the efficacy of turmeric
Did you know that certain ingredients can increase the bioavailability of curcumin, the anti-inflammatory compound in turmeric? I’ve incorporated the following ingredients into the Turmeric Bombs to up-the-turmeric-ante:
- Quercetin, a bioflavenoid, inhibits an enzyme that decreases the activity of curcumin.
- Black pepper contains the potent alkaloid piperine, which has been shown to increase the bio-availability of curcumin up to 150%.
- Fatty acids have been shown to increase the bioavailability of turmeric (source).
Two variations for Turmeric Bombs
I’ve included two variations for turmeric bombs: one made with honey and one made with coconut oil or ghee.
The honey variation is easier to swallow, so it is better suited to children. The honey also masks the bitter taste of the turmeric when the pill is swallowed. I would recommend starting with this option.
The coconut oil/ghee option has the benefit of being sugar free and also includes the fatty acids that improve the absorption of curcumin. However, the pills flatten slightly on the baking sheet into rougher shapes, which may be more difficult to swallow. They also have a slight flavor when swallowed.
- ⅓ cup organic ground turmeric, recommended brand available here
- About 1 Tbs. quercetin powder (about 10 capsules, emptied), available here
- Big pinch of finely ground black pepper
- Binding agent, choose ONE of the following (you will need about 3 Tbs.)
- Raw honey
- Coconut oil, available here
- Grassfed ghee, best price available here at Thrive
- Unbleached parchment paper, available here
- Line a baking sheet with the unbleached parchment paper. Make room in your freezer to put the cookie sheet for a few hours when the Turmeric Bombs need to set.
- If you are like me and have a tendency to spill things, wear an apron! Turmeric powder stains clothing, and the powder can get on your clothes if you stir the mixture too vigorously.
- Select one of the binding agents. You will need approximately 3 tablespoons. If you choose raw honey and it is thick, melt it in a saucepan over very low heat until it is pourable. Do the same with the coconut oil or ghee so it is liquid, but not hot.
- In a bowl, stir together the turmeric, quercetin, pepper, and binding agent. If using honey, you should have a thick and pliable mixture. If using oil, you should have a thick mixture with which you can form pills.
- For the honey variation, pinch of small amounts of the "dough," roll between your palms, and place on the baking sheet. For the oil variation, use a spoon to scoop small pill shapes onto the baking sheet.
- Freeze until firm, then transfer to a storage container and keep in the freezer.
- Take the turmeric bombs as needed. You can't overdose on them. However, if you take a lot of the oil-based ones, the fat content may upset your stomach. It using the honey version, keep in mind that it does contain sugar (albeit unrefined and enzyme-rich sugar).
I would love to know more.
Hi, these seem great, can you tell me, do you just swallow them and is there a bad after-taste. Could I give these to my dog. Thanks, regards Judy
I’d check with my vet. I’m anxious to try them myself.
I’ve been doing this for about 9 years now. I make with a mix of honey and virgin coconut oil, and I also include a bit of ginger powder and cinnamon. Unfortunately I don’t have access to quercetine. I make out of 100g turmeric and keep in the fridge and take some in the morning and again at night. I give my dogs too and they love it.
I found Quercetin at globalhealing.com : )
Hi, can you use these pills for inflamation in the lungs as well? Will it reduce tge inflamation Can you eat the pills or swallow them?
This spread out,too liquid.
Any tips?
I give my dog turmeric all the time in her food. She had horrible allergies that made summers miserable, even with medication. I started making her food with meat (usually chicken) vegetables (root and green) with turmeric, black pepper and coconut oil. At the end, I add some grain free kibble to round it out. No more allergies. There are recipies online.
Hi Sarah Where is the best place you have found these recipies. My shepard has allergies as well.Thank You Michelle
Thank you!
I would use them to make Golden Milk.
Oh yes, I love to drink Golden Milk. I’ll try this too.
I made these with honey but had to dust them with almond flour. Even after freezing they were too sticky.
I make them with 1/2 of the honey and 1/2 coconut oil.
How often do you take the little balls? Mine are about the size of a small pearl. And how many at a time? I made these the other day and they have substantially helped my cough that I’ve had for over two weeks and torn intercostal pain. Just unsure of how often or how many to take
“Quercetin, a bioflavenoid, inhibits an enzyme that decreases the activity of curcumin.”
Could you please explain this info? I don’t understand the “decreases the activity” part. Can I do these without the quercetin?
Thank you for this recipe! Do you think I can put these honey turmeric balls in the dehydrator?
I really struggled getting these into molds… i struggled trying to roll them… it was a super inefficient process for me… im not sure what else to do as i love this recipe but it def didnt work out for me getting then balled up or molded… i got some in the freezer but it was a mess… i have to figure a better way… LOVE the recipe though thank you… i would like to know if you can chew, swallow or mix them in a smoothie and would all 3 methods deliver the benefits the same way i wonder? 🖤
Perhaps you could roll out or flatten into tiny warfare like discs or strips that you could cut into squares to roll up. Not sure if you can make them in a size to swallow. I suppose this recipe is not meant to just melt in your mouth or chew, but you could try.
Hi I did not realize that items were not shipped from Australia.