Magic Turmeric Tea is my formula for staying healthy through the winter cold and flu season. It's a powerful, supercharged drink that tastes great, too.
It's time for the strangest/ most awesome recipe I've ever shared with you. Turmeric tea ? … wait, don't run away yet!
I know it sounds like the craziest thing ever. To be honest, I was a little nervous about sharing this post with you. I can imagine that the four people who didn't run away after reading TURMERIC TEA must be thinking I've either sunk to some new blogging low or completely lost my mind.
What's really going on here is that this tea is pure magic, and I couldn't hold back sharing it with you for one day longer. You and I are OL friends, and we share things. Especially if those things are our secret tricks to coasting through each and every cold and flu season unscathed.
It would be almost mean girl of me to not share my secret recipe for turmeric tea.
Here's the thing … every time I feel a cold coming on, or my handsome man is coughing and sneezing his way around the house, I drown myself in this magic concoction. You know what happens? Nothing. That's right, nothing happens. No coughing. Not sneezing. No awful aches and pains. Nada.
Now I'm no scientist, but I've done a little research and have some theories about why this works …
My theory why this turmeric tea is pure magic:
Turmeric: It's the ultimate superfood. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant. It's also a serious antiviral and can kick butt on the influenza virus. Don't just take my word for it, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a study in 2009 listing curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) and being a beneficial natural antiviral agent.
Green Tea: Another powerful superfood. Green tea is rich in antimicrobial and antioxidant catechins, polyphenols, and flavonoids. The same study I linked to above, suggests that both green tea and turmeric be used in countries that lack access to the flu vaccines during influenza outbreaks.
Ginger: A strong anti-inflammatory that will help give your immune system a boost. Want to hear an interesting fact? Ginger contains sesquiterpenes (what a name!) which can target and kill rhinoviruses. Aka: the family of cold viruses known us non-scientists call the Common Cold.
Garlic: The active ingredient in garlic is called allicin. Some studies have shown that allicin is effective in fighting bacterial and viral infections.
Black Pepper: It's turmeric's best friend. Black pepper increases the bioavailability of turmeric – I've read by an astounding 2000%. But it doesn't stop there. Just like all the other superfoods in this Magic Turmeric Tea, black pepper also has antiviral, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties.
Lemon juice: Vitamin C and a damn good placebo. Even though we've all grown up thinking lemon juice is the ultimate cold fighter (honey lemon tea, anyone?!) the studies have inconsistent results that seem to show it's not as effective as we like to think it is. Doesn't matter, I still like to put lots of lemon juice in my turmeric tea. Even if this part is all placebo, I'm not messing with a formula I know works for me! ?
There you have it, my friends. This is how I give the ol' eff you middle finger to the cold and flu any time they come near. It sends them running every time.
I give a little credit to the “I'm super healthy and strong” mantra I repeat like a broken record while sipping the tea. Mind over matter! Sometimes that mantra turns into “I'm super fucking healthy and strong” said with a lot of eff you if the cold feels like it's starting to fight back. Then I just drink more tea and win the fight.
With this turmeric tea, I never seem to get any further along the ‘having a cold train' than feeling a little run down and tired for a day. It's MAGIC.
Will you join me in kicking butt this cold and flu season? ?
If you make this Magic Turmeric Tea make sure you snap a pic and tag #theendlessmeal on Instagram so I can like and comment on your photos. I love seeing TEM recipes you create!
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh turmeric (or sub powdered)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 small garlic clove, grated with a Microplane
- 1 bag of green tea
- Optional: 1 teaspoon honey (we like to use Royal Jelly - omit for Whole30)
- Place all the ingredients into a mug and fill with nearly boiling water. Let the tea steep for 2-3 minutes then remove the bag and sip away. Tip: leave a spoon in the mug and give it a stir before each sip to mix up the spices.
- Place a mug of water into a small pot, add all the ingredients and bring almost to a boil. Remove from the heat and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Remove the tea bag then pour the tea into your high-powered blender. Blend on high until frothy and smooth.
Turmeric root is very sticky when grated. I find it best to keep it in the freezer as it is much easier and less messy to grate when frozen.
If you're making a big batch of turmeric tea, use 1 green tea bag for each 2 cups of tea.
WARNING: if you choose to blend the tea, the turmeric will stain your blender. You can remove most of the stain with hot water and a little bleach. Most of the rest fades over time.
Kristen Stevens
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Hi, I’m Kristen! 
I’m never sure, are you supposed to peel the Turmeric and Ginger first?
I generally tend to peel ginger since it has a thicker skin. Turmeric I always leave unpeeled. 🙂
This looks and sounds wonder! Thank you for including the many health benefits the ingredients have.
Thanks, Betty! It’s as tasty as it is healthy. 🙂
Do you know what the sugar grams are if honey is omitted? It would be 0g, yes?
I just checked for you and it’s 1.8 grams of sugar without the honey. The little sugar must come from the lemon. 🙂
I love this tea! I found the recipe about a year ago, made it a couple of times then lost the link to the page 🙁
I also added a one inch piece of cinnamon bark into it as well as a small piece of star anise which really gives a warm and slightly spicy taste.
I love the idea of adding cinnamon and anise. I’m going to try that next time, too. yum!
Hi! Do you need the garlic? I am worried it will be too strong.
Thanks! I cannot wait to try!
If you’re worried, you can leave it out. Maybe try making the tea then grating just a little garlic in. You could always go slow and taste test along the way till you find out how much is perfect for you.
Excellent. Tried it and found it really evaporates your cold and cough .thanks for sharing
I’m so happy it worked for you, too! It really is magic, isn’t it?
I just made this about 10 minutes ago and it is SO good. I modified mine to my liking (less lemon and just a bit of honey) but this is such a good recipe, and thank you for sharing! I’ll be sipping this daily this winter!
I’m so happy to hear you like the recipe! This tea saves me in the winter. 🙂
I drink a version of this – ground /fresh turmeric, ground / fresh ginger, warm water and honey = every day. I’m in my mid-20’s and have already felt knee and joint problems from excessive workouts / daily wear and tear, so this helps keep my body feeling great. When I go on vaca, I grab Turmeric & Ginger tea bags from Trader Joe’s and it helps me stay on track, even away from home 🙂
It’s amazing how food really can heal the body, isn’t it?! Great idea about the Turmeric and Ginger tea when you’re away from home. I’m going to have to remember that for the next time I’m on vacation!