Last updated on February 12th, 2018

Do you suffer from a fertility health condition that causes you pain? Consider adding turmeric to your nutritional supplement program or easier yet, add this gentle, yet powerful medicinal herb to your fertility diet.

Turmeric, the golden spice, is a component of Indian curry, is used in Asian cooking and gives color to yellow mustard, a popular American condiment. It is the golden to orange-colored rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, a close relative of Ginger.

Why Turmeric is a Fertility Powerhouse

The polyphenol curcumin is turmeric’s active constituent that provides the medicinal value it is touted for – most notably as an herbal anti-inflammatory. Turmeric enhances the body’s ability to suppress inflammation by depleting the neurotransmitter responsible for pain, technically named neuropeptide substance P (polyphenols are known to do this as well as increase resistance to disease), and is analgesic or pain relieving.

Turmeric is also a powerful antioxidant that has the ability to help the body fight free radicals, which hinders tissue degeneration and inhibits pro-inflammatory molecules.

This potent antioxidant protects the liver, may even regenerate liver cells and in part stimulates the enzymes within the body that are responsible for flushing toxins from the body. This is important because as the master detoxifier, liver health is critical for hormonal balance.

Research shows that turmeric has medicinal benefits for treating inflammatory conditions of the joints, muscles and nerves, autoimmune inflammation, autoimmune fertility health conditions and may be helpful for those dealing with fertility health conditions like:

• PCOS
• endometriosis
• uterine fibroids
• ovarian cysts
• premenstrual pain
• amenorrhea due to lack of blood flow or blood stagnation

Research has also proven turmeric instrumental as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory for cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health, as a digestive stimulant and an antimicrobial when used topically. Studies have been conducted to evaluate the benefit of turmeric and curcimun use for arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, HIV, HPV, and for inhibiting carcinogenesis (cancer formation) and tumor promotion.

Recommended use of turmeric:

Capsule: 400 to 600 mg three times a day

1:1 Liquid Extract: 5-14 ml per day taken in 4-5 equal doses throughout the day

Powdered rhizome: 1 teaspoon (approx. 4 g) 1-2 times a day added to your fertility diet.

Note: For your information; research is inconclusive, but has shown that turmeric is poorly absorbed on its own, but when black pepper is added, blood serum levels of curcumin increase by two percent. This is why black pepper is often a component of many recipes including turmeric. Another way to ensure proper absorption of turmeric is to take it with a meal that contains fat, such as coconut oil.

Turmeric Recipes

1. Active Bee Power Royal Jelly
2. Raw Honey
3. Spices – cinnamon, cardamom, clove, black pepper
4. Lemon
5. Turmeric powder
6. Ginger powder

Turmeric Tea

Ingredients
3 cups water (24 ounces)
2 teaspoons ground turmeric or 6 teaspoons freshly grated turmeric
1 teaspoon ground ginger or 2-3 teaspoons freshly grated ginger

• Brew – place water, turmeric and ginger in a non-reactive stainless steel or ceramic pot, bring to a gentle rolling boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Strain the tea through a fine strainer or cheesecloth lined strainer.
• Let cool and drink!
• If you wish add a splash of fresh-squeezed lemon juice or raw honey to taste.

Turmeric Chai

Ingredients – to the above Turmeric Tea recipe, before bringing to a boil add…
1 cinnamon stick*
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
5 cracked cardamom pods
3-5 whole cloves
a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

• Brew – place water spices in a non-reactive stainless steel or ceramic pot, bring to a gentle rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Strain the tea through a fine strainer or cheesecloth lined strainer.
• Let cool and add 1 cup of fresh homemade almond milk or coconut milk, plus sweetener of your choice like real maple syrup, 1 teaspoon local raw honey or Active Bee Power Royal Jelly** (either are my personal choice) or stevia.

*Ground cinnamon should not be substituted for a cinnamon stick. It becomes mucilaginous and bitter when cooked making this tea gritty and hard to strain.

Turmeric Latte/Turmeric Milk

Dairy-free

Ingredients
1 cup Turmeric Chai
1 cup fresh homemade almond or coconut milk
1 teaspoon sweetener of choice – local raw honey or Active Bee Power Royal Jelly**

When cooled a bit (no longer steaming), blend ingredients in a blender for several minutes until frothy (please don’t blend the mixture when hot). Pour in your favorite mug and enjoy!

Tropical Turmeric Fertility Smoothie

1. Tropical Turmeric Fertility Smoothie
2. Turmeric Chai
3. Turmeric Tea
4. Turmeric Latte – “Turmeric Milk”

Ingredients
1/2 cup Turmeric Chai
1/2 cup almond milk
1/4 cup fresh frozen Pineapple
1/4 cup fresh frozen Papaya
1 Tablespoon chia seeds
1 Tablespoon hemp seeds
1 Tablespoon coconut oil
1 teaspoon Active Bee Power Royal Jelly
1 Tablespoon Fertilica Maca Powder

Combine, blend and enjoy!

Pineapple, mango and turmeric have anti-inflammatory benefits, while chia and hemp seeds add fiber and provide essential fatty acids. Royal Jelly and Maca are nourishing fertility superfoods that provide a variety of nutrients, support endocrine system function and in turn hormone balance, egg health and healthy estrogen levels.

**Do not add raw honey or Active Bee Power Royal Jelly to hot or boiling liquid. Do not use if you have a known bee allergy.

Contraindications:
There is a mild potential for allergic reaction to turmeric, although rare. According to the German Commission E, turmeric is contraindicated for persons with gallstones who should consult their healthcare provider before using turmeric, as should those with ulcers, hepatitis or jaundice, who are having surgery, and who have clotting disorders, or are taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.

Is Turmeric Safe for Pregnancy?
Turmeric used in preparation for pregnancy at the recommended dose has no known side effects. Each resource I examined had a differing view on its use in pregnancy. Many referred to its ability to help stretch ligaments making it cautioned in pregnancy. Please make a personal, educated decision on the use of turmeric during your pregnancy.

The Golden Spice

Turmeric stands up to its name as the golden spice. It is listed as far back as 600 BC in an Assyrian herbal monograph and mentioned in the writings of Dioscorides, the Greek physician who wrote the book that is said to have inspired modern research into medicines called De Materia Medica. In the 19th century it was even used as a hair dye. Beyond this, turmeric is one of the more extensively studied medicinal, culinary herbs readily available to herbalists today.

“Turmeric gives the energy of the Divine Mother and grants prosperity.” ~ Dr.’s David Frawley & Vasant Lad

• Bengmark, S., Mesa, M., & Gil, A. (2009, June 1). Plant-derived health: The effects of turmeric and curcuminoids. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19721899
• Group III, E. (2013, August 22). The Top 9 Herbs for Liver Cleansing. Retrieved from http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/top-9-herbs-for-liver-cleansing/
• Group III, E. (2014, December 11). What are the Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin? Retrieved from http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/turmeric-and-curcumin-benefits/
• Martin, R., Aiyer, H., Malik, D., & Li, Y. (2011, November 4). Effect on Pro-inflammatory and Antioxidant Genes and Bioavailable Distribution of Whole Turmeric vs Curcumin: Similar Root but Different Effects. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3267883/
• Mills, S., & Bone, K. (2000). Materia Medica. In Principles and practice of phytotherapy: Modern herbal medicine (pp. 569-578). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
• Noorafshan, A., & Ashkani-Esfahani, S. (2013, January 1). A Review of Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin. Retrieved from http://www.eurekaselect.com/107240/article
• Park, S., Jung, J., & Lee, H., et al., (2005, March 1). Zedoariae rhizoma and curcumin inhibits platelet-derived growth factor-induced proliferation of human hepatic myofibroblasts. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15683851
• Ruhter, E., & Warner, N. (2010). Nutritional Sources of Anti-Inflammatory Agents and Pain Relievers: Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Botanicals. In Nutrition & Herbs for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain (pp. 15-18) [Master’s Thesis]. St. Paul, MN: Ruhter & Warner.

Elizabeth Willett - M.A., Certified Herbalist

Elizabeth Willett is the Senior Herbalist with the Natural Fertility Company and head educator at NaturalFertilityInfo.com. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Holistic Health Studies with a specialization is herbalism from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN.

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