This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
By Mandy Froelich / Life in Bloom
If you live in Colorado, chances are you've wandered past a juice shop advertising lemon-turmeric-ginger shots. The tiny shots certainly pack a punch and are a health "trend" for multiple reasons. Keep reading to learn why you should take one every single day.
Turmeric
According to Medical Medium, turmeric contains very beneficial steroidal compounds from curcumin that are critical to reduce inflammation in the body. As a result, it can alleviate painful symptoms from nerves to joints to the brain. Powerful agents in turmeric also increase blood supply to areas of the body that need enhanced circulation and support a sluggish liver. Finally, turmeric helps inhibit turbos and cysts, can prevent virtually any type of cancer (especially skin cancer) and can extract toxic heavy metals from your system.
Ginger
The spicy root is chock full of nutrients and bioactive compounds that can benefit your brain and body. First of all, the rhizome can reduce nausea, improve digestion, and boost the immune system. As a result, it helps fight the flu and the common cold, to name a few.
The main bioactive compound in ginger, Gingerol, is responsible for much of the root’s medicinal properties. Gingerol has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. (1). Furthermore, studies have shown that consuming ginger daily can speed recovery after sports, prevent osteoarthritis, lower blood sugar, and treat chronic indigestion. Read more here.
Lemon Juice
Citrusy fruits are beneficial for moving the lymphatic system. Lemon, especially, promotes hydration, is a good source of vitamin C, improves the skin’s quality, supports weight loss, aids digestion, freshens breath, and helps prevent kidney stones. It also adds a good, citrusy flavor to the shot. I find that without it, straight ginger-turmeric is nearly unbearable.
Additional Add-Ons:
Black Pepper Oil
I recommend adding 2-3 drops of black pepper essential oil to a turmeric shot because it greatly enhances turmeric’s pharmacological efficacy. Black pepper oil contains the alkaloid piperine, which is proven herbal bioenhancer.
In addition to having a pungent taste, piperine is known to enhance the bioavailability of many drugs. One study found that piperine at 20 mg increases the bioavailability of curcumin by a whopping 2,000%! So, if you want to get your bang for your buck, add black pepper oil to the shot.
Oil of Oregano
I love adding oil of oregano to my shot because 1) it is spicy and that stuff tastes nasty and 2) it has antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, digestive, emmenagogue, and anti-allergenic properties. Learn more here.
Cayenne Pepper
In addition to adding cayenne pepper to my food, I like adding it to the shot (recipe below). Capsicum aids digestion, relieves pain in the body, prevents blood clots, provides detox supports, supports weight loss, relieves joint and nerve pain, boosts the metabolism, and works as an anti-irritant. The spicy kick also tastes nice in the shot.
You can visit a juice press daily to get your lemon-ginger-turmeric shot, or you can follow the simple recipe below. Not only will you save a ton of money by making your own each morning, your health bills will decrease because this shot is so medicinal!
Spicy Turmeric-Ginger-Lemon Shot
Preparation Time: 5-10 minutes Serving Size: 1
Ingredients:
- 4 inches turmeric
- 4 inches fresh ginger
- 1 lemon, juiced
Optional: - 3 drops oil of oregano
- 3 drops black pepper oil
- dash (or several) of cayenne pepper
Directions:
- Juice ginger and turmeric in a juicer. Pour into a glass.
- Add lemon juice and optional add-ins, including oil of oregano, black pepper oil, and cayenne pepper.
- Consume immediately. You may want to “chase” the shot with 4 oz. orange juice or water.
My Experience:
After taking a ginger-lemon-turmeric shot every day for two weeks, I noticed the following:
- Improved digestion
- Better skin
- More compliments on my “energy” and “radiance”
- Improved focus and mental clarity
- Buzzing energy after taking the shot
As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and chef, these are the types of results all of my clients are after. For the many reasons shared in this article, I believe everyone should down a shot of the medicinal ingredients at least a couple of times each week, if not every day.
