Turmeric Mulethi: A Brew Brimming with Health
Remember when we were kids, our grandmas used to use all kinds of herbs and spices to take care of us. Whether it be turmeric for pain and inflammation or ginger for nausea– These herbs and spices have always come to our rescue. Keeping that in mind, and with consultation from medical professionals, the team of experts at Ono Teas have crafted a unique concoction: Turmeric Mulethi.
Turmeric Mulethi has the power of 9 potent ingredients that come together to form the best health drink you can find. Green tea leaves, turmeric, liquorice (commonly known as Mulethi), lemongrass, lemon peel, ginger root, cardamom, rose petals and black pepper all in one brew! Can you imagine the various health benefits they offer? Well don’t worry, you don’t have to imagine. We’re going to list all these health benefits one ingredient at a time. The list is long so you might want to pick up a cup of tea while reading this (why not try Turmeric Mulethi while you’re at it?). Let’s begin.
Turmeric
Turmeric has been traditionally used in India as a spice and a medicinal herb. The main compounds responsible for most of the health benefits of turmeric are curcuminoids, the most important of which is curcumin.
Turmeric is Anti-Bacterial
Turmeric contains various bioactive compounds with powerful medicinal properties. One such property is its antibacterial property. The anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin prevent pathogens like bacteria from entering our bodies.
Research indicates that turmeric has shown the ability to inhibit the growth of a variety of periodontopathic bacteria. Even a low concentration of 20 µg/mL of curcumin
inhibited almost 80% of bacteria (P.gingivitis) in a study.
Other studies show the antibacterial activity of curcumin against Staphylococcus aureus and Rhizoctonia solani (those are fungus names if you were wondering).
Turmeric May Help Reduce Depression
In a controlled trial, researchers divided 60 people having depression into three groups. The first was given a Prozac, the second, a gram of curcumin, and the third group was given both. The results showed that the third group with both Prozac and curcumin gave the best results. This indicated that curcumin might have an antidepressant effect.
In a study based on the chronic stress model of depression in rats, researchers observed that curcumin administration showed similar properties as imipramine, an antidepressant.
Turmeric May Help Improve Skin Health
Turmeric has components that display antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties help a lot when a person is dealing with skin conditions and allergies. This may also help your skin to glow and lighten up.
Research has suggested that turmeric may be used to treat a lot of dermatologic diseases. Ingested turmeric/curcumin is suggested to modulate skin health and function.
Several studies have reported that turmeric may help in improving the condition of many skin diseases such as acne, alopecia, atopic dermatitis, facial photoaging, oral lichen planus, pruritus, psoriasis, radiodermatitis, and vitiligo.
Turmeric May be Effective in Treating Arthritis
Arthritis is a very common ailment, especially among the elderly. In most types, this condition involves inflammation in the joints. Being a very potent anti-inflammatory compound, curcumin found in turmeric may help patients suffering from arthritis.
Researchers conducted a study among patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The results indicated that curcumin found in turmeric acted as a more effective solution compared to an anti-inflammatory drug.
Other research and studies also indicate that curcumin can act as an effective part of treatment for arthritis. (1)(2)(3)
Turmeric May be Effective in Treating Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the world and is also linked to causing dementia. Even in modern medicine, there is no proper treatment or solution to cure Alzheimer’s disease. The only possible option is to prevent it by incorporating healthy measures.
Curcumin present in turmeric is believed to prevent most neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Researchers conducted a study on 1010 elderly Asians without any serious cognitive defects. They found that those who consumed curcumin more often showed fewer early signs of dementia.
Curcumin has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, which only allows essential substances to travel to the brain.
Turmeric is Full of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that help protect your body from the cellular damage caused by free radicals. These are harmful molecules that might cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can lead to several chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Research suggests that curcumin acts as a potent antioxidant. It can protect your body from free radicals by neutralizing them. Curcumin also gives a boost to your own body’s antioxidant enzymes.
Turmeric is Anti-Inflammatory as well
Inflammation is a process that occurs on an injury. It helps your body fight foreign invaders and repairing any damage. It keeps your body safe from pathogens like bacteria. But when this process becomes chronically unstoppable, it can harm your own body instead of protecting it.
Several studies have suggested that chronic inflammation can play a huge role in various ailments like metabolic syndrome, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and various degenerative conditions. (1)(2)(3)
Research and studies show that curcumin has very significant anti-inflammatory properties, and it may be on par with some anti-inflammatory drugs. On top of that, it does not have side effects like those drugs. (4)(5)(6)
GREEN TEA LEAVES
Next up is green tea: one of the most famous and widely used teas. The wide range of health benefits might surprise you.
Green Tea for Weight Management
Green tea is one of the most popular beverages for most health-conscious people out there, and it deserves all the attention it gets. Among the abundance of health benefits that it offers, weight management has to be the most prominent one.
A review of studies shows that green tea demonstrates anti-obesity properties due to the presence of polyphenols that affect major factors such as cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol that are directly affected by its consumption.
Green Tea Reduces the Risk of Stroke
Research suggests that consumption of green tea may lower blood pressure and thus reduce the risk of stroke in the future.
Another study suggested that drinking green tea daily might reduce the risk of stroke by about twenty per cent. Poor health choices always lead to our downfall, and hence, green tea just might act as insurance against stroke for such people.
Green Tea May Reduce The Risk Of Cancer
Cancer is one of the deadliest and most uncertain diseases that may or may not be cured if contracted. Therefore, prevention being our only option, we must incorporate healthier life choices that start with our food.
Scientists suggest green tea to be anticarcinogenic in nature. The consumption of green tea may prove to be helpful in the prevention of many types of cancer, including lung, colon, oesophagus, mouth, stomach, small intestine, kidney, pancreas, and mammary glands.
Green Tea May Prevent Neuronal Damage
Ageing is something we cannot stop, and it often leads to effects that include neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. These cannot be cured, but they can be prevented.
Studies show that green tea is neuroprotective in nature, and green tea polyphenols may significantly help in reducing the risk of these neurological diseases.
So if you start drinking green tea in your youth, you will never regret it in your old age!
Green Tea May Prevent Heart Disease
Green tea is of the drinks that are actually good for your heart. In the long run, it prevents most of the damage to your cardiovascular health from the inside.
Since green tea may lower our body’s blood pressure, studies suggest that it may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Although it should be noted that heart patients are not recommended to overconsume green tea.
Green Tea May Help Maintain Blood Pressure
As discussed before, research has indicated that regular consumption of green tea may help lower your body’s blood pressure. Green tea may significantly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure, making it a perfect beverage for those who have hypertension. This soothing refreshment can help drastically when consumed daily.
Green Tea is Anti-Diabetic as well
A review of studies has demonstrated that green tea has a direct effect on our blood glucose levels and might help in significantly reducing them.
This property of green tea can result in an anti-diabetic effect, as lowering blood glucose levels can mean better diabetic health for most diabetes patients. Hyperglycemia is a serious issue and any preventive steps that can be taken are really helpful.
Liquorice (Mulethi)
Liquorice is being used in traditional medicine for a long time. Its sweet, aromatic flavour is used in making a wide variety of candies or sweets.
Liquorice for Strong Bones
In 2012, researchers did a 2-month study on healthy women and reported that liquorice demonstrated an increase in parathyroid hormone. This hormone helps maintain an appropriate balance of calcium in the bloodstream, maintaining a strong bone metabolism. The same study revealed that the urinary calcium levels were also increased.
Liquorice Reduces Plasma Potassium
Plasma potassium (Hypokalemia) is a type of electrolyte disturbance, that causes reduced blood potassium. If it gets severe enough, it can cause muscle weakness/paralysis and cardiac arrhythmias.
Researchers conducted a study in which they tested prolonged ingestion of graded doses of liquorice. They did this test on healthy individuals and noted a significant fall in plasma potassium concentration (from 4.3 to 3.5 mmol/litre).
Liquorice is Anti-ulcerogenic
Peptic ulcers are sores that open up at the inside lining of the stomach, small intestine, or lower oesophagus. The compound called glycyrrhizin present in the liquorice root extract may help in treating peptic ulcers.
A study done on mice indicated that liquorice root extract was more effective in protection against peptic ulcers than omeprazole, a common medication used for treating ulcers.
Liquorice has a lot of Antioxidants
The liquorice plant has compounds that indicate a lot of health benefits, one of them being its antioxidant property.
Research shows that the yellow colour of this plant is due to its flavonoid content, from which hispaglabridins show antioxidant activity.
Another study done on seven components of this plant has suggested that six of them, namely Hispaglabridin A, Hispaglabridin B, Glabridin, and 4′-O-Methylglabridin, isoprenylchalcone derivative, and Isoliquiritigenin demonstrated very potent antioxidant activity.
Lemongrass
Next up, we have lemongrass. Lemongrass has traditionally found its use in reducing stress and improving sleep since the middle ages. Native to Sri Lanka and South India, this is a herb that provides numerous benefits to our health, and incorporating it into our diets can significantly improve our lifestyle:
Lemongrass is Antiviral
Lemongrass has a scent that resembles lemons. Due to this, it finds use as a culinary and medicinal herb. It also offers a lot of health benefits.
Lemongrass has found its use in traditional medicine as a herbal infusion to treat fever and malaria. Studies have revealed that lemongrass has demonstrated antimalarial activity.
Another study revealed that Citral (a major component of lemongrass oil) has shown antiviral activity against HSV-1 and yellow fever virus.
These viruses may or may not be deadly, but they are all harmful, and contracting them should be avoided at all costs.
Lemongrass is Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is a process that our body initiates to protect itself from outside invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. But when the body doesn’t know when to stop, inflammation can have long-term damaging consequences on your body, hence it is essential to include foods that prevent inflammation in your diet.
Studies have suggested that certain flavonoids from lemongrass, namely luteolin glycosides have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity. The researchers also recommended that lemongrass extract can be used as a less toxic alternative to current anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs.
This indicates that lemongrass is a healthy addition to our everyday diet, and can also be incorporated into our beverages. This soothing effect might be useful to those who suffer from inflammation.
Lemongrass has Anti-Fungal Properties
Lemongrass oil is effective as an insecticide and also as a herbicide because of its antimicrobial effects. Additionally, it is also completely safe to consume and acts as an antifungal shield for our skin.
Research has shown that lemongrass oil is active against a variety of different fungi, making it a perfect anti-fungal agent.
Dermatophytes are fungi that feed on keratin present in our skin, hair, and nails. Lemongrass has shown activity against a lot of dermatophytes present in humans, making it an essential addition to our diet.
Anti-Bacterial
Bacteria inside our bodies (except the good ones) are a nuisance and always difficult to deal with. Therefore, antibacterial foods are necessary to fight the bad bacteria as regularly using antibiotics is not good for our health.
Lemongrass oil has showcased anti-bacterial according to research. The tests revealed that lemongrass is effective against drug-resistant organisms.
In vitro (studies conducted on organisms within glass-based lab equipment), lemongrass has shown activity against a variety of bacteria and fungi. Hence, these amazing properties make lemongrass a perfect ingredient to add to our food, making it healthier and preventing damage to our bodies.
Lemon Peel
Moving on to our next ingredient, lemon peel. We often overlook the peel and go straight for the juice inside. But the peel of a lemon has lots of benefits that go unappreciated.
Lemon Peel Helps Treat Gallstones
The peel of a lemon is a very useful part of it and can be used in a wide variety of dishes. It presents a lot of health benefits. One such advantage is the treatment of gallstones. Studies show that a solvent present in lemons called d-limonene can help treat gallstones- the solid deposits that may develop in the gall bladder.
Lemon Peel Helps Prevent Heart Disease
In a study, researchers found that d-limonene, which is present in the essential oil of lemon, had therapeutic effects on metabolic disorders in mice. The mice were fed a high-fat diet to induce obesity.
D-limonene directly affected blood glucose levels and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). All of these parameters are directly correlated to heart diseases. This might indicate that consumption of lemon peel prevents any heart ailments and improves overall cardiovascular health.
Lemon Peel Improves Oral Health
Apart from the great flavour that it adds to our food, this citrus fruit is also good for our oral hygiene. Consuming lemon kills a lot of oral bacteria that reside in one’s mouth.
In a test, researchers isolated and tested three compounds from a lemon. These compounds showed activity against bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans, Prevotella intermedia, and Porphyromonas gingivalis.
Lemon Peel Boosts Immune System
Lemon peel may give a boost to the immune system due to the flavonoid and vitamin C present in it. In a study done on fish, the fish showed improved immunostimulant effects after the researchers gave them a dehydrated lemon peel diet.
Vitamin C in the lemon peel can get accumulated in phagocytes and t-cells that help reduce harmful compounds in our body. Vitamin C can also contribute to the prevention and therapy of the common cold.
Lemon Peel is Anti-Microbial
Lab tests in research have found that the methanolic extracts of fruits peel of Citrus limon exhibit antimicrobial activity.
Lemon peel demonstrated antimicrobial activity against several common food-related pathogenic bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, and Enterobacter spp.)
In another study, fresh lemon peel and dehydrated lemon peel partially inhibited the growth of V. cholerae, the bacteria that causes cholera.
Lemon Peel has Anti-Fungal Properties
Lemon peel is very useful in preventing fungal infections. In a study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from lemon peel reported good activity against some isolated dermatophytes.
Lemon peel showed activity against a drug-resistant fungus that can cause skin infections.
Ginger Root
Although being a flowering plant, the roots of the ginger plant are used widely as a spice and traditional medicine. Ginger has a lot of health benefits.
Ginger Helps Relieve Headache
Studies show that ginger can help to reduce headaches when consumed. It does so by reducing a process called prostaglandin synthesis, which alleviates the pain.
Ginger has Antioxidant Activity
We must include antioxidants in our diets as they play an extremely crucial role in protecting our cells from the oxidative stress caused by free radicals.
Ginger is loaded with antioxidants. This antioxidant activity may help in preventing a lot of chronic diseases such as cancer. This spice is extremely beneficial and that is why adding ginger to your diet is a very wise decision.
Ginger has Anti-Nauseatic properties
The most prominent and well-known use of ginger is its ability to alleviate the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. It is widely used for alleviating nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy, chemotherapy, etc.
Research shows that ginger is useful in alleviating these symptoms and can also be used for other surgery-related nausea or vomiting.
Ginger is Anti-Inflammatory
Ginger has been a part of Ayurvedic, Chinese, Arabic, and African traditional medicines. Apart from relieving pain, it also helps with inflammation.
Research demonstrates that ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that may help in reducing inflammation in various regions. The researchers noticed that a combination of ginger extracts was much more effective in decreasing inflammatory mediators.
Ginger is also Anti-Ageing
We know that ginger is filled with antioxidants that prevent oxidative stress. Since oxidative stress causes age-related degenerative diseases, ginger can act as an anti-ageing agent.
In a review of studies called “Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) in the Prevention of Ageing and Degenerative Diseases”, researchers revealed that ginger has anti-ageing properties, and is also shown to prevent most degenerative diseases. These benefits are the reason why most people enjoy their tea with ginger added to it.
Cardamom
Our next ingredient is hailed as the “Queen of Spices”. Cardamom is a widely popular spice used around the world. Not only does it improve the taste, but it also has many health benefits that make it an essential part of our diet.
Cardamom Reduces Congestion of the Liver
According to a study from the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, cardamom oil contains compounds that act as a tonic for your heart and liver. These compounds are 1,8-cineole, terpinene, terpineol, sabinene, α-pinene and limonene. These com[punds can significantly help in reducing the congestion of the liver.
Cardamom Improves Oral Health
Apart from having a strong, unique taste and an intensely aromatic fragrance, this smoky-smelling spice has other benefits for your mouth as well.
Studies demonstrate that the antimicrobial property of cardamom helps fight against the microorganisms that cause dental caries. This ensures healthy oral hygiene, so including cardamom in your diet can drastically improve your oral health.
Cardamom helps Maintain Blood Pressure
Hypertension (or high blood pressure) is a common but very dangerous condition where a person’s arteries are constantly flowing with high-pressure blood. If left untreated for a while, it can also be fatal.
Cardamom is one of the spices that actually help alleviate hypertension. Research reveals that cardamom has the potential to effectively reduce blood pressure without any side effects.
Cardamom Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
Studies suggest that cardamom, when taken in powder form may help improve the glucose intolerance in our bodies. This basically means that it is beneficial for those who have a high blood sugar level than normal. This is very important as glucose intolerance can lead to diabetes, which is a chronic disease that cannot be treated. Prevention is better than cure!
Cardamom is Anti-ulcerogenic
Large cardamom fruit, commonly known as ‘Bari Ilaichi’ in India, is very useful in treating gastrointestinal ailments. Research reveals that cardamom exhibits anti-ulcerogenic properties.
In fact, the essential oils present in cardamom protect and improve the mucus barrier present in our guts. This paves the way for the prevention of most gastrointestinal disorders.
Cardamom is Anti-Inflammatory as well
Some people directly chew this traditional aromatic spice for fresh breath. Others brew a warm refreshing tea and add cardamom into it. Another benefit of cardamom is its anti-inflammatory property.
Research shows that cardamom has the potential to protect you from the inflammation of your eyelids. The best way to consume cardamom is to add it to your tea. This can help with stomach issues and has a cooling effect on your body.
Black Pepper
Last but not least, we have black pepper. Deemed as the “King of Spices”, black pepper is packed with health benefits. Even though it has a sharp essence and a mildly spicy taste, this spice positively affects our bodies.
Black Pepper helps Normalise Blood Sugar Level
A study on black pepper demonstrated that black pepper contains a compound called piperine, which directly affects the sugar level in our blood. The extract of black pepper piperine, which can prevent Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar).
Black Pepper Lowers Cholesterol
According to research, black pepper inhibits the increase of cholesterol and lower blood lipids.
Another study demonstrated that black pepper or piperine showed remarked decrease in the levels of cholesterol. Therefore consumption of black pepper may lead to healthier cardiac health and lower cholesterol levels.
Black Pepper Improves Cognitive Function and Neuroprotection.
According to a study, black pepper, along with many other spices such as ginger, garlic, etc exhibit neuroprotective nature. This means they may help in the prevention of numerous neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, brain tumour, and meningitis.
According to another study, black pepper contains piperine, which provides neuroprotection and protects against cognitive impairment and cognitive deficit conditions, like Alzheimer’s.
Black Pepper has Gastrointestinal Benefits
Spices have always been a part of our diets. They provide a wide array of health benefits. Generally, spices are useful for naturally regulating the digestive system.
A recent study shows that the piperine present in black pepper helps improve gastrointestinal functionality. With piperine as an active ingredient, black pepper serves as a gastro-protective addition to your diet and prevents any gastric ailments.
Black Pepper is Anti-Pyretic
Apart from having antimicrobial properties which help you cleanse your body from the inside, Black pepper also has antipyretic properties.
Research shows that black pepper may be useful in treating refractory intermittent fevers. Long pepper boiled in milk and water– Drinking this decoction early in the morning, daily can help in fighting a fever.
Black Pepper has Antioxidants
Oxidative stress can be extremely dangerous and even lethal. That is why having antioxidants in your food is essential. Piperine is an antioxidant found in black pepper.
According to research, piperine in black pepper can reduce the oxidative stress induced by high-fat diets. Therefore including black pepper in your diet can prevent possible oxidative stress.
Black Pepper is Anti-Inflammatory as well
Studies indicate that black pepper has anti-inflammatory properties. Of all the constituents, particularly piperine is responsible for most of the benefits of this amazing spice.
Black pepper has shown anti-inflammatory properties in some lab studies. It provides a significant reduction in the inflammatory region. Although, we need further research for piperine to be made as a dietary supplement.
Now That’s a Lot of “Healthy” in One Cup!
If you made it till here, you have my respect. Seriously though, that was a LONG list. But that is even more of a reason to try this magical concoction. In fact, Turmeric Mulethi has almost everything you need even and more. It is easily one of the most complex and versatile teas from Ono Teas. Even though it comes under the Skin Wellness Teas category, it serves so many other ailments. Turmeric Mulethi is indeed a must-try!
If you liked Turmeric Mulethi, make sure you try our other amazing herbal teas such as Tulsi Sweet Lemon, Rose Mint Tea, and Magical Chamomile Tea. If you like getting to know health benefits, here are 7 Reasons To Try Rooibos Tea.
