Employee picks are a great way for us to share with you which products you will find tucked away in our desks at work or at home in our herbal medicine arsenal and today, I want to tell you MY favorite product: Turmeric. I’m crazy about it, really. I take capsules every day, I try to add it to foods to bring a delicious flavor, and I’ve been known to slap a poultice with it on a cut. Want to know more about why I tout this healing spice to anyone who will listen? Take a look.

We’ve shared here how Turmeric can make a big impact on your life (even in small amounts) through a variety of posts. It’s no stranger to this blog and we hope you’ll consider reading how Turmeric is:

A Powerful Adaptogen

One of the 10 Foods that Promote Longevity

An Employee Pick for Natural Anti-Agers

A part of Eating Color for Health

A Culinary Antioxidant

A Natural Remedy for Skin

And its Heart Health Benefits

Would you believe there’s more for us to share with you about this great and healing spice? It’s true. I don’t expect you to amaze your friends with tales of Turmeric during a dinner conversation but with the natural power to address a number of ailments in your body—you just might.

Turmeric has more than 50 healing actions, from relieving pain to improving circulation to reducing inflammation, and has been used for more than 2,000 years to treat a range of ailments. This wonder spice acts as an antacid to soothe digestive problems, a stimulant to improve blood flow, a decongestant to clear nasal passages, a topical paste for skin problems, a powder to speed healing when applied topically (or used in a bandage as is the case in India), and as an analgesic to relieve headaches.

In his book, “Healing Spices” Bharat Aggarwal shares a list of maladies that Turmeric may help prevent and/or treat including:

• Acne
• Allergies
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Arthritis (osteo- or rheumatoid)
• Asthma
• Blemishes
• Cancer
• Cholesterol Problems (high LDL or low HDL)
• Colitis
• Cystic Fibroisis
• Depression
• Dermatitis
• Diabetes (type 2)
• Eczema
• Eye Infection
• Flatulence
• Gallbladder Disease
• Gout
• Gum Disease
• Heart Disease
• High Blood Pressure
• Itching
• Liver Disease
• Macular Degeneration (age-related)
• Overweight
• Pain
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Pollution Side-Effects
• Psoriasis
• Rash
• Scleroderma
• Stroke
• Wounds

While I don’t suffer from this long list of maladies, I did incorporate a Turmeric supplement into my daily regimen to address a few of these issues and it has been a tremendous help. I first began taking Turmeric when the weather turned cold. During the winter months I try (without much success) to help out with the shoveling of snow on our sidewalk and driveway. Nine times out of 10 someone will have to come behind me and re-shovel what I’ve done but the effort is there… and so is the backache. As a natural and powerful anti-inflammatory, I’m able to take a few capsules of Turmeric to address pain and inflammation without worrying about side effects that may occur.

Turmeric has also been helpful in relieving my headaches. As I have gotten older the intensity and frequency of my headaches has increased and while they aren’t completely gone, I credit Turmeric for the relief I have been able to achieve. I no longer wait for a headache to come every week or two and am actually caught off guard when one strikes at this point.

There is no spice under more scrutiny in the US and around the world, and no spice offering more promise for better health, than Turmeric. If the long list of healing action didn’t sell you then maybe taste will; Turmeric is a delicious addition to your spice cabinet and this Potato Cauliflower Curry recipe is a fantastic way to incorporate Turmeric into your cooking while also providing an antioxidant rich meal for your family.

Potato Cauliflower Curry (aloo gobi)

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons turmeric
• 1 teaspoon cumin seed
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 3 tomatoes, diced
• 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1 ½ pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
• ½ teaspoon diced fresh ginger
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon garam masala
• Salt, to taste
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro (optional)

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the turmeric and cumin seeds and heat for about 30 seconds, until the spices become aromatic. Add onion and garlic; sauté for about 8 minutes or until soft. Stir in the diced tomatoes, cauliflower, potatoes, ginger, chili powder, and ground pepper. Reduce the heat, cover partially, and cook for 40 minutes, stirring frequently. If the mixture appears too dry, add water. Add the garam masala, simmer five minutes then turn off the heat and add the cilantro, if using.

This dish can be found in nearly every home in India. Makes 6 servings.