While turmeric is mostly praised for its anti-cancer properties, yogis have their own reasons for loving this special root. Here are five reasons why you’ll love this special spice, too!

Detoxifies

One of turmeric’s most amazing actions is that it deeply detoxifies. In Ayurveda, turmeric is used to remove toxins, called aama, from the body. Aama literally means “uncooked food” and it’s one of the root causes of all diseases.

If the digestive fire is in any way vitiated, food isn’t converted into healthy body tissues as it should be. Instead, it remains undigested food with sticky, slimy, heavy and foul smelling qualities. This toxic substance can clog the gross and subtle channels of the body, causing weakened immunity and all kinds of diseases.

Turmeric helps to digest aama in the body at a very deep level. It works on all seven body tissues — Ayurvedically speaking — from the plasma to the reproductive fluid. Because yogis strive to rid their bodies of toxins, turmeric is one of their favorite spices.

Improves Digestion

Certain spices increase a food’s digestibility and turmeric is one of the them. It’s the perfect addition to high-protein foods like meats and beans.

The yogic diet relies primarily on legumes for protein. The problem for vegetarians is that most legumes are inherently gas-producing, and yogis with variable digestion suffer. Turmeric helps to offset this quality by mitigating flatulence and easing the digestive process.

Cleanses the Chakras

According to David Frawley in “The Yoga of Herbs,” turmeric is “effective for cleansing the chakras.” The chakras are connected by a network of subtle channels called nadis. Even though these nadis are in the pranic body, they’re still susceptible to toxic buildup. Subtle forms of aama block the free flow of prana through the nadis. This, in turn, prevents the kundalini (primal energy) from flowing through the chakras. Turmeric, which promotes both purity of mind and body, helps to clear these channels for the proper flow of prana to the chakras.

Decreases Inflammation

Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory. It contains more than two dozen anti-inflammatory compounds — six of which block the enzyme that causes pain and inflammation. Not only does it help to treat all kinds of arthritis, but it can also be used to reduce pain and swelling after surgery.

Part of a Sattvic Diet

The traditional yogic diet is sattvic. Sattvic foods are harmonizing, calming, light and pure. They evoke these qualities within, making them ideal for yogis working toward spiritual enlightenment.

Most spices are rajasic rather than sattvic. Rajasic foods tend to activate and agitate the mind: two actions that are terrible for meditating yogis. However, turmeric is one of the few spices that is sattvic (along with cumin, coriander, fennel, cardamom and ginger). Sattvic spices add flavor and medicinal action to meals without making them overly spicy and mentally agitating.

Moderation Is Key

Turmeric is a wonder herb; but, as with all good things, moderation is key. Always choose turmeric powder over curcumin supplements. Extracting the active ingredient from any herb detracts from its natural intelligence to integrate into the body. A quarter teaspoon a day is enough to take in its medicinal properties while still keeping the body balanced.

Written by Julie Bernier and published on www.yogapedia.com/5-reasons-why-yogis-love-turmeric/2/6020 on the 28th July 2017