Can Turmeric Tea Improve Parkinson’s Disease?

Turmeric is a popular spice made from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin and has a distinctive yellow color. This native Southeast Asian member of the ginger family has been used as an herbal remedy for thousands of years.

Researchers have investigated curcumin for its potential role in improving Parkinson’s disease. Curcumin is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, which is one reason why it holds promise as a neuroprotective agent in a wide range of neurological disorders. Research has shown that curcumin may help inhibit the accumulation of destructive beta amyloids in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients, as well as break up existing plaques. People with Alzheimer’s tend to have higher levels of inflammation in their brains, and curcumin is perhaps most known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties. As an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, it is also used for everything from arthritis and heart health to digestion and cancer.

The body has a hard time accessing and absorbing curcumin. For this reason, turmeric supplements, with their guaranteed high concentrations of curcumin, are popular. Absorption appears to be better when taken with fatty food.

Turmeric tea, brewed using grated turmeric root or pure powder, is considered one of the most effective ways to consume the spice. There is no specific recommended daily intake of turmeric. Based on available research, the suggested daily intake depends largely on the condition it is being used to treat.

How to Prepare Turmeric Tea

Turmeric tea can be prepared from either pure turmeric powder, grated, ground, or dried turmeric. Fermented turmeric preparations, commonly sold as tea products, claim to have higher concentrations of biologically available or absorbable curcumin.

To make turmeric tea:

1. Boil 4 cups of water.
2. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of ground, grated, or powdered turmeric.
3. Allow the mixture to simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
4. Strain the tea into a container and allow it to cool for 5 minutes.
5. You can add ingredients to improve the taste or help with its absorption:
   • Honey, to sweeten the tea and give the mixture more anti-microbial properties.
   • Almond or coconut milk, or 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or ghee (unclarified butter) to help with absorption, as curcumin requires healthy fats to absorb properly.
   • Black pepper, which contains piperine, a chemical known to help promote curcumin absorption, and that can add a spice flavor to the tea.
   • Lemon, lime, or ginger, to enhance antioxidant and antimicrobial properties in the mixture and improve taste.

Sources:

• The Effect of Curcumin (Turmeric) on Alzheimer’s Disease: An Overview
• Curcumin: A Potential Neuroprotective Agent in Parkinson’s Disease
• Photo credits: Steven Jackson and Meighan