It is Winter Time!  Winter is a time for us to gather together, drink warming teas, meditate and self-reflect.  And it’s also a good time for warming spices – ginger, turmeric, and orange peel.  This remedy below can be used in teas, soups, broths or whatever dish you wish to add flavor to.  This combination is not only intensely flavorful, but healing to the body as well.

Lucy came into the office today saying that she had a skin allergy and that she was looking for a natural solution.  She had a rash on her face with itching and a tummy ache.  Lucky for her, her Mom was already making a paste of ground turmeric, ginger, and orange peel.  These three spices are anti-inflammatory and healing for the gut and the skin.

This is super simple to make and you can make it at home if you have a grater and a knife!  First, cut the ginger and the turmeric to expose the fresh stem.  Then, grate the ginger and the turmeric.  You can remove the peel if you wish, but I have found over the years that you don’t need to b/c the peel mostly comes off on its own while grating (some pieces will get in, but it’s okay).

To grate the orange, gently roll the orange across the grater while grating it.  This allows the peel to be finely grated without making contact with the pith, which makes everything bitter.

Combine everything with a spoon and place into a sealed glass jar.  Refrigerate or use immediately.  Can be used in teas, a flavoring for food, or it can be used topically for the skin or achy joints.  Just be careful with your sheets or furniture as turmeric stains are very difficult to get out!

For giving to your canine friends, put 1/8-1/4 teaspoon of the mixture into a soft treat you can mold with your hands, I like Pill Buddy Naturals.  Gently bring the seams up to seal the mixture well.  Okay, Lucy, your herbal medicine is ready!  Open your mouth and chew.  Success!

After three days on this remedy, Lucy said she felt much better.  Her appetite returned and her tummy stopped aching.  She stopped scratching her face and her nose constantly.  The remedy made her sneeze a little bit from the ginger juice, but that lasted for a couple of minutes and went away after she sipped some water.

This is a great remedy for your canine and human friends.  It is safe and well-tolerated, as long as the orange peel is finely grated.  This can be used for arthritis, allergies, colds / flus, or tummy aches.

Enjoy,

Emily Edmonds, L.Ac.

Tao to Wellness

809 Hearst Ave

Berkeley, CA 94710

510-883-0838