Turmeric extracts are a great way of utilizing fresh turmeric roots. Usually for pongal festival which falls in January, we harvest fresh turmeric roots for using it at the time of the festival. After the festival I had lot of beautiful, fragrant turmeric roots left. And when I was wondering how to save it for future use, I got this idea of making pure liquid turmeric rhizome extract at home. This turmeric extract has amazing health benefits and is the best way to utilize fresh turmeric. This extract is very beneficial for arthritic patients due to its anti inflammatory properties. Making turmeric tea or turmeric milk everyday will be difficult for some especially if they are traveling a lot. Though turmeric pills can be consumed everyday, they are quite expensive. This extract is perfect for people who are traveling and want to consume turmeric extract to ease the pain. This extract is made with high proof vodka (40% proof), but try to use unflavored vodka for making the extract. This extract can also be used to ward of colds and it is best taken when the infection starts. Though making this turmeric extract is a breeze, there are a few things that we should follow: First is the alcohol, try using unflavored alcohol that is high proof. The second part is to make sure to use fresh turmeric roots, when I say fresh roots it is the roots that are plucked fresh and is not starting to dry out for the extract to be beneficial. The third thing is to store in a dark bottle and wait patiently for the essence to steep in alcohol. Make sure to steep in the alcohol at least for a minimum of 2 to 3 weeks in a dark, cool place. The fourth point is to make sure that the grated turmeric is always covered in alcohol and shake it often. The dosage for the extract is around 25 drops. I know it will be very difficult to consume this extract straight as it is, especially if you are not used to alcohol. I hate even the smell of alcohol and I find the best solution for it is to mix it with your favorite fruit juice, that way it will mask the taste of the alcohol completely. Since this extract is made with alcohol, this is not for children. The best thing about this extract is the storage time, it stores well for up to 6 months to a year, especially if you are using high proof alcohol. A few days back my niece mentioned that her leg pain vanished completely after consuming turmeric extract, that is the magic of turmeric in easing the inflammation!
METHOD:
1. Take the fresh turmeric roots and wash it completely in water to get rid of the dirt. Since we are using it along with the skin, the washing part is very important.
2. Wear gloves and grate the turmeric root using a grater. If you don’t wear gloves, it will stain the hands very badly.
3. Now in a dark bottle add the grated turmeric and top it with unflavored high proof vodka. Shake once in 2 days.
4. Store in a dark place away from sunlight for 2 to 3 weeks, strain and store in glass bottles.
NOTES:
- The dosage is usually 25 drops at a time.
- Since we are using it with the skin on, make sure to use organic turmeric roots.
- Always store away from sunlight.
- For people with arthritis pain, this turmeric extract works like a pain killer but without the side effects. But the effect varies from person to person.
This looks like a good way to take turmeric. Thanks.I have a condition that occurs occasionally, where a blood vessel in a finger may unexpectedly burst, causing pain & bruising. When I take turmeric tablets or in other forms, it seems to happen more often. Can you suggest anything to help avoid this, so I can take advantage of turmerics anti inflammatory qualities?
Hi sir,I am sorry, I don't have any idea regarding the condition that you mentioned….
Tumeric can make your blood thinner. It is one of the herbs that is not to be taken in patients on warfarin as it causes more bleeding in patients. I'm sorry I don't have the exact information in my head as in how it interacts with your blood cells, but in patients taking warfarin it reduces the bloods ability to clot, ie. They bruise more easily. Hope that helps you.
Please provide the tips of neck pain
Hi jega, if the neck pain is due to an injury and is inflamed try the ice pack from the blog, else for regular muscle pain try the salt compress. You can also try the tamarind paste application from the blog, it works very well for some….
Wish I had seen this post a little earlier. Just let week used the left over turmeric from pongal to be used as powder 🙁
Where will I find turmeric root?
Hi Penny, You can easily order turmeric root online….
I buy fresh organic ginger and turmeric from Amazon.com, shipped right to my door.
When you mix the ingredients together (for arthritis), do you rub it on the affected area or do you take a few drops by mouth?
You take a few drops by mouth…
Is there any other way to use the turmeric root instead of storing it with vodka? Or can it be consumed directly or with milk. I have pain in my knees and sometimes small joints also pain. Is it useful for this also.
Hi, Fresh turmeric root can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days or it can be made into a tincture with glycerin, but it is not as effective as alcohol based tinctures. Turmeric, consumed in any form will benefit joint and knee pain. Try it with milk, that is the best way to consume turmeric. But use at least 1/2 tsp of good quality turmeric powder for a cup of milk and try consuming it for a few days to see results…..
thank you Ramya, I will try.
Can this be done with dried root? Any suggestions on how?
It will be very hard to infuse the dried root as it is next to impossible to grate it. But you can try breaking it into small pieces with a sharp instrument and then infusing it in alcohol for longer periods of time…….
What about recipes with using tumeric essential oil
You can add turmeric essential oil to a base oil and use it for treating acne, arthritis, skin allergies and even as a massage oil…
Hi Ramya,If I want to take the turmeric extract in a powder form, is it possible to dry the vodka mixture and then consume what's left? I would like to be able to put the powder in capsules if possible.
I would suggest using pure organic turmeric powder instead of drying out the turmeric tincture…
Hi Ramya Is it possible to start a small business of selling turmeric extract? Pls suggest, any success storyDr. Rajeev
I guess you can sell turmeric extract made with organic turmeric roots. I don't know anyone who has marketed turmeric extract…:)
Dear turmeric tincture users using equal amounts (8oz) of turmeric, garlic and ginger makes the tincture very potent against many ailment including coughs, flu and colds.
Hi Ramya, My mother is suffering almost last 15 years with knee pain , is it useful to use this now , if possible can you can you able extract and send, i will credit to your account..
Hi, turmeric in any form will help with easing inflammation, it need not be only in extract form. Try turmeric tea for your mother, it also works well in easing the inflammation, you can find the video recipe for it here
I have Lupus and kidney failure.
Hi,I am interested in making the extract with both apple cider vinegar and alcohol in order to get the most out of the turmeric while getting the added benefit of the acv. Any ideas on how to do this? Should I combine alc and acv right off the bat or extract with one or the other first? I do not want to damage the fermentation process by introducing one or the other at the wrong time…. Any ideas are much appreciated. Thanks!
Hi, any other method to extract turmeric oil without use of alcohol..?
You can add vegetable glycerin to extract the turmeric.
there will be two separate layers.?
Hi Ramya,Thank you so much for all your kind sharing.Our family members are prone to high uric acid and some of us are suffering from gout pain.May I know which types of turmeric (i.e. Kasthuri manjal, Kuda manjal, Kari manjal, etc) most suitable to make into capsule which we can take daily?Do you have any recipes for a good capsule preparation?Thank you. God bless
Hi, I am fortunate to have curcumin delivered fresh from Morocco frequently..So I was perusing the internet looking to make all this fresh powder into an extract to take around when I travel,I never comment on any page, but I couldn't resist laughing when I heard about using the 40% proof vodka for extraction. So I gotta' ask you….are you sure it's not the vodka that takes away the pain? Or at least the worry?Hahhaha… 'scuse me but just couldn't resist…With all do respect however you are right, and as a Doctor and long proponent of natural medicine (I am recovering/always recovering from a blood transfusion containing Hep. C. ) I keep an eye out for anything that can give the power of cure back to the patients.So atta boy Ramya. The future of our world will be many times better once people realise that Drs are not what you think they are…..