Turmeric (Haldi) Benefits

What is it? It's a root that looks a lot like ginger but smaller and orange. I buy the ground version and keep it in a jar in my fridge to prevent it from going stale.

We've all heard from our mothers to drink haldi wala doodh (warm milk with turmeric) for body pain; however, there are many other abundance of benefits of adding turmeric into your diet. Yes, it helps with joint and muscle pain, strengthens your immune system, helps fight colds, helps us sleep but one major boost turmeric gives is to our reproductive system. Yup, fertility issues - which no one talks about. It took us 14 months to conceive Baby L. I tried everything and even made an appointment at the fertility doctors. They asked me to come back when I got my next period for an ANOTHER ultrasound, but luckily I didn't have to go back as I got pregnant after drinking the golden milk for a month. Now, I cannot say it works for everyone, but it is known to be a fertility booster.

• Golden Milk - add turmeric to milk with honey, ground cardamom, ground cinnamon, black pepper and ground or freshly grated ginger. Warm over stovetop and drink before bed.

I also add turmeric to a variety of my home-cooked dishes, such as below:

• Spaghetti sauce

• Meatloaf

• Ground meats

• Hamburger mix

• Stews and soups

• All Indian dishes such as daal, keema, kitchardi, curry chicken,, chickpea curry, kala channa, rajma, tandoori chicken, and biryani.

Some healing powers:

• Helps with arthritis

• Prevents Cancer

• Helps with weight loss

• Lowers cholesterol