Herbal Greetings from AmaTierra: We’re getting ready to harvest our fresh, organic Turmeric (curcuma longa) that, once we solar-dry and grind it, we sell in our gift shop and use in the kitchen and in custom herbal formulas. If you don’t know about this spice which adds color to curries, you may be missing out on one of the most helpful herbs in existence.

Turmeric has fabulous anti-inflammatory properties, and as you may know, inflammation is a big underlying factor in many chronic diseases. Turmeric helps arthritis, protects the liver and prevents many diseases. The subject of many positive studies, this remarkable herb also slows the progress of some cancers (skin and breast especially) and may prevent Altzeimer’s Disease which, interestingly, is very rare in India where much turmeric is eaten.

Sprinkle it on foods, use it in your vegetable juice shakes, cook it in soups, stews and of course add to curry powder in making curries. Combined with black pepper, it will absorb 100 times better into your system. Take in capsule form when treating arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

Feel free to call AmaTierra, come for a dinner of Thai curry (seasoned with Turmeric, of course) and purchase some of our very potent, vibrant and fresh organic Turmeric. We’ve saved you some seed if you’d like to grow your own!

Article written by Jill Ruttenberg, reg. herbalist AHG, at AmaTierra Retreat & Wellness Center.

Visit AmaTierra in Turrubares, just 50 minutes west of San Jose.

Call 2419-0110 to reserve your place at AmaTierra’s healthy lunch or dinner table (some of the best hummus you’ve ever tasted!) or to spend a quiet, peaceful night outside the city! www.amatierra.com