Every week the same questions come up in the Turmeric User Group. Here are the five we hear most, with short answers. Got one that’s not here? Ask Dr Doug.
1. Can I just stir turmeric into a drink?
Not if you want it to do much. Turmeric’s active compounds don’t dissolve in water and are poorly absorbed on their own. Take it with a fat and freshly cracked black pepper, ideally as Golden Paste, with food.
2. Can I use fresh turmeric root instead of powder?
Yes, but you’ll need at least five times the volume, less water when cooking, and bigger servings. Most people and pets digest cooked turmeric better than raw. Fresh root is great sliced or grated into cooking.
3. Can I use pre-ground pepper?
It’s not ideal. Piperine, the useful part of black pepper, breaks down quickly once ground. Crack whole peppercorns fresh when you make your paste. If you grind a batch ahead, keep it sealed in the freezer for a short time.
4. Why does my dog (or horse) smell like cat pee?
Some animals develop this smell when they start turmeric. It usually fades within a couple of weeks. Adding about a tablespoon of Ceylon cinnamon (not cassia, which contains coumarin) to each batch of paste can help.
5. How young can a dog start?
Once a puppy is eating solid food, it can have a small amount of turmeric in its meals. Start very small.
Bonus: how do I get turmeric stains out?
Use rubbing alcohol on most surfaces, undiluted dishwashing liquid on hard surfaces, and a cold wash with detergent for clothes. Avoid bicarbonate of soda; it turns the stain red.
General information only, not medical or veterinary advice.
Ask the next question in the comments, and it might feature in #2.
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