Bulletproof coffee isn’t the only way to have a delicious brain-boosting beverage. You can boost your cognitive function with curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric. Curcumin protects the brain from cognitive deterioration caused by stress. But I don’t know anyone who is dealing with stress! Especially not the law students who are popularizing the bulletproof coffee recipe in this area.
For my bulletproof turmeric, I have used coconut oil, butter, honey, and spices to optimize digest and the absorption of curcumin. Curcumin is notoriously difficult to absorb, but fats and spices, particularly the black pepper in the garam masala, greatly increase our absorption of curcumin into the blood stream.
Bulletproof Turmeric
1 cup water
1 tsp turmeric powder or 1 Tablespoon fresh turmeric root, grated
(optionally add one capsule of turmeric extract that is 95% curcumin)
¼ tsp garam masala
1 tsp maca (optional, but delicious)
1 Tbs grass fed butter
1 Tbs coconut oil or MCT oil
1 tsp honey
Simmer water with turmeric, garam masala, coconut oil, and butter for 10 minutes.
Strain through a fine mesh strainer.
Add remaining ingredients and whirl in blender or with immersion blender until foamy.
There are many possible variations to this recipe. Add coffee if you like that boost or cinnamon if you are working on blood sugar issues. Since this recipe doesn’t have caffeine, it can be drunk later in the day than bulletproof coffee.
This turmeric drink is also an excellent choice for people dealing with inflammation, pain, or elevated cholesterol. A recent study has confirmed that curcumin reduces knee pain associated with osteoarthritis. Curcumin is helping others achieve healthier cholesterol levels. In addition to having some nootropic benefits, turmeric might also help clear Alzheimer’s plaques from the brain.
The benefits of turmeric are numerous, and while you might not feel the same jolt you would from a cup of coffee, turmeric provides long-term protection to the mind and body on multiple levels.
P.S. For those of you who follow my blog, my bulletproof turmeric tea recipe originated from my healthy food experiment . Turmeric is the second food I chose. I wanted to try it in tea form and came up with this recipe. For a simpler tea recipe, try this one from Dr. Weil.
Dr. Laurell Matthews, ND 
Reblogged this on Healthy Belly and commented:
Tumeric loading is one of the more challenging components of my current health regime. I consume a significant amount in both liquid and capsule form each day, but it is always a challenge to know how well my body is absorbing the curcumin. I also desperately miss coffee…not so much for the jolting effect, but as a warm an inviting way to start the day. I will definitely be adding this herbal alternative drink to my morning. I’m planning to add cinnamon (as I also struggle with blood sugar modulation) and maybe a tsp of black pepper to aid in absorption and add a little kick. Yum!
Made my first cup of bulletproof turmeric tea today. Yummy but got an instant headache along with nausea. What gives? Is it possible that my body wasn’t use to the fat or that the blender pulverize the protein too much? It didn’t make me sick when I had the sample at your talk Saturday. Thanks!
Yes, it is probably the amount or type of fat. Try it with just some coconut oil and see if you body likes it better.
I attended your medicinal herbs lecture in bentonville (thanks again for that, btw!) but can’t remember if the 1 tsp is for fresh turmeric or powder? And if I didn’t have fresh and wanted to substitute the powder, how much should I use? I loved the way it tasted at the lecture!
Hello,
I am so happy you liked it. When I use the powder, I use a teaspoon. For the fresh, I use a tablespoon. Enjoy!