Grandma Rita’s Turmeric Tea: My Favorite Anti-Inflammatory Drink

After a scary trip to the ER with a fibromyalgia flare, I discovered the healing magic of turmeric tea—and after lots of mixing and tasting, I finally have a recipe we love!

Last Fall, I had an experience that led to my discovery of what I now refer to as my “magic tea”;). I landed in the ER with a terrifying (new) fibromyalgia flare-up. The good news was – it was “just” fibromyalgia. The bad news? There wasn’t a magic pill to take the pain, tingling, and strange nerve sensations away instantly.

My doctor gave me this advice: “Just do whatever you did before to settle it down.” So, I went home and threw myself back into researching anti-inflammatory diet plans—one of the few things that had helped me before.

In the middle of my search, I stumbled across turmeric tea recipes. I already knew from experience that certain spices could help lower inflammation—and since I LOVE spicy food, this caught my attention fast!
After mixing and matching all kinds of different recipes, I finally put together my own concoction that we truly enjoy. And today, I’m sharing it with you!

Please note: I am no medical professional with no medical training whatsoever! I can’t tell you all the ins and outs of why lemon juice, cranberry juice and this spicy concoction helps lower inflamation in your body. I just find it works for me, and if it can help you, too – that would make me happier than a clam!

(Feel free to tweak the spice combination for your own tastebuds—the biggest caution is the cayenne pepper. A little goes a long way!)

Why You’ll Love Grandma Rita’s Turmeric Tea

• It’s packed with natural anti-inflammatory spices.
• It’s easy to make a big batch and keep it in the fridge.
• You can drink it hot, cold, or room temperature.
• It’s simple to customize with cranberry juice, lemon, and honey.
• It tastes refreshing, cozy, and comforting all at once.

Ingredients for Turmeric Tea Concentrate

(There is also a printable recipe card below for your convenience.)

• 6 cups water
• Juice of 6 real lemons (or 18 tablespoons bottled lemon juice—though fresh is worth it, in my opinion!)
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

(For all the detailed instructions, refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

How to Serve Turmeric Tea

When you’re ready to enjoy a cup of tumeric tea, here are the basic instructions. It can be made as a hot or cold drink:

• Stir or shake the concentrate, as some of the spices settle in the bottom. Pour ¼ cup turmeric tea concentrate to your cup.
• Add ¼ cup cranberry juice, orange juice, or a mix of both (try to use juice with no added sugar).
• Top off the rest of the glass with cold or hot water.
• Taste and adjust—if you want it sweeter, stir in a little honey!
• Add an extra squeeze of fresh lemon if you’d like a little more brightness and tangy-ness.

Why These Ingredients Are So Powerful

Here’s why I picked these anti-inflammatory ingredients to my tumeric tea drink:

• Turmeric: The star of the show! Turmeric contains curcumin, a natural anti-inflammatory compound that helps fight inflammation at the molecular level. (Source: Healthline)
• Cinnamon: Studies show that cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, helping reduce swelling and protect the body from oxidative stress. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
• Ginger: Ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It’s often used to reduce muscle pain, soreness, and inflammation. (Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine)
• Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne contains capsaicin, which has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation by decreasing the body’s production of substance P, a chemical that carries pain messages to the brain. (Source: Medical News Today)
• Cranberry Juice: Pure, unsweeted cranberry juice aids in UTI prevention, heart health, digestive health, and an immune system boost. (Do your own research for specifics on all of that.)
• Lemon Juice: Simply adding lemon juice to your water has so many benefits including boosting hydration, rich in Vitamin C, helps with weight management, improves your skin, and more.

Pin It Now, Make It Later

Don’t lose track of this recipe! Save it on Pinterest so it’s ready when you need it. Follow me on Pinterest for even more meal ideas and inspiration for your home.