My husband and I have been doing shots every single morning for the past week. It seems like an odd thing to say given that I’ve been pregnant or nursing for the past 2,335 days, but really it’s a good thing.
As you probably know, intense cleansing diets are not recommended for pregnant/nursing mothers. That’s because the toxins that are released by the body can be transferred to the baby via the bloodstream or breast milk.
On the other hand, it’s important to keep normal detox pathways functioning well so that things don’t build up. That’s why I adore wellness shots – aka freshly pressed juices and tonics. They’re something that I feel perfectly comfortable giving to my little ones and taking, nursing or not.
This turmeric version is my “go to” when I need a natural energy boost. It has an earthy flavor with a ginger zing, and it’s infused with compounds that many believe support gentle detoxification.
One particular component of turmeric – curcumin – has been studied for its ability to help us stay youthful, support a healthy inflammatory response, ease discomfort, and more. (source) In fact, cur cumin has so many documented benefits it’s been referenced in PubMed over 6,000 times!
No juicer? No problem!
This tonic can easily be made with a blender or immersion blender.

About The Ingredients
In this tonic, I’ve paired turmeric with “superstar” ingredients that are known in folk – and modern – medicine for their benefits:
Ginger is a powerful antioxidant that increases circulation and reduces inflammation. (source) It has long been used in folk medicine to soothe nausea.
Coconut water is often referred to as “Nature’s Gatorade.” It contains 13 times more potassium – an electrolyte needed for proper cell function – than Gatorade, plus twice the amount of another electrolyte (sodium). (source) ( This brand doesn’t have any additives/preservatives)
Lemon is rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that is needed to manufacture glutathione, a tripeptide that assists with detoxification. Also, according “to Dr. Alexander F. Beddoe in Biological Ionization in Human Nutrition, the liver can make more enzymes out of fresh lemon juice than any other food element. Given more of the raw materials needed to function properly, the liver’s efficiency gets a boost from lemon consumption.” (source)
Raw honey is rich in minerals and easily digestible sugars, which signal “the body to down-regulate the production of stress hormones like cortisol. ” (source) It is also thought to boost the immune system, and certain types are even being studied for the potential ability to inhibit cancer proliferation. (source)
Unrefined sea salt contains 84 minerals that support adrenal function, help regulate blood volume and blood pressure, and assist with the delivery if nutrients to cells. It also “reduces adrenaline levels and supports overall metabolic health.” (source)
Black pepper improves the absorption of the turmeric.
How to optimize turmeric absorption
The active compound in turmeric – curcumin – is best absorbed when taken with fat, so I drink mine first thing in the morning with fried eggs or something similar.
Also, adding “black pepper to turmeric or turmeric-spiced food enhances curcumin’s bioavailability by 1,000 times, due to black pepper’s hot property called piperine,” says nutritionist Stacy Kennedy. (source)

Turmeric Tonic Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups coconut water
- 2 inch fresh turmeric (1 oz weighed OR ½ – 1 tsp dried turmeric)
- 1 inch fresh ginger root (about ½ oz weighed)
- 1 lemon
- ¼ tsp unrefined sea salt
- 1 – 2 tbsp raw honey
- 1 pinch black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Place coconut water, turmeric and ginger root in a blender and give it a whir.
- When the turmeric/ginger is finely shredded, strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a jar.
- 3, Add lemon juice, sea salt, and honey to taste. Serve, preferably with a food containing healthy fats and black pepper for enhanced absorption.
Nutrition
Want a spicier wellness shot?
This fire cider recipe is a delicious way to support immune function, stimulate digestion and warm up on cold winter days.
What is supposed to be after this: “2 inch knob fresh turmeric (1 oz weighed) OR?”
Oops! Thanks for catching that. It should say 1/2-1 tsp dried turmeric.
Whats the serving size? I can’t find it anywhere. Thanks!
How much should I drink daily? You mention shots but what does that mean? Is it important to add honey?
Can I use ground ginger instead of fresh and if so how much
Weighed, 1oz of turmeric root looks like a lot and is more than a 2″ knob, throw it in ? More the better?
Do you just drink this once a day or more often?
How many times as day u drink this?
I was taught that turmeric doesn’t absorb unless it’s cooked first for 20 minutes. What do you know about that?
Hi Marilyn, I wonder if that’s a Chinese medicine thing. It’s not my area of expertise, but I know some foods are considered warming or cooling and there are cooking recommendations based on that. I’m probably saying that all wrong, but you get the idea. Nevertheless, I know it is recommended raw by many, since that is the state where all it’s enzymes are intact. From what I understand the two main factors that affect absorption are the presence of a healthy fat (since curcumin is fat soluble) and the addition of a little pepper. Hope that helps!
Do you think adding coconut oil to the shot would cover the presence of a healthy fat?
Yes it would. However, I tried it and was not a fan 🙂
What about chia seeds or ground flax seed?
HI Marilyn. I have been using raw turmeric root and swallowing about 10/15 pepper corms. have never found out exactly how many pepper I should take. Anyway I was doing this for over 5 months and my chronic back pain was almost 90% gone. then I was surprised with a strange and fast acting microbial pneumonia that almost killed me but a week in hosp and being pumped full of two kinds of antibiotics, I was sent home on bed rest and had missed my turmeric all this time and for a few weeks too weak to prepare myself and I live alone but some kind friends supplied me with home made borscht for a few weeks. I read that article on the importance of cooking the root to make a paste and when I was strong enough to do this I used up all my root, thinking this was the thing to do. By this time all my pain had returned even though all of Dec I was using the yellow paste. I am so glad to read these posts because for sure, now, I will go back to my old routine of raw turmeric root. Thanks
I drink a tea daily (after dinner or breakfast) made with fresh turmeric and ginger. I simmer both for 15-20 minutes. One day I added raw honey and coconut cream (once it was cooled to warm) and oh my was it delicious! 🙂
I put the turmeric spice in my coffee and ir was the best coffee ever .Also I ground up oatmeal and put turmeric on my squash and fried in a mixture of on=live and v.co.AWESOME
I thought you had to have pepper to absorb it?
If we don’t have fresh ginger root available, how much dry ginger/ powder do you recommend for this as it is all I have on hand?
Hmmm, I’m not sure. If it were me I’d just add it to taste 🙂
I add 1/2 tsp powder ginger …..go for taste
Where can I get organic turmeric root?
Have you looked on Azure Standard’s website?
If there is any type of Asian or ethnic store in your area they might carry turmeric root. And Whole Foods would have it. Also lots of other grocery stores.
is turmeric root costly?My daughter has rare blood disease and has had two -three trsnsfusions every month for 17 years.Her liver has iron overload from all the transfusions.Will tumeric help her liver you think?She is on exjade and numerous meds but I worry about her liver.Any suggestions?
Hi PAMELA
My brother was recently diagnosed with very high iron counts. He’s as healthy as a horse and eats really well. So I did a bunch of research and discovered that well water was the culprit. He stopped drinking it and his iron returned to normal! Yeah Hope this might help your daughter and others. Take care
Please take care with Tumeric if you have any type of bleeding disorder – it is a natural blood thinner. It definitely works as one as I found out when I was taking it for all of its health benefits but without researching it first. I have a hereditary bleeding disorder and after 3 incidents where I bled in excess of 24 hours I checked with a naturopath who confirmed it was the turmeric.
I bought fresh tumeric root on eBay for$6.99 1/2 lb. Free shipping from Hawaii.
It can be found at any local indian store for super cheap.
If you live anywhere in new York city the vegetable stores carry tumeric and ginger root
Whole Foods
I live in the country, in Canada and we have at least 4 local stores that sell it so I watch the prices and what the quality looks like and choose that way.
Whole Foods
Nicholas Becker
This looks so amazing! My younger sister makes a ginger lemonade that’s very similar, but without the turmeric or coconut water. Hers is quite yummy, and already energizing (and because of the ginger, helps a lot with female pains…). I can’t wait to try it with turmeric!
How many servings is this?
It makes about two cups, which my family splits up as they see fit throughout the morning.
Do you know if it keeps, say throughout the week?
Erin Blough
Hi Heather, thanks for sharing your knowledge on so many topics. How big is the “shot” you and your husband drink? And do you make the tonic fresh daily or do you think it’s okay to store in the refrigerator for a couple of days?
I make it fresh daily – it takes just a few minutes. I drink about a cup and my family splits the remaining cup between them 🙂
Dorine Dorota Haggarty Kalymon – I found mine at Whole Foods 🙂
Dorine, Terrasoul Superfoods sells certified organic turmeric root powder on Amazon as well as their website. It’s awesome! 🙂
I wonder if the level of detox is safe for breastfeeding?
Elizabeth Moulton-Urban – I can’t say what’s appropriate for anyone else, but I actually mention that I am breastfeeding at the beginning of the post. I eat a very clean diet and avoid chemicals wherever possible, but I haven’t done an intense cleanse in over 6 years because I have always been pregnant or breastfeeding. Instead, I consume fresh juices that are thought to very, very gently support normal detox functions within the body, specifically by helping the body to produce glutathione. I am not a doctor, of course. This is just what I have chosen to do based on my personal comfort level.
The nutrition info for your turmeric tonic is blank. It’s all zeroes!!
Dorine Dorota Haggarty Kalymon, It’s also available through Azure Standard, if you have a drop point for them in your area.
I’ve been nursing for years too and plan to for at least probably another 2 years minimum. I’ve been watching the thyroid sessions and the leaky gut webinar and am finding conflicting information on what I can do right now. I have Hashimoto’s and I’d like to work on reversing it, but I certainly don’t want to quit nursing early so that I can do that. What techniques have you found helpful and/or practitioners that you think might better understand nursing mothers?
Hi Angela, along with listening to the summit I also recently read The Iodine Crisis, which was written by investigative reporter Lynne Farrow. She also runs a website that explores the possible link between breast cancer and iodine deficiency. On that site, she has a list of people she considers “iodine literate” practitioners: http://www.breastcancerchoices.org/ipractitioners.html
Dr. Brownstein, who spoke at the summit, wrote the forward to her book, so I assume they are at least mostly on the same page regarding their approach. I haven’t met or spoken with any of the practitioners personally, but it might be worth interviewing one to see how you feel about them.
Wow, what confirmation! 🙂 I just ordered Dr. Brownstein’s books on Thyroid Disorders and Iodine. Wow, they are excellent and eye-opening. I’m having a little trouble finding a way to get the iodine loading test though since FFP Labs (Dr. B’s recommended lab) can’t work with NY residents. I’m not sure why yet, and I have to give them a call, but it’s probably legislation based. You can’t order your own bloodwork in NY either; you have to go through a physician. Or, you can drive to VT and do it there 🙂
Oh the hoops we are forced to jump through for our health…
How many serves are in this recipe, please?
Kim, Heather says it makes about two cups, which her family splits up as they see fit throughout the morning.
Kim Tolmie – It makes about two cups. Serving size is up to you 🙂
OMGoodness! I am so excited to try this! I have an autoimmune disease and my Mom has been telling me that I need to try some turmeric to reduce my overall inflammation and pain. I wonder if you could add a bit of coconut oil to make an emulsion? Taste yummy and take care of the fat soluble part.
Have you heard of herbal ghee?
Make some ghee and add honey and organic powdered turmeric. Look up Rasayana.
But – I think this drink is an amazing anti-inflammatory.
Read the Wheatbelly book. If you get off of grains for 5 days your inflammation should completely go away
and then stay off grains altogether. I have been gluten free for 45 years and sugar free for 6 but still have other issues and hypothyroid. Now I am vegan and I seem to be healing, with the help of turmeric root and I also have a t least one can of coconut water every day, be careful it is not from concentrate and has no added sugar!
I just made up some of your labor aid. Do you think adding turmeric would help at all with the relief of after pains? Or with labor pains?
A blender is almost next on my “get” list.
Clare Wood one for you xxx
This may be a silly question, but do you take the skin off the turmeric & ginger before you blend it?
I don’t peel mine before putting it in the blender because I am going to strain anyway, but when I’m using turmeric/ginger in cooking I use a paring knife or vegetable peeler.
The easiest way I have found to peel ginger is by using the a spoon and scraping the peel off. It is much easier than using a knife (at least for me) and there is less waste.
Totally agree with Dawn. I use a spoon to “scrape” the skin from turmeric and ginger.
I love this tonic!!! Is it ok to drink a couple of glasses a day? Or if that’s not a good idea maybe water it down would be better.
I have been buying raw organic turmeric as ginger for this drink. So I just scrub it and put it in the vitamix.
I don’t peel organic veggies so I figure why not the same here. We don’t strain it, we just use the vitamix. That’s enough.
Many people made sure that I knew to NOT use turmeric grown in India. The levels of lead in the turmeric from India can be very high.
So we buy organic, typically it has been from Hawaii.
I do not! It would waste too much. I just wash it well with a little veggie brush and use it all that way. My choice, of course.
Can you use coconut milk instead of the coconut water? Would it have the same health benefits?
Yes, you could 🙂
I was thinking the same thing and the coconut milk would suffice for the fat soluble issue…I’m planning on having my tumeric drink before workouts so I won’t be eating a meal with it.
Calling it a shot may be the best suggestion for me….if you drink 1 cup a day…I guess it wouldn’t be so bad to take a shot (1 oz.) throughout the day…..I don’t think I could handle a whole 8 oz. at one sitting….any thoughts to that?
You certainly could, though some of the benefits of fresh juices are lost if they are not consumed right away. Another option would be to cut the recipe on half or more 🙂
What are your Himalayan salt vs the unrefined sea salt
Sorry, got in a hurry. I meant to say “what is your opinion Himalayan salt vs the unrefined sea salt”
I just tried this. It’s great and will be be a daily drink for me. What a great new way to get turmeric every day. Thanks.
I was drinking something similar and found it raised havoc on my lower intestine and that was with a 1 inch slice of ginger and tumeric . I have since found that if I don’t drink it every day I stay I check. And after reading about it ….it can cause that lower end trouble. Have you heard of anyone else having this problem?
I haven’t heard that, but it’s certainly possible since everyone responds differently to different foods.
This looks delicious!
I’ve been eating a lot of turmeric lately as a detox after zapping for suspected Lyme, since I have been pregnant and/or nursing for almost seven years now and can’t do the heavy duty cleanses. (I’m only nursing now or I wouldn’t be using a zapper, btw, haha). I’ve just been sprinkling it on over easy eggs with real salt and pepper, and it’s tasty! But, I love that this drink has so many powerhouse foods! I’m going to try it, and see if my kids might like it too.
Also, thank you for the link to the coconut water! I’ve been using other brands of coconut water because one daughter and I can’t have dairy, and we have no access to raw milk, but all the additives are concerning. I’m going to order a pack!
How long will this keep in the refrigerator in a glass jar, if I make a few batches? Please and thank you : )
Hi Dinorah, juices are best consumed just after pressing for maximum nutritional value. For that reason I make mine fresh daily.
Oddly, I only have black peppercorns in my grinder. Can I use that in place of the regular ol’ pepper?
Your regular pepper is just black peppercorns ground up. So yes.
My TCM doctor was very happy to hear we take these shots.
He asked if we were adding black pepper. It’s my understanding the pepper significantly increases the bio-availability of the curcumin, turmeric’ active ingredient.
I constantly refer people to this Turmeric Wellness Shot post and only realized tonight that it doesn’t mention the black pepper. It mentions salt.
I have never added salt, always pepper.
And we love this drink.
It’s the best anti-inflammatory ever!!! Just ridiculous.
I thought the omission of pepper was just a mistake so when I copied down the recipe, i added about 10/15 pepper corns and I intend to swallow half of them and only put half in the Vitamix , otherwise it would be too hot for my delicate mouth tissue.
Can I use ground ginger instead of ginger root?
I use a similar recipe, but instead of salt I use 1/2 a teaspoon of organic vanilla, liquid or paste and 1/2 teaspoon of organic Cayeene Pepper.We also drink them as shots. I also use Coconut Oil that I have frozen in small slotted ice trays, then a container. They are so easy to use and no mess, I eat them like that, with a shot.
The combination of ginger and coconut water sounds refreshing and invigorating! I also love adding turmeric to smoothies and juices, because it’s flavorless and so good for you!
Oops! You forgot to put pepper on your ingredients list. It is in your instructions, as it should be, but you forgot it on the list.
Please take care with Tumeric if you have any bleeding disorders as it is a natural blood thinner.
I take a blood thinner because I have a fib can I usee turmeric
Hello,
Can you tell me anything about turmeric interacting with medication taken for high bloodpressure?
Claudia
Hi Claudia, you may find this information helpful: http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/turmeric.html
Thank you so much for this informative post. I’ve been using this recipe for the past few months and I feel like my immune system is so much stronger! I just posted a recipe on my new blog for turmeric tuna cakes. Have to say that you inspired me to incorporate turmeric more in my daily life! Thank you!
If I use these ingredients to make a smoothie, can I just add cayenne pepper to it instead of black pepper? I much prefer the taste of cayenne in a smoothie. I will also add MCT oil for the fat.
Thanks!
I encapsulate 6 caps a day of cayenne, and take it with my other vitamins. Actually I make them once a month, cheaper than buying it already in capsules and too hot for me to eat! LOL However the need for black paper is the piperine content that releases the important stuff in the raw turmeric root. Very important.!
Does one need to drink the entire recipe each day, or can it be made and just 1/4 cup taken a day and the rest refrigerated?
I just made this and it’s wonderful! I have never liked the golden milk recipes I’ve tried with ground turmeric. This is definitely the better tasting way to make it. Only issue, how do you get the turmeric stain and smell from your blender cup?
This. drink. Is amazing. I it feels good while I drink it and it feels good after I drink it. Very hydrating I’m sure. I like to think if it as a Special Orange Juice. I add two peppercorns and for the lemon I cut the zest away, leave the pith and pop it in the blender as well. I’ve heard that in citrus fruits most of the nutrition is in the pith. Thanks Heather!
Can you add pepper to the ingredients before mixing instead of adding it to what you eat with it? Most other recipes I’ve seen have pepper as a main ingredient. Also, can this be saved in the fridge for a day or so? Not everyone has ‘family’ to share the amount made in this recipe.
I have been looking for a tasty way to take regular turmeric. I have just made this and this is very nice.
Thank you
The Turmeric Tonic is missing a pinch of black pepper 😉
Hi
Just need to know is the shot for 1 or 2 people?
Thanks Robyn
Made this a couple of days ago as my husband came home from work with really sore throat and ears and then I also started getting sore. I subbed 250ml of the coconut water with fresh squeezed oj and then had one 125ml dose yesterday and by the time I went to bed my sore throat and ears had cleared up. Husband had his third dose this morning and gargled before swallowing and is also feeling a lot better. Might just be coincidence but at the very worst it’s definitely a healthy, delicious and refreshing drink!
I just tried my first tonic from here. (Mostly. I used water because I didn’t have coconut milk.) It’s good, and I’m sure it will be much better next time when I add the coconut milk instead of just water. I am encouraged to keep up with it. My doctor said taking turmeric would help with my diabetes, and since I am just starting, we will see.
I wondered if you do anything with the strained turmeric and ginger? Do you throw it out? Do you use it in recipes?
Would cayenne pepper be a good alternative to black pepper? Would it have the same effect? Also could it help to add probiotics? Is so, what kind and how much would you add?
Thanks ?
I read in an article that if has the same effect on turmeric as black pepper. The amount added would also be a pinch
My go-to drink for the fall & winter:
4 TBSP Braggs Vinegar
4 TBSP Raw Honey
2 Good Size Cloves of Fresh Garlic
1″ Piece of Fresh Ginger
1 Turmeric Finger
1/2 of a Fresh Lemon
In a 1 Qt Mason Jar I add the Braggs vinegar & Honey, then stir to blend, then fill 1/2 way with Fresh CLEAN water..
Next I put the Fresh Garlic, Fresh Ginger & Fresh Turmeric through a Garlic Press
Add the Juice from 1/2 Lemon and mix well.
Fill to the top with ice and allow the ice to melt some until the drink is cold.
I also add 2 drops of Turmeric Essential Oil, Ginger Root Essential Oil and Lemon Essential Oil
As I drink it I continually refill with ice all day long. There is always plenty of flavor left for at least one full day.
I notice in various comments that you say it’s best to consume right away. What if I were to make it and then freeze in ice cube trays? I could then defrost daily. Do you think the health benefits would not be as great as fresh? I’m trying to avoid having to make every day since only one or two in my family would drink it. I would probably just make five days’ worth at a time.
Do you know if I could still get benefits of this drink without the lemon? How would the taste be? Palatable? I have a citric acid allergy.
How many servings does this recipe make?
I make a smoothies out of turmeric, ginger, celery, cucumber and green apple. Usually, I don’t have diarrhea (without turmeric) but once I incorporate it in my smoothies recipe, I have been having diarrhea for two days straight. But the stool was ‘alright’ – brown. *please dont hate me for the excessive explaination.
I was wondering if this is okay with everyone else? Fyi, I do have gastric and currently recovering from food poisoning and gastric.
Note: Although there may not be any additives, the coconut water that is recommended, it is pasteurized. Your electrolytes are significantly reduced.
What is your opinion on using turmeric powder?
I love dried, powdered turmeric and cook with it often 🙂
I like the recipe for the ginger , tumeric shot. Plan to start doing this on a daily bases. I’m taking a ginger and turmeric and raw honey right now for an annoying cold that wants to hang around. Then read about the benefits of the tumeric shots so hear I go trying to get healthy , thank for the recipe