Curcumin is the bright yellow compound in turmeric known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Here's a simple, alcohol-free method to extract curcumin at home using healthy oil.
✅ What You Need:
- Turmeric powder (or freshly dried turmeric, ground)
- Coconut oil or olive oil (healthy oils that help dissolve curcumin)
- A pan
- A strainer or muslin cloth
- A glass jar for storage
🧾 Steps:
1. Heat the Oil:
- Pour about 1 cup of coconut or olive oil into a pan.
- Warm it on low heat — don’t let it smoke!
2. Add Turmeric Powder:
- Add 2–3 tablespoons of turmeric powder to the warm oil.
- Stir well to mix.
3. Simmer Gently:
- Keep it on low flame for about 10–15 minutes.
- Stir occasionally. The oil will turn a deep golden yellow – that’s the curcumin coming out!
4. Cool and Strain:
- Let the mixture cool down.
- Use a strainer or clean cloth to filter out the turmeric solids.
- What you get is curcumin-infused oil.
5. Store:
- Store the oil in a clean, dry glass jar.
- Keep it in a cool place, away from sunlight.
🟡 How to Use:
- Can be used on skin (anti-inflammatory).
- Add a spoon to warm milk or food (if you’ve used edible oil like coconut oil).
- Great for oil pulling, massage, or DIY skincare.
🔍 Why This Works:
Curcumin is fat-soluble, so oil pulls out the curcumin naturally from turmeric — no chemicals, no alcohol. This method preserves the natural healing power of turmeric in a form that’s easy to use and store.