Turmeric or “Golden” paste contains the wondrous ingredient curcumin, which has been demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and immune-boosting effects. Many recipes for golden paste include some sort of a fatty base (usually coconut oil*), which helps with absorbing the curcumin into the the system. Heating the formula and adding cracked black pepper are also frequently noted as supporting its efficacy in the body.
More recently, the addition of pepper for the paste for animals has been questioned as some pets may have adverse reactions to the piperine within pepper.
As with any herb or spice with strong therapeutic qualities, I do not recommend golden paste as a regular supplement to an average healthy dog’s diet. It is certainly worth increasing it at times of inflammatory based conditions more regularly though. Otherwise, a maintenance dose once a week to a fortnight will suffice.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup turmeric powder
1 cup filtered water (plus extra)
1/4 – 1/3 cup grass fed ghee*
1 +1/2 teaspoons cracked black pepper (leave out if your dog has any reaction to the pepper).
* I prefer using grass fed organic ghee as the fat base for my golden paste rather than coconut oil as there is conflicting research about coconut oil benefits to dog (and human) health. You could also consider using an MCT oil (ensuring it does not contain lauric acid) and is preferably not sourced from palm oil).
Method:
Add the turmeric and water to a saucepan with water on low heat.
Continue stirring for about 10 minutes. Add additional water if the paste becomes too thick. You are looking for the consistency of toothpaste.
Remove from the heat. Add the ghee and (optional) black pepper.
Whisk thoroughly until the ghee and pepper is fully combined.
Allow to cool and store in sterilised glass jars.
The Golden Paste will keep for about two weeks in the fridge and you can store any remaining portions in the freezer. *
Supplement dosage:
Start by adding about 1/4 teaspoon of the paste to your dog’s fresh food. Build to 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon for small to medium dogs, and up to a tablespoon for larger dogs.
I add this supplement once a week to a fortnight for regular maintenance. More regular doses may be helpful at times when your dog needs extra support for health conditions, such as arthritis, cancer or inflammation.
*Discard paste if it develops any mould or has a bad odour.
Contraindications:
Do not feed your dog (or yourself) golden paste if on medications such as anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) or blood thinners and do not mix with other other herbs such as garlic, gingko, garlic and saw palmetto. Curcumin can also decrease the effectiveness of some chemotherapy drugs.
Sources used to inform this article:
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/11/12/turmeric.aspx