This Recipe is based on the original recipe by Dr Doug English an Aussie Veterinary Surgeon
Please note that some turmeric suppliers have begun to sell “raw” turmeric powder. You’ll know it’s raw if you see that wording on the packaging or their advertising. If the brand you buy is advertised as raw, you will need to extend the cooking time to at least 30 minutes(not the 7-10 minutes mentioned in the recipe). In the past, turmeric has always been cooked in the process of converting it to a powder. Some vendors are now skipping that step in order to appeal to “raw food” practitioners. This is still fine to use, but it does require the longer cooking time to provide sufficient digestibility. Raw turmeric is poorly digested, so little of the active components are available for absorption before it’s excreted.
INGREDIENTS:
• 1/2 cup (125 ml / 60g) turmeric powder
• 1 cup water (250 ml) plus extra water in reserve, if needed
• 1/3 cup (70 ml) coconut oil (use raw, unrefined, cold-pressed)
• OR linseed oil (flaxseed)
• OR olive oil (use virgin / extra virgin)
• 2 – 3 teaspoons freshly cracked (ground) black pepper
Note: the amount of pepper has been increased since May 2016, on Doug English’s recommendations and review of greater success in a large number of cases using the extra pepper. Reduce pepper if you cannot tolerate it. The absorption of turmeric will still be improved by cooking it and adding oil, but it will be less effective without the pepper.
Cracked pepper and ground pepper refer to the same thing. How finely it’s ground is up to the user. If you like to have crunchy bits of pepper in your golden paste, then grind it less finely. If you don’t (and that’s probably most of us), grind it more finely.
![](https://naturalpetcare.net/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/golden_paste.jpg)
![](https://naturalpetcare.net/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/turmeric-dog.jpg)
RECIPE:
1) Bring the turmeric and water to a boil in a saucepan, then lower heat and simmer until you have a thick paste. This should take about 7-10 minutes and you may need to add the extra water along the way for good consistency.
2) Add the freshly cracked (ground) pepper and oil AFTER cooking, when it has been removed from heat and cooled down (still warm to touch but not burning), about 10 minutes later.
3) Stir in well to mix the oil in everywhere and allow to cool again (if coconut oil is hard, it should melt in the mixture).
Do not use pre-made pepper meal (pre-ground pepper that you buy for pepper shakers). The active ingredient in black pepper (piperine) is oxidised when exposed to the air and also degraded by light, so not much is left in the pre-ground pepper purchased in the store.
Do not add honey or any sweetener. Sugars are not necessary and they provoke inflammation.
The advice for people is:
Try 1/4 of a teaspoon, twice a day (with food and water), and build up to 3 – 4 times a day, for the first 4-5 days.
If you need more effect, increase to 1/2 – 3/4 of a teaspoon 3 – 4 times a day. You don’t need much. Some move on to a full teaspoon for even more effect. See what your body needs and feed small amounts routinely to keep it in your system. As Duggie says: “Little and often is best”.
When adding turmeric to your diet for the first time, if there are any signs of loose stools or upset stomach then you may wish to reduce your serving to 1/8 tsp or so, and remain at a lower amount for a longer period. It will eventually pass and your gut microbiome will soon benefit.
For Dogs and indeed cats the same principles apply : Little and often.
Giving Turmeric Golden Paste To Your Dog
You can add the Golden Paste directly to your dog’s meals by mixing it with some water or kefir. Most dogs don’t mind the taste at all!
• Small dogs and cats should start with about 1/4 teaspoon per day
• Medium dogs can start with 1/2 teaspoon per day
• Large dogs can start with 3/4 teaspoon per day
• Giant dogs can start with 1 teaspoon per day
The suggested dosage to work up to is approximately 30 to 50 mg per kilogram of body weight. An easier way to think about this is 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per day, for every 10kgs of weight (1/2 – 1 tsp for a 20kgs dog). You can do this over a few weeks.
TIP: Turmeric leaves the body quickly, so it’s best to feed smaller amounts a few times a day.
So try making some Golden Paste today and let us know how you get on – post on the our facebook page or forum
Some dogs may smell a little like cat pee after starting Golden Paste. We’re not exactly sure why, but it will eventually go away. One way to eliminate or at least reduce the odor is to add Ceylon cinnamon to the golden paste.
• Add 1 tablespoon to the recipe above, at the end of cooking
• Use Ceylon cinnamon. Do not use cassia cinnamon
The Paste will last 2-3 weeks in the fridge and It can be frozen if you cannot use it all in this time frame