If you eat a lot of curry, chances are, you’re already consuming this super spice that has more health benefits than you ever imagined. Turmeric, one of the primary components in curry and around the kitchen, adds a golden hue to mustards, cheeses and even butter; is a root that has been used as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory for centuries in East Asia.

Here are 4 tips on the super spice turmeric:

Anti-Inflammatory

In a recent study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, researchers found that turmeric was just as effective as ibuprofen at relieving knee pain. The spice’s anti-inflammatory properties also extend to muscle and joint pain, and even skin conditions like eczema.

Antioxidants

Coming down with a cold or the common flu? Add a teaspoon of turmeric and honey in your tea or hot water. The spice is an excellent source of antioxidants and can jump-start your immune system.

Natural Detox

Turmeric can reduce digestive issues and aid your body’s natural detox system – the liver – ridding your body of the damage caused by environmental factors.

Find Recipes With Pepper

According to Self.com, the best way to benefit from turmeric is to maximize your body’s absorption through eating it with peppers. Peppers contain a compound called piperine, which actually promotes the absorption of the spice into your bloodstream. So look for recipes that incorporate both.