Looking for an easy way to boost your immune in the New Year?
Try this simple warm turmeric milk that has been prescribed in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries
What is Golden Milk?
There are many incarnations of golden milk, but all will have turmeric
Golden milk is made by bringing milk to a rolling boil, adding turmeric, fresh or dried, then allowing the milk to steep for several minutes as the golden pigment of the turmeric diffuses into the milk
Sometimes a sweetener such as honey or maple syrup is added, plus other spices, as shown in the recipe below
What is turmeric?
Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory spice that helps relieve symptoms of arthritis, and in some cases, is more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs.
It is an antioxidant, supporting growth of new neurons in the brain, potentially protecting against age related cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer’s Disease.
The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has shown promising results in treating depression, heart disease, diabetes, protecting against certain cancers, and supporting overall longevity due to its anti-inflammatory effects
What makes turmeric more absorbable?
The important biological compound in turmeric, curcumin, is fat soluble, so needs to be consumed with fats, like the fat found in milk, coconut oil, or avocado for better absorption. How well you absorb nutrients varies from person to person, and micronutrient and antioxidant testing shows what is actually reaching your cells.
The alkaloid found in black pepper called piperine makes turmeric more absorbable, so add pepper to foods with turmeric, and consider a supplement that also contains piperine if you take turmeric in supplement form
Applying heat, such as in this golden milk recipe, will also increase absorption
Easy Turmeric Golden Milk
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- Optional:
- Pinch ground black pepper
- Pinch dried cinnamon or cinnamon stick
- Pinch dried ginger
- Pinch dried cardamom
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp good maple syrup or honey
Instructions
-
Heat all ingredients in a pot to a low simmer
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Continue to cook on low heat for 5 minutes
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Pour into a cup and enjoy
Recipe Notes
You can substitute any kind of milk you like, such as cow (preferably organic), oat, cashew, soy, or macadamia. The curcumin is best absorbed with fat, so if you use a fat free milk, add a little coconut oil during the cooking process.
