Golden Milk...a warming, magical drink!

 

I just returned from 2 days of soaking in the latest Naturopathic information this past weekend. The conference was all about Auto-immune conditions, and there was this undertone of 'Inflammation' being at the heart of many chronic conditions, but also the fact that inflammation is responsible for everything from high cholesterol, chronic fatigue, mood disorders, weak immune systems and so on. Of particular note was the extensive research presented on Curcumin, one of the active ingredients in Turmeric.

You may know Turmeric as the bright yellow spice in Indian cuisine, but Turmeric (or specifically it's active ingredient, Curcumin) is now showing up in almost EVERY anti-inflammatory supplement on the market. It is one of our MOST powerful herbs for decreasing inflammation in arthritis, but also has so many other important properties (similar to some other polyphenols) - decreasing cancer cell growth, heart health, stopping cognitive decline, reducing arterial plaques and the risk of diabetes.

Here's the thing, we don't use it very much in North American cooking, and it can be a pain to take as a supplement, but why not make it into a warming tea? If you like the taste of Chai tea, you will probably like this drink - it's warm and nutty and intense (which may not be for everyone)

Golden Milk has been around for years, but is now gaining popularity as a way to increase the consumption of Turmeric. This specific concoction is great for the kids to strengthen their immune system (the ginger has it's own additional health benefits and increases the body's internal temperature, fighting off infections). The cinnamon has a blood sugar balancing effect.

Here's how I make it (you will find variations of this recipe online, but this one seems to be family-friendly!).



Golden Milk Recipe -2 cups of milk of your choice (almond, or coconut, or whatever you like)
-1 tsp Turmeric powder
-1 tsp Cinnamon
-a few slices of fresh or frozen ginger OR 1/4 tsp powdered ginger
-pinch of Sea Salt
-1/4 tsp of black pepper (black pepper helps with the absorption of Turmeric)
-honey to taste (I use 1/2 tsp for myself but a full tsp for the kids)

Bring the milk and all spices to a boil, then turn off the heat. Let sit 10 min to infuse if you have the time. Add the honey, mix, and then strain into cups. I would drink most of the above recipe on my own, but my kids would split that into 2 servings for themselves. If you find turmeric too bitter, cook it a few minutes before turning the heat off. Drink it warm!! The heat activates the turmeric and makes it more absorbable.