“Thousands of years before modern medicine provided scientific evidence for the mind-body connection, the sages of India developed Ayurveda, which continues to be one of the world’s most sophisticated and powerful mind-body health systems.
More than a mere system of treating illness, Ayurveda is a science of life (Ayur = life, Veda = science or knowledge). It offers a body of wisdom designed to help people stay vibrant and healthy while realizing their full human potential.”
One of the many things I love about Ayurveda is how the suggested foods have so much more to them than just the concept of food as medicine. They are full of food and food combinations that have potent nourishing effects on the emotions and the soul.
One example is our favorite Indian drink, Golden Milk. A milky, spicy, rich, and warm drink that can calm the nervous system while nourishing the thyroid and the adrenals, leading to a sense of emotional well-being. This drink is also a superstar inflammation eliminator, as well as a gentle liver cleanser, a digestive enhancer, a blood sugar balancer, and a heart-healthy, soul-soothing sidekick.
You can drink it hot or cold, depending on the season or your preference.
While Golden Milk has been revered in India for millennia, turmeric tea has been coveted amongst the Okinawans, some of the longest living people in the world, for hundreds of years.
According to the UN, the Japanese have a few tricks up their sleeve when it comes to living beyond 100 (and living well!). They have the greatest proportion of centenarians in the world (people who live to be 100 or over) – and much of that is because of their diet.
The Okinawans in Japan, who routinely measure 25 years younger than their chronological age on a cellular level, attribute their longevity and quality of life into old age with the primary anti-inflammatory compound in turmeric called curcumin.
Here are some benefits according to our friend, the Wellness Mama:
“Curcumin is a compound well-studied for it's health benefits. Turmeric contains up to 3% curcumin by weight.
Curcumin is believed to halt an enzyme that may be responsible for turning environmental toxins into carcinogens in the body. (This is one reason turmeric has long been a folk remedy for helping protect the body from the effects of smoking or chewing tobacco.)
Curcumin may also improve digestion of fats and sugars and help alleviate inflammation in the digestive system. It is even used in the mouth to help alleviate gum problems!”
We first shared our TWJ version of Golden Milk with our tribe during our Seven-Day (mostly) Raw Food and Juice Cleanse, Juice Journey, last spring. Everyone loved it. It was the perfect evening cleansing drink to help them sleep deeper and longer and allow the deep rest and cleansing their bodies and liver needed.
Here’s the recipe:
These spices all work together synergistically to help slash inflammation while calming and nourishing the nervous system to prepare you for deeper sleep.
Black pepper allows for 300% greater absorption of the nutrients of turmeric, while powdered ginger is clinically proven to be 10K times more effective than chemotherapy at killing cancer stem cells. Ceylon Cinnamon balances blood sugar; coconut oil supplies fat to the thyroid for deeper sleep, and the combination of raw honey and sea salt have a calming effect on the brain.
If you prefer not to go through the trouble of making your own Golden Milk, we also love the mix from Gaia Herbs that comes with adrenal and thyroid Indian adaptogen Ashwagandha.
Happy Healing!
References
http://www.chopra.com/articles/what-is-ayurveda#sm.006julb111pifbs117k18jgnzrkcc
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centenarian#Centenarian_populations_by_country
https://wellnessmama.com/223/turmeric-tea-recipe/
https://thewholejourney.com/ginger-is-stronger-than-chemotherapy-for-cancer/
I’ll just put my 2 cents in….Honey should NEVER be heated…it turns into a sugar when heated and all the benefits are lost…Honey should be used as an addition to an item after its cooled down…never cook with honey or add honey to hot tea…
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that’s the facts.
Doesn’t the Gaia product have maltodextrin, and why is that ok? Thanks!
Thank you! Can use regular milk instead of nut milk due to nut allergies.
If you are sensitive to nut milks then cow’s milk can be used as an alternative. If you can find raw milk from a trusted source that would increase the nutritional value. Here’s a link to our blog on the benefits of raw milk if you’re curious to learn why https://thewholejourney.com/using-raw-milk-for-digestive-and-immune-healing-video/.
This looks delicious! Does Saigon cinnamon have these beneficial properties as well?
Hi Kendra! Although Saigon cinnamon is aromatic and flavorful, it doesn’t contain the same healing compound, eugenol, that Ceylon cinnamon has.
Thank you! So good to know. I also wonder if the honey in the mixture is necessary or if I use stevia / non-sweetened if the benefits will be the same? I cannot tolerate much sugar right now.
No worries to leave out the honey, Kendra. You can substitute with stevia or omit sweeteners all together and still receive the healing benefits of the golden milk.
How often do you drink this?
Hi Joanna, We like sipping on this in the evening before bed as a relaxing way to end our day.
Would it be beneficial to use tumeric root and ginger root as opposed to powders?
Hi Laura! For this recipe ground spices work best.
I’m a bit confused about the powdered ginger vs fresh ginger info. I love fresh ginger and use it along with fresh turmeric in the ginger/turmeric lemonade recipe. Are you saying that powder is more beneficial and fresh isn’t necessary? Thanks for your clarification on this.
Hi Mary! For this particular recipe the powdered versions work best and still maintain the health benefits of using them fresh.
Can you use Ginger, Cinnamon (or perhaps Cassia?), and Black Pepper certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils rather than these same ingredients in their dried form? If so, how many drops of each oil should be used?
Great question, Lorraine! We haven’t tried this, but we do know essential oils are far more potent than spices so you may want to check with the manufacturer of the oils to see if they have some suggestions or conversion charts you could use.
I believe the Ayuervedic guidance is to only gently warm honey (and certainly no boiling) because high heat breaks it down and it’s no longer healthy. Golden milk is wonderful and delicious, I would recommend adding the honey last, when the drink has cooled off a bit. (My Ayuervedic source is Dr. Nancy Lonsdorf)
Hi Elsa! Thank you for your comment. You’re correct and we agree. We will be updating the recipe based on your input and suggestions. We appreciate you 🙂
Is this safe for kids, 4 & 6 years old? What about for nursing moms?
Hi Jeanette, Our Golden Milk recipe is safe for both children 2 and up and nursing moms as long as they aren’t allergic to any of the ingredients.
I’m wondering if this would help with morning swelling? I never got puffy until now, I did an intense cleanse and am now occasionally taking clay and DE, nano glutathyone, & probiotics etc to do more for my joints and digestion (consistent freq loose stool). Months in, I’m swollen in the morning, I only use a small amount turmeric because it can easily become too much, and I bruise easily. Same with GSE. I am getting more stable joints but I’m exhausted and the most excercise I tolerate is minimal yoga. I used to be very active so I’m working on patients with the process.
Hi Amy, As long as you don’t have a true sensitivity to turmeric then this could help but it really depends on what is causing the swelling. It’s definitely a relaxing, night time ritual that tastes delicious.
So glad you show how easy it is to make from scratch! And, from things already in my cabinet. I use fresh ginger a bit but didn’t realize the dried version could offer different positive benefits! Think I’ll mix up a batch to store to make it even easier. Thanks!!
Thanks, Mary!
I’m interested in your comments under “Options”. Does coconut oil interfere with sleeping or elimination? That’s the first I’ve heard of that.
Hi Nancy! We haven’t seen any research that supports reports that coconut oil interferes with sleeping or elimination. We find it to have quite the opposite effect.
Then wondering why the recipe instructions call for substituting ghee for coconut oil if you have trouble with either of those symptoms…. ?
Do you recommend a certain brand of spices?
Hi Dede! We like Spicely brand organic spices. Here’s the link http://www.thewholejourney.com/cb-Spicely.
why would you recommend a product with maltodextrin in it?
Hi Annie, The maltodextrin in this product is organic and non-gmo stabilizer and we trust Gaia herbs quality and sourcing so the decision to share this product was carefully made.