With just a few ingredients, you can make a warm, gently spiced bedtime drink that will also provide antioxidant benefits from the key ingredient, tumeric.
Tumeric, also known as Golden Spice, is a principle healing herb in Ayurveda dating back 4000 years. It's a root in the same family as Ginger, and it is traditionally prepared by harvesting, boiling in a specific way and drying in the sun, before pounding into powder.
In Ayurveda, tumeric is considered balancing to all body-mind types, or doshas. More recently researchers have confirmed that tumeric has strong antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. It is protective for the liver, skin and joints. It helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It is especially helpful for irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive conditions.
There are many ways to use tumeric. It is available in capsule form, but I prefer to use in food. Traditionally, tumeric is consumed regularly to gain health benefits.
One of the most delicious ways to enjoy tumeric is in warm milk. Traditionally Ayurveda uses cows milk, however I used almond millk in this recipe. You can get powdered tumeric root in the spice section of your grocery store, or an herb shop.
TUMERIC MILK
To make this potent yet delicious drink you'll need:
1 cup almond, coconut, dairy or other milk
1/2 tsp tumeric root powder
1/8 tsp ginger root powder or 1/2 inch ginger cut in thin slices.
1 pinch cardamom powder
1 pinch cinnamon powder
Raw honey to taste
** Use organic when possible
Bring mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir or whisk to combine. After a few minutes, or when the mixture thickens, remove from heat. Add honey to taste (do not boil the honey as it alters the health-giving properties).
Enjoy!