I have been finding ways to add turmeric into my daily routine for a while now. With more and more credible information coming out in favor of this super food, I was needing to find creative ways to enjoy it even more. I have stumbled upon golden-milk, and I am loving it!
First, let us talk about the health benefits of turmeric, specifically curcumin. Turmeric comes from the roots of the Curcuma longa plant, a member of the ginger family. Curcumin is the most active ingredient found in turmeric. Because only about 3-4% of the turmeric root holds curcumin, it is hard for us to get its full effect. If you are looking for higher doses of curcumin then you would need to look into curcumin supplements.
Since curcumin has been shown to reduce body inflammation, turmeric has been a top choice in natural medicine for many people that suffer from several types of inflammation. Turmeric has been used for arthritis, heartburn, joint pain, stomach pain, Crohn’s disease, stomach bloating, stomach ulcers, IBS, gallbladder disorder, high cholesterol, and skin inflammation from radiation treatment. It has also been used to help with colds and lung infections, bronchitis, menstrual problems, and most importantly, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
Curcumin sounds like the super food of all super foods, doesn’t it? Well this super food needs a little help to do its job properly. Knowing how your body absorbs certain nutrients is very important. Curcumin is poorly absorbed into the blood stream when left to its own devises. However, studies have found that piperine, found in black pepper, enhances curcumin’s bioavailability by 1,000 times. Also, curcumin is fat soluble (this is why we add coconut oil to our tea) which means without fat, the most important ingredient, curcumin, will have difficulty traveling though the stomach, into the small intestines and into the blood, where it achieves its effectiveness.
So let’s make some tea!
Ingredients:
-1 cup organic almond milk- Read my blog to learn how to make your own fresh organic almond milk. You can use organic coconut milk too.
-1/2 tsp. organic ground turmeric (I really love this brand)
-1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp. organic raw honey (optional, especially if you sweetened your almond milk with honey)
1/2 tsp. organic extra virgin coconut oil
Dash of vanilla
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
You can make this two different ways. You can mix all ingredients in a sauce pan until warmed or you can make a turmeric paste first (which can be stored in the fridge for weeks) and add it to your warm milk whenever you want your tea.
To make paste:
1/4 cup turmeric powder
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/2 cup distilled water
Place all ingredients in a small sauce pan and mix well. Turn the heat to medium and stir constantly until the mixture is a thick paste. This will happen quickly so do not walk away from the pan. After the paste has cooled completely, pour it into a glass jar and store in the fridge. When you are ready to make tea, heat your milk, oil, vanilla, honey and add 1/2 tsp. of the paste. Top it off with the cinnamon. You may need to stir while you are drinking to avoid a strong turmeric gulp at the end. A cinnamon stick added in place of the cinnamon can help with this.
You will love this powerhouse drink, especially in the evening. One of the blessings of naturopathy is finding a way to bring healing into our lives within our daily habits. By learning how and when to eat certain foods, we can have a profound impact on our health. Remember, curcumin is a strong anti-inflammatory so turn to your turmeric next time your body is screaming at you and let’s see what it can do for you!
I am in love with one other tea. I drink it hot and cold all day long. If you love turmeric/ginger, then you have got to try this tea. Turmeric/Ginger Tea. It’s not the powerhouse tea like the golden milk tea is, but it is wonderful tasting!!
Happy “tea” time!
Sources:
- http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-662-turmeric.aspx?activeingredientid=662
- https://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric/
- http://naturalsociety.com/turmeric-absorption-super-benefits-black-pepper/
Disclaimer
All material on this website is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.
