Countless attributes are ascribed to the legendary Golden Milk and its healing properties. It is called a wonder remedy, an Ayurvedic magic potion, praised for its success with inflammation, immune weakness, liver complaints, and it is said to help with weight loss and lift your mood. As an Ayurveda practitioner, I took a closer look at the ingredients and discovered that there is indeed something to the effectiveness of Golden Milk.
The Most Important at a Glance
How to Prepare Golden Milk
What You Need
- 1 tbsp turmeric (fresh is also great!)
- ½ tsp ground ginger or 2 cm freshly grated ginger
- 2 pinches freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground or freshly ground cardamom
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp ground Ceylon cinnamon
- 3 threads of saffron
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 120 ml still water
Step by Step
- Whisk all ingredients together in water with a whisk.
- Simmer slowly until a smooth paste forms.
- The paste can be poured into a glass and stored in the refrigerator for about 7 days.
Recipe for a Glass of Golden Milk
Dissolve 1 heaping tsp of the finished paste in 2 tbsp warm water. Add 200 ml milk or a milk alternative drink, whisk together and simmer everything for about 5 minutes. Sweeten with a little coconut blossom sugar as needed and to taste.
The Ingredients of Golden Milk
Considered individually, each ingredient offers a multitude of properties and healing effects that have long been known in Ayurvedic medicine and are used in many formulations.
Turmeric
- Turmeric, the golden root, is the most important ingredient and is responsible for the golden color of the drink. This root, which is related to ginger, contains the powerful compound curcumin, which is used as an anti-inflammatory agent for many diseases.
- Turmeric stimulates liver activity and bile flow, thus promoting a "good gut feeling".
- The immunomodulating properties of the golden root are especially beneficial in winter to keep colds, cough and hoarseness at bay.
Black Pepper
- Its active ingredient piperine makes it a true powerhouse. The piperine supports the bioavailability of turmeric's active ingredients, thereby improving absorption in the body.
- Pepper stimulates Agni, the digestive fire, cleanses the srotas, the body's transport channels, and has a fat-reducing effect.
- For colds, cough and loss of voice, it acts in a soothing and mucus-dissolving manner.
Ginger
- Like turmeric, ginger is a root that packs a punch. Its antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and blood-cleansing effects in particular make it a popular remedy for all colds.
- In the digestive tract, it stimulates Agni and has carminative properties, meaning it helps prevent bloating.
- When traveling, especially at sea, it is valued for nausea and motion sickness.
Cardamom
- In addition to its fine, aromatic flavor, cardamom balances the heat of the other spices with its cooling effect and thus complements the recipe in a harmonious way.
- Cardamom is a fine spice that stimulates digestive enzymes.
Cinnamon
- Like the spices described above, cinnamon shines with both flavor and effect.
- In addition to stimulating Agni and its associated anti-bloating effect, it is used in many Ayurvedic formulations against flu and mucus buildup.
- Its circulation-promoting, warming properties ease heart weakness and circulatory disorders, including erectile dysfunction.
Nutmeg
- Freshly grated nutmeg is used in small quantities because when overdosed, like saffron, it has a narcotic effect.
- In low doses, it is a wonderful remedy for nausea, diarrhea and digestive disorders.
- Its calming property also makes Golden Milk a fine sleep milk.
Saffron
- A truly royal spice, for due to its high price it was long reserved only for the rulers of this world.
- In Ayurveda it is considered a sukra-rasayana, an aphrodisiac.
- The benefit of saffron lies in strengthening both body and mind.
Coconut Oil
- In contrast to many other oils, the thermal effect of coconut oil is cooling. This makes it balancing for the warming cow's milk.
- It likewise has a balancing effect on all burning symptoms of the body, such as hot flashes, heartburn, and inflammation of the urinary tract.
Cow's Milk
- In Ayurveda, milk is considered a Rasayana; it is nourishing and building and rich in vitamins A, B2 and B12.
- The quality of the milk used is important. Premium milk is the best commercially available milk, now that freshly milked, cow-warm milk is no longer available. It is neither homogenized nor pasteurized.
- Milk should never be drunk cold straight from the refrigerator, but should always be warmed slightly.
- Most complaints have their origin in an unbalanced diet and lifestyle, not in milk.
Milk Alternatives
- If you prefer not to drink animal milk, you can use a good grain or nut milk. The spice blend tastes particularly fine with rice-coconut-almond milk or pure cashew or macadamia milk.
Conclusion
It's true, this Golden Milk is a little wonder drink, and it also tastes exceptionally delicious. What more could you want?
