I love turmeric milk and often recommend it to my clients especially since I always start with a focus on gut health. What’s interesting is that 90% of all cells and genetic material are in your gut and 80% of your immune system is in your gut. Many of your hormones are manufactured in your gut, for example; serotonin which affects your mood. Digestion happens in your gut as does absorption of nutrients which provide your body with the nutrients it needs to work properly! So needless to say, a focus on gut health is always important. This is where turmeric comes in.
Turmeric is anti-inflammatory. It soothes inflammation by reducing levels of histamine in the body (a chemical released as part of the immune response). By reducing intestinal inflammation, curcumin (turmeric’s main active ingredient) helps to heal leaky gut syndrome. Also, turmeric stimulates bile production. In order to benefit from its health benefits, you’ll need to consume 1/2 tsp to 1.5 tsps daily.
Also, what you might not know about turmeric is that you can use it as a facial cleanser, to brighten your teeth and to color Easter eggs or use in cake recipes as a natural dye.
Now let’s look at three ways to make turmeric milk. I normally recommend that my clients prepare their turmeric milk as they’re making supper and drink it after supper’s dirty dishes have been picked up. This way is an easy way to ensure that they have it everyday.
| TURMERIC MILK & TURMERIC HOT CHOCOLATE |
| Ingredients: 1-2 servings 2-4 cups of coconut milk or water or half/half 1 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground ginger honey or maple syrup to taste *** If you use water only, add 1 tbsp coconut oil ** 1/4 cup of cacao powder if you’d like hot chocolate Directions: Add all ingredients, except honey, in small pot over stove top and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, then serve. *** Make it Hot Chocolate Turmeric Milk by adding 1-2 tbsps. to 1/4 cup of cacao powder. |
| TURMERIC CHAI TEA & LATTE |
| Ingredients: 1-2 servings 2-4 cups of coconut milk or water or half/half 1 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground ginger 3 whole cardamom pods crushed 1/8 tsp ground cloves 1 star anise honey or maple syrup to taste *** If you use water only, add 1 tablespoon coconut oil Directions: Add ingredients, except honey, to pot over stove top, stir and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, remove cardamom pods and star anise and serve. ** To omit sugar, after removing off stovetop, remove cardamom pods and star anise and add 2-3 dates. Transfer to blender and blend until smooth and serve. ** LATTE RECIPE: Same as above but after simmering for 10 minutes, remove cardamom pods and star anise, transfer to a blender and blend for a minute. If adding dates, blend a little longer. Serve and enjoy. |
