Golden Turmeric Milk – Immunity Boosting Ayurvedic Drink

Posted on by Anushruti

I have been having turmeric milk for many years now. My previous post on Turmeric milk was written in 2016 which gives a general overview of the health benefits of turmeric in general and turmeric milk in particular, but considering the present COVID-19 pandemic and the questions I have been getting on my social media channels, I thought I should write about it again. Also, I wanted to share with you all the many ways in which I have been having turmeric milk which only further justified another post for the same.

Turmeric and Immunity

Immunity is our body's natural ability to protect itself from diseases caused by bacteria and virus. Studies show that turmeric plays a major role in building the immunity of the body. Consuming turmeric through food is one of the most natural ways to build immunity of the body. Many studies have also shown that turmeric reduces free radicals in the body and also stimulates the body's enzymes to build immunity and lead to overall well being.

Turmeric – Health Benefits

All the research that has been done in the west has reiterated what the ancient Indian civilisation knew all along-that turmeric contains compounds with a host of medicinal properties. Curcumin, the main active component in turmeric has powerful antioxidant, anti inflammatory, antiageing, antiseptic and antibiotic properties. Consumption of turmeric is also known to improve brain functions, lower risk of heart disease and treat and prevent diseases like arthirtis, cancer and alzheimers disease. Turmeric is also known to improve mind related disorders like depression and anxiety.

Turmeric – Beauty Benefits

Including turmeric in your diet leads to good skin health, good hair and since it has antiageing properties it fights free radicals that lead to ageing improving ones overall physical and mental health.

The best way to include turmeric is by cooking with turmeric powder and having turmeric milk. Certain studies show that pepper enhances the absorption of curcumin, the bio active component of turmeric in the body. Indian recipes are hundreds of years old and these recipes have been tried, tested and perfected by our ancestors since time immemorial. Recipes like dals, curries, many rice and vegetable dishes have turmeric in it and it is one of the best ways to have turmeric. Having turmeric milk at night is also one of the best ways to enjoy the many benefits of the golden spice turmeric.

Throughout the year, through all the seasons, the one constant ritual for me is my cup of turmeric milk in the night. I make slight variations with the change in seasons like adding a pinch of ginger powder along with turmeric and cardamom powder during the winter season or adding spices like nutmeg powder along with the turmeric when there are seasonal changes. Nutmeg is a very powerful spice that helps to fight off infections and when had in the night along with the turmeric, it gives a good night's rest. Adding a few sabja seeds or basil seeds to the turmeric milk also makes for a very satisfying drink during the summer as these seeds have cooling properties.

Having hot turmeric milk at night is soothing to the senses and has restorative and rejuvenating properties. My night cap of turmeric milk marks, followed by a round of mantra meditation marks a perfect end to my day and takes care of my body, mind and soul.

FAQs on Turmeric Milk

What is the best time to have turmeric milk?

Turmeric milk is best had at bed time, ideally 1 ½ to 2 hours after dinner. This means that if you plan to have turmeric milk at night, you should have an early dinner. Turmeric milk should ideally be had at or before 10 pm in the night.

What milk should I use?

Organic raw cow milk made from Indian breed cow or A2 milk is best to make turmeric milk. If you cannot source this kind of milk, try and get raw milk from any dairy nearby.

What kind of turmeric powder to use?

Make sure you use pure turmeric which is unadulterated and without any artificial colour in it.

What spices can be used with turmeric milk?

Alongwith turmeric milk you can add spices like cardamom, nutmeg, saffron, cinnamon or pepper.

What can I substitute milk with if I don't like milk or if I'm lactose intolerant?

Generally, A2 milk boiled with turmeric is well tolerated by everyone. If you do not wish to have turmeric milk, have it with a glass of buttermilk in the afternoon. Buttermilk and curd or yogurt are best avoided at night as per ayurvedic principles.

I'm a vegan, how can I have turmeric milk?

Nut milks with turmeric do not give the same result as cow milk. However, coconut milk can be had with turmeric by heating it up a little, although this cannot be had everyday! If you are a vegan, include turmeric in your food in whatever recipes you can.

Can I have turmeric milk everyday?

Yes, turmeric milk can be had everyday, throughout the year. Based on the season, you can add spices and sweeten accordingly. Adding ginger powder to your turmeric milk during winter, nutmeg powder when the season changes and cardamom powder to flavour it through the year is very good for the senses and overall health of the body!

What sweetener do I add to my turmeric milk?

The combination of turmeric, milk and jaggery is a powerful drink filled with healthful properties. In the summer you can add raw sugar. Adding a sweetener like jaggery or sugar enhances the taste and digestive properties of this milk.

What should be the temperature of turmeric milk?

Turmeric milk is best had hot as this has a cleansing effect on the body and as per ayurveda also nourishes the cells in the brain.

Will having milk at night, lead to weight gain?

On the contrary, having turmeric milk is known to stabilise weight since it improves the metabolic and overall functioning of the body. So go ahead and enjoy your cup of turmeric milk at night without any guilt.

Golden Turmeric Milk – Immunity Boosting Ayurvedic Drink Recipe

Soothing, rejuvenating and restorative drink with turmeric and spices

Ingredients:

250 ml ( 1 cup) milk

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

3 to 4 strands of saffron

1 cardamom, shelled and the seeds powdered (see notes for variations)

2 tsp jaggery or raw sugar to taste*

Method:

  1. In a saucepan, heat the milk along with the turmeric powder and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and add the optional spices and sweetener.
  2. *A lot of people use honey with turmeric milk. According to Ayurveda, if honey is heated it produces toxins in the body. If you prefer to sweeten your turmeric milk, then jaggery powder or raw sugar is your best choice.

Notes:

  • Add jaggery or raw sugar or a mix of both to sweeten your turmeric milk.
  • Cardamom gives a very nice flavour to the drink.
  • Saffron enhances the immune system of the body and adds to the taste and flavour of the drink. Saffron also balances the hormones in the body.
  • Nutmeg powder (a pinch)  can be used instead of cardamom powder as a variation and during seasonal changes to fight off infections.
  • If you like cinnamon powder, you can add a pinch of cinnamon powder to your turmeric milk.
  • If you dont have dry ginger powder, you can add a slice of fresh ginger while boiling the milk with turmeric in the winter or when one has to ward off a cold.

Serves one. Best had hot or warm.

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46 thoughts on “Golden Turmeric Milk – Immunity Boosting Ayurvedic Drink”

  1. Namaste Hare Krishna ,i have seen ypu as a teenager ,very sensible, excellent manners respecting elders,you've metamorphosed into Sri Annapurneshswari of this period and put Healtyhy Vegeterian and above all authentic ancient food in our culture.Rare to find such an wonderful person ,caring about society 's health at large .Recipes are very simple to follow and cook
    You are blessed by Lord Sri Krishna and your parents. Wish you every success in all your ventures. Stay blessed

  2. I am having turmeric milk every day at bed time without adding any spices or sweetener.
    Pl advice. I am 70 yr male.L

  3. How do you know all this? Are you MBBS or a scientist? If turmeric milk is rejuvenating how can we sleep properly in night? Hahaha
    You just write anything without any proper evidence. NOT ACCEPTABLE.

  4. Please understand the following : 1. Turmeric is good as it heals the inflammation. Any illness will start with inflammation. But the most important compound that gives the benefit is Curcumin in turmeric. Most of the turmeric varieties contain only 2/3 percent of Curcumin
    Varieties like lakodong ,Pritam etc said to have contain 8 to 9 percent of Curcumin. 2. Curcumin dissolves in fat . So use it either with oil ,butter ,cheese etc. 3. Black pepper contains a compound called pepparin which enhances the intestinal obsidption capacity by 2000 percent ,according to international journal paper. 4. Tulasi / basil is a wonderful and most effective immunotherapy herb. Keep some basil ( any variety ) leaves including stems ,flowers etc in boiled water and keep the lid and take water after some time. It improves immune system in such a way one will not get cold ,cough or lung infections. 5. Take pan ( betel ) leaf with very very little quantity of pachcha karpuram ,entire flam or any infection in wind pipe / bronchus will be cleared.Even it works in wheezing and asthma.

  6. Hello,

    I enjoyed reading your article on golden turmeric milk. You mention that, "Nut milks with turmeric do not give the same result as cow milk." I drink almond milk when I drink milk, it's my preference. What happens when combined with turmeric? Would I get no benefit from it? If I did get benefit from it, what would be your advice/instructions on having it?

    Thank you.

  9. Hi Anushruti, thank you for the recipes and advices on turmic, very helpful. I use turmeric and honey in the morning before breakfast. My friend brought me turmic powder from Nepal but I don't know where to buy pure turmic powder in London because I don't trust the one they sell in our supermarkets. Thank you

  10. That's wonderful and thank-you for sharing all this. I have being taking turmeric by adding in my meals, juice and sometimes milk when I have it.

  14. You can continue to have the turmeric milk as you have been having and if you like you can also add a little jaggery or sugar to it.

  16. Hi Enrique,

    Happy to know you enjoyed reading this article. Turmeric when combined with pure cow milk has very good effects on the body. If you don’t have cow milk but still want the benefits of turmeric, try incorporating it into your diet by including it in your food and cooking by adding it in soups, rice, curries and other dishes. You can also have turmeric with a spoon of honey or if you are a vegan try having it with jaggery.

  17. Isel: There are varying reports concerning this. I personally feel the bio availability of turmeric increases when it’s combined with food particularly milk and it is assimilated better by the body!

  18. Hi Carina,

    Good to know you are already using turmeric. I’m sure you will find good quality turmeric powder in London too. It’s better to buy what is available locally than to go without it.

  20. Can we add all spices with turmeric while boiling? Is it right to add jaggery as well at same time, I mean while boiling??

  22. My mother just use to just add turmeric in milk and serve as a medicine, but this recipe of adding spices and sweetener makes it more enjoyable. Thank you for sharing this.

  23. It is learnt from some friends that milk is not good for Asthmatic patient. Since i learnt it I left drinking milk from about last 6 months. But what is the truth about it has not been verfied and confirmed. I request for the clarification on this from some learned and experienced brother/sister.

  24. You're recipe didn't include black pepper. I want the anti inflammatory properties for pain. How much pepper is needed? Equal to amt of turmeric?

  26. Thank you
    I started having turmeric milk since 3 weeks and I’m loving it ,but I have a question for you: do you have to boil the milk.

  27. Ths looks amazing! All these recipes and methods that our grandmoms followed are now the best way it looks like!
    Great pics Anu.

  28. I love your recipe on millet; l have practiced it and l am enjoying it.
    God bless your Intuition with more inspiration to a blessing to our World.

  30. Turmeric is the essential ingredient to creating immunity in your body. Turmeric milk helps improves brain function, reduces the risk of heart disease, and also protects you from many diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and many more.

  32. Thank you for the very informative article about turmeric milk. If I don’t want to add any sweetener to my turmeric milk do I miss out on some of the benefits of this milk? Also could you please share if this milk is beneficial for diabetics. Thank you.
    Sharda

  33. Hello Anushruti, I am curious about the mantra meditation. Would you mind shedding some light on this please? Thank you for this special recipe :-).

  34. Household items stores near me 24 Seven Store near you offers varieties of household items products like cotton bath, soap, shampoo, shaving cream, tissues, toothpaste towels, toilet paper, mouthwash, hand sanitizer, mask, and shower gel. We offer convenient and seamless household items shopping

  37. You will not miss out on any benefits by not adding a sweetener. Adding a little sweetener just makes it taste more heavenly but you can totally leave it out.

  42. Asthma is a kapha related disease and its good to avoid all dairy products when kapha is aggravated. You can take treatment for the same and once cured, you can introduce dairy back into your diet.

  46. I'm not an MBBS but I am a certified nutritionist and also have a lineage in the age old tradition of Ayurveda. The benefits of turmeric are found in many peer reviewed scientific journals as well, if you care to read. My writing is always experience and evidence based and I'm sorry if its not acceptable to you Mr Bhupi. Also, turmeric milk induces good sleep due to which one feels rejuvenated. Maybe you would like to try it before reaching conclusions.

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