Golden Milk Turmeric Milk For Sleep And Inflammation Wellplated Com

“Get more sleep” always seems to be on my list of resolutions and actions I can take to improve my health. For most of my life, I’ve ignored sleep as a critical component of health. Exercise? Absolutely. Healthy balanced eating? Pour me another Cleansing Apple Avocado Smoothie, please. But sleep? I reasoned that was why God gave us coffee (and Starbucks Mocha Frappuccinos). Lately, I’ve been putting more thought into how I spend the last 90 minutes before I climb into bed. And by “more,” I mean actually thinking about it while sipping on a steaming mug of golden milk. I’d heard a lot about the benefits of golden milk over the years and seen enough golden milk recipes floating around the web to know it was a drink that originated in India and contained turmeric and ginger (the sources of its signature golden hue). However, I didn’t fully understand or appreciate how golden milk can help improve my sleep and health until I decided to get more serious about my zzzzz‘s. Since beginning my quest for better sleep, I can say for sure that one of my favorite new bedtime rituals is making myself a cup of this traditional golden milk. Golden Milk:

Contains ingredients packed with amino acids (like tryptophan), minerals, and other vital compounds scientifically shown to promote more restful sleep.Is rich in immune system-boosting antioxidants which can help fight illness and infection.Contains ingredients known to have anti-inflammatory properties that can ease joint pain and stiffness.Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has been linked to improved brain function and heart health.Golden milk can aid in digestion, calm nausea, and improve overall gut health.

**As always, check with your doctor before turning to golden milk as a remedy or wellness supplement. The above is based on information available online. I’m not a dietician but enjoy reading about health and sharing what I’ve learned.

How to Make Golden Milk

This creamy, comforting tumeric milk recipe is made of ingredients that have been shown to promote a good night’s sleep and reduce inflammation.

The Ingredients

Almonds. Rich in magnesium, which promotes both sleeping and muscle relaxation. This golden milk recipe uses them in the form of almond butter and almond milk (I also use both in this healthy Strawberry Smoothie).

Honey. Allows tryptophan (of Thanksgiving turkey fame) to enter the brain more easily.

Ginger. Calms the stomach and promotes relaxation. Some studies suggest ginger can also help reduce anxiety.Turmeric. Aids digestion and has calming properties, which lead to sounder sleep. If you have aches and pains, golden milk for joints is a popular remedy, as it is anti-inflammatory too. (This Turmeric Smoothie is also lovely for inflammation and digestion.)Cinnamon. Similar to turmeric and ginger, cinnamon also helps with digestion. PLUS it supports healthy sugar metabolism and is a delicious pairing with the other ingredients (like in this Carrot Smoothie).

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container such as a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.To Reheat. Reheat on the stove, stirring to recombine the spices and almond butter.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Saucepan. Invest in a great set of saucepans for all your stovetop cooking needs.Whisk. This slimmed-down size is ideal for stirring.

Pleasant dreams, friends! You may also make golden milk using regular milk if dairy is not a concern for you. Optional Add-ins:

Black Pepper. Studies show that to get the full benefit of turmeric, you should pair it with black pepper which is piperine. Piperine boosts the body’s ability to absorb curcumin, the key compound in turmeric which fights inflammation. (It’s a bit much for me at bedtime, so I usually leave it out. Personal preference!)Ground Cloves, Nutmeg, or Cardamom. Contain additional beneficial antioxidants.Coconut Oil. Improves the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, calcium, and magnesium.Ghee. Adding just a teaspoon of ghee to golden milk is thought to alleviate cold symptoms. Similar to adding honey to tea, ghee coats the throat which can help soothes a sore throat and ease a persistent cough.