The Golden Milk

The bright yellow turmeric drink “Golden Milk” is said to have healing effects and if you have a pain disease like me, or other health issues, you often find yourself desperately looking for magical potions or a miracle cure nobody else before you has thought of.

I wasn’t desperate, but I needed to find something else to drink in the morning besides coffee or tea. I had just committed to a 90-day elimination lifestyle, which I never wanted to do BUT a friend of mine talked me into it. “What if it would help you but you never try?”

She had a point. She had watched me struggle with RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) right after I got diagnosed and she had witnessed some of the changes in my body, my mind, and my health.

I am still very lucky, I am not close to where others are. My pain level is a bearable gnawing rather than a deliberating force, yet it sometimes feels like a dripping water faucet. It’s like a slow grinding, it can wear you thin.

I don’t need strong painkillers but something to take the edge off.

Golden Milk? Why not, I already took a turmeric-black pepper supplement twice a day already, so the Golden Milk did not scare me.

The Golden Milk or “Turmeric Latte” is vegan and consists of vegan milk, turmeric, ginger, and some other ingredients. Not only was it supposed to taste wonderful and warm the body, but it was also said to be very healthy.

I had not much to lose but a lot to gain, so I gave it a try.

First I read up on it. Golden milk has been considered a healing, stimulating, and cleansing drink in Ayurvedic teachings for centuries. Turmeric or Goldenseal is valued in Indian and Chinese medicine as a versatile remedy. In combination with the other ingredients, the milk unfolds its full effect. However, this has not been scientifically proven, but neither has my grandma’s homemade cough remedy, yet it’s still the only one I trust when I get a cold. The positive effects of turmeric are known by many who deal with daily pain. People with arthritis swear by it, as do people with other chronic pain diseases.

The following is said to apply to the golden milk:

• Golden milk has an anti-inflammatory effect and protects against diseases of the joints. It is even said to be able to alleviate symptoms caused by chronic inflammation such as osteoarthritis.
• In addition, turmeric milk strengthens the immune system and prevents various diseases. This is especially important during the cold season.
• The drink has a strong antioxidant effect and therefore prevents premature aging of the skin.
• Golden milk stimulates liver function and helps the body digest it.
• Turmeric milk is also said to have a long-term physical and mental stimulating effect. It is said to protect against Alzheimer’s and help with sleep disorders.

For the preparation of turmeric milk, use high-quality ingredients in organic quality and plant-based milk without additives. I use plain coconut milk.

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For a glass of Golden Milk, you need the following ingredients:

• 300 ml plant-based milk (Coconut or Nutmilks)
• A piece of turmeric (about 2 to 3 cm in size) or a tablespoon of turmeric powder
• A piece of ginger (about 2 cm in size, the more you use, the hotter the drink will be)
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp coconut oil
• A pinch of freshly ground nutmeg (It’s optional I can’t stand it) You can use cinnamon
• Dates or 1 tsp agave syrup for sweetening

I use a good organic turmeric powder and fresh ginger and sweeten it with a little bit of raw honey.

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Put the ingredients in a blender and blend until you get a fine consistency.
If the consistency is not fine enough, pass the turmeric milk through a fine sieve.

If you want to preserve as many nutrients as possible and prefer cold Golden Milk, your drink is now ready. If you prefer to drink the milk warm, put the milk in a saucepan and bring it to a short boil.
Turn the heat on low and let the golden milk simmer for two minutes.

If you like it fancy, you can then froth the turmeric with a milk frother. It might sound silly, but I have now learned that when you want to stick to a disciplined lifestyle, and you have to cut out certain foods and you let go of a lot of things you enjoyed for many years, it helps to get a bit fancy.

Set the table nice, even if it’s only for you in the morning. Arrange the food nicely, turn off all distractions, and eat and drink mindfully. Enjoy not just what you eat, but also how it makes you feel, and by all means.