Winter is a time that many people enjoy for skiing, celebrating the holidays, and curling up in reading in front of a fire when it’s cold outside. However, for many people, the short and cold days, longer hours of darkness and the beginning of cold and flu season can mean that their bodies are more vulnerable to infection and illness than at other times of the year. One great way to ward this problem off is a regular cup of hot turmeric milk well-flavored with some of the season’s most beloved spices.
Why Turmeric?
Although it has long been used in the ancient Ayurvedic tradition for many purposes, modern science has just begun to unlock the amazing health benefits that turmeric can bring with it. It has natural antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well as being rich in many vitamins and minerals that people could easily become deficient in due to the modern diet. All of this can mean that turmeric can go a long way to making sure that the body is better able to fight off pathogens and stay healthier overall.
The Specifics
Apart from helping to maintain general health, there are specific things that turmeric can do to keep the body healthy. Firstly, it stimulates the immune system, the body’s own natural defense against invading pathogens that can lead to illness and disease. It has the ability to prevent cancer cells from ever forming and can even help treat cancer if it has developed. It improve circulation to the heart and the brain, supporting cardiac health and reducing the chances of developing chronic conditions like heart disease or dementia. Lastly, it can stimulate healthy liver function, so that this all-important organ is better able to do its job: that is, removing unhealthy toxins from the body and preventing the sort of build-up that can eventually cause disease.
A great home recipe for haldi ka doodh, or hot turmeric milk, is below.
How to Make the Turmeric Milk:
Ingredients :
- 1 cup milk (or almond, soy or coconut milk)
- ½ tsp turmeric
- Honey to taste
- ¼ tsp cardamom
- ¼ tsp ginger
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cloves
- ¼ tsp allspice
Directions
Warm milk on the stovetop (be careful not to let it boil!) then add turmeric slowly, stirring gently until it dissolves. Add honey and spices and warm for a few minutes longer. Enjoy while still warm. Amounts of honey and individual spices can be altered to suit your tastes.
This drink only take a few minutes to make and truly is delicious. Apart from its great taste, however, this turmeric milk can help you stay healthy at a time of year when your body is most vulnerable.
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