Like many busy individuals who juggle multiple responsibilities, I often find it difficult to quiet my mind when I go to bed. Even after keeping all electronic devices out of the bedroom, my mind continues working on solving problems or developing new ideas. I want to share a nourishing drink that’s becoming popular as a bedtime drink to relax and fall asleep. I drink it occasionally to help calm my mind and clear my thoughts.
Golden milk has been a traditional medicine in India’s Ayurveda for centuries. The ingredients in the mixture are believed to support physical, mental, and emotional vitality. This comforting and soothing mixture, a popular bedtime drink in India, is becoming popular in the States, especially for those wanting to benefit from its health properties, which sustain the body and help promote sleep.
After trying various recipes found online, I created my own based on my personal taste while keeping most of the commonly used nutritious benefits for the body and mind.
Cardamon has many benefits, including lowering blood pressure, regulating blood sugar levels, helping with inflammation, and protecting your cells against oxidative stress by helping the body find a balance between radicals and antioxidants that can lead to diseases.
Ginger has many benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties, lowered blood sugar, and helping with pain and digestion.
Turmeric has properties that protect against heart disease, cancer, memory, and overall brain health.
Peppercorn helps with digestion, weight management, and managing blood pressure levels, and is known to prevent and fight cancers, diabetes, and bacteria.
Nutmeg can relieve pain, help with indigestion, improve cognitive function, and help to detoxify the body.
Although not spices, honey and coconut milk contain ingredients that can help quiet the mind, help with insomnia, strengthen the immune system, help prevent leukemia, and improve blood circulation.
Honey contains tryptophan, a hormone that helps the body by sending signals to the brain. It also has shown evidence of having antidepressant properties, helping with anxiety, and helping prevent anxiety disorders.
Coconut oil contains a fatty acid known to help people get a restful sleep.
I want to note that spices in golden milk have many benefits as long as no underlying health issues exist. If you’re unsure about taking these spices, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, check with your doctor.
I hope you enjoy the recipe as much as I do.
Ingredients
1 cup of milk (choose your favorite—unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, oat, or 1% dairy)
2 cardamom pods
1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric
3 whole peppercorns
1 cinnamon stick broken in half
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
1 teaspoon of organic honey
1 teaspoon of coconut oil
Directions
- Combine one teaspoon of coconut oil and the spices in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat for 2-3 minutes, gently stirring until you can smell the warm aroma.
- Add 1 cup of milk to the mixture in the saucepan and heat over medium-low until very hot without allowing it to boil.
- Use a colander to strain the solids from the mixture.
- Pour the golden drink into your favorite mug, stir in 1 teaspoon of honey, sit back, inhale, and slowly sip.
Click below to read more about ways to get a better night’s sleep and why it’s essential for the brain.
If You Want To Maintain a Healthy Brain As You Age, There Are Six Habits You Should Begin Doing This Evening
Try a cup of golden milk, and let me know what you think. Here’s to a sound and nourishing good night’s sleep!