It is a well known fact in Indian households that turmeric milk is a quick fix for many health issues. Growing up every time I had the flu I was given turmeric milk and I drank without giving it much thought, except it worked. Years later I started taking note of it and began drinking turmeric milk on a regular basis. Perhaps our mothers and grand mothers really did know it was the best. Turmeric itself has also been known to be a healing spice from centuries and since then, its relevance has only exceeded. We call turmeric milk, ‘haldi doodh’ in Hindi and non-Indians popularly refer to it as golden milk for its anti inflammatory, anti viral and anti fungal properties. The Coffee shops sell it as “Turmeric Latte”.
This is a re-post of 2012 post. A video on you tube is added and the post is altered slightly but the recipe remains the same.
Turmeric milk is a natural and simple home remedy to immune against the common cold, cough, congestion and for general good health. It acts as a blood purifier and helps your body get rid of hormonal, digestive, kidney, liver, and respiratory problems. Although there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support its cure but the benefits are very promising. As we age many of our problems are a result of inflammation. I drink turmeric milk, not that I suffer from any illness or have joint pain or swelling but it benefits when you do exercise or spend hours in front of your computer. It is good for decreasing any kind of inside swelling and pain plus it tastes delicious, too.
There are two ways to make turmeric milk. Most people would simply add turmeric to the warm milk but I make by adding turmeric paste just as my mother did. It is quite easy to make and provides some truly amazing health benefits. Studies show that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, needs to be taken alongside black pepper and fat, to get all the benefits. Cooking turmeric reduces its bitterness, unlocks the many benefits that it has, and blends nicely with the milk. Though, you can also use turmeric paste in cold or hot water, green tea, lemon tea, pulao, yogurt, rice, smoothies, marinades, soups, or curries.
If you think that turmeric would be overwhelming or bitter in milk then don’t be. It actually tastes super yummy! The cardamom powder adds a sweet aroma and gives you a nice breath besides all the beneficial essential oils.
This ultimate warm and soothing beverage is great anytime of day but if you are like me drink it before bedtime for better quality sleep.
Caution – While there are plenty of benefits of drinking turmeric milk, one needs to be cautious as to not consume the concoction in excess. It can lead to stomach upset if you take in conjunction with certain drugs or never had before or overdose on it. Discuss with your doctor before embarking on using it beyond the culinary.
Turmeric milk, is a natural and simple home remedy to immune against the common cold and for optimum health. It is yummy and soothing!
Ingredients
- 1/2- 1 tsp turmeric paste (recipe follows)
- 1 tsp sweetener of your choice
- 1 tsp almond oil or desi ghee
- 250 ml milk of your choice
- 1/4 cup good quality turmeric powder
- 1 1/2 cup chlorine free or bottled water
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 -2 1/2 tsp green cardamom powder
Instructions
- To make turmeric milk, whisk turmeric paste in hot milk.
- Bring it to boil. Simmer for 1 minute on low heat.
- Strain before pouring into your cup. Add oil and honey.
- Enjoy when it is still warm.
- To make turmeric paste, heat turmeric, water, cardamom powder and black pepper in a steel saucepan. Stir and bring it to boil.
- Turn down the heat slightly. Let it boil stirring occasionally. Once it starts to thicken reduce the heat more. Cook until you get a smooth consistency. This should take about 15 - 20 minutes.
- Once the paste is cooked, turn off the heat and let it cool.
- Store the paste in steel or glass container. It can be kept in the fridge for up to 30 days.
Swathi Iyer
Delicious and healthy milk, my mother-in-law used to make it.
Kitchen Belleicious
my grandmother swears by warm milk. I love tumeric flavor of yours. Must try this and must tell her about it
Kit @ i-lostinausten
I’ve never added spices in my warm milk. Will give this a try. Thanks for sharing. Have a nice day, Balvinder! 🙂
Angie's Recipes
Turmeric paste would be great to add to the curry dishes!
Guru Uru
My mum forces me to drink milk but perhaps with your delicious recipe, it won’t be a hardship 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Balvinder Ubi
There was a time when I forced my daughter to drink milk. My doctor said it was OK if she is not drinking milk and is having her share of calcium through cheese and yogurt or ice cream. This is a delicious recipe you can try.
Liz
I too must try this, arthritis runs in my family so it could be really beneficial.
Navaneetham Krishnan
I used plenty and plenty of turmeric for cooking. Not a single savory dish moves on without turmeric. I suppose the growing in an Indian family and reading on the benefits of turmeric that its an essential ingredient for me. I actually use turmeric to remove the smell from meat and fish.
This is a new drink for me but it does look so interesting. Must try and thats a lot of beautiful pics you have attached.
Balvinder Ubi
Nava, Even we use turmeric in curries however turmeric milk is like a soothing tonic for good sleep, digestion and for all the other properties turmeric has.
Anne Regalado
I love to drink milk but not in the morning 😀 Your turmeric milk sounds really interesting ! It’s the first time that I’ve heard of this and it looks gorgeous , too !
yummychunklet
This tumeric milk does sound interesting. I’ll have to try it soon.
Juliana
I never thought in adding turmeric in milk…sop interesting!
Hope you are having a fantastic week Balvinder 🙂
Shirley Tay
Totally agree with u on the health benefits! It took sometime for me to appreciate this drink too & now I’m loving it!
Treatntrick Treat and Trick
That is really interesting and so beneficial! I need to try this. Though I’m not on gluten free diet but just love to experiment it in my kitchen …
Asmita
This is what I love to drink too when I have a sore throat. It’s so good for you and tasty!
Nami | Just One Cookbook
I love turmeric but this is my very first time seeing in a drink! I think I have a same or similar cup in Japan…. haha. 🙂
Amelia
Hi Balvinder, thank you for sharing the turmeric remedies. I’ll give the milk a try.
Have a nice week ahead.Regards.
The Café Sucré Farine
I’m going to try this, sounds so unique and I love all the benefits!
Lizzy Do
I take turmeric capsules every day for my joints…they work wonders! I’ve never thought of adding it to milk…wonderful idea!
Laura Lee
I heard of turmeric milk from the Dr. Ozz show , he said it will help with my joints and inflamation caused by my newley found ruimatory arthrist, i dident know it came in a pill form and will it have the same health benifites as the milk , also my bottle just says TURMERIC nothing about milk did I get the right kind?
Balvinder
Laura , If you need information about turmeric capsules from Lizzy then email her. She might not get the notification of your comment.
mylittleitaliankitchen
This is totally new to me. It is a very interesting milk and very healthy too.
I think this is my email ID 77.96.87.177 but I might change my email address soon so I will let you have my new one when I get it.
Take careX
LinsFood
Really interesting! I have a mug of masala chai every morning (can’t function without it!) but have never heard of turmeric milk! I’m intrigued, it’s a wet cold day today, must try it!
Cindy Gordon
What a great comforting habit! I love chai, its kind of my habit 🙂 I’d love to have you link this up at our Gluten Free Fridays recipe link up over at vegetarianmamma.com It actually will go live tonight at 7:05 pm eastern! We are having a giveaway this week from Domata Gluten Free Products! Hope that you can join us, I’d love for you to share some of your awesome goodies!!
Cindy
Sridevi Ravi
I have always prepare turmeric milk as a cough and cold remedy for my kids. I add a pinch of pepper powder, turmeric and honey to warm milk and it is quite effective.
angiesrecipes
I like it with coconut milk 🙂
Judee
Very interesting post. I’ve always heard that turmeric milk is very healthy. I am going to give this a try ..
John / Kitchen Riffs
The color of this is gorgeous! I’ve read about turmeric milk, but never had it. Need to try it! Thanks.