Golden Milk: Your Winter Wellness Secret Weapon

Picture this: it’s a frosty winter evening, the kind where your breath comes out in clouds and your toes refuse to warm up. Now imagine curling up with a steaming mug of something that’s not just delicious, but also packed with health benefits. Enter golden milk - one of my favourite winter rituals.

Golden milk (also known as turmeric milk) is a cosy, vibrant drink made with milk (dairy or plant-based), turmeric, and other warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper. Sweetened a little if you like with honey, maple syrup, or even half a date. It feels like comfort in a mug, but it has loads of additional benefits too. Let’s dive into why golden milk is the ultimate winter wellness hero and why you should give it a try this season.

The Glowing Benefits of Golden Milk

1. Balances All Three Doshas

In Ayurvedic tradition, turmeric is celebrated for its ability to balance Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—the three doshas that make up your unique mind-body constitution. This makes golden milk a really good, harmonising tonic for everyone.

2. Boosts Immunity

Winter is prime time for sniffles and bugs and golden milk can help with this. Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that supports your immune system and ginger has amazing immune-boosting properties.

3. Relieves Pain and Reduces Inflammation

Golden milk’s anti-inflammatory properties can be a game-changer. Turmeric and ginger work together to reduce inflammation in the body, which can help with everything from joint pain to muscle soreness.

4. Balances Blood Sugar Levels

Turmeric is known for its ability to stabilise blood sugar levels, which can reduce energy crashes and curb the urge to raid the chocolate stash or biscuit tin!

5. Aids Digestion

Golden milk’s blend of spices can help soothe your digestive system. Ginger and black pepper are known to aid in digestion, while turmeric supports gut health by promoting a balanced microbiome.

6. Promotes Better Sleep

We all know that a warm drink before bed is a good idea. Golden milk before bed can help promote good sleep. Turmeric and cinnamon are both known for their calming properties.

7. Packed with Antioxidants

Antioxidants help to fight off stress in the body, keeping your cells healthy. Golden milk’s star ingredients—turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger—are all rich in antioxidants, a really good way to give your body a boost.

Why Golden Milk Is Perfect for Winter

This winter, I'm much more about 'Wintering'. Listening to my body and mind when rest is needed. Planting lots of seeds and new ideas, and resisting ready the urge to strive forward and be super productive every minute of the day.

Having a drink like this in my day, helps with that slowing down.

When we embrace stillness in whatever way works well for us, that is when the magic happens. We are able to recalibrate, rest and that is where creative ideas can flourish.

Golden milk ticks so many boxes:

• It’s Warm and Comforting: There’s something about sipping a warm, spiced drink that feels so nurturing.

• It’s Nutrient-Dense: It’s an easy way to sneak some extra goodness into your day.

• It’s Versatile: Whether you’re a fan of almond milk, oat milk, cow’s milk, golden milk works well.

• It Feels Like Self-Care: Taking a few minutes to make and enjoy a cup of golden milk is a simple way to practice mindfulness and to take a moment to slow down.

  
  

How to Make Your Own Golden Milk

Ingredients:

• 200ml your choice of milk

• 50ml water

• 3 cardamom pods (cracked)

• 1 tsp turmeric

• 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger or 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• A pinch of black pepper (it helps your body absorb curcumin)

• a little honey, Maple syrup or half a date (or leave the sweetness out entirely)

Method:

1. Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan.

2. Gently simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Strain into your favorite mug, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon if you’re feeling fancy, and enjoy!

Golden milk is a delicious way to take a moment out of your day for you, to boost your health, support your immune system, improve your sleep or simply just warm up on a chilly day.

I hope you love it – Let me know what you think!