For the past few weeks I have been battling a blended attack on my immune system. I am sure it started off as a sinus infection, evolved into a cold, then invited a stomach virus, and then my allergies started kicking in from the vog (volcanic ash + fog from Hawaii’s big island volcano). My body has taken a thorough beaten and I have myself to blame. From a pity party I have been throwing for myself since early December, paired with my general lack of keeping up with self care I got sick. It is only natural for the physical body to break down once the mental body has taken a hit. Long story short I decided yesterday to take my health back physically with a pretty strong natural tonic from Mother Earth herself: Turmeric Milk.
The ingredients for the delicious herbal (or spice) drink are ground turmeric, raw organic honey (or raw cane sugar), organic whole milk, black pepper (or cayenne pepper), and fresh ginger root.
Turmeric is a spice used in curry and is from the ginger root family. It has a very distinct golden yellow color. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, promotes reproductive health, cures headaches, and helps detoxifies the liver. Turmeric is also an anti-depressant! Honey has antioxidants, is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, a probiotic (good bacteria) and reduces coughing. Whole milk has good fatty acids (and calcium of course). Black pepper is good for your digestion. Cayenne pepper helps flush out the bad bacteria from your body (like the stuff that makes you sick). Ginger root helps soothe nausea, is anti-inflammatory, and also helps treat colds.
Turmeric Milk was very easy to make and you can add/subtract what you find necessary for your sickness. At the time that I took this (two days in a row) I had nausea, headache, gas, coughing, sneezing, post-nasal drip, congestion, and body aches. For two days in a row I took it once a day, about 16-20oz each time. I will say for a fact after the first day I noticed a strong decrease in the amount of coughing I had and my body felt better. My headache was soothed (but I did receive another one the following morning from poor sleeping posture). I rested immediately after. Day 2 of the tonic and my coughing is at a minimum, my headache is gone, and the pressure from my congestion is gone. I feel a lot better. Anyways, here are the ingredients and directions on how to make you own Golden Tonic that you can take to help cure you of your sicknesses.
TURMERIC MILK
- 2-3 cups of organic whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper and/or cayenne pepper
- 1-2 tbsp of ground turmeric
- honey or sugar to taste
- about an inch cut of ginger root
1. Put a pan/pot over medium heat. Peel the thick brown skin off your ginger root and then slice into bite sized pieces while it warms up.
2. Place the ginger root into the pan. It will slightly sizzle when warm enough. Pour in your milk. Add in your dry ingredients (the spices and sugar if used). Add honey last.
3. Stir over medium heat until well mixed the the milk is hot.
4. Pour into a glass. It is best when hot. Enjoy.
Brown Sun Child 