Golden milk is a traditional Ayurvedic drink recommended for good sleep, which is why many call it Moon milk. It is easy to prepare and has a delicious taste that everyone in the family will enjoy drinking. The main ingredient is turmeric, which has an astonishing range of medicinal effects on our health.
Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine (hereafter TCM) have been using the bright orange root of turmeric for medical purposes for more than 4,000 years. Their experience with golden milk is invaluable.
According to TCM tradition, turmeric is a warm herb that supports blood circulation and strengthens the spleen, liver and nervous system. It is used to purify the blood and treat viral hepatitis. TKM uses turmeric to relieve pain during menstruation, to destroy tumors and cysts on the uterus, and to dissolve gallstones. It is also effective in regulating blood sugar and is one of the richest sources of beta-carotene.
Ayurveda uses turmeric in the healing of broken bones and in the treatment of cancer (it is said to be particularly effective in leukemia, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and cancer of the intestine, especially colon). It is widely used in Ayurvedic skin care and with the help of tumeric, psoriasis and canker sores are eliminated. It is also called an “internal beauty agent”, because by cleaning the blood, it also cleans impure skin (acne, acne…), and at the same time it is an indispensable ingredient in Ayurvedic face masks for glowing skin.
Modern research also confirms the wide spectrum of curative effects of turmeric or curcumin contained in turmeric.
The most important asset among them is certainly its exceptional anti-inflammatory action, because many of today’s most widespread chronic diseases, from diabetes to Alzheimer’s, are primarily the result of chronic inflammation.
Thus, we can see how important the frequent preventive consumption of foods with anti-inflammatory effects such as turmeric is for achieving longevity, anti-aging and quality of life even in old age.
Research now proves that curcumin boasts enviable results in inhibiting degenerative processes in the brain; in the maintenance of cardiovascular health; in the treatment of arthritis; in preventing and possibly even treating cancer; in alleviating symptoms of depression and in alleviating pain.
Benefits of turmeric
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity
Scientists have found that curcumin has an exceptional anti-inflammatory effect and is a powerful antioxidant that even stimulates the body to produce its own antioxidants.
Cancer
Curcumin leads to several changes at the molecular level that can help prevent and possibly even cure cancer. Curcumin has been studied as a useful herb in the treatment of cancer and found that it affects the growth, development and spread of cancer at the molecular level.
Brain health
Curcumin increases the level of the brain protein BDNF (i.e. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which increases the growth of new neurons and fights against various degenerative processes in the brain. In addition, BDNF helps us sleep better by increasing the slow brain waves in the deepest phase of sleep.
Curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to contribute to various improvements in the pathological process of Alzheimer’s disease.
Arthritis
Many studies show that curcumin can help relieve arthritis and in some cases is more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs.
Heart health
Curcumin has beneficial effects on several factors known to play a role in heart disease. Above all, it improves the functioning of the endothelium – the inner lining of blood vessels.
Studies have shown that it can contribute to the death of cancer cells and reduce angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels in tumors) and metastasis (the spread of cancer). Several studies show that curcumin can reduce the growth of cancer cells in the laboratory and inhibit the growth of tumors in experiments with animals. However, whether high-dose curcumin (preferably with an absorption enhancer such as piperine) can help treat cancer in humans is not yet fully understood.
Depression
A study of 60 people with depression found that curcumin was as effective as Prozac in relieving the symptoms of the disease. They hypothesize that this is because depression is also associated with reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and shrinkage of the hippocampus (an area of the brain involved in learning and memory), which is particularly susceptible to BDNF’s action.
Pain
Studies have also confirmed that turmeric relieves pain, with one study noting that turmeric worked like ibuprofen in people with knee arthritis.
Longevity
Due to its many positive health effects, such as the potential to prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, curcumin may help with longevity. Since many of today’s most widespread chronic diseases, from diabetes to Alzheimer’s, are primarily the result of chronic inflammation, we can see how important it is to consume foods with anti-inflammatory effects such as turmeric for achieving longevity and quality of life even in old age.
What are the effects of golden milk?
The main reasons why curcumin’s golden milk has proven itself over thousands of years as an effective means for good sleep are the following:
- From the point of view of traditional Chinese medicine, in order to have a good night’s sleep, we must primarily calm the liver. Turmeric provides the liver with such strong support in detoxification and digestion that it calms down much easier and faster.
- Because it helps digestion (stimulates the spleen – regulates blood sugar and bile secretion), it relieves the body and prepares it for sound sleep.
- As mentioned, turmeric also relieves pain and inflammation, which can be the reason for insomnia.
- Turmeric has a relaxing effect and lowers the level of anxiety.
All of this can help you fall asleep faster, sleep more deeply, and wake up refreshed. To top it all off, studies have shown that turmeric also alleviates the effects of sleep deprivation.
Golden milk - recipe:
There are many recipes for golden milk, but all of them have in common that, in addition to turmeric, they also contain pepper and fat, which enable the absorption of curcumin. Pepper contains piperine, which increases the bioavailability and thus the absorption of curcumin by 2000%.
And since turmeric is fat-soluble, curcumin won’t be absorbed into your bloodstream without a little fat. Whole milk is therefore perfect to provide a bit of good fat.
Traditional paste for golden milk therefore consists of:
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- a pinch of ground black pepper
- a pinch of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of honey
Mix the paste prepared in this way into a cup of warm vegetable or animal milk and consume while still warm.
If necessary, golden milk can be enriched with the following additives and adjusted to our taste:
- ginger
- vanilla extract
- ground cardamom
- ground cloves
- star anise
- chamomile tea
- coconut oil
- Gee (If using non-fat milk, it would be best to add a small amount of coconut oil, almond oil or ghee (one teaspoon) to the recipe.
Why the Golden Youth Fountain?
I also upgraded the traditional golden milk with cinnamon and the Golden Fountain of Youth for a good night’s sleep was created. It is a quickly prepared drink with turmeric and collagen, which ensures that a deep sleep is also a beauty sleep.
Natural vitamins and minerals are also added to release energy, reduce fatigue and normalize the functioning of the nervous system.
The Golden Fountain of Youth contains:
- Turmeric – with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help improve symptoms of depression and arthritis. It also has scientifically proven health benefits, such as the potential to prevent heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, it is also the basis of all anti-aging diets, and at the same time, it has been used for thousands of years for clean, supple and radiant skin.
- Hydrolyzed fish collagen – molecular weight 2000 Da, which allows it to be perfectly absorbed. By regularly consuming collagen, we take care of maintaining the youthful appearance of the skin, beautiful hair and strong nails.
- Acerola (vitamin C) – Vitamin C plays an important role in the production of collagen for the normal functioning of the skin, blood vessels, bones, cartilage and teeth. It contributes to the release of energy and contributes to the reduction of fatigue and exhaustion. It is important for normal psychological and nervous system functioning. At the same time, it contributes to the functioning of the immune system and to the protection of cells against oxidative stress.
- Ceylon cinnamon – contains many antioxidants, has an anti-inflammatory effect, improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood sugar, has antibacterial and antifungal properties, helps in the absorption of nutrients (not suitable for pregnant women), warms, is a Qi and yang tonic, supports the spleen and lung meridians, kidneys, heart, supports the functioning of the uterus (not suitable for pregnant women), stimulates the secretion of digestive juices and thus reduces the formation of wind, stimulates all vital functions, relieves tension, stimulates the circulation of the periphery – limbs, relieves diarrhea, nausea, arthritis, menstrual cramps, rheumatism and candida. Ayurveda classifies it as “Tridoshic” – that is, a food that has a beneficial effect on every type of person.
- Magnesium citrate – contributes to the release of energy, reduction of fatigue and supports our psychological functioning and nervous system. Due to its calming effect, it is also called an anti-stress mineral. Magnesium participates in more than 300 life-important metabolic processes. At the same time, it is one of the minerals that we chronically lack due to a refined diet. Signs of insufficient magnesium intake can be very different: muscle cramps, lack of appetite, brittle nails, nausea, headache, restlessness, fatigue, insomnia, migraine, headache, increased sensitivity to noise, heart failure. It is crucial for deep and refreshing sleep, as it also affects the regulation of the hormone melatonin, i.e. the hormone that controls the cycle of sleep and wakefulness in the body. For those who suffer from short-term fatigue due to stress and overwork, a supplement of magnesium and vitamin B6 is suitable.
- Vitamin B6 – contributes to the release of energy, reduction of fatigue and supports our psychological functioning and nervous system. It contributes to the release of energy during protein metabolism. Vitamin B6 has a positive effect on the bioavailability of magnesium and our body needs it for the metabolism of proteins, which are necessary for the growth, restoration of muscles and other tissues. It is involved in more than 50 enzymatic conversions, especially its role as a coenzyme in homocysteine metabolism. It is important for healthy skin, good functioning of the nervous system and the formation of antibodies that we need to defend against infections. It participates in the formation of serotonin in the brain, i.e. happiness hormone. Eliminates depression and fatigue and relieves premenstrual syndrome. Signs of vitamin B6 deficiency can include immune weakness, arthritis, premenstrual syndrome, stress, nervousness, anemia, inflamed tongue and inflamed eyelids.
- Goat milk and protein – Sharks, mosquitoes and goats have something in common. None of these animal species get cancer, and this fact has long alarmed researchers. So far, it is only known that goat’s milk has a lot of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has a proven anticarcinogenic effect. Hippocrates already wrote about the healing effects of goat’s milk. Rightfully so, because:
- full of important minerals and vitamins,
- is most similar to mother’s milk,
- has significantly less lactose and only in rare cases causes lactose intolerance,
- it is often accepted by allergy sufferers as it contains a different casein than cow’s milk,
- it is easily digestible due to significantly smaller fat molecules than cow’s milk.
