Turmeric is your ideal Ayurvedic elixir. This golden goddess of spices is widely recommended for its cooling, detoxifying, and dosha-stabilising effects. For instance, it clears your digestive tract, strengthens the heart and bones, lowers blood sugar levels and cancer risk, and boosts your mood. Furthermore, it can boost your immunity through its anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties.

Turmeric milk for weight loss is immensely famous in the west. You can also combat acne and clarify your complexion, which are some benefits of turmeric milk for skin.

Relieving Joint Pain with Turmeric Milk

Turmeric milk is also called haldi doodh in Ayurveda. Just mix in turmeric with warm cow’s milk, or any plant-based milk. Other spices like ginger or cinnamon can also add flavour. When the anti-inflammatory ingredients dissolve and bind, they provide an amazing healing result without any side effects.

This spice contains a substance called curcumin. This contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which blocks inflammatory enzymes and cytokines. Additionally, it gives the spice a bright golden yellow shade. Overall, the antioxidant, anti inflammatory, anticancer and neuro-protective properties of curcumin are excellent in curing inflammatory ailments and diseases.

One of the common inflammatory diseases is joint pain. Injuries and diseases are the most common culprits, which can lead to one among its hundred forms. Fortunately, their symptoms and treatment are similar in most cases, all of which stress on reducing inflammation. For instance, analgesics, steroidal, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are popular cures. However, most of these are artificial and can result in long-term side effects.

For this reason, practitioners recommend herbal or natural remedies. Turmeric or circuma longa is one of the most popular examples. It holds a legacy in traditional medicine that is simultaneously in par with modern science. Today it is available as a powder or a whole root form. It is common in soups, curries, salads, and vegetable dishes. Golden milk for joints is also popular.

If you face persistent joint pain, do refer to our Ayurvedic treatment for osteoarthritis in Kerala. You can take a look at easing various ailments through Ayurveda here.

Potential Side Effects of Turmeric Milk

You may experience mild side effects such as nausea, headaches, stomach upsets or diarrhoea. However, these are more common when consumed in larger or unsafe quantities by mouth. It is also possibly safe when applied to the skin, insides of the mouth (as a mouthwash) or to the rectum as an enema. However, there are certain exception cases when turmeric consumption in not recommended.

For instance, you consume it as cooked food during pregnancy or breast feeding. However, do avoid having it in medicinal amounts during pregnancy – this can promote menstruation or stimulate the uterus. If possible, stay on the safe side by avoiding turmeric during breast feeding as well.

Try to avoid turmeric milk if you have digestion or nutrient-related ailments. This is because it can worsen gallstones or bile duct obstruction. Secondly, the curcumin present in turmeric may lower blood sugar levels, which are inadvisable for diabetic patients. Thirdly, the potential for causing an upset stomach can worsen symptoms of gastro esophageal reflux diseases (GERD). Fourthly, it may prevent iron absorption, which is a warning sign for those with iron deficiencies.

Other inadvisable scenarios are in the cases of hormonal or blood-related complaints. Firstly, hormone sensitive conditions such as breast, uterine or ovarian cancers, or endometriosis can worsen with turmeric. Curcumin closely resembles the oestrogen hormone, that can interfere with general hormonal functioning. While it may have some positive effects, there is limited research that guarantees the same.

Turmeric milk is a low-cost and convenient method of consumption. Take a look below for two simple recipes, one vegan and another non-vegan.

Vegan recipe (2 glasses)

• In a small saucepan, combine coconut milk (1 1/2 cups), almond milk (1 1/2 cups), ground turmeric (1 1/2 teaspoons), ground ginger (1/4 teaspoon), cinnamon stick (one whole), coconut oil (one tablespoon), black pepper (one pinch, ground) and maple syrup (one tablespoon).
• Whisk and warm the ingredients gently over medium heat.
• Continue to heat for four minutes, until hot but not boiling.
• Turn off the heat and taste to add more sweetener, turmeric, or ginger as needed.
• Serve immediately, straining out the cinnamon stick.

This recipe tastes best when fresh, but you can store it in the fridge for 2-3 days. You can modify this recipe using fresh ginger (1-2 tablespoons, grated), or using low-fat coconut milk if needed.

Non-Vegan Recipe (2 glasses)

• In a small saucepan, combine unsweetened cow’s milk (3 cups) with turmeric (1 1/2 teaspoons), ground ginger (fresh or powdered, 1/4 teaspoon), cinnamon stick (one whole), and ground pepper (one pinch).
• Stir the ingredients and let it simmer for ten minutes, until fragrant and flavourful.
• Strain the concoction into two glasses.
• You can top the drink with a pinch of cinnamon if desired.

In this recipe, the calcium and vitamin D present in cow’s milk can strengthen your bones too. This is not necessarily present in all forms of plant based milk. In addition to string joints, it can reduce your likelihood of contracting osteoporosis or osteopenia.

Takeaways

Golden milk is a delicious and instant concoction you can prepare it home. It will help you ease inflammation and joint pain naturally, and is preferred to artificial remedies. You can make it using both vegan and non-vegan recipes by using the same base ingredients. However, do be wary of certain hormonal, nutritional or digestion related ailments, to minimise your chances of risk during consumption.