Boost your immunity by enjoying this simple golden "milk" (you can make it dairy free!) with ground turmeric, ginger root, cloves and raw local honey.
Boost your immunity by enjoying this simple golden "milk" (you can make it dairy free!) with ground turmeric, ginger root, cloves and raw local honey.
With snow on the ground and sun in the sky, we're settling into what looks like a bright new year here at the Delicious Living offices in Boulder, Colorado—and while I'm feeling energized and ready to tackle all that 2016 brings my way, I'm also keenly aware that my immune system could use a boost right about now. Cold and flu season is still in full swing, and after weeks of travel and holiday eating (I'm not used to all that sugar), a cup of "Golden Milk"—loaded with anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral health benefits from turmeric, ginger and more—sounds like just what the doctor ordered.
Dr. Taz Bhatia, MD, integrated health expert and author of the book What Doctors Eat (Rodale, 2013), shared this easy recipe with us. Turmeric is the main star here: It's been used since ancient times in Ayurvedic medicine due to its powerful health-promoting properties. In addition to fighting inflammation, ginger root aids digestion, and a touch of cloves adds further anti-bacterial and anti-viral punch.
Be sure to use raw, local honey if you can; it not only coats the throat, but fights pollen allergens to boot.
Dr. Taz's "Golden Milk" Recipe
You will need:
- 1 teaspoon dried ginger root (or 1/2 inch of fresh ginger chopped thin)
- Cloves (to taste)
- 1-2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon raw local honey
- 2 tsp milk (you can use almond or coconut milk as dairy-free alternatives)
1. Fill a small saucepan with 2 cups of water. Add ginger root and cloves.
2. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes.
3. Pour the contents of the saucepan into a mug.
4. Add ground turmeric, honey, and milk. Stir until the honey melts.
5. Enjoy!
