Golden "Moon" Milk for Insomnia + Healing

An amazing drink to help your body heal and sleep.

Wanting something to help you body heal, stave off illness or kick out that 'uninvited guest' insomnia...well today's your luck day....introducing Golden Moon Milk Latte.

It's often referred to as Golden Milk, Golden Mylk, Turmeric Milk and even Moon Milk...but regardless of what you name it, you're gonna call it amazing.

It's one of those ancient Indian recipes passed on by doting Indian grandmas who give it to their sick children at the sight of a sniffle, who drink it when their body is needing healing or when they are having difficulties falling or staying asleep at night. I'm pretty sure 'my ancient' family traditions included something along the lines of, "give the child a shot of whiskey...that'll heal 'em". I'm guessing like Moon Milk, that was the cure-all for everything else as well. It's funny how we all have a different way of doing things.

Anyhoo...moving on. This healing hot "latte" has amazing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is a great remedy to boost your immune system. It can be made with your milk of choice either animal or plant-based.

The main ingredient which gives it the vibrant yellow color is Turmeric. Curcumin, the active component in turmeric, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries due to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies are also showing that it may boost your mood and improve symptoms of depression. Turmeric is gaining huge popularity in Western culture and the 'Golden Moon Milk Latte is not far behind.

This turmeric latte, or haldi doodh as it's traditionally known as, how a long, rich tradition in Indian culture. has been used to aid many ailments, including colds, coughs, inflammation, aches, pains, and restlessness. It's a go-to solution for everything and found to be very comforting for just enjoying moments of peace...or 'golden hour'.

All the individual ingredients in this healing drink are linked to many health benefits, including lowering risk of heart disease, lowering blood sugar levels, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, reducing risk of cancer, improving digestion, improving memory and brain function and more. But I started drinking this delicious Moon Milk because my Ayurvedic Practitioner prescribed it for my bouts of 'kill-me-f*cking-now' insomnia.

Insomnia....grrrrr...such a frustrating experience. And something not all that talked about amongst people. It's as if saying "I suffer from insomnia" hangs a 'I'm crazy AF" sign around your neck. It's taboo, frowned upon and opens you up to a whole realm of judgement - or at least it feels like it. However, after talking to my Ayurvedic Practitioner, I discovered that insomnia is just a bi-product of an unbalanced life. When you have unmet needs during the day, they all come out at night in the form of 'insomnia'. And while cures from insomnia involve being preventative, when you're stuck in the middle of it....it's Golden Moon Milk to the rescue.

And while you can drink this before bed to help prevent insomnia, my 'doctor's prescription' was to get up if I woke up in the middle of the night and MAKE THIS. Yep, dig out the old pot, stick it on the stove and add all your healing ingredients at 2:32am in the f*cking morning.

It sounds crazy or counter-productive but when you are starting to feel the 'crazy' effects of insomnia, you'll try anything. And I'm here to tell you, it works.

Fortunately I have fine-tuned some recipes to make a Golden Moon Milk Paste so that in the middle of the night I can simply heat my cup of coconut milk (or any milk of choice) and add a couple teaspoons of the "magic sleeping paste".

So whatever you choice of healing might be...overall stress, a common cold, sore body, sore brain or disruptive sleeping patterns - this Golden Moon Milk will heal you...I pinky swear.

There are three ways you attack making this wonderful Golden Moon Milk Latte Potion drinky-thingy: buy it pre-made, make it from scratch for each cup, or batch-make the Golden Turmeric paste (recipes below). All are amazing.

Pre-made Golden Milk

Amazon has an amazing selection of things that are not found commonly in your grocery store. These are powders which you can simply add to your cup of hot milk (of choice). These are two versions of Golden Milk which I love. The first includes Ashwagandha which is making it's way into mainstream western culture and you can even buy it in capsule form from many places including Costco. Hallelujah. Ashwanganda is great for reducing stress and may favorite...for sleep. Goodbye melatonin, goodbye insomnia...hello...you can say it...ashwagandha.

Find this amazing Vahdam Organic Turmeric + Ashwagandha Latte mix here and the classic version, Vahdam Organic Turmeric Classic Latte, sans ashwanganda here.

Made to Order by the Cup

Ingredients:

1 cup of coconut milk, cow's milk or other plant based milk

1/2 - 1 1/2 tsp turmeric (everyone will have a difference preference)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger powder or 1/4" grated fresh ginger

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper or a couple cracked peppercorns

1 tsp coconut oil

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

agave /maple syrup /honey /monk fruit sweetener to taste if desired

Optional add-ins:

1-2 green cardamom pods crushed or 1/2 tsp ground ...my favorite

1/8 tsp ground cloves or 1-2 whole cloves

Method:

1. In a small sauce pan heat milk over low heat until warm.

2. Add turmeric and all other ingredients.

3. Whisk it all together and bring to a low simmer for 3-5 minutes.

4. Strain if using fresh ingredients like ginger, pods, corns, or sticks.

5. Sprinkle with cardamom or cinnamon powder and serve.

Optional: Froth with an electric frother

download + print recipe

Golden Turmeric Paste Batch Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/4 +/- cup turmeric

2 1/2 tsp cinnamon

3 tsp ginger powder or 1" grated fresh ginger

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

2 tsp ground cardamom

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp ground cloves optional

Method:

1. In a small saucepan combine water and turmeric and bring to a simmer over medium heat.

2. Add all other dry ingredients and vanilla extract, whisking constantly for 3-5 minutes. Add up to 1/2 cup more water if needed to ensure you can stir and cook.

3. Add the coconut oil and whisk until fully combined. It will be like a thick paste consistency.

4. Remove from heat and transfer to an airtight container with lid and refrigerate.

5. Will keep for as long as 5 weeks.

How to Use Golden Turmeric Paste:

1. Heat 1 cup of milk of choice in a small sauce pan.

2. Whisk in 1-2 tbsp of Golden Turmeric Paste

3. Add sweetener, ashwanganda or other add-in if desired.

4. Simmer 3-5 minutes.

5. Strain (if needed) and serve.

download + print recipe

Enjoy!

full disclosure: links to the amazon marketplace mean that if you click it and purchase something, you will not be charged extra in any way...I pinky swear...I will however receive a small kick-back as a thank from Amazon for giving them a 'shout out' and any earnings will contribute to the coffee and wine required for inspiration for this blog.