My Turmeric Milk Ritual

By on May 29, 2009 in Food & Nutrition, Healthy Living

One of my favorite Ayurvedic remedies is turmeric milk. Hot milk cooked with turmeric powder and then a pinch of sugar and a little bit of ghee. Warm, two cups, it’s my favorite remedy for colds, flus, for those run-down days for calming the windy airy dry energy of the vata dosha while simultaneously soothing and reducing the hot fiery agitating energy of the pitta dosha. From the first sip I can feel it. And it’s easy to make: one cup of milk with 1/4-1/2 tsp turmeric, heat until warm and blended, pour into a cup, add ghee and sweetener, drink while lying in bed, hot water bottle at my feet, body wrapped up in a recovery bag from Get Earthed. The next morning, I woke up congestion clear, muscle aches gone, no headache. I let myself sleep in as well, to facilitate recovery.

When I went to the Iyengar Center of LA, Rupa reminded me of another ingredient to add to the mix: a pinch of black pepper. I’ve also made turmeric milk with a pinch of saffron (delicious, sattvic/promotes clarity, and warming for cold nights), or some crushed cardamom (helps to increase prana, the subtle life-force). The next night, I made turmeric milk again: one cup milk, 1/2 tsp turmeric, pinch of freshly-ground black pepper. No sweetener tonight because I felt that I ate too much sugar already. Then I added a little ghee to smooth it out. It’s actually delicious. Be careful, though, turmeric stains everything. A little care is well worth it, as turmeric is shown to be anti-inflammatory, a natural anti-histamine, anti-microbial, and even is believed to have protective effects against cancer. Turmeric milk is easy to make and a soothing home remedy for colds and flus, and it works for me without fail.

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About felicia.tomasko

Felicia Marie Tomasko RN, E-RYT 500, inspires people to follow the path to personal freedom and vibrant health through Yoga and Ayurveda. Her practice includes teachingYoga in studios, teacher trainings and conferences as well as a private practice in the healing tradition of Ayurveda, a system of holistic and integrative medicine native to India. Ayurveda shares the same philosophy and ways of approaching the body, mind and spirit as Yoga and emphasizes our connection with nature. The dual systems of Yoga and Ayurveda, while seemingly ancient and esoteric, hold vital lessons for us to learn how to live with intent and address the needs of living in the modern world. Felicia integrates the ancient approaches of Yoga and Ayurveda with her training and licensure as a registered nurse. She has been studying Yoga and Ayurveda for more than twenty years and is a prolific and engaging writer and educator. She is currently the editor in chief of LA YOGA Ayurveda and Health magazine, serves on the editorial board of the Light on Ayurveda Journal and serves on the board of directors of the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine and the National Ayurvedic Medical Association. Felicia is also on the advisory board of the Holistic Option and lives her environmental committment serving on the Green Council of the Green Yoga Association.  In addition to her work in yoga and Ayurveda, Felicia has worked in cognitive neuropsychology and plant biochemistry research and she has degrees in nursing and environmental biology.

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3 Responses to My Turmeric Milk Ritual

  1. dr.allan.hunter May 29, 2009 at 8:52 am #

    Thank you so much for this series of insights. I've used Turmeric milk with grated garlic in place of sugar or pepper very successfully against colds and flu like symptoms, but I was unaware of the other options. I think I was just so relieved by the miraculous power of the recipe I had!

    Keep those good recipes coming. In fact, if you have more such wisdom about ayurvedic remedies why not write a short book on it? We could all use it!

    Peace,

    Dr Allan Hunter
    http://allanhunter.net

  2. yumi May 29, 2009 at 11:05 am #

    Wow, this sounds amazing. I am going to try this!

  3. River February 7, 2012 at 6:33 pm #

    I don't want to put it in milk could I put it in Chai Tea?