Spiced Turmeric Milk

If you’re living in the US right now, you know the one health subject on everyone’s minds: the flu. Did you get the flu shot?  Questions with never-ending answers, bloggers asking on their pages and in their tweets. It’s a subject everyone’s buzzing about because everyone hates getting sick.

A few years ago, I remember getting a flu shot and I don’t really remember if I got sick or not. I tend to stay far far away from needles; I’m scared to death of them and when I’ve got to get blood work done for something, I walk into the lab and warn the nurse that I will cry. And I always end up crying and having to have my blood taken out while laying down. I’ll get dizzy and faint (true fact). Thus, I try to stay away from needles.

But enough of needles talk! Let’s talk about how to avoid getting sick the easy way – herbs and spices. Disclaimer: I am NOT a health professional and all this information is from my own research. I’m not claiming turmeric is a miracle healer. I am just sharing some information with you, my dear readers.

It’s common knowledge that you are what you eat, so it’s obvious if you are putting junk food in your body, your health will become junk. So spices seem to be the natural choice of flavoring in my house right now. Sure, I still make brownies and eat Fruit Loops from time to time, but I’m hoping to make 2013 the healthiest year to date. But back to the flu. While researching anti-viral spices, I stumbled upon turmeric and it’s health benefits and wanted to create a recipe perfect for a cold winter day, thus how this Turmeric Milk came to life.

One of the most active ingredients in turmeric is curcumin, “a polyphenol with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols have the ability to stabilize free radicals, which can damage the body’s cells”. Some of the many benefits of turmeric is that it aids in the healing of: external wounds (anti-flamatory), coughs and colds (anti-viral), digestive issues (anti-bacterial), and parasites (anti-fungal).

Since it’s known as a natural anti-viral, it’s my current go-to remedy to prevent the flu. It helps your body fight the virus if already in your system and aids in preparing and making your cells stronger in order to prevent it. Here’s a complete list of the benefits of turmeric!

Spiced Turmeric Milk

Perfect warm drink to beat the flu season and keep your defenses high!

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 ounces milk I used Silk Coconut Vanilla
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
• 3 green cardamom pods crushed
• ½ tablespoon honey I used Apricot Raw Honey

Instructions

• Simmer the milk over medium heat in a small sauce pot.
• Once warm, add spices and honey. Slowly whisk to incorporate.
• Simmer for 2-3 minutes and remove cardamom pods. Serve immediately.

Servings: 1 cup