Golden Milk for Dessert (And Pain Relief!)

I've got a serious love for natural medicine, so when someone suggested drinking Golden Milk to help ease aches and pains, I had to figure out how to make it.  I admit, it wasn't the tastiest sounding drink when I first heard about it. Turmeric is a main ingredient and a flavor I definitely don't adore. Despite the lack of "yum factor," I decided to give it a go.  Was it worth the effort?


Heck yes!  Not only does it have a totally tasty and desert-like taste, it really does help to sooth sore muscles and joint pain.  And did I mention that it's delish? Inspired by a recipe seen at Wise Woman Weblog, I tinkered a tad and created my own version.

What you'll need:

1/3 tsp turmeric powder
1/16 to 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 c water
4 c unsweetened coconut milk
1 tsp coconut oil
Vanilla extract to taste
Dash of cinnamon
Raw honey to taste

Let's get started!

1. Combine turmeric, ground black pepper & water in a pot.  Brink to a quick boil, then reduce heat to medium.  Cook until ingredients become thick.
2. Add coconut milk, stirring as you pour.
3. Stir in the coconut oil until melted.
4. Add vanilla extract & a dash of cinnamon, if desired.
5. Remove from stove & stir in raw honey, once temperature has reached 110 degrees or below (to keep the honey raw).
6. Ladel out a cup & enjoy!

If you're worried about the taste of the pepper being overwhelming, or you just don't want to give it a try, it can be made without.  I prefer to add the pepper, however, as it really pumps up the power of the turmeric and it's also been proven to reduce pain.  Even cinnamon reduces inflammation! Living with regular pain and inflammation related to Lupus and Lyme Disease, I'll gladly take all the pain relief I can get!

If you don't have all the "right" ingredients on hand, don't fret too much!  You can customize according to what you do have.  Leaving out the cinnamon won't make it terrible.  Substituting another milk (cashew, almond, even goat or cow if you don't have an allergy), will only switch up the taste.  And you can easily swap the coconut oil with another oil you love, or even ghee.  

But...  how does it taste?

Fanstastic.  Delicious.  Desserty.  Can I have more, please?  When I made our first batch and brought a warm cup to each of my boys, they were hesitant to give it a try.  I could see it in their faces.  They'd try a sip, but only to appease me.  In the end, they were all asking for more.

Does it really relieve pain?

Yes!  But, as always, I encourage you to give it a try for yourself.  Turmeric has done wonders to help my inflammation related aches and pains.  I do find that it works best when taken like an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like Motrin, every few hours around the clock.  It does best when constantly in my system, always at work.

{I am not, and do not claim to be a medical professional. I write based on my personal experience and research. Please contact a medical professional before making any decisions that could impact your health. As a reader, you must be responsible for your own research and actions.}

Have you ever had Golden Milk?  Are you gonna give it a try?  I'd love to hear your experiences!