Golden milk has been gaining a lot of attention in recent years, and deservingly so, it has been touted as an immune booster when you are down with the cold, cough, or sore throat, and with a myriad of other health benefits due to its list of ‘superfood’ ingredients. Contact our Temecula CA chiropractor for more information.

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What in heavens is golden milk in Temecula CA?

It is a creamy coconut-milk based drink with turmeric that gives its’ golden color, hence the name, along with cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and honey.

TURMERIC

Research studies have shown that the component in turmeric, called curcumin, is a powerful anti-inflammatory and a super antioxidant. Although more research is needed, preliminary studies suggest that curcumin may have anti-cancer properties and may protect against cell damage. Turmeric has also been found to lessen symptoms of indigestion such as bloating and gas. It may also help in the prevention and treatment of neurogenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis.

COCONUT MILK

Comprised of a health-beneficial saturated fat called lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid, which is absorbed easily in the body and used for energy instead of being stored as fat, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and iron, coconut milk is known for many healing effects. It has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. It is also known for lowering blood pressure, decreasing the ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and increasing the ‘good’ HDL cholesterol, prevents dehydration, improves fatigue and digestion, builds muscle, and helps with weight loss. Because it does have saturated fat, enjoy in moderation!

CINNAMON

Used not only as a spice in baking and cooking, cinnamon has also been used since ancient times for its medicinal properties. It is boosting with powerful anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory agents to heal the body. It has been known to combat oral bacteria which cause bad breath, cavities and tooth decay. Research has also shown that cinnamon may reduce the risk for heart disease, help with diabetes by lowering fasting blood sugar levels and improve sensitivity to insulin, and may potentially protect against risk for cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

GINGER

The most therapeutic benefits of ginger primarily comes from Gingerol, an oily component in ginger root, which has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger has anti-blood-clotting agents which prevent strokes and heart attacks. It is also effective in treating colds, improving digestion and getting rid of nausea, particularly morning sickness. Studies have shown that ginger strengthens the immune system, treats stomach ulcers, prevents and improves diabetes, and may have anti-cancer properties.

BLACK PEPPER

Besides making you sneeze, black pepper also relieves coughs and colds, aids in weight loss by boosting metabolism, and improves digestion. Research studies have demonstrated that black pepper’s major component, Piperine, has anti-oxidative properties, and increases absorption of some pharmaceutical drugs and nutrients.

HONEY

Honey has been found to have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. It is used to treat gastrointestinal tract diseases, fungal and viral infections. Studies have also shown that it decreases blood glucose levels in normal diabetics, compared to glucose or sucrose.

Below is a recipe for golden milk.

Yield: 1 cup

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon honey (more or less depending on your taste for sweetness).
• ¾ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1-2 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (or ¼ teaspoon ground ginger)
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (more or less depending on your taste for spiciness)

INSTRUCTIONS

Place and mix all ingredients together in a small pan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1 minute, turn off heat and remove pan from heat. Pour into a cup and enjoy! If grated fresh ginger was used, use a fine mesh strainer to strain out the pieces of ginger when pouring.

By: Inland Valley Integrative Health Team

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REFERENCES:

• https://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/turmeric: University of Maryland Medical Center. Reviewed in 1/1/2017. Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD.
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3824402/: Impact of a Traditional Dietary Supplement with Coconut Milk and Soya Milk on the Lipid Profile in Normal Free Living Subjects. A. I. Ekanayaka, N. K. Ekanayaka, B. Perera, and P. G. S. M. De Silva. J Nutr Metab. 2013; 2013: 481068.
• https://draxe.com/nutrition/coconut-milk-nutrition/:  Coconut Milk Nutrition – 9 Benefits + Recipes.
• https://draxe.com/health-benefits-cinnamon/: 13 Health Benefits of Cinnamon and Nutrition Facts.
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/: The Amazing and Mighty Ginger. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Ann M. Bode and Zigang Dong.
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17987447: Black pepper and its pungent principle-piperine: a review of diverse physiological effects. Srinivasan K. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.2007;47(8):735-48.
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/: Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity. Manisha Deb Mandal and Shyamapada Mandal. Asian Pacific Journal Tropical Biomedicine. 2011 Apr; 1(2): 154–160.
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5424551/: Honey and Health: A Review of Recent Clinical Research. Saeed Samarghandian, Tahereh Farkhondeh, and Fariborz Samini. Pharmacognosy Res. 2017 Apr-Jun; 9(2): 121–127.
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-honey/art-20363819. Honey. By Mayo Clinic Staff.