Turmeric is obtained from Curcuma longa, a rhizomatous perennial herb of the ginger family that’s native to Southeast Asia. This golden yellow spice is often used in Asian curries.
The well-researched spice has natural antibiotic properties that make its usage worth considering.
While it can be applied topically, oral administration has been shown to provide the most benefits, which is why its inclusion in our diet is recommended. But not all of us are curry fans, which is where turmeric milk comes in.
Also known as golden milk, turmeric milk is a drink prepared by soaking fresh turmeric root (rhizome) or dissolving dry turmeric powder in hot milk. Throughout history, this infusion has been used as a general health tonic and in treating specific diseases.
Although milk helps reduce the spiciness of turmeric, this easy-to-prepare drink still has somewhat of a bitter taste, which does not make it unpalatable. If need be, you can add to the flavor with a pinch of ground black pepper or sugar.
Here are 15 reasons why you need to add turmeric milk to your everyday diet.
A glass of turmeric milk a day will boost your general immunity
As an excellent tonic, turmeric milk helps build immunity against a horde of health issues. With it’s antibiotic anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric milk is especially beneficial during the cold and flu season when children tend to bring home a host of infections.
If you are susceptible to infectious diseases, taking a glass of turmeric milk every morning on an empty stomach or each night before bedtime is recommended.
You’d also benefit from this if you come into close contact with a significant number of people daily or engage in activities like swimming.
Turmeric milk helps prevent the development of cancerous growths
Laboratory studies have shown that besides preventing metastasis, the curcumin found in turmeric can actually kill cancerous cells.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, raw turmeric minimizes the adverse effects of chemotherapy and helps keep cancerous cells from damaging the DNA.
Cancerous growths are rarely detected and treated in the early stages even though this is when stopping their development would have been much easier.
Taking turmeric milk on a regular basis could help prevent the occurrence of malignant growths and stop their development in the initial stages. It has been shown to be effective in preventing and stopping the growth of breast, prostate, skin, lung, and colon cancers.
Clarify your skin naturally
Turmeric produces desirable changes on the skin, hence its application as a beauty aid. When applied topically, it reduces acne, lightens scars, and removes wrinkles and other signs of aging, making the skin smooth.
In addition to enhancing these effects further, oral administration helps clear rosacea, liver spots and skin eruptions.
Though it’s classified as a skin problem, eczema is associated with the accumulation of toxins in the body and issues with immune responses.
The anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties of turmeric together with its immune-modulating effect can help relieve symptoms of eczema and prevent flare-ups.
This is why turmeric milk is recommended for eczema sufferers. This video should help you understand eczema better.
A regular dose of turmeric milk can help alleviate respiratory illnesses
This health-promoting drink is used to treat colds, coughs, and several other respiratory tract infections.
Turmeric milk allows you to combat such illnesses by increasing mucus production, which helps flush out disease-causing microorganisms from the respiratory tract. The presence of microbes in your nasal passages is likely to result in respiratory infections.
Turmeric’s antibiotic properties help fight infections of the respiratory system while its anti-inflammatory properties serve to relieve the symptoms.
It is, therefore, an effective remedy for asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory illnesses. The spice can also heat up your body when ingested, providing quick relief from sinuses and lung congestion.
A glass of warm turmeric milk taken before bedtime is known to relieve sore throats, stubborn colds, and nighttime coughing almost instantly, ensuring a restful night’s sleep.
Turmeric milk can help relieve autoimmune diseases
Your immune system is supposed to protect you from toxic substances, pathogenic microbes and any other foreign agent that can be harmful.
But for unexplained reasons, our immune systems can act against our organs and tissues. Autoimmune diseases like lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis can occur as a result.
Because the root cause of this malfunction has not yet been identified, treatment is limited. In fact, mainstream medicine can only suppress the symptoms. Besides relieving symptoms, alternative treatments can reportedly offer long-term respite from these conditions.
The immune-modulating effects of turmeric can help relieve and prevent autoimmune diseases, especially those related to the skin, digestive system, and joints.
Excellent blood purification and cleansing
Turmeric milk is regarded as one of the best and most effective detoxifying agents. Your body has to do away with an overwhelming amount of toxins that may find their way into your blood through the digestive and respiratory systems.
Although they are an unavoidable part of what we eat, drink, and inhale, toxins can damage our blood vessels and tissues.
Blood impurities have been shown to be an underlying cause of various diseases including a myriad of abnormal skin conditions. Turmeric is considered a great natural blood cleanser and purifier because it boosts liver function and blood circulation.
The liver is responsible for identifying blood impurities and finding a way to effectively eliminate said toxins. Proper blood circulation also plays a major role in the cleansing process.
Thanks to the diuretic effects of turmeric, urine can also be used to flush out toxins and cleanse the blood.
Reduce arthritic pain
Most of those who turn to herbal remedies do so with the aim of relieving arthritic pain. When applied topically, the capsaicin in this herb gives temporary relief from arthritic pain.
Oral administration is, however, more effective. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties could be at work here.
Unfortunately, dairy products can worsen the symptoms of arthritis in some people. Fortunately, you can prepare this infusion with coconut milk instead.
Turmeric milk serves as a liver tonic
Clinical tests and preliminary lab studies show that the curcumin found in turmeric can help prevent and even reverse cirrhosis of the liver and fatty liver. As the body’s chemical hub, the liver is constantly involved in processing chemical substances that enter our bodies.
Examples include orally administered medications, chemical additives found in processed foods, and environmental pollutants.
While these toxic substances can cause injury to liver tissue, this effect is less likely thanks to the detoxifying and anti-hepatotoxicity actions of turmeric. Additionally, turmeric can help remove biliary obstructions by increasing bile production.
Forget digestive problems
Turmeric is an important culinary spice. This is probably because it works as a remedy for many digestive tract problems. Turmeric is a powerful antiseptic that helps relieve stomach ulcers, colitis, gas, bloating, and heartburn caused by gastric reflux.
It also increases the flow of bile, improving fat digestion and helping prevent diarrhea and indigestion.
Besides preventing and treating gastrointestinal infections, turmeric milk can get rid of worms. Taking a glass of turmeric milk every day is recommended for people who suffer from indigestion and loss of appetite.
Take turmeric milk to improve your reproductive health
Turmeric has a positive impact on the reproductive health of women. Hormonal insufficiencies can make it difficult for some women to conceive. Turmeric can increase fertility in women with this problem because it acts as a mild phytoestrogen.
Additionally, turmeric milk is an antispasmodic that can help women who get painful menstrual cramps, especially if taken during the menstrual week. It can also relieve post-menopausal symptoms.
Although it can make delivery easier, improve postpartum recovery, promote lactation, and fasten the contraction of ovaries, turmeric is also a uterine stimulant known to promote free menstrual discharge flow.
As such, pregnant women should not use turmeric in therapeutic doses.
Excellent for relieving aches and pains
Turmeric milk can help ease various pains and aches. Apart from back pain, turmeric is good for headaches caused by anything from stress to sinus congestion. Turmeric promotes sinus drainage by lightening the texture of mucus and increasing its flow.
Also, turmeric’s blood-thinning effects promote blood circulation. You can ease frequent headaches and migraines by taking turmeric milk regularly.
Turmeric milk might be a better alternative to many dietary plans
People with weight loss issues can benefit from a daily dose of turmeric milk. Turmeric increases the production and flow of bile, improving the breakdown and digestion of dietary fat.
This improved ability to digest fat allows you to lose weight faster and control your body weight better.
Promotes bone health
Aside from its anti-inflammatory effects, turmeric milk is also an excellent source of calcium. This mineral is necessary because it helps keep the bones strong and healthy, lowering bone loss and osteoporosis.
A regular dose of this infusion is recommended for people with spine and joint issues.
Turmeric milk is a good sleep aid
Tryptophan, an amino acid found in milk, is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is associated with calmness, relaxation, and sleepiness.
By increasing serotonin levels in the brain, tryptophan can help treat insomnia. However, tryptophan’s availability to the brain is lowered by the competing amino acids found in milk.
The inclusion of turmeric can help change that because it elevates blood insulin levels. As a result, your body tissues will absorb these competing amino acids at a much higher rate, increasing the bioavailability of tryptophan.
This is why turmeric milk is a more effective sleep-inducing agent than plain milk.
Remedy for Alzheimer’s disease
Turmeric milk is one of the best sources of antioxidants, which is why it can help cure many ailments. By fighting free radicals, the antioxidant properties of turmeric milk can slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease and even improve the patient’s condition.
A regular cup of hot turmeric milk is recommended for Alzheimer’s sufferers.
Conclusion
It’s amazing how beneficial turmeric milk can be to your health. As evidenced above, it might be a less invasive, relatively cheaper and more effective way to improve your health.
Remember, not everyone will get the same benefits, plus you may not get the ones listed above all at once. Even so, wouldn’t you gladly add turmeric milk to your daily regime for any of these benefits? I would, and so should you.