I’ve been eager to share this recipe since my Ayurvedic cleanse after the fall equinox. It’s become one of my favorite morning rituals to warm my body up in this colder weather and sustain my energy until lunch. This elixir is my spin on the classic “Golden Milk”, a tea recommended by Yogi Bhajan for promoting vitality and flexibility. During my Ayurvedic cleanse, I ate several tablespoons of ghee each morning to help oleate my internal body and prepare for the kitchari diet.I’ll admit, it was tough. I hadn’t eaten straight ghee like that since India, and it certainly wasn’t my favorite thing to start my mornings off with. Some mornings, I would side-step this practice by adding it into this warming turmeric ginger elixir and topping it with creamy homemade hemp milk. The result, a rich, buttery medicinal drink that left me feeling warm and nourished each time I drank it.
This tea is a triumvirate of powerful tonic herbs and healing fats. Turmeric, an anti-inflammatory and analgesic, aids in soothing achy joints and lubricating the internal body. To read more on the nutrition and benefits of turmeric, check out this post.
Ghee is also prided in Ayurvedic medicine as a potent lubricant for the connective tissue. Ghee, clarified butter, is slow cooked until it is a golden color and very light in texture. The process of cooking removesthe impurities in butter, the saturated fat and milk solids that make ghee hard to digest. Without the casein and lactose, our bodies can process and utilize this fat without having sensitivities to it like a typical dairy product.Ghee is revered in the ancient Ayurvedic texts as a sacred remedy for many ailments. In theSusruta Samhita, itclaims ghee is beneficial for the whole body, and recommends it as the ultimate remedy for inflammation, a problem that stems from too much pitta in the body. And for vata types, the unctuous oil provides grounding to our nervous system.
If you aren’t comfortable with ghee, then you might try substituting it with coconut oil. The healthy fats are the key to this warming winter weather elixir. The tea can be made in larger quantities and stored ahead of time, then reheated on the stove when ready to use. If you can’t find fresh turmeric in your local grocery store or asian market, then you can add in a 1 tbsp of ground turmeric powder to the ginger tea once it has steeped. I also recommend heating the tea by itself then adding in the hemp milk at the end, because when you heat the hemp milk it tends to clump together and separate. Stir the oil and honey into your mug of hot tea and allow it to dissolve before topping it with the fresh milk to serve.
WARMING TURMERIC GINGER ELIXIR
2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
2 tbsp fresh turmeric, grated
4 cups water
Bring the ginger and turmeric to boil in a saucepan on your stove top. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain the tea to separate the pulp from the liquid. Either discard pulp, or add more water and reboil for a second steeping.
To Serve
1/2 cup hemp or almond milk
1 tsp raw honey
1 tsp ghee
pinch Himalayan pink salt
To make a single serving, pour 2 cups of the hot turmeric ginger tea in a blender. Add 1/2 cup hemp milk, raw honey, ghee and a pinch of pink salt. Blend until creamy. Pour into a mug and enjoy hot.
To make homemade hemp milk,blend 1/2 cup hulled hemp seeds with 2 cups purified water in your high-speed blender. No straining required. Pour straight into your mug for a frothy milk-free alternative. Store the remaining hemp milk in an airtight glass container in your fridge.
6 Comments
6 responses to “Recipes: Warming Turmeric Ginger Elixir”
Adena Harford says:
Gorgeous recipe, Claire. SO perfect for this time of year!!
vidyacleanse says:
Perfectly fit for our vata bodies and minds 🙂 I’m so glad you love it!
[…] is cooling to the digestive fire, or agni, so it is best to accompany it with some digestive spices (like adding turmeric to warm milk) or ingesting it with mindfulness to dinacharya – an example bring to eat your largest meal at […]
Carmen Musselmann says:
love it
[…] a teaspoon of local, raw honey and squeeze of lemon juice. I alternate with this hot tonic and my warming ginger turmeric elixir to stay warm, grounded and nourished while I rest + […]
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FAQs
Turmeric ginger tea is packed with anti-inflammatory properties which efficiently helps fight inflammation in the body. Turmeric ginger tea is also helpful in preventing cancer and fighting diabetes, as well as being a natural treatment for high cholesterol.
How many cups of turmeric and ginger per day? ›
How much turmeric tea can you drink each day? Research suggests that it's safe for adults to consume a teaspoon of turmeric every day, so you can have a cup of this warm tea every day.
What is the best way to consume ginger and turmeric? ›
The two ingredients work well together in salad dressings, stir-fries, and sauces to add a surge of flavor and health benefits to your favorite recipes. Fresh ginger can also be used to make ginger shots, brewed into a cup of soothing tea, or added to soups, smoothies, and curries.
What does ginger and turmeric do to the body? ›
They're a part of the same plant family Zingiberaceae and share origins of being used in traditional medicine in India and China for centuries. Taking ginger and turmeric together may reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms of inflammation-related illnesses such as arthritis, digestive diseases, and even diabetes.
Is it better to take turmeric and ginger at night or in the morning? ›
Both ginger and turmeric contain powerful anti-inflammatory compounds, such as gingerol in ginger and curcumin in turmeric. Consuming these spices in the morning could help reduce inflammation in the body, potentially alleviating discomfort from conditions like arthritis and supporting overall joint health.
What happens if you drink warm turmeric water every morning on an empty stomach? ›
Drinking warm turmeric water on an empty stomach in the morning may help with weight loss in a few ways. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Curcumin can help to reduce inflammation in the body, which can lead to weight loss.
What drugs cannot be taken with turmeric? ›
Turmeric may interfere with the action of these drugs, increasing the production of stomach acid:
- Cimetidine (Tagamet)
- Famotidine (Pepcid)
- Ranitidine (Zantac)
- Esomeprazole (Nexium)
- Omeprazole (Prilosec)
- Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
People who should not take turmeric include those with gallbladder problems, bleeding disorders, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infertility, iron deficiency, liver disease, hormone-sensitive conditions, and arrhythmia. Pregnant women and those who are going to undergo surgery should not use turmeric.
How long does it take for the turmeric ginger to start working? ›
The available research suggests that turmeric's antioxidant effects can be felt between 4-8 weeks. One study found that turmeric's stimulative effect on SOD activities was seen after about 6 weeks. “The available research suggests that turmeric's antioxidant effects can be felt between 4-8 weeks.”
Can I boil ginger, turmeric, and garlic together? ›
Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan; add turmeric, ginger, garlic, and cayenne. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain tea into a cup; add honey and lemon wedge if desired.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with heart conditions, and people with diabetes should not take ginger without talking to their doctors. DO NOT take ginger if you have a bleeding disorder or if you are taking blood-thinning medications, including aspirin.
Can I mix garlic, ginger, and turmeric together? ›
Powdered – garlic, turmeric, and ginger can be blended. It can be added to your meals like stew, soup, rice, and sauces to give you a lovely aroma and nutrients. Research shows that blended turmeric, ginger, and garlic are effective to reduce the risk factor of heart disease.
Is ginger and turmeric safe for kidneys? ›
Curcumin, which is the main bioactive component in turmeric, is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. However, while turmeric and curcumin are generally safe to consume, too much of a good thing can be dangerous. One of the risks is that large doses can be bad for your kidneys.
Can turmeric and ginger burn belly fat? ›
Herbs like turmeric, ginger, green tea, chilli pepper, cumin and lemon might help you burn the fat accumulated in the belly. Doing regular physical exercise and maintaining a healthy diet are other ways to help you reduce belly fat.
Who should not use turmeric? ›
High doses of turmeric could have a blood-thinning effect; if taken on top of prescribed anticoagulants, this could increase the risk of dangerous bleeding. People with liver or bile duct problems should not take turmeric supplements, as they can increase bile production. Cooking with turmeric shouldn't cause problems.
How long does it take for turmeric and ginger tea to work? ›
The available research suggests that turmeric's antioxidant effects can be felt between 4-8 weeks. One study found that turmeric's stimulative effect on SOD activities was seen after about 6 weeks. “The available research suggests that turmeric's antioxidant effects can be felt between 4-8 weeks.”
Is it okay to take ginger and turmeric shots every day? ›
Incorporating these shots into your daily routine can provide a natural, potent boost to your overall health, leveraging the natural healing properties of these incredible roots.
Does turmeric and ginger tea detox your body? ›
Ginger, turmeric and lemon are natural detoxifiers. All three of these incredibly healthy foods can make a major contribution to keeping our bodies clean. Due to the sharpness and tingling that is so characteristic of ginger, you could already guess: ginger is a powerful detoxifier.
This tea is a triumvirate of powerful tonic herbs and healing fats. Turmeric, an anti-inflammatory and analgesic, aids in soothing achy joints and lubricating the internal body. To read more on the nutrition and benefits of turmeric, check out this post.
Ghee is also prided in Ayurvedic medicine as a potent lubricant for the connective tissue. Ghee, clarified butter, is slow cooked until it is a golden color and very light in texture. The process of cooking removesthe impurities in butter, the saturated fat and milk solids that make ghee hard to digest. Without the casein and lactose, our bodies can process and utilize this fat without having sensitivities to it like a typical dairy product.Ghee is revered in the ancient Ayurvedic texts as a sacred remedy for many ailments. In theSusruta Samhita, itclaims ghee is beneficial for the whole body, and recommends it as the ultimate remedy for inflammation, a problem that stems from too much pitta in the body. And for vata types, the unctuous oil provides grounding to our nervous system.
If you aren’t comfortable with ghee, then you might try substituting it with coconut oil. The healthy fats are the key to this warming winter weather elixir. The tea can be made in larger quantities and stored ahead of time, then reheated on the stove when ready to use. If you can’t find fresh turmeric in your local grocery store or asian market, then you can add in a 1 tbsp of ground turmeric powder to the ginger tea once it has steeped. I also recommend heating the tea by itself then adding in the hemp milk at the end, because when you heat the hemp milk it tends to clump together and separate. Stir the oil and honey into your mug of hot tea and allow it to dissolve before topping it with the fresh milk to serve.
Adena Harford 
vidyacleanse 
Carmen Musselmann 