Haridra / Haldi / Turmeric - the golden spice commonly found in every Indian household is an important everyday ingredient with many benefits. The bitterness of haldi makes it pitta pacifying and its heat helps pacify kapha and vata, making it tridosha balancing. However, excessive turmeric can cause excessive internal heat.

With the wisdom of combining compatible foods to find the right balance, Ayurveda recommends the mix of turmeric and milk to balance out the heat of turmeric with the coldness of milk.

Controls blood sugar
Haridra pramehaharaanam – According to Ayurveda, turmeric helps boost insulin levels and blood sugar control. It is highly recommendable in the cases of prediabetes and prevention of diabetes.

Heals internal and external wounds
The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of turmeric makes it a quick healer when applied to external wounds and injuries. When consumed, it speeds recovery from infections, illness and weakness.

Induces relaxed sleep
Packed with amino acids, turmeric helps induce a relaxed sleep at night. Regular consumption over a long period of time makes it an effective memory and concentration enhancer.

Strengthens bones
According to ayurveda, turmeric milk is known to strengthen bones and reduce the risk of decreased bone density. It also helps alleviate the pain and swelling associated with conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis.

Refreshes skin
The high antioxidant potential of turmeric milk helps combat free radicals that cause skin damage. It helps get rid of scars, pimples, acnes, rashes and irritation. It corrects metabolism and allows free circulation of oxygen and nutrients to the cells.

Boosts digestion
Turmeric milk is a highly digestive drink and promotes digestive health, clears the intestines and relieves stomach ulcers and colitis.

Detoxifies the liver
Turmeric milk cleanses the lymphatic system and improves liver functions by eliminating toxins from the bloodstream. It boosts blood circulation in the body and helps dissolve blood clots and tumors.

Relieves common cold
Adding a teaspoon of pure ghee in turmeric milk helps alleviate congestion, soothes a sore throat and provides relief from common cold and cough.
Make your haldi doodh at home:
½ tbsp. Turmeric powder in a cup of milk. Spice it with a pinch of nutmeg, ¼ tsp cinnamon and ¼ tsp cardamom. You can add a pinch of black pepper or long pepper to enhance the potency of curcumin present in turmeric. Simmer the milk with all these spices for a while.

After heating has been enough, you can add ½ tbsp. coconut oil or cow ghee. Sweeten the milk with raw honey or brown sugar, if desirable. If using honey, let the milk cool down first as heating honey has harmful effects. It would be good to use raw turmeric root which isn’t dried yet whether preparing the milk or for regular cooking owing to its high water content.