When I was a yoga teacher in New York City in the early 1990’s, I studied Ayurveda. As we went deep into this intensive training we learned to diagnose different conditions and treat them with herbal remedies and yoga asanas.
Using Herbs for Healing
One of the best things that came from my Ayurvedic training was learning how to use herbs in a synergistic fashion. Because of that training, I know how to create healing drinks like this incredible low-carb Keto Golden Turmeric Latte.
Turmeric the Golden Spice
You may be familiar with turmeric as a spice used in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. Turmeric is the main ingredient in curry and the one that leaves yellow stains on my white marble countertops if I don’t wipe it up right away.
What is Curcumin?
Turmeric is an important component of both Western and Eastern medicine. It contains curcumin, a bioactive compound that has a wide array of healing properties. Modern science has found that this traditional remedy can come close to working miracles through its powerful anti-inflammatory processes.
7 Health Benefits of Turmeric
I interviewed my colleague Dr. Robert Rountree, author of Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child and editor of the journal, Alternative and Complementary Therapies. According to Dr. Rountree, turmeric is beneficial for a wide variety of conditions and ailments. Here are just a few!
1. Improves Digestion
Turmeric improves digestion and can be used as a remedy for stomachaches and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), including treating symptoms such as bloating and gas.
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2. Enhances Brain Function
Like exercise and the Keto Diet, curcumin promotes growth of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), an anti-inflammatory agent that enhances and extends the life span of brain cells.
3. Cures Skin Disorders
Curcumin contains natural antibiotics and antiseptics that heal wounds including cuts, burns, bruises, and other types of lesions to the skin. It is also useful in treating skin disorders such as eczema.
4. Regulates Hormones
Turmeric regulates hormonal imbalances in women that can lead to estrogen dominance, irregular periods, and acne.
5. Relieves Muscle and Joint Pain
Turmeric has antiarthritic effects that reduce joint inflammation by blocking the formation of NF-kB, a pro-inflammatory substance. Curcumin also has analgesic, or pain blocking properties similar to those of aspirin and other NSAID’s, without gut harming side effects such as eroding stomach lining.
6. Prevents Cancer
Curcumin is a potent anti-cancer agent. It fights cancer by preventing genetic mutations and the growth of existing tumor cells. Further, curcumin can actually destroy existing tumor cells by preventing blood supply to them.
7. Natural Botox
In addition to containing potent antioxidants that slow the aging process, curcumin promotes the formation of proteins that create smooth, supple skin.
Keto Golden Turmeric Latte Recipe
I love turmeric for all of the reasons above and so many more! I make sure to get as much turmeric as I can by adding it to stir-fries, curries, and keto drinks such as this low-carb Keto Golden Turmeric Latte made with coconut milk.
Keto Golden Turmeric Latte
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup full fat coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric or 2-inches fresh turmeric root, skin on, sliced
- 3 cardamom pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 inch ginger, skin on, sliced
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a saucepan
- Bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer 10 minutes
- Use a tea strainer to transfer mixture to a vitamix
- Blend on high speed until frothy
- Serve
Equipment
This comforting Keto Golden Turmeric Latte is delicious straight up or sweetened. I usually add a few drops of vanilla stevia. If you don’t like stevia feel free to add honey or maple syrup. Blending the latte makes it incredibly frothy and delicious, but if you don’t have a vitamix simply strain straight into mugs and drink it up!
Do Turmeric and Black Pepper Work Together?
Finally, you will often see black pepper used in recipes that call for turmeric because they work in a synergistic fashion. Among his other observations, Dr. Rountree pointed out that black pepper enhances the absorption of curcumin.
Get Turmeric on the Go with A Curcumin Supplement
Dr. Rountree also reminded me that taking a curcumin supplement is a good hack if you need to get this healing miracle spice into your routine when you’re on the go!
Low-Carb Paleo Recipes That Use Turmeric
Here are some of my easy low-carb paleo recipes that use turmeric!
This post is an oldie but goodie from the archives. I first shared this recipe in March 2017.
Janna says
Hi Elana,
In the Stevia brand that you suggest… what are the natural flavors and natural auromatics listed in the ingredients? I want to purchase the coconut version and vanilla. Thanks.
Elana says
Hi Janna, thanks for your comment! Feel free to contact the company for that information. Products and their ingredients change often so it’s best to go directly to the manufacturer :-)
Beth says
Elana,
Thanks for this and all of your great recipes. I’ve been thinking of trying a Golden Milk drink and you’ve inspired me to gather the ingredients. I’ve been following this blog: http://margaret.healthblogs.org/ because of the information on Curcumin that Margaret posts. (I have no affiliation with Margaret or her site). Margaret is an American, living in Italy who has Smoldering Multiple Myeloma. She has been using Curcumin, under her Oncologist’s care in Italy, for the past 11 years. She has many interesting links to published medical studies that have used Curcumin for many different illnesses, beyond hers.
I’ve commented before but want to take this opportunity to thank you again for your blog and all your wonderful recipes. I own all your cookbooks and have given them as gifts. I am allergic to wheat (not as serious as celiac, but still troublesome). Finding all of your almond flour recipes has allowed me to enjoy life again. Many thanks, and blessings.
Elana says
Beth, thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. I’m so happy to hear you are enjoying all 3 of my books and that they’ve made your life better!!!
Emily says
i had no idea it was so easy to make. I’ll try this this weekend.
Elana says
Thanks Emily!
Ronda says
Elana
I am diabetic and can’t have the coconut milk.
Do you have any low carb drink recipes with turmeric? Someone told me turmeric is good for diabetes.
Elana says
Hi Rhonda, be sure to use the coconut milk that I link to with green text in the ingredients portion of the recipe. It is very low-carb, about 3 grams of carbs for 1/2 cup you would consume in 1 serving of this drink. Here’s a link to my Keto Recipes page for you so that you have additional low-carb choices!
https://elanaspantry.com/diets/keto/
Enjoy!
Elana
JoAnna Pepe says
Well, Elana, you’ve done it again. I just made your golden turmeric latte recipe and it is pure bliss.
I added 1/8 of a tsp of vanilla powder to the mix, followed your directions, strained the golden
goodness into a mug, added 4 drops of vanilla stevia and am savoring each sip as I type this note.
This golden turmeric latte is a healthy easy dessert/drink that far surpasses the two powdered brands
of golden milk I’ve been using the last couple of weeks.
Gracious thanks for your ongoing commitment to health and healing. You rock!!!!!
JoAnna
Elana says
JoAnna, thanks so much! I’m happy to hear this recipe is pure bliss!
Claire says
Can you substitute ground cardamon instead of cardamon pods? If so, what is the substitute measure? Thanks!
Elana says
Claire, I haven’t tried that so not sure! Feel free to experiment with the recipe and customize it to your needs :-)
Lucy says
Is it safe to drink this during pregnancy?
Thanks
Elana says
Lucy, I would advise checking with your health care practitioner about that :-)
Christian says
Noooo
Elana says
Christian, that’s interesting and not exactly what I’ve heard and read, though I don’t provide medical advice and did not drink this often when I was pregnant. That was a looooong time ago :-)
Katina says
Is the fresh turmeric more beneficial than dry ground?
Elana says
Katina, the fresh has more of certain nutrients, but the ground is far more concentrated :-)
Tara says
Is this something we can drink at night? i.e.., any ingredients that keep us up at night?
Elana says
Tara, I drink this both in the morning and after dinner and don’t have any issues with it :-)
Robert Lewis says
Elena: Where do you buy turmeric in bulk? Thanks
Elana says
Robert, I bought the fresh turmeric root in the photo at Vitamin Cottage :-)
Laurey says
Vitamin Cottage is generally just called Natural Food outside of Colorado. Call first to learn if they carry it. I found that when I moved from Durango CO to Tucson AZ that several products I’d been used to finding at Vitamin Cottage weren’t available in the Tucson Natural Food Storess
Elana says
Thanks Laurey!
Vikki Evers says
Whole Foods has fresh numeric root usually near fresh ginger.