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.
Rainbow says
Does the turmeric stain your teeth?
Elana says
Rainbow, I haven’t had any issues with that :-)
Michelle Clark says
If it’s going into a vitamin, why strain it? I don’t understand.
Elana says
Michelle, it would be a thicker consistency this way and not as much of a latte :-)
Monica Adams says
This may be too much of an overshare, but almost as soon as I finished my cup, and had to have a bowel movement. Not sure if it was just a coincidence, but I had already gone today…
Elana says
Monica, thanks so much for your feedback. I drink this often and it hasn’t ever had that effect :-)
Susan Z. says
I find this so strangely addictive, nothing beats sipping it in front of a fire with a good book on a snowy day!
Elana says
Susan, thanks as always for your wonderful comments! I’m so glad that you are enjoying this healthy latte! I love it too :-)
Elizabeth says
Thanks, Elana for this recipe! Finally, I found a turmeric latte that I can enjoy. I did it today in cold, chilly day in Brooklyn, NY! Love this amazing drink and your recipes!
Elana says
Elizabeth, thanks for your wonderful comment! I’m so happy to hear that this drink is amazing :-)
Barbara says
Thank you for the recipe. I made it today adding a little freshly ground nutmeg. This was delicious! I was surprised because I did not think I would like it, but the flavors blend perfectly. I have your cookbooks and appreciate your efforts to share your knowledge with all of us.
Elana says
Barbara, thanks for your comment! I’m so glad to hear this is delicious and that you are enjoying my books :-)
Claudia says
Elana, thank you for all your great information and delicious recipes. I appreciate you authenticity and sharing. I have an allergy to coconut milk as well as dairy. Could this be made with almond milk? Or do you have another suggestion. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Elana says
Claudia, I haven’t tried that so not sure :-)
Jessie says
I really enjoyed the latte!
I live in Florida and the weather is already hot! Could this be served over ice? Could I make several servings and store in refrigerator for 2-3 days?
Thank you for the recipe!
Elana says
Jessie, I’m so happy you enjoyed the latte! according to Ayurveda warming herbal beverages are very healing for digestion and other issues. Every now and then on a hot day, I do like to serve this over ice. I haven’t tried making batches of this and storing it in the fridge. If you do please let us know how it goes :-)
Priscilla says
I wanted to comment on what Beba said. The wheat eaten before is different than the wheat now. Einkorn wheat is the ancient wheat, not chromosomally changed like modern wheat now .
Elana says
Priscilla, thanks for your comment and good point. Because so many people that come to this website cannot digest gluten in any form I want to point out that even this type of wheat is not ok for folks with celiac disease.
Becky Skeet says
Hi, I’m not sure what type of coconut milk I should be using in this recipe. Is the tinned coconut milk the same as the coconut milk in the cartons which you find in the diary alternative section?
Elana says
Becky, if you click the green text in the ingredients portion of the recipe that says “coconut milk” you will be given that information :-)
Jamie says
Could you have this chilled or served over ice or would it not have the same benefits cold?
Thanks
Elana says
Jamie, according to Ayurveda warming herbal beverages are very healing for digestion and other issues. Every now and then though, I do like to serve this over ice :-)