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Haldi doodh, warm turmeric milk

Milk with turmeric and spices: in Indian households a familiar drink before bed or with a cold.

Traditional use

Time
10 minutes
Makes
1 large mug
Turmeric

Long before it was called 'golden milk' in Western coffee bars, haldi doodh was made at home in India. In Ayurveda turmeric is considered warming and cleansing; the fats in milk and a pinch of black pepper are said to help absorb its active compounds.

Ingredients

  • 250 ml milk (or plant milk)
  • ½ tsp ground turmeric or a few slices of fresh
  • A pinch of black pepper
  • A few slices of fresh ginger
  • A pinch of cinnamon or 1 crushed cardamom pod
  • To taste: honey or jaggery

Step by step

  1. Put the milk, turmeric, pepper, ginger and cinnamon or cardamom in a small pan.
  2. Bring almost to the boil and leave to steep very gently for 5 minutes, stirring.
  3. Strain into a mug, let it cool a little and only then stir in the honey.

Tips

  • Turmeric leaves stubborn yellow stains: use a pan that can take it.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 5

    Turmeric

    Curcuma longa

    A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.

    Ayurveda+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 135

    Black pepper and long pepper

    Piper nigrum

    Important warming spices in Ayurveda, used for sluggish digestion and colds. Piperine from pepper increases the absorption of some substances, such as curcumin.

    Ayurveda+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 1

    Ginger

    Zingiber officinale

    Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 38

    Cinnamon

    Cinnamomum verum

    A spice made from inner bark. Research on health effects is preliminary; cinnamon is not a treatment.

    Ayurveda+8Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 344

    Cardamom

    Elettaria cardamomum

    Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, pungent, strengthens the heart, stomachic, laxative, diuretic, carminative; for asthma, bronchitis, haemorrhoids, bladder complaints, flatulence, cramps from laxatives, dizziness, indigestion, vomiting.

    Ayurveda+2

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.