“Thousands of years before modern medicine provided scientific evidence for the mind-body connection, the sages of India developed Ayurveda, which continues to be one of the world’s most sophisticated and powerful mind-body health systems.
More than a mere system of treating illness, Ayurveda is a science of life (Ayur = life, Veda = science or knowledge). It offers a body of wisdom designed to help people stay vibrant and healthy while realizing their full human potential.”
One of the many things I love about Ayurveda is how the suggested foods have so much more to them than just the concept of food as medicine. They are full of food and food combinations that have potent nourishing effects on the emotions and the soul.
One example is our favorite Indian drink, Golden Milk. A milky, spicy, rich, and warm drink that can calm the nervous system while nourishing the thyroid and the adrenals, leading to a sense of emotional well-being. This drink is also a superstar inflammation eliminator, as well as a gentle liver cleanser, a digestive enhancer, a blood sugar balancer, and a heart-healthy, soul-soothing sidekick.
You can drink it hot or cold, depending on the season or your preference.
While Golden Milk has been revered in India for millennia, turmeric tea has been coveted amongst the Okinawans, some of the longest living people in the world, for hundreds of years.
According to the UN, the Japanese have a few tricks up their sleeve when it comes to living beyond 100 (and living well!). They have the greatest proportion of centenarians in the world (people who live to be 100 or over) – and much of that is because of their diet.
The Okinawans in Japan, who routinely measure 25 years younger than their chronological age on a cellular level, attribute their longevity and quality of life into old age with the primary anti-inflammatory compound in turmeric called curcumin.
Here are some benefits according to our friend, the Wellness Mama:
“Curcumin is a compound well-studied for it's health benefits. Turmeric contains up to 3% curcumin by weight.
Curcumin is believed to halt an enzyme that may be responsible for turning environmental toxins into carcinogens in the body. (This is one reason turmeric has long been a folk remedy for helping protect the body from the effects of smoking or chewing tobacco.)
Curcumin may also improve digestion of fats and sugars and help alleviate inflammation in the digestive system. It is even used in the mouth to help alleviate gum problems!”
We first shared our TWJ version of Golden Milk with our tribe during our Seven-Day (mostly) Raw Food and Juice Cleanse, Juice Journey, last spring. Everyone loved it. It was the perfect evening cleansing drink to help them sleep deeper and longer and allow the deep rest and cleansing their bodies and liver needed.
Here’s the recipe:
These spices all work together synergistically to help slash inflammation while calming and nourishing the nervous system to prepare you for deeper sleep.
Black pepper allows for 300% greater absorption of the nutrients of turmeric, while powdered ginger is clinically proven to be 10K times more effective than chemotherapy at killing cancer stem cells. Ceylon Cinnamon balances blood sugar; coconut oil supplies fat to the thyroid for deeper sleep, and the combination of raw honey and sea salt have a calming effect on the brain.
If you prefer not to go through the trouble of making your own Golden Milk, we also love the mix from Gaia Herbs that comes with adrenal and thyroid Indian adaptogen Ashwagandha.
Happy Healing!
References
http://www.chopra.com/articles/what-is-ayurveda#sm.006julb111pifbs117k18jgnzrkcc
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centenarian#Centenarian_populations_by_country
https://wellnessmama.com/223/turmeric-tea-recipe/
https://thewholejourney.com/ginger-is-stronger-than-chemotherapy-for-cancer/
