Turmeric, scientifically known as Curcuma longa, is a herb native to India. It has been a part of Indian culinary and traditional medicine for long due to having compounds with medicinal properties. It is because of the presence of ‘curcumin’-an active ingredient, that the turmeric exhibits anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In today’s post, we would discuss health benefits of turmeric milk (1).

Turmeric Nutrition Value

Turmeric has the highest antioxidant strength of all the herbs and spices. Moreover, it contains other phytonutrients in notable proportions. The available curcumin content is 3.14%, by weight.

100 g of Turmeric Provides

• Iron: 41.42 mg
• Dietary fiber: 21 g
• Potassium: 2525 mg
• Vitamin C: 25.9 mg
• Vitamin E: 3.10 mg
• Niacin: 5.140 mg
• Manganese: 7.83 mg
• Zinc: 4.35 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Health Benefits of Turmeric Milk

1. Treats Cough and Cold

Turmeric is a commonly used remedy for a cough and cold. The antibacterial and antiviral properties of turmeric effectively fight the infection. It does it by promoting the mucus production that in turn flushes the infecting microbes out of the respiratory tract (2).

Moreover, the anti-inflammatory action of turmeric relieves you of the discomforting symptoms of cold and cough. It is one of the best health benefits of turmeric milk (3).

2. Helps in Asthma

The inflammation occurred as an allergic response in asthma gets negated by the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric. Thus, it reduces the swelling in the lungs and also relaxes the muscle spasms.

As a result, the blood vessels are dilated and, consequently, the usual breathing pattern is restored (4).

3. Speeds up Wound Healing

Turmeric milk assists in all the aspects of wound healing. It prevents bleeding by helping in blood clotting.

Moreover, due to its antibacterial properties, it makes sure the wound doesn’t get infected by pathogens through its opening. Besides, it assists in the healing of the injury and also treats the skin with minimal or no scarring (5).

4. Improves Oral Health

The combined effect of potassium, linoleic and linolenic acids, iron, and curcumin prevent the gum inflammation symptoms such as pain and gingivitis.

Hence, It relieves a toothache and also reduces the bacterial build up in the oral cavity to give you a pleasant and odourless breath.

5. Possesses Antioxidant Effect

The potent antioxidant effect of turmeric is capable of warding off the skin problems such as wrinkling and hard skin.

It protects your body from the adverse effects of free radicals and thus, helps in keeping your skin elastic and rejuvenated. With a healthy skin, you appear younger than your actual age.

6. Anti-inflammatory

Turmeric milk is also useful for relieving you of the inflammatory symptoms such as pain and swelling. Thus, it exceedingly helps you with the conditions such as back pain, arthritis, stomach ulcers, and bursitis.

People also call it a ‘natural aspirin’ due to its property of effectively subsiding headaches, and other body pains. It is one of the best health benefits of turmeric milk.

7. Improves Your Digestion

You can get rid of your constipation to have a healthy bowel movement by using the turmeric milk.

It stimulates the gallbladder and results in the production, and subsequently, the release of bile. This bile aids digestion by improving the absorption of fats and vitamins in your intestine.

Here is an informative video by Pooja Luthra

8. Good for Liver Function

Turmeric milk is good for having a healthy liver function. It reduces the fat accumulation in the liver to keep the fatty liver disease away.

Moreover, it assists your liver in its task of detoxification which ensures a smooth functioning of your body. Alongside, it also protects the liver from the detrimental effects of an excess of alcohol.

9. Keeps Your Eyes Healthy

The curcumin- an ingredient in turmeric, has proved to be effective against a genetic eye disease- Retinitis pigmentosa. This disease leads to the total blindness by degenerating the cells required for eyesight.

Due to the anti-oxidative properties of turmeric, it is also found to have its role in reducing another eye disease called glaucoma.

10. Boosts Heart Health

Curcumin is featured with cardio-protective activities and helps to keep at bay the conditions such as Cardiac arrhythmia and Cardiac Hypertrophy.

It protects you from heart attacks by working on a genetic level. Moreover, turmeric reduces the inflammation of heart muscles; that is caused by myocarditis, and thus, keeps your heart healthy and safe.

11. Improves Respiratory Health

Again, curcumin has a central role here due to its anti-purulent activity by which it treats bronchitis, i.e., the inflammation of lungs.

Besides, with its anti-inflammatory activity, it also relieves the cough symptoms overnight. Improved respiratory health is one of the best health benefits of turmeric milk.

12. Fights Cancer

The cancer-fighting properties of curcumin are not unknown to anyone now. With the ability to kill and stop the growth of cancer cells, it has been found to be effective up to some extent.

Turmeric milk can be used to decrease the chances of getting stomach cancer, bowel cancer, skin cancer and breast cancer.

13. Acts as a Blood Purifier

The level of toxins in our blood has elevated due to the uncontrolled use of pesticides in farming, and an unhealthy lifestyle.

Turmeric Curcumin acts as an excellent blood purifier and cleanser. By functioning as a blood thinner, it clears out the impurities from the blood vessels and lymphatic system. It is one of the best health benefits of turmeric milk.

14. Good For Joints

Various bone diseases and joint problems can be an issue with the growing age. Turmeric reduces the bone stiffness and relieves the symptoms of arthritis such as pain.

Besides, it also treats arthritis by blocking the inflammatory enzymes and promotes a better health of joints.

15. Enhances Skin Texture

The medicinal properties of turmeric made it be included even in the wedding traditions.

Turmeric protects the skin from the effects of free radicals, thus keeping it free from fine lines, and age spots. Its regular use brings a glow and makes the skin flawless and healthy.

16. Treats Headache

Sinus congestion and stress often cause the headaches.

It is effectively subsided by the turmeric milk which helps in the sinus drainage by increasing its flow after thinning it.

17. Improves Sex Life

Turmeric milk brings one more advantage with itself, i.e. a better sex life.

By diminishing the conditions such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, It leads to a better stamina during intercourse. Turmeric milk also improves the functioning of the male reproductive system.

18. Helps in Weight Loss

By assisting your body in breaking down the dietary fat, turmeric milk helps you in losing your weight.

With the help of curcumin, it inhibits the expansion of fat cells and also prevents insulin resistance. Thus, it ensures the body retains no excess fat. Turmeric is one of the best foods for burning belly fat and weight loss.

19. Gets rid of Insomnia

Drinking turmeric milk before going to bed helps you in a sound sleep with the help of its constituent amino acid- tryptophan.

It increases the serotonin levels in the brain, and as a result, relaxes and calms your mood, and gives you a good night sleep.

20. Improves Stamina

Turmeric is loaded with the stamina boosting properties.

By helping in an efficient food absorption, it allows your body to generate more energy that results in a better stamina and performance. Due to this property, the turmeric milk has also been given a place in the bedroom of couples.

21. Helps in Body Detoxification

Various biological processes of our body produce toxic substances as a by-product. In addition to these substances, your polluted surroundings also contribute in the toxication of your body.

Turmeric milk assists your body’s capability to easily detoxify itself in order to rule out the possibility of severe health problems and diseases.

22. Regular Menstrual Cycle

Turmeric milk has the properties to combat pre-menstrual syndrome which brings issues such as depression and mood swings.

It also functions as an anti-spasmodic agent and plays a major role in pain perception. Enriched with anti-inflammatory properties, it reduces the abdominal aches and menstrual cramps to make your menses easy for you. It is one of the best health benefits of turmeric milk.

23. Normalize Blood Pressure

Turmeric has been found to carry anti-hypertensive property. It can bring hypertension or the high blood pressure in a healthy range.

By acting on the blood pressure regulating the hormonal system which includes the angiotensin receptors, it prevents blood vessels from constricting. Thus it keeps the blood flowing at a normal rate and so remains the blood pressure.

How to Prepare Turmeric Milk?

Using Turmeric Powder

• Pour water and milk into a pan.
• Add a half teaspoon of turmeric powder.
• Allow it to boil once and then simmer it for ten mins.
• Pour it into the glass, and drink it hot or warm.

Using Fresh Turmeric Root

• Put a one-inch piece of turmeric in a pan.
• Pour milk and allow it boil for about 10-15 minutes.
• You can add a half teaspoon of sweetener if you want.
• Strain the turmeric milk into a glass, cool it and drink.

Turmeric milk or ‘the golden milk’ is highly enriched with health-boosting elements. For that reason, it has been a subject of research for various national and international labs. Its regular consumption can efficiently help you tackle the adverse effects of polluted environment and unhealthy lifestyle.

Moreover, it shows its positive effects on almost all parts of the body and also comes at a low price. So, use it to lead a smooth and disease-free life.