Summer Solstice Turmeric Golden Milk

Nov 17

Written By Natasha

Yes, it is the longest day and shortest night of the year marking the onset of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. The summer solstice is celebrated in many cultures and wisdom traditions as a major celestial event and a potent time for prayer and ceremony. On the solstices, the rays of the sun directly hit two tropical latitude lines. The Maya, the most accomplished astronomers of ancient time, pin pointed it and other celestial events with profound accuracy and also charted the planets and other celestial bodies well into future time.

Turmeric Golden Milk

Turmeric is an incredibly healing spice used for over 2,500 years in India. It is thought the etymology of the word “turmeric” probably comes from the early French “terre merite” via the Latin “terra merita”, literally “deserving earth”. It was often used as a substitute to the expensive spice Saffron. The active pharmacological agent, curcumin, gives Turmeric its rich color as well.

It has a peppery, warm, and bitter flavor. This healing wonder is very anti-inflammatory, and beneficial for achy and stiff joints. It holds natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties, and has been effective in disinfecting cuts and burns. It’s been noted to be particularly powerful for cancer prevention. When our family dog, Kenna Jo, had lymphoma, we gave her pure capsules of turmeric, coated in peanut butter of course!

A natural liver purifier, it may also aid in weight management. It boasts benefits for arthritis, digestive imbalances, anti-aging and its high antioxidant content. Ayurveda has long promoted its healing capacity and importance in Ayurvedic living. Along with the sacred notion of the summer solstice, long too, has turmeric had its ceremonial uses. It builds what Ayurveda refers to as “Ojas”, translating as “vigor”, that essential sap of one’s life energy. It is regarded as the stabilizing essence of the body that helps the body and mind resist stress.

Deepak Chopra says, “Ojas are the pure and subtle substance that’s extracted from food that has been completely digested. Ojas circulates throughout the bodily tissues and heart, sustaining the physical self, bringing clarity to the mind and balancing the emotions.”

Strong ojas increase immunity, stamina, endurance and vitality. Lowered ojas result in decreased immunity, fatigue, and illness. Ojas supports the grounding and stability of mind and body. Other ways to build ojas include time in nature, mental and physical rest, healthy digestion, and meditation.

It is very versatile in the kitchen. When cooking, I put a little of ghee in the saucepan first and then some turmeric as cooking any spice into an oil first helps drive it deeper into the tissues, aiding in it’s absorption.

It’s great sprinkled on top of salads, and in smoothies. On this fine summer solstice eve, I added it in my milk. This golden turmeric milk helps with stiff joints, as mentioned above, lubricates the entire system, and calms your nervous system so that you can drink it any time of day, and especially at night time.

I was pleased at how amazing I felt while and after drinking it. I immediately felt my body warming. Halfway through drinking it, I closed my eyes and felt it meeting and greeting all my cells with a proverbial ‘amen’!

It must be what the flora and fauna feel like when the rains finally come after waiting so long. It’s moments like those you know medicine truly exists, and we have been given the gift to offer ourselves to it.

Below is a recipe I adapted from the Kundalini 3Ho website, where Yogi Bhagan is quoted saying, ““There is nothing more effective than turmeric to clean your body and purify it. There is nothing more precious on this earth but turmeric. Turmeric, ‘haldi,’ it solves every problem which cannot be solved.” Yogi Bhajan, KWTC 1979”.

I will also include some optional variations.

Recipe:

1/8 tsp. turmeric

1/4 cup water
8 oz. milk (I suggest using almond, oat, or coconut milk for a dairy free option, or raw cow’s or goat’s milk)
2 TBS almond oil, sesame oil, or ghee (I used sesame oil)
raw honey or maple syrup to taste (When using raw honey, wait until the drink has cooled because heated honey creates toxins and clogs the circulatory channels).

Procedure:

Simmer the turmeric in water for about 8 minutes until it forms a nice paste, stirring constantly.
Meanwhile, bring the milk to a boil with the oil. As soon as it begins to boil, remove it from the heat.
Combine the turmeric paste with the milk and oil.
Wait for the drink to cool a bit, and sweeten.

Optional to add into the paste~