Moon Milk Ticket to Dreamland

Drinking Moon Milk is like climbing under a down comforter with Miles Davis. Warm, and real smooth. Sometimes drinking a cup of Moon milk is a part of my evening ritual, it helps me prepare for the next day. Nothing like a sip from my mug before bed to help me unwind and ease into those zzzs.

The seed for the recipe was planted when I began dabbling in herbalism. I was learning about plant healers, adding roots to my pantry with names that would trip up the Scripps National Spelling Bee champ, and getting all kinds of witchy in my kitchen. 

Ayurveda—is one of the oldest systems of natural healing in the world.  Moon Milk comes from the the 5,000 year-old Ayruvedic belief that drinking warm milk helps induce restful, deep sleep.  Who doesn’t want to beat insomnia, experience a deep sleep with vivid dreams and then wake up feeling refreshed?  It’s sometimes described as being an “adaptogen elixir” because it can have calming effects.  Depending on the specific recipe, it might also help to dull pain, increase alertness during the day, and help you recover from illnesses more easily.

I love that this recipe’s got that whole I’m-delicious-but-also-medicinal thing going. It’s laced with deeply nourishing herbs like turmeric, the great inflammation tamer, plus cinnamon and cardamom, which are pro at keeping you a well-functioning, warm-blooded mammal. Nutmeg is a natural sleep aid (which is maybe why you always feel drowsy after eating all those holiday baked goods), and ashwagandha, an adaptogenic root herb, is a friend to the nervous system and particularly great at shepherding you to dreamland. Ginger helps you assimilate all the nutrients into your system, and the whole gang pacifies a racing, restless mind. My kind of night cap.

• In a small pot, bring milk to a simmer over low heat, then add cinnamon, turmeric, ashwagandha and any other spices you like. Whisk to get rid of any clumps.
• Add ghee or oil and simmer for 5–10 minutes, then turn off heat and let cool a bit. While still warm, add honey or syrup to taste.

Other adaptogens, you may choose from:

• Ashwagahnda: Taking this adaptogen daily may improve anxiety and relieve stress.
• Rose: The light, floral sent of rose is calming and comforting and edible rose petals can be found online or in your local spice shop. 
• Lavender: May help you sleep and reduce stress. Don’t go overboard unless you need to wash your mouth out with soap.
• Turmeric: To make a golden milk, use the yellow spice turmeric, which may also reduce inflammation.
• Cardamom: Cardamom adds a little bit of sweetness and may aid digestion.
• Ginger: In winter, ginger is a great flavor! 
• Tart Cherries: Tart cherry juice contains load of antioxidants and is also a good source of melatonin. In a small study focused on people suffering from insomnia, the participants slept better and stayed asleep for longer.