Moon milk for sleep, here’s why people are obsessing over this wellness trend
So, what’s moon milk? It’s milk with some traditional spices like black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg, a drink most Indians find comfort in during those terrible flu bouts. Yes, just our haldi doodh in fancy colours.
Growing up, most of us were either cajoled or forced to gulp down a glassful of milk before going to bed to help us sleep better. Now, there are tonnes of sleep aids available — be it pills or ambient music, but the wellness industry is going nuts over moon milk.
So, what’s moon milk? It’s milk with some traditional spices like black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg, a drink most Indians find comfort in during those terrible flu bouts.
But only because the West has just discovered the many benefits of these spices, everyone is going crazy over moon milk. Remember turmeric latte? Moon milk is already one of the top trends on Pinterest, with searches and saves going up 700% since the beginning of this year. Also, Instagram is where wellness and food trends take birth (think avocado toast, poke bowls, Buddha bowls), so the hype over moon milk is not surprising.
So why does it work? Nutritionist Ritesh Bawri says the combination of warm milk and the different spices aid better sleep, “Turmeric is a known anti-inflammatory, and when combined with pepper and the fat from the milk, it becomes more bio-available, which means your body can absorb it better. Nutmeg is known as an excellent detoxifier and also relieves pain. Cinnamon has qualities that prevent cancer and reduce risk of heart diseases. It also improves sensitivity to insulin, which is perfect for diabetics,” he says.
How to make moon milk? A simple recipe is basically like our desi haldi doodh. But if you’re looking to make those Pinterest-y mugs, then add all the spices in a mug and top it with some dried rose petals or lavender petals. You can give your milk colour by adding butterfly pea flower powder, rose syrup or kesar.
So, go ahead, make yourself a warm, soothing cup of moon milk and drift away to dreamland.
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