Personally I’ve never acquired the taste for coffee, even though I quite like the smell. I’ve long been grateful that I’m not exposed to coffee’s health hazards, for both oral and general health. However, disliking coffee (and regular tea) has often been socially awkward for me. I never take an invitation to ‘catch up for coffee’ literally.

So I was thrilled the first time I saw Golden Milk on a cafe menu: at last there is a delicious, warm drink that is jammed with ingredients that nourish teeth and gums. It goes by many names: Golden Latte. Golden Milk or  Golden Tea, and Turmeric Tea.

Anti-inflammatory Turmeric

There are also as many flavor variations as there are fancy coffees in a Starbucks but they all have turmeric in common, which gives it the golden glow and the powerful anti-inflammatory qualities.

Turmeric’s healing powers

The benefits of consuming turmeric extend to the whole body, but because we are focusing on oral health I’ll just mention a few of its amazing powers.  Turmeric is

•  Anti-Inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Wound Healing
• Anti-microbial.

Whether your gums are just starting to recede or you are dealing with chronic periodontal disease, turmeric can help to heal and prevent inflamed gums, abscesses and infections.

How to make Golden Milk for gum health

To get the full benefits of turmeric it should be consumed:

1. warm (or at least room temperature)
2. with fat for absorption
3. with black pepper to activate the turmeric.

Extra teeth healing value comes from using butter and  raw milk or bone broth,- all powerful teeth and gum healing foods.

Keep these three things in mind as you take the basic recipe below and adapt it to your preferences and need. Experiment- its hard to go too wrong!

Golden Milk basic recipe

Makes one serve.

• 1 cup raw milk or whole organic milk or coconut milk or activated almond milk or bone broth or water
• ½ teaspoon or more powdered turmeric, fresh turmeric or fermented turmeric paste
• dash of black pepper
• ½-1+ teaspoon butter (or coconut oil)

Optional extras

• ¼+ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼+ teaspoon ground ginger or grated fresh ginger
• ¼ tsp cardamom powder  (or 1 pod split)
• pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1/2 -1 teaspoons raw honey or 1-5  drops pure liquid stevia or maple syrup

Mix all ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat for 5-10 minutes but do NOT bring to the boil.
Whisk well to to blend and foam.

If using fresh turmeric ginger or cardamom strain out the lumpy bits.
Serve warm in a mug garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon or turmeric.