This ubiquitous anti-inflammatory beverage is spreading across the Internet like wildfire, and for good reason! Golden Tea is a coconut milk beverage loaded with good-for-you ingredients that help fight inflammation. The stars are fresh turmeric, fresh ginger, and black pepper, but we've added a couple more superfoods to our version for an even heftier health boost: cinnamon and bee pollen. Take a look at what each of these powerhouses can do for your body:
Turmeric
In addition to its hefty anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is a powerful anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and antiseptic. Unfortunately, turmeric’s active ingredient curcumin has low bioavailability, which means it’s difficult for our bodies to absorb, so pair it with our next ingredient to increase its health benefits.
Black Pepper
Piperine, the key active ingredient in black pepper and what causes pepper’s spiciness, helps curcumin be more bioavailable. Consider black pepper and turmeric a dynamic duo! But black pepper on its own is also a powerhouse. It’s also a very good anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, and helps with digestive issues like indigestion, constipation and diarrhea, as well as respiratory ailments (coughs and the common cold), muscle strain, and more. Plus, it’s a great source of iron, manganese, potassium, as well as vitamins C and K.
Ginger
Ginger belongs to the same family as turmeric, which helps explain its magnificent health benefits. Gingerol, perhaps the most powerful chemical compound found in ginger, acts as a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. Ginger also helps with indigestion, nausea, digestion and the metabolism of food, it also helps boosts your immune system and fight infections, it improves diabetes and fights cancer, and can even aid in weight loss.
Cinnamon
So sweet and spicy and also one of the most beneficial spices on earth! Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial. It also is immune-boosting and can also protect against cancer and heart disease. (I love putting a couple pinches in my morning coffee!)
Bee Pollen
Did you know that bee pollen contains nearly all the nutrients humans require? It contains nearly 40% protein, making it richer than in protein than any animal source, and has more amino acids by weight than beef, eggs, or cheese. It’s quite possibly the most completely nourishing food! Some of the top health benefits bee pollen provides include anti-inflammatory abilities, it’s a strong antioxidant, it boosts the immune system, can relieve menopausal symptoms, can help relieve stress, can help detox the liver and lower cholesterol levers, aids in healing, and can even act as a metabolism booster.
Golden Anti-Inflammatory Tea
Makes 1 quart
Use the recipe below as a guide to suit your personal tastes. I love the spiciness of ginger, so I load up on it. Start with a smaller amount of each spice, then add as you go until you reach the flavor you desire. Keep in mind, however, that you want a powerful mixture. We're not just seasoning cookies here!
1 quart coconut milk (beverage, not canned)
2 tablespoons freshly grated turmeric root (if using powdered, make sure it's the freshest, highest quality you can get)
2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger root (same as above)
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 tablespoon bee pollen
Pour coconut milk into a saucepan. Add spices and simmer on low for 10-15 minutes. Strain into a pitcher and enjoy a cup immediately! Store the rest in the fridge, but be sure to consume within a couple of days. It's wonderful any time of day, especially just before bed!
