As a child, one of my core childhood memories is winter breaks at my grandparents' house. We used to be all snuggled up in warm blankets when my grandmother used to bring warm glasses of milk for herself and for all of us cousins. But her milk was always different than ours, it had a strong aroma, looked golden, and it was definitely her comfort drink before going to bed for a relaxed sleep.
“Haldi-doodh,” she would say with a smile. “Best medicine for the bones.”
I never quite understood her conviction about it at that time. For me, it was just some milk with a strange taste. Then, as I grew, I started to realize that what she was drinking were the very samples of what is now popularly called "golden milk", a combination of turmeric, honey, and warm milk. And truly, it was her secret to staying active and comfortable even in the chilliest winters.
Why Grandparents Trusted Turmeric
One of the most commonly used Indian Spices is Turmeric/Haldi. But for my grandparents, it was more than just a spice for yellow-touched vegetables. They knew it healed. CURCUMIN, the infamous compound in turmeric, has medicinal properties. It is known to reduce pain, swelling, and provide relief to joint pains, exactly what you need to combat stiff knees and pain on cold winter mornings
Some families were blessed with an even special kind of turmeric called the Lakadong turmeric. Whenever honey was around, my grandmother would never allow it to be skipped. "Sugar will harm, honey will heal," she would always say.
Honey: A Sweet Touch of Healing
My grandmother would never skip honey. “Sugar will harm, honey will heal,” she’d say. And she was right. Drinks made by her were instantly made healthier and tastier with a spoonful of Raw Honey, it also soothed her throat and gave instant energy. She’d always say Honey, Turmeric, Cow ghee, and Black pepper are the best natural medicines for pretty much all colds, coughs, etc we experience in winters.
The Secret Add-On: A Spoon of Ghee
Another little twist she added was a spoon of pure cow ghee. At first, I used to wrinkle my nose at the floating fat in her milk. But as I grew older I could understand why she added Ghee in her milk, it not only helps the body absorb turmeric and other nutrients better but also keeps the joints well lubricated. No wonder she was so fit in her late seventies, she could even sit on the floor cross legged for long hours.
Extra Little Helpers She Believed In
Golden milk was her favorite, but she had other tricks up her sleeve too. Looking back, I realize they all made sense for joint health:
Ashwagandha: My grandmother used to tell me that she added Ashwagandha sometimes in her milk as it helped calm her nerves and gave her a much more relaxed sleep.
Hemp Seeds: She loved sprinkling them on roti or adding them over semi solid meals. “Good for the bones,” she would say without knowing she was actually talking about healthy fats that reduce inflammation.
Khapli Wheat: Our rotis were always made from this ancient grain. She never bought the shiny white flour from the market. Khapli was her choice because it digested slowly and didn’t cause “heat” in the body.
Bee Pollen: This was her secret energy booster. Just a pinch on top of curd or kheer, and she’d say it gave her strength for the whole day.
Her Simple Recipe for Golden Milk
Her method was never fancy, just pure love and simplicity:
Ingredients:
1 cup warm cow’s milk
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
½ teaspoon raw honey (added after the milk cooled a bit)
½ teaspoon cow ghee
A pinch of black pepper (she didn’t know the science, but it worked)
Optional: a touch of cinnamon in winter for warmth
Steps:
First step it to heat the milk but not boil.
Add ¼ teaspoon of lakadong haldi, a pinch of black pepper, and half a tablespoon of ghee.
After it cools down a bit, add honey, mix, and sip before bedtime.
She always said, “Don’t gulp it down. Sip it slowly. Let it work inside you.”
More Than Just Milk
To my grandmother, this wasn’t only about joints or health. It was about routine, comfort, and care. That warm golden glass was her way of ending the day with peace. Honestly, now making the same warm milk with organic ingredients on cold winter nights feels like her touch and gives satisfaction that I might be carrying forward her values and traditions.
The practical facts around Turmeric states that it has curcumin, antioxidants, and omega fats that are good for overall health. Beyond these, I feel that the consistency of good habits and overall lifestyle is what kept her strong and pain-free till her very last breath.
A Legacy in a Cup
Today, when I see the world talking about “golden lattes” and “superfoods,” I smile. Because for our grandparents, this was never a trend. It was a simple, nightly ritual. It might have served to soothe aching joints but also to conjure a few memories from the harbor of home, love, and tradition.
So this winter, try making this golden drink for yourself or your elders. It may not only ease aching joints but also bring back a little memory of home, love, and tradition.
Because sometimes, the remedies hadn't yet been discovered; they were just quietly sitting in your grandma's kitchen.
