Golden Molasses Milk: A Natural Menstrual Discomfort Remedy
Kristin Kraemer, CHC
What is Golden Molasses Milk?
Intriguing? Definitely. Healthy? Yes! Helpful to ease menstrual discomfort? Absolutely!
Primary dysmenorrhea is a medical term for regular, cyclic, painful pelvic cramps. Did you know this condition leads to an economic loss of 600 million working hours and $2 billion annually in the U.S. (Jaafarpour et al., 2015)?
Dysmenorrhea is something many women suffer with every 28-30 days. A battle to just get through the day without vomiting, nausea, pain or a major disruption in their daily lives.
There are several spices and herbs that have been used for centuries as medicinal aids for various conditions. Some of these spices and additional ingredients have special properties that lend themselves as a favorable alternative to ease dysmenorrhea.
Combine these together to create a special nightcap beverage, not only will it help to ease the pelvic discomfort during your cycle, but it may also help you sleep better. A win-win in our book!
Golden Milk has been around for centuries. An age old tradition also referred to as haldi doodh in Ayurvedic medicine, contains anti-inflammatory spices to help boost the immune system and aid sleep.
Changing this traditional beverage and adding Blackstrap Molasses for added benefit, it now has become a ritual that I begin three days prior to my cycle and for the first three days into my cycle where I tend to experience the most pelvic pain.
The results you ask? After the third cycle of trying this new habit, I have noticed a favorable reduction in pelvic pain and better sleep. Why? See for yourself!
The Ingredients
Turmeric is the main spice used in this nightcap. Turmeric’s active ingredient is actually curcumin, which has been found to help manage oxidative and inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, anxiety and elevated cholesterol.
A study of seventy premenopausal women with regular menses was performed for seven days prior to cycle and three days into cycle. The test group receiving curcumin supplementation reported significant reduction of behavioral, physical and mood symptoms compared to the placebo group (Khayat et al., 2015).
Curcumin alone, however, has poor bioavailability (amount of active ingredient able to be used by the body) due to poor absorption, accelerated metabolism and accelerated elimination.
To increase the bioavailability of this super powerful ingredient, piperine (active ingredient in black pepper) is suggested. When these two ingredients are combined together, it can increase the bioavailability of curcumin by 2000% (Hewlings & Kalman, 2017).
Cinnamon, a key ingredient, is a common household ingredient that touts the ability to reduce pain, nausea, vomiting and may lessen the amount of menstrual bleeding as it is a traditional herb for blood loss.
Lastly, we add in Blackstrap Molasses, an ingredient that is still flying under the radar in the holistic world. A natural source of sugar, it is also a powerhouse packed full of minerals and vitamin B6. It does have a slightly bitter taste but the iron load makes up for it.
In many blackstrap molasses, the recommended daily intake (RDI) of iron in two tablespoons can range 10-20%! It also may contain around 14% RDI vitamin B6, 16% RDI potassium, 24% RDI magnesium, and 30% RDI manganese (Livdans-Forret et al., 2007)!
The last spice is ginger, which has long known to house anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties for controlling the aging process. The functional ingredients in ginger may also interfere with prostaglandin biosynthesis; another medical term that essentially explains how prostaglandins (lipid compounds that cause uterine cramping) are broken down in the body (Mashhadi et al., 2013).
Ginger is know to lessen nausea, vomiting and can also aid in relaxation.
Now that we know how these spices and herbs work together, ready to try and see for yourself?
FYI This recipe calls for non-dairy ‘milk’. Regular dairy milk is an inflammatory agent and this recipe aims to reduce inflammation. We recommend using a non-dairy alternative such as almond, oat or cashew milk.
Golden Molasses Milk Recipe
INGREDIENTS
3 cups non-dairy milk (try almond milk or almond/coconut milk blend)
1 ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 tablespoon unsulphured (unsulfured) blackstrap molasses
Sweetener to taste (1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey)
INSTRUCTIONS
In a medium saucepan, add milk and spice (do not add molasses, or sweetener at this time).
Whisk to combine over medium heat and heat until hot (do not boil); about 4-5 minutes while whisking frequently.
Remove from heat and adjust flavor as needed. Add molasses and sweetener to taste.
Serve immediately or store covered in your fridge for 2-3 days.
Makes 2 large (approximately 10oz) glasses and keeps 2-3 days refrigerated.
References
Jaafarpour, M., Hatefi, M., Najafi, F., Khajavikhan, J., & Khani, A. (2015). The effect of cinnamon on menstrual bleeding and systemic symptoms with primary dysmenorrhea. Iranian Red Crescent medical journal, 17(4), e27032. doi:10.5812/ircmj.17(4)2015.27032
Khayat S, Fanaei H, Kheirkhah A, et al. (2015). Curcumin attenuates severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Complement Ther Med, 23, 318-324.
Hewlings, S. J. & Kalman, D. S. (2017). Curcumin: A review of its effects on human health. Foods, 6(10), 92.
Livdans-Forret, A. B., Harvey, P. J., & Larkin-Thier, S. M. (2007). Menorrhagia: a synopsis of management focusing on herbal and nutritional supplements, and chiropractic. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 51(4), 235–246.
Mashhadi, N. S., Ghiasvand, R., Askari, G., Hariri, M., Darvishi, L., & Mofid, M. R. (2013). Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of ginger in health and physical activity: review of current evidence. International journal of preventive medicine, 4(1), S36–S42.
Kristin Kraemer is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, owner of Living Well With , nurse, wife, and mother. Kristin seeks to help others by cultivating awareness of their current lifestyle, providing tools to make realistic lifestyle changes and empowering others to their own personal success.