This is the season when nature slows down. The trees shed their leaves and the earth turns inward to rest and renew. Our bodies are asking for the same. This means less doing, more being; less stimulation, more nourishment.

Yet modern life rarely honors this natural call to rest. We push through the darkening evenings with the same intensity we bring to summer’s long days. Our adrenal glands—those walnut-sized powerhouses that manage stress—bear the burden. They’re working overtime when what we really need is to wind down.

Enter this golden milk. Guide your body’s natural transition into evening rest while gently nourishing stressed adrenals. Think of it as a liquid hug for your nervous system—a delicious way to tell your body that it’s safe to slow down.

The Recipe

Makes 2 servings

• 2 cups unsweetened dairy-free milk (coconut, almond, or cashew)

• 1-2 teaspoons ground turmeric

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground or freshly grated ginger

• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom

• Pinch of black pepper (don’t skip this!)

• 1 teaspoon coconut oil or ghee (optional, but recommended)

• Raw honey or maple syrup to taste (optional)

• Dropperfull of Ashwaganda Tincture (optional)

Heat a small saucepan over medium heat and whisk all ingredients together. Warm gently without boiling, whisking frequently for about 4 minutes. You want the spices to bloom and meld together without destroying their beneficial properties. Taste and adjust the sweetness and spices to your preference.

Why These Ingredients Support Your Adrenals

Turmeric: The curcumin in turmeric fights inflammation and oxidative stress. By calming inflammation, turmeric helps improve mood and combat the fatigue.

Cinnamon: Regulates blood sugar, which is crucial for adrenal health. When blood sugar spikes and crashes, your adrenals must work overtime to stabilize things. Cinnamon prevents these swings, supporting steady energy and hormonal balance.

Ginger: Helps your body shift from stress mode into rest-and-digest mode.

Cardamom: Brings natural calming properties that support relaxation and peace. Perfect for an evening wind-down ritual.

Black Pepper: The piperine in black pepper dramatically boosts your body’s absorption of curcumin. Without it, most of turmeric’s benefits would pass right through unused.

Healthy Fats: Coconut oil or ghee makes this drink creamy . It also ensures your body can actually absorb the curcumin, which needs fat to work effectively.

The Ashwagandha Addition

For extra adrenal support, consider adding an ashwagandha tincture to your golden milk. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen—an herb that helps your body manage stress by balancing cortisol levels. It nourishes depleted nervous systems, relieves anxiety, and combats adrenal fatigue.

It’s particularly helpful in the evening because it can lower elevated nighttime cortisol. This is what keeps people wired and tired at bedtime. Start with the recommended dose on your tincture and notice how your body responds.

Honoring Winter’s Wisdom

This golden milk is an invitation to align with the season’s wisdom. Winter asks us to do less, to conserve energy, to fortify ourselves from within. Your adrenals, exhausted from trying to maintain summer’s pace, are hoping you’ll accept this invitation.

So tonight, as darkness falls earlier and the cold settles in, make this your ritual. Light a candle, put away your screens, and give yourself these few minutes to prepare something nourishing. Let the warmth of the mug remind you that rest isn’t laziness—it’s essential. Let the golden color remind you that even in the darkest season, there is light and warmth to be found.

Your body will thank you. Your adrenals will thank you. And come spring, when it’s time to bloom again, you’ll be truly ready.

Note: This recipe is wonderfully versatile—experiment with different plant milks and adjust the spices to suit your taste. There’s no wrong way to make golden milk your own.