In Ayurveda (one of the oldest systems of natural healing in the world), warm milk is a common remedy for sleeplessness. This recipe features nutmeg (a natural sleep aid) and ashwagandha (an adaptogen that helps your body deal with stress) to shepherd you to dreamland. Look for ashwagandha at health food stores or Indian specialty stores. Here's why drinking this at nighttime is better for you than counting sheep.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup whole milk or unsweetened hemp milk (find recipe for hemp milk here) 
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
• ¼ teaspoon ground ashwagandha (or another adaptogen, like shatavari or astralagus)
• 2 pinches of ground cardamom
• Pinch of ground ginger (optional)
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon virgin coconut oil or ghee
• 1 teaspoon honey, preferably raw

METHOD

Bring milk to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in cinnamon, turmeric, ashwagandha, cardamom, ginger, if using, and nutmeg; season with pepper. Whisk vigorously to incorporate any clumps. Add coconut oil, reduce heat to low, and continue to cook until warmed through, 5–10 minutes (the longer you go, the stronger the medicine).

Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Stir in honey (you want to avoid cooking honey or you'll destroy its healing goodness). Pour into a mug, drink warm, and climb right into bed.

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