It’s probably no secret that I’m a huge proponent of a good night’s sleep. It’s easier said than done if you’re a mom with kids. Over the years, I’ve been adjusting my nighttime routine to suit my circumstances. This includes things like avoiding blue light and drinking relaxing drinks at night.
This delicious Cherry Rose Moon Milk recipe is a great way to unwind at night!
What is menstrual milk?
Some of us remember drinking a glass of warm milk as children due to insomnia. It turns out there’s actually some solid science behind the age-old practice of drinking warm milk before bed. A 2018 study had heart patients drink hot milk and honey twice a day. After just three days, their sleep improved significantly.
In 2020, scientists conducted a meta-analysis of research on dairy products and sleep. They found that dairy products did improve sleep quality. Interestingly, when cows are milked at night, their milk contains more tryptophan and melatonin. These natural hormones are known to promote restful sleep.
Moon Milk combines warm milk with adaptogenic herbs to reduce stress and get more rest.
Monthly milk options
Even if you don’t eat dairy, you can still enjoy a glass of dairy-free monthly milk to calm you down. Certain plant or nut milks, such as almond milk, coconut milk, and oat milk, are also beneficial. Oatmeal and almond milk both contain tryptophan, melatonin, and magnesium (all of which help with sleep). Coconut milk also contains magnesium. Feel free to use the milk of your choice in this recipe.
Calming Herbs and Adaptogens
One of the ingredients of menstrual milk is adaptogenic herbs. These herbs nourish the nervous system and help the body recover from stress. They have been used in the Ayurvedic tradition for thousands of years and have recently come under scientific scrutiny. Decades of modern research confirm the power of these ancient herbs.
Adaptogens are used to enhance physical performance, calm emotions, and generally rejuvenate body systems. Different people do different things, and some are safer than others. They are not one size fits all. That said, some work well for most people.
ashwagandha
Unlike most stimulating adaptogens, ashwagandha is a calming adaptogen. It is also the most popular among moon milk recipes. Ashwagandha helps relieve anxiety, fatigue, stress-induced insomnia, anemia, and brain fogginess. there are more.
Pregnant women, people with high iron levels, or people with an overactive thyroid should not use ashwagandha. I include ashwagandha powder in this recipe because it is very useful and safe for many people. If you fall into any of the above categories, just omit it from the recipe.
Calming herbs in moon milk
In addition to tryptophan-rich milk, you’ll also find several other soothing herbs in this menstrual milk. Chamomile may be gentle enough for babies, but powerful enough for adults, too. I use it for fussy toddlers, pink eye, and to improve sleep. You can read more about chamomile here.
Another herb we use is rose petals. They add a gentle floral fragrance and smell wonderful. Roses also support the nervous system, protect the liver, and enhance heart function. They can help relieve emotional and physical pain.
Finally, the star of the show is tart cherry juice. This tangy juice contains melatonin, which helps you sleep longer.
Important tips:
The acid in cherry juice can cause raw milk and some brands of store-bought plant milk to separate. To test whether your milk is separating, add a little cherry juice and milk to a cup before mixing all the moon milk ingredients together. If it does curdle and separate, omit the cherry juice, increase the rose petals to 1 tablespoon, and reduce the honey to 1 tablespoon or sweeten to taste.
Calming Cherry Monthly Milk Recipe
This soothing warm drink contains herbs that help promote restful sleep. Rich cherries combined with sweet honey.
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Heat water in a small pot until boiling. Add the rose petals and chamomile, turn off the heat and cover. Soak for 3-4 minutes.
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Strain the tea and return it to a clean pot.
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Add cherry juice, milk, honey and ashwagandha powder (if using). Heat over low heat until warm.
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To make it more like a frothy latte, blend your moon milk for a few seconds. You can use a blender or milk frother.
nutrient content
Calming Cherry Monthly Milk Recipe
Serving size (1 serving)
Calories 228
Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
fat 3 grams5%
Polyunsaturated fat 2g
Monounsaturated fat 2g
sodium 339 mg15%
Potassium 182 mg5%
carbohydrate 51 grams17%
Fiber 1g4%
48 grams of sugar53%
protein 2 grams4%
Vitamin C 0.2 mg0%
calcium 319 mg32%
iron 1 mg6%
*Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
- Add 1 teaspoon coconut oil or ghee and stir for a smoother texture.
- You can also add a little almond or vanilla extract to complement the cherry flavor.
Some menstrual milk recipes call for mixing together turmeric, cinnamon powder, ginger powder and coconut oil. They’re basically golden milk with some ashwagandha added to it. You can also add cardamom and black pepper to the mixture. You can find my golden milk recipe here.
Have you ever drank monthly milk before? What are your favorite ingredients to use? Leave a comment and let us know!