Moon Milk

When I say moon milk, what comes to mind? If you’re anything like my friends when I told them that I regularly have it, you’re probably thinking it’s either some new hippy dippy drug that makes you feel like you’re in outer space or literally milk, extracted from the moon.

By Erin O’Connor

So, moon milk? 

To quote one of my dearest friends, “what on earth is this sorcery?!” All these new health products claiming to be *the must-have* or the new thing you never knew you needed it can feel like you’re spending your money on things that are more style than substance, and I am right there with you.

In a nutshell, a moon milk is a milk-based warm beverage (traditionally made with cow’s milk, but nowadays mainly plant-based milk) that is topped up with various flavourings like fruit, honey, spices and/or herbal powders to make it immune-boosting, calming, aid sleeplessness and well, be an overall helping hand in keeping your body and mind in good nick. 

Moon milks originated in ayurveda, one the oldest systems of medicine that has its roots in India. They were traditionally consumed as a pre-bed ritual, to help those with insomnia and other sleep-related issues. However, their benefits have been seen to stretch further than just improved shut-eye, which is why they have been cropping up in health cafes and stores across the globe. Essentially, they are lattes, but instead of caffeine they contain different ingredients that have a variety of health benefits. You can go as simple or as complex as you like with these, starting with just a simple blend of honey and cinnamon, or get adventurous by lacing your milk with a concoction of herbs like ashwaganda with turmeric and nutmeg, depending on what benefits you’re looking for. 

Milk for vaginas? Come again.

My first encounter with moon milk was at Glow Bar London. For those of you who don’t live in London or have absolutely no clue what I’m barking on about, Glow Bar is a cafe in central London that has trendy infra-red saunas downstairs (saunas are cool now, apparently). I just popped in for a coffee before meeting a friend, but somehow ended up ordering a specific drink called Yoni Moon Milk, which is touted as ‘Your BFF during any time of your cycle’. Hey, it was so pink and peaceful and everyone looked so glowy, I felt like ordering a boring old flat white would be an insult. 

Before you raise your eyebrows, hear me out - according to the traditions of Tantra Yoga (a type of yoga, but that’s a story for another day) the yoni is the origin of life, the source of the Universe. In other words, the vagina. *cue brow raises*

“The yoni is the origin of life, the source of the Universe. In other words - the vagina.”

Chicory Root

I think I speak for most women when I say one of the worst things about being on your period is the bloating. The type of bloating that feels like someone has inflated a balloon in your stomach, and it won’t burst. Not fun. 

Apparently this due to the fluctuations of the hormones progesterone and oestrogen. Chicory root is rich in prebiotic fibre which works to reduce inflammation by nourishing the good bacteria in our gut. This, in turn, soothes the feeling of bloating. 

From my understanding, the Yoni Moon Milk contain just four simple ingredients that help to soothe your mood and balance your hormones. I did a little digging into the ingredients, and after an hour of going down some Google rabbit holes, I discovered that it is made out of the following ingredients:

Raw cacao

Raw cacao is essentially chocolate in its purest form, made by roasting and grinding organic cacao beans from Peru. apparently it boasts a whole host of health benefits - including antioxidants such as magnesium, which have been proven to ease menstrual cramping. The other great thing about cacao is that it is high in a compound known as tryptophan, which boosts serotonin levels which in turn helps to boost your mood. The amount of chocolate I consume while I’m on my period is obscene, so if I can get that choc hit but that will actually benefit my body, then that’s a win win! 

Shatavari

This weird and wonderful ingredient is a herb (often used in ayurvedic medicine) that is from the asparagus family. It is known as an adaptogen, which is a type of herb that helps to give what your body needs in order to bring it back to a state of balance (homeostasis). Edible yoga, if you will. Shatavari is particularly great for women and their menstrual cycles, as it helps to balance the pH levels of your vagina and controls oestrogen levels. I didn’t know this was a thing, but hey, why not? 

Ginger

Ginger is one of those classic ingredients that people either love or hate. I actually love ginger (I’ve been known to eat the pickled ginger you get with sushi just on its own) but if you’re not a fan then you’re in luck because the taste is so subtle in the milk, you’ll barely notice it.

I didn’t know this, but ginger really helps to ease menstrual pain (hallelujah, am I right ladies?) Some of ginger’s compounds help to decrease the amount of pro-inflammatory chemicals that trigger muscle contractions (or, you know, the feeling that the devil is stomping on your womb). From someone who is often bed-ridden from cramps, this sounds like a godsend. 

Above - Nothing to see here. This moon milk looks just like regular chocolate milk.

If I were to sum up this moon milk to someone in one sentence, it would be: hot chocolate on crack. If crack was good for you, obviously. From someone who is a sucker for the chocolate-iest, creamiest indulgent hot chocolates out there, I think that’s saying something.  Like all wellness products, this may or may not be for you. With that said though, moon milks have become an important part of my routine and I genuinely look forward to brewing up my Yoni Moon Milk each day and sitting down to drink it mindfully knowing that it’s full of goodness. So why not give it a go? 

ERIN O’CONNOR

Erin is a writer based in London. When’s she’s not attending a space rave, or attempting to make her own face scrub she is writing about anything and everything to do with wellbeing and mindfulness.

@erinnoconnor_

---

Would you like to write for us?

We are looking for people to share their stories, practices and passions at justbreatheproject.com. Do you have something to share? It could be a cause you think we should know about, a new way of thinking, a book that helped you through a tough time or perhaps, you have a talent you'd like to share? If you are interested please send a headline and a short intro to submission@justbreatheproject.com

---

Want more?