“Moon Milk” is one of the most popular wellness trends on Pinterest — but what on Earth is it?

When I was a kid, my mom would always make me drink a cup of warm milk before bed to help me get to sleep. Now as an adult, there are so many other sleep aids available — from lotions to Ambien, the options are pretty limitless. But you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money or even use sedatives to get a good night’s rest. Natural remedies, like a cup of warm milk, can work just as well. In fact, there’s a popular wellness trend that’s been making its way around social media that you should know about. According to Pinterest, “Moon Milk” is already one of this year’s top wellness trends, and saves for the drink have skyrocketed over 700% since 2017. 

So, what exactly is Moon Milk?

Moon Milk is basically a mixture of warm milk, spices — such as cinnamon or nutmeg — honey, and adaptogens. As certified culinary nutritionist Neda Varbanova told HelloGiggles, adaptogens are herbal supplements that are dense in nutrients and are used to improve the health of your adrenal system. In other words, they help to balance your hormones.

You might recognize ashwagandha as one of the most popular adaptogens that’s used in a variety of different teas, smoothies, and tonics. According to Varbanova, ashwagandha is used to strengthen the immune system and ease stress. It’s also one of the go-to ingredients to use if you’re looking to make your own cup of Moon Milk. You can find a variety of powdered adaptogenic herbs on Amazon.

“The adaptogens in Moon Milk promote relaxation, Varbanova said. “Milk itself also contains tryptophan and melatonin, which are natural substances that are known for inducing sleep.

So if you’re looking for a good night’s rest, a cup of Moon Milk can be pretty helpful. According to Varbanova, “This is an ancient remedy that even I remember my grandma making for me in the evening to put me to sleep when I was a little girl.”

In general, natural remedies can go either way. Some can be super useful and some won’t be. If you’re concerned about whether or not Moon Milk is actually good for you, Erin Coffield, a registered dietitian at the National Dairy Council, says yes.

“It’s simply cow’s milk with some added spices and herbs,” Coffield told HG. “Nutrient-rich cow’s milk already sets you on the path to a healthy choice, because you get the added benefits of protein, calcium, vitamin D, B vitamins, and more.”

Other ingredients, such as cinnamon and nutmeg, may provide an “added benefit of a sensory calm,” ginger (if added in) may help with digestion, and turmeric has a long history of use and perceived benefits, Coffield said.

Besides its usefulness and health benefits, look at how pretty this drink is. There are so many colors you can get, depending on what you choose to mix in. It’s no wonder social media has taken notice. 

Traditionally, whole cow’s milk is used to make the drink. However, if you’re not a big fan of dairy, Varbanova says you can easily enjoy the benefits of Moon Milk by substituting cow milk with coconut or almond milk. “It will be just as tasty and beneficial,” she said. 

Life can be super stressful, and we all know just how important it is to get enough sleep. If that’s an issue for you, try a cup of Moon Milk. It’s a natural sleep aid that not only looks good but can be good for you as well.