Herbs come in many formats: capsules, loose powder, and tinctures are common forms. Instead of taking capsules of herbs and supplements, I find the greatest way to take tonic herbs is through making tonic drinks. A tonic is defined as “an invigorating, refreshing, or restorative agent or influence.” Tonics are safe and enjoyable to take on a regular basis to promote the strength, immunity, and energy you need to feel better and stay healthier day after day. Whether you are feeling stressed or low in energy, wish to boost your mental clarity or increase your stamina, want to ease digestive discomfort or support heart health, tonics are an all-natural drink (cold or hot) to meet your individual needs.
Hormone imbalance can occur at any age (20s and up) – men and women. If you read my article last week 7 Hormone Balancing Protocols to Bring You Peace in Your Life, you will see how I started to heal myself and bring balance back into my life. Some of the main nutritional foods that I incorporated into my diet were superfoods and tonic herbs. Adding adaptogenic superior herbs to an herbal tea base or smoothie makes a beverage that rocks your world. I believe these tonic drinks supply my body with top-quality nutrients, easily assimilated by the body as nature intended. A tonic drink not only adds nutrition, more importantly it takes your body’s energy and balances it, increasing feelings of well-being, building immunity and often expanding “normal” states of consciousness.
I concocted this tonic herbal drink to assist my liver, immune system, nervous system and adrenal glands which in turn helped balance my hormones. Let me tell you, it is fantastic and has become one of my favourites. The taste is a bit different – it is rich, spicy, creamy, with a mocha butterscotch taste. It’s really hard to describe all that is going on with it, but my taste buds dance to it. In turn, my hormones are happy! Hence the name!
Ingredients: (Serves 1)
- 1 1/2 cups Almond Milk (your nut/seed milk of choice)
- 2 tbsp Dandy Blend or raw cacao powder
- 1 tsp Maca
- 1 tsp Ashwaganda
- 1/2 tsp Triphala (or 2 capsules of Triphala)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of cayenne, to taste
- 1/2 dropperful Vanilla Stevia (NuNaturals)
- 1/8 tsp or 1 capsule (broken open) Reishi powder
- A small pinch (this is powerful stuff) Shilajit (optional)
- Optional herbs: Shatavari, Pearl Powder, Goji Berries, Schizandra
Directions: Blend everything in a high speed blender (I use a Vitamix) till smooth and creamy. Taste and tweak to your liking. You can drink as is or add it to a saucepan and heat on low till warm. This is especially nice during the colder weather. Pour into mug and savour this luscious drink sending good thoughts/energy throughout your body knowing this tonic is balancing your entire system (hormones especially) at any age.
Benefits of Ingredients
Dandy Blend – Is so versatile that, depending on how much powder you use, it can be everything from a pleasant, nutty roasted tea to a rich, strong espresso. It also is the easiest way to get the benefits of dandelion root into your diet. Dandelion root aids the liver. Add one spoonful in a cup of hot or cold liquid, stir, and it is ready to drink. It makes a particularly good iced coffee for use in warm water. Rich, smooth full-bodied coffee flavour, but no caffeine, acidity or bitterness. I love this stuff! It’s also great to add to raw ice creams, puddings, pies, hot chocolate drinks etc. for a coffee-like taste with none of the coffee side-effects.
Maca – Is a wonderful hormone balancer. It is important to remember that Maca does not itself contain any hormones, but its action on the body jolts the pituitary gland into producing the precursor hormones which ultimately end up raising estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels, as well as helping to balance the adrenal glands, the thyroid and the pancreas. This occurs naturally while increasing energy. I take Maca daily to keep those hormones in check. I usually increase the dosage a bit during “that time of the month” and it makes life (and my husband’s life) more enjoyable.
Ashwagandha – Also known as Withania somnifera, Ashwagandha is an herbal remedy that may be effective in treating your hormone imbalance. Ashwagandha is a popular Ayurvedic herb used to help treat stress, fatigue, pain and diabetes. It is best suited to individuals whose hormone levels are altered due to stress or chronic agitation.
Shilajit – Contains 85+ minerals in ionic form, vitamins, fulvic acid and very important phytonutrients. The fulvic acid in shilajit is in its most natural and purest form. Fulvic acid is required to dilate the cell walls and transport the minerals deep into the cells. By adding Shilajit to tonic drinks and smoothies, it can instantly supply these minerals, vitamins and nutrients to the cells. It can effectively prolong cell life and keep it healthy for a very long time. Shilajit is a very effective liver tonic. It literally helps rebuild liver tissues. By maintaining the liver functions, It helps the body perform various functions attributed to the liver like digestion, metabolism, etc. at an optimum level.
Triphala – Is recommended and used more than any other Ayurvedic herbal formulation. Popular for its unique ability to gently cleanse and detoxify the system while simultaneously replenishing and nourishing it, this traditional formula supports the proper functions of the digestive, circulatory, respiratory and genitourinary systems. Translated as “three fruits”, it is composed of the dried fruits of amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki. Containing five of the six tastes (all but salty), Triphala readily removes excess vata, pitta and kapha from the body, bringing balance and proper functioning to the system. It is commonly taken as a daily supplement to help maintain balance of the doshas.
Reishi – This prized fungus may be able to boost your immune system, fight cancer, ward off heart disease, calm your nerves and relieve both allergies and inflammation. According to Eastern thought, the body needs to defend itself against threats to its “equilibrium.” These threats can be physical, such as viruses and bacteria that cause infection; emotional, such as stressors that cause anxiety; or energetic, in that they reduce alertness. Whatever the threat, Reishi helps the body maintain its defense against these threats to its equilibrium, helping the body to maintain balance. In this sense, diseases like heart disease and cancer mean that the body is out of balance, which is why an equilibrium-enhancing remedy such as Reishi can help so many diverse ailments. I take Reishi daily.
Researching food and nutrition is a passion along with cooking and preparing wholesome meals that are plant based.She loves to share recipes and information to assist others to take their own health to the next level.
She aims to ignite the spark of light in you to see the connection between the body (food & exercise), mind (change your old thoughts/ perceptions/ attitudes to NEW, positive ones with affirmations and BELIEVING in them till you LIVE them), and Spirit (Loving & accepting yourself unconditionally that it opens yourself to a source that responds in kind.)The power to heal is WITHIN you!
Kibby writes a blog where she shares recipes, organic gardening, DIY tips, natural pet care and more. She currently resides in North Georgia with her husband, three dogs and a cat.
- Happy Hormone Tonic Drink - Apr 28, 2014
- 7 Hormone Balancing Protocols to Bring You Peace in Your Life - Apr 24, 2014
