7 Wellness Tonics for Hormone Balance, Radiant Skin, Detox, and More
When it comes to feeling great all year round, you know there are tons of holistic ways to care for your body, but how do you make these herbs, roots, and healing superfoods part of your routine? These 7 amazing wellness shots have fantastic benefits for busy women who know functional foods are the secret to everything.
So put down those sugary energy drinks and set that second cup of coffee aside to make way for your new favorites–tonics that taste great AND have a functional purpose like keeping your skin radiant from the inside out, or helping to balance hormonal health.
1. The Glow Up
Get a super powered dose of antioxidants with this tart but delicious drink. Antioxidants are essential for healthy skin cells and for protecting against signs of accelerated skin aging such as fine lines, dark spots, and wrinkles. This wellness shot packs a strong antioxidant punch, which is very important during the summer when free-radical damage can be at its highest.
The base of this refreshing tea uses matcha green tea leaves and hibiscus, both of which are antioxidant powerhouses. Matcha is vibrant green in color, thanks to the chlorophyll content, which is also beneficial for skin health and detox. In a study looking at the antioxidant content of almost 300 drinks, hibiscus came out as number one in skin-loving antioxidants like polyphenols and anthocyanins (1).
Matcha leaves and hibiscus are a little tart, so this drink is best served with a little stevia or monk fruit sweetener. If you don’t mind a little added sugar, a simple syrup works well also.
Related: Top 5 Anti-Aging Antioxidant Foods for Great Skin
How to make:
Ingredients:
- 1 heaping teaspoon matcha powder
- 1 teaspoon dried hibiscus flowers
- 8-10 dried goji berries
- 1 small slice of orange peel
- 1 teaspoon honey, stevia, or sweetener of choice
Directions:
In a large saucepan, bring the water to a boil, then remove from heat. Add goji berries, orange peel, and hibiscus flowers, and let steep for 20 minutes. Whisk for about 30 seconds and strain into ice-filled glasses. Stir in matcha powder. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
2. The Detoxifier | Gut Health Wellness Shot
Feeling sluggish or like your metabolism needs a reset? You might be in need of a helpful tonic that supports detox function in your liver and digestive system. Not to worry, this gentle wellness shot won’t have you wondering if you should stick near a bathroom all day, but it will help clean up a few things that could be slowing you down.
Cilantro is great for helping upregulate detox enzymes in the liver, which is responsible for removing a big portion of the unwanted particles from your bloodstream, including heavy metals and endocrine disruptors (2). A little fresh ginger can help facilitate the movement of food through a sluggish digestive system, while a healthy splash of kombucha supports those beneficial bacteria in your gut that work hard to keep you feeling your best (3).
Cucumber and kiwi round out this detox drink with phytonutrients and a bright, refreshing flavor that will taste so great you’ll have no problem making this a regular part of your detox routine.
Read more: Can’t lose weight? Time for a holistic liver detox…
How to make it
Ingredients:
- 1 small cucumber, choppedÂ
- 2 ripe kiwis, peeled
- ½ cup kombuchaÂ
- ¼ cup full fat plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
- Ice cubes
Directions:
Add all ingredients, minus kombucha, to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a large glass and stir in kombucha. Enjoy immediately!Â
3. The Immunity Booster
Goldenseal and echinacea are two of the oldest and well known herbal remedies worldwide, renowned for their immune supportive and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes them a great choice for a wellness shot specifically for immune health. Goldenseal contains berberine, an alkaloid that has been shown to have antibacterial and antifungal properties in lab studies. And many of echinacea’s natural compounds are potent immune helpers as well, including flavonoids and vitamin C (4).Â
Need to up your immunity naturally with one easy step in your routine? Check out the Defender.
Unrefined, raw honey is one of the most valued natural products introduced to humankind since ancient times. Honey contains polyphenols and flavonoids which are attributed to its antimicrobial, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects (5).Â
Sambucus nigra, or black elderberry is a deeply colored purple berry native to North America, has been shown to have antiviral and immune supportive effects. In one study, elderberry extract was effective against 10 different strains of influenza, reducing the duration of symptoms to 3-4 days (6).Â
Read now: The 4 Best Things to Drink When You’re Sick with the Flu
How to make it
Ingredients:
- ½ tablespoon dried elderberries
- Filtered water
- ¼ cup loose leaf dried echinacea
- 1 teaspoon dried goldenseal root
- Raw, unfiltered honey to taste
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan with 8-10 oz of filtered water and simmer for 10-12 minutes. Strain into a large mug with a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth and enjoy warm.
4. The Zen Cacao | Wellness Shot for RelaxationÂ
If you’re still drinking regular cocoa, this calming cacao beverage will change the way you relax with chocolate forever. Cacao is the raw powder from the same plant as cocoa powder, except cacao is packed with flavonoids, antioxidants, and minerals like magnesium. These nutrients have been shown to help lower blood pressure, improve blood flow to the brain and heart, and help relax your nervous system (7).
For an extra antidote for stress, add Ayurvedic remedy ashwagandha to this wellness shot which has been shown to support your body’s response to life’s stressors, as well as promote a calm mind. Then, the queen of the mushroom kingdom, reishi, is unique because of its calming properties. Reishi’s benefits are thanks to a compound called triterpene, which has been shown to ease depressive symptoms as well as soothe anxious feelings (8).
Related: Your Antidote for Stress + Anxiety: Magnolia Bark
How to make it
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoon cacao powder
- 1 cup dairy free milk (cashew or coconut work well)
- ½ teaspoon ashwagandha root powder
- ½ teaspoon reishi mushroom powder
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar or maple syrup
- Pinch of sea salt
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a saucepan on medium heat. Whisk or stir ingredients to fully combine as you bring to a gentle simmer. Remove from heat. Pour into a mug as is, or top with coconut whipped cream or a sprinkle of sea salt or extra cacao powder.Â
5. The Hormone Helper
Maca, sometimes called Peruvian ginseng, is your best friend for balancing hormones like estrogen and testosterone. When out of balance, these hormones can cause mood swings, acne, unbearable PMS, and so much more. Cultures have used maca as natural hormone and mood support for centuries, and now it’s made its way into the modern world!
Red raspberry leaf is a traditional remedy for menstrual support, menstrual cramps, and to support uterine comfort.Â
Your hormones are regulated by a master gland–your thyroid–and it helps direct the symphony of various hormones in your body. Studies have shown that inositol, a vitamin-like substance found mainly in fruits, can support healthy thyroid function even in those with autoimmune hypothyroidism (9). What’s the fruit with the most inositol per serving? Grapefruit!
>>You can also find maca and myo-inositol in my holistic hormone support formula, Hormone Helper.
How to make it
Ingredients:
- Ice
- 1 cup filtered water
- ¼ cup loose red raspberry leaf
- 2 oz grapefruit juice (*see note)
- ½ teaspoon maca powder
- 1, 2 inch slice of ginger root, peeled
- Optional: sparkling water for a carbonated kick
Directions:
Add 1 cup filtered water, ginger root, and loose red raspberry leaves to a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and allow to steep for 10 minutes. In the meantime, add ice to a large glass. When the tea is done steeping, strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into your large glass with ice. Stir in maca root powder and add grapefruit juice
*If you’re taking any medication, including hormonal birth control, consult your pharmacist or doctor before consuming grapefruit juice.Â
6. The Focus Shot
Feel like you’re stuck in brain fog with no motivation to make it through your workday? Instead of grabbing another coffee and further exhausting your adrenals, wake up your brain and metabolism with this herbal focus wellness shot.
Rosemary helps prevent the premature breakdown of a major neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, which is important for concentration (10). In studies, aromatic peppermint oil has been shown to boost alertness and concentration (11). Ginkgo biloba has been used to help improve focus and attention in those with ADHD, and a few small studies participants experienced significant improvement (12).
How to make it
Ingredients:
- 1, 2 inch sprig of fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon gingko leaf powder
- 4-6 fresh peppermint leaves
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan with 8-10 oz of filtered water and simmer for 10-12 minutes. Strain with a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth pouring over ice, or enjoy warm.
7. The Ayurvedic Goddess
A spin on the classic golden milk recipe, this wellness shot is a combination of ingredients that are the MVPs of functional foods and have uses dating back centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. If you want a drink that can do it all, look no further.Â
Turmeric has anti-viral, gut supporting, and anti-inflammatory properties, in addition to supporting immune function and a healthy digestive flora. Ginger is packed full of phytonutrients as well as compounds which facilitate the movement of food through the digestive system. Bye-bye belly bloat!
Thyme has vitamin C and potassium, essential for immune support, skin health, and making cellular energy. A teaspoon of manuka honey helps marry all these rich flavors together while providing a hint of sweetness and its own therapeutic benefits.Â
How to make
Ingredients:
-
- 2 bags green tea of choice
- 2 cups filtered water
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 2 inch slice of fresh ginger
- 1 inch slice of turmeric root (if using powder, add ½ teaspoon)Â
- 1 teaspoon Manuka honey
- Optional: splash of milk or cream of your choice
Directions:
Bring filtered water to a gentle simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add tea bags, thyme, ginger, turmeric, and honey, stirring to dissolve the honey. Reduce heat to low and let the mixture steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a glass jar and refrigerate for 1 hour. Enjoy this wellness shot over ice, or by itself.
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Resources
- https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-9-3Â
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23281145/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18403946/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4527992/Â Â Â
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5424551/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11399518/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cocoa-sweet-treat-brain-201502057676Â
- https://ipsnews.net/business/2021/04/13/the-health-benefits-of-reishi-mushroom/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5331475/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23983963
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18041606/Â
- https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/10.1024/1422-4917/Â