Adaptogen Herbal Treat

I am always talking to people about how they can add more herbs into their diet.  Some standard ways to ingest herbs are in teas, tinctures, syrups, capsules, or pills.  These all work great.  But, did you know you can also cook with medicinal herbs and integrate them into a meal as well?  Medicinal herbs can be added to smoothies, stocks, soups or bone broth, cookies, cakes or breads, dressings or sauces or if they are fresh, they can be added to salads or as toppings on veggies…there are just so many delicious options for adding herbs into a daily routine to reap their many benefits. 

There are so many wonderful herbs to choose from and, depending on what is needed, different ones will be used.  But, I specifically love using adaptogen herbs and I use them daily.   Adaptogen herbs help the body adapt to stress, support normal metabolic functions, and restore balance in the body.  They can help increase the body’s resistance to physical, biological, emotional, and environmental stressors and offer a defense response to acute or chronic stress.  They are unique in the herb world as they can restore balance of endocrine hormones, modulate the immune system and allow the body to maintain optimum homeostasis.  So, they literally help you “adapt” to all types of stressors!   Who doesn’t need that??

Since adding herbs into a daily diet can be a new concept for some people, I thought I would start with a sweet treat idea to get you started.   This is my healthy “candy” option that is nourishing, energy boosting and delicious.  With summer coming up and more physical activities on the schedule, a quick boost of energy and nutrition is always a good idea.   Here is an option to a power/protein bar that you can make at home using simple ingredients and some great adaptogen herbs.     

The adaptogen herbs I am use in this recipe are ashwagandha, rhodiola, astraglus, eleuthero, maca, and goji berries, in addition to other yummy ingredients. 

This is a great “Energy Candy” that you won’t feel guilty about eating. :0) 

Ingredients:

2 cups nut butter (your choice – peanut, almond, cashew, etc.)

2 cups tahini

1 cup honey (this is to taste so you can add more or less)

1 ounces maca powder

.75-ounce ashwagandha powder

1-ounce eleuthero powder (Siberian ginseng)

1-ounce rhodiola powder

1-ounce astragalus powder

1 cup nuts (your choice – walnut, almonds, etc.)

8 ounces shredded coconut

8-10 ounces of your favorite dark chocolate (cut into small pieces)

½ cup goji berries

Unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions:

1)      Combine the nut butter, tahini and honey in a large bowl and mix until smooth

2)      Mix the herbal powders in a separate bowl and then add them to the nut                   butter mix

3)      Add the chopped nuts, coconut, chocolate pieces and goji berries and mix well.           (hands work great)

4)      Roll the dough into small walnut size balls.

5)      Finish the balls with cocoa powder.  Put some cocoa powder in a baggie and then drop the balls in to coat. Put them on wax paper once coated and put                 them in the fridge. They will last for several weeks in the fridge.

Dosage:

2 balls a day

This is a great treat to have on hand for a hike, bike ride, or other physical activity when you need a nice energy boost and/or a tasty snack.

I really enjoy these and think they are delicious, let me know what you think.

Enjoy!

DeBritt