Tasty Adaptogen-Enhanced Teas: Recipes & Expert Insights

Adaptogens have gained much popularity in the mainstream market, and there have been many more consumer products created that include adaptogen plants and mushrooms in their ingredients. With this mainstream shift in effect, we wanted to get some perspective from professionals on how they use adaptogens in teas and more.

An Expert's Advice on Adaptogens & Herbs

From clinical herbalist and wellness coach Jennifer Ribaudo of Desert Moon Botanicals:

"Adaptogens are amazing, I love them. I probably use them on every single client that I have. They work over time and nourish the body, help balance things and respond to stress.

As a clinical herbalist, I use herbs in synergy in the context of what is going on with a person. I don’t think I ever give a single herb. I use formulas because one herb doesn’t solve it all.

There are three great herbs that I love to recommend: Holy Basil (adaptogen), Rose and Hibiscus. I tell people to take equal parts of those, make it into a tea, drink it for 30 days and then come back and tell me how they feel.

Usually, after 30 days of drinking that adaptogen tea every day, because it’s so calming and helps with stress, it supports the heart, I have students come back and say 'Wow, that helped a lot.' Just drinking a cup of tea every day."

Desert Moon Botanicals Calming Tea:

Tea Ingredients:

• 1 part Holy Basil (Tulsi)
• 1 part Rose Petals
• 1 part Hibiscus

Tea Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients into a Press ’N Brew Tea Bag, tea strainer, or tea infuser.
2. Let the herbal tea blend steep for 5-10 minutes.
3. Sip and enjoy.
4. Drink the tea once a day for 30 days.

An Expert's Advice on Holy Basil & Licorice

Naturopathic doctor Katrina Bogdon, ND of Our Healing Roots:

“If someone presents a picture of high levels of stress, stress-related anxiety, or feeling down, we might begin with a gentle suggestion of Holy Basil or Tulsi tea. It helps to restore mental clarity and hope.

Holy Basil makes a lovely iced tea in the summer. It pairs well with peaches to make a cooling popsicle. However, it is also lovely as a hot adaptogen tea, blending well with several other herbs & flavors. For the more daring, it can be mixed with sweet basil in recipes, such as pesto.

Licorice can be a bit more tricky to work with because of potential interactions with drugs, blood pressure, and potassium levels.

However, when used appropriately and safely, a small amount of solid licorice extract for a period of 8 weeks or less can be just what is needed for a person presenting with exhaustion and a low-functioning hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis picture. Licorice is also an excellent synergist helping to bring together the different ingredients of a formula to help it to work better.

Considering Milky Oat Nervines

Some people have so much nervous tension and anxiety that most adaptogens are overstimulating, leaving them irritable, exhausted, and even more anxious; it makes their stress worse.

In these cases, it might be more prudent to begin with nourishing nervines, such as milky oats (also known as oatstraw) and skullcap. This can help support the nervous system until a person is well enough to work with the hormonal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal aspect.”

Our Healing Roots’ Nourishing Nervine Tea

Tea Ingredients:

• 1 part milky oats (Oatstraw)
• 1 part Skullcap
• 1 cup boiling water

Tea Instructions:

1. Combine the herbs in an empty tea bag, tea strainer or infuser.
2. Let the herbal tea blend steep for 5–10 minutes.
3. Sweeten with raw honey if desired.
4. Drink daily for nervous system support.

Concluding thoughts on Adaptogen Recipes

Experimentation is key when using herbs. We are all unique in our chemistry and constitutions and like with any substance, what works for one may not work for another. Similar to caffeine, an herb that gives positive stimulation and helps one person focus may cause another person to become extremely agitated and unable to focus.

If you are reading this article, you are among the privileged who have access to almost any information you could desire, take advantage and explore, learn and try different calming herbal tea recipes. Eventually, you will discover the bounty of wellness enhancers we have all around us in our natural world!