21 May Ashwagandha Chai Latte
Try this caffeine free “moon time” hormonal balancer, complete with Ashwagandha and collagen peptides. A great twist from the chai concentrated beverages sold at tea and coffee shops and it’s absolutely creamy and delicious…
Using traditional chai spices, I’ve made this tonic more cosmic by adding adaptogenic and liver supporting herbs along with collagen peptides for a super plant powered creamy drink that will help balance your hormones, blood sugar, and mood!
Ashwaganda is a well known Ayurvedic adaptogen herb that is very beneficial for the nervous system helping regulate optimal cortisol secretion and is traditionally used for emotional and physical stress.
Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinalis) is for liver support and a wonderful herbal ally that combines well with almost any botanical. The slight bitter taste of the herb also helps with digestion.
Chaste tree berries (Vitex agnus-castus) is one of my favorite herbs for hormone balance during the luteal phase or moon time portion of the menstrual cycle.
**Quick tip: if you’re running short on time use a quality pre-made hot chai tea blend and steep in 16 oz of hot water plus 1/4 cinnamon, 2 scoops collagen powder, 1 tbsp coconut butter, 1/2 tsp ashwagandha powder, 1/2 tsp MCT oil. Blend final brew in a high speed blender for 1 – 2 minutes. Enjoy!
To make the latte:
6 cups of water
2 scoops of collagen peptides
1 tbsp coconut butter
2 sticks of cinnamon
1/2 tsp MCT oil
2 inch piece of ginger, chopped
1 tbsp cardamom pods
3 star anise
2 tsp whole cloves
3 tbsp rooibos tea
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp ashwagandha
optional: 3 tbsp honey or stevia extract to taste (I don’t sweeten my blend and it tastes great)
optional: 1 tbsp dried dandelion root, 1 tbsp dried vitex berries
Directions:
Allow the herb and spice mixture to simmer for 20 minutes or more. This method of decoction helps to extract the medicines from the herbs and will reduce the water volume to about 3-4 cups. Add the roobios tea during the last 5 minutes of the simmer. Add vanilla last.
Let the concoction cool and use a mesh strainer (with cheesecloth) to strain out the herbs and roobios leaves. Sweeten if desired and mix with a high speed blender for 1-2 mins before storing in a quart sized Mason jar. Make sure your jarred mixture is cooled down before refrigerating it to prevent the glass from breaking.
Serve with 1 part nut milk or water to 1 part mixture concentrate.
If you or someone you know needs hormonal help, feel free to reach out and drop me a line on the “contact us” page on this site. I treat patients locally at my Naturopathic practice in Vancouver, B.C. and worldwide via phone or Skype.
To your best health!
Naturopathic Physician, Menopause Clinician, Acupuncturist, and Health Educator