adaptogen latte

With medicinal mushrooms

There is comfort to be found in a cup of this warm, frothy, botanical adaptogen latte.

Adaptogens are a group of herbs that help improve stress resilience, and in today’s world, it makes sense that these herbs are becoming more mainstream. Even though it may seem like these herbs are new, adaptogens have a long history of use in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Some examples of adaptogenic herbs include: ashwagandha, reishi mushroom, lion’s mane, rhodiola, and ginseng, to name a few. They have been used throughout history to help improve energy, stress-induced fatigue, physical performance, and mood, and some modern research supports using particular herbs for these concerns.1 With that said, more research needs to be completed to fully understand how adaptogens work. 

For this recipe, we partnered with Apotheka Herbal Boutique to come up with a blend that could be used to make a delicious, hot beverage. We decided to use the powdered medicinal mushrooms: Ganoderma lucidum (reishi) and Inonotus obliquus (chaga). We mixed these herbs with cinnamon, cardamom, and cocoa to add warmth and flavour. Our aim with this recipe is to offer an easy and enjoyable way to incorporate more plants in your cooking, with the hope that you will become creative and explore other plant benefits and flavours. While it is a lovely practice to include more botanicals into your daily life, make sure that you are not using wild herbs that are endangered. United Plant Savers have species at risk lists to help people insure they are enjoying herbs responsibly. In addition, there are companies that will cultivate endangered herbs rather than source them from the wild. 

Note: when incorporating medicinal herbs into your routine, keep in mind that they can interact with medications, and may not be appropriate for you. Make sure to talk to a health care provider with knowledge about herbal medicine if you are concerned.

— Chelsea 

Serves 1-2 people

Directions 

1. 
If you purchased the powdered herbs individually, mix them together and store in a container. 
   
2. Put the water and adaptogen blend in a pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer for 5-10 minutes. 
   
3. Add the plant milk, and bring the mixture back to a simmer. 
   
4. Pour into a blender, add the coconut oil and honey, and blend until the mixture is frothy. Enjoy!   

Further ideas and modifications

• 
If you are short on time, you can just bring the water to boil in a kettle, and then mix all ingredients in a blender. 
• There are many adaptogen herbs, so feel free to explore their uses and tastes and come up with your own formula.

1. Panossian A. (2017) Understanding adaptogenic activity: specificity of the pharmacological action of adaptogens and other phytochemicals. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1401(1). 

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