I adopted a plant-based diet that eliminated all gluten, dairy, processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine—and it helped tremendously in my personal healing process. My energy soared, my immune function improved, and my thyroid and digestive health began to regulate. I’ve written about my brain-fog-busting tonic for helping fight fatigue and promote energy and focus, and now, I want to share another one of my go-to mixtures for when I need a little more calm and balance (and anti-inflammatory properties)—my turmeric and shilajit tonic. This tonic has been inspired by centuries-old ayurvedic tradition. It boasts homemade hemp milk, a hint of raw honey, freshly juiced carrots, ginger, turmeric, and adaptogenic plant ingredients such as maca, ashwagandha, shilajit, reishi, and chaga—plus powerful digestion-balancing herbs like cardamom, vanilla bean, and black pepper. Along with providing adrenal and immune support and anti-inflammatory properties, this warming tonic basically tastes like you’re sipping on sunshine. Here, learn why I think the ingredients in this tonic are so special for promoting wellness—and scroll down for the full recipe! Mineral-rich shilajit helps metabolize food for energy, contains a variety of antioxidants that protect cells throughout the body, and may help combat fatigue9 and stimulate the brain8 (according to studies in rats and cell cultures). It dissolves well in water. I keep shilajit in my purse for when I need a quick brain boost. Lotus Blooming Herbs is a company I trust that supplies Himalayan-sourced, fair trade shilajit in its genuine and authentic form—a black, gummy mineral resin. Specifically, ashwagandha has been shown to lower your body’s stress hormone12, cortisol, which can make you feel more calm and support adrenal balance. It can also help out an underactive thyroid. A randomized controlled trial11 found that after just eight weeks of supplementing with ashwagandha, patients with hypothyroidism had much healthier thyroid labs (higher T3 and T4; lower TSH)and therefore more normal, balanced thyroid function. Ginger has also been shown in a 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials18 to have anti-inflammatory effects and the ability to alleviate markers of oxidative stress. These effects underlie this herbal root’s ability to reduce muscle pain and soreness associated with exercise19 and arthritis20. Beta-carotene and other carotenoids play a protective role in skin health24 and vision25. Beta-carotene is considered the most important provitamin A carotenoid (i.e., beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A in our body), and vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin known to be critical for immune system function26. From reproductive, immune, brain, skin, and digestive functions to helping with fatigue, the potential bioactivities of maca28 are numerous, but not convincingly backed up by high-quality research yet. What I can say for sure is that maca has a distinct caramel-like taste and is packed 29with fiber, amino acids, iron, calcium,, potassium, copper, vitamin C and phytonutrients. Serves 1 Ingredients Fern has partnered with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon at The Ash Center for Comprehensive Medicine, Dr. Robin Berzin and Dr. Jeffrey Egler at Parsley Health, among leading health practitioners, expert yoga instructors, and brilliant entrepreneurs. Together with these exceptional doctors and renowned practitioners, she offers Thyroid Yoga® in tandem with integrative medical practices, yoga studios, and wellness centers. Fern is a certified Reiki practitioner and registered yoga teacher.
