Best Adaptogenic Blends under $30 Plus a DIY
Hibiscus Latté from The Thirlby archives, available here
Anadamide by Sun Potion
This is one of our absolute favourite blends as our discovery of it goes way back to the origin of this website almost half a decade ago. Its flavours are unparalleled with the blended rose petals, ginger, cardamom and turmeric, which provide an unexpected punch when made into a hot chocolate drink. We like to blend it with almond milk, with sweetener to taste, or coconut milk for a richer cup.
Adaptogen Power by Wooden Spoon Herbs
Although adaptogens are typically are grown and harvested in areas such as Finland, Siberia, and India, the leaves, roots, and fungi in this formula are among the finest examples of U.S.-grown adaptogens. The Ashwagandha and Tulsi come from Vermont ad the Reishi from southeastern hemlock trees.
Cacao Magic by Philosophie
Although Reishi is technically not an adaptogen, it still has a calming, balancing effect on the nervous system. We love that this womxn-owned company blends in the grain-free plant-based protein of hemp with other supportive ingredients such as muscle-supporting mesquite powder. Just one tablespoon contains 10 grams of protein!
Adaptogenic Mushroom Mocha Blend by Anima Mundi Herbals
This is an upgrade to Anima Mundi’s Coconut Cream Powder, which functions as the base of this mushroom and cacao blend. What we admire about Anima Mundi’s products is their utmost commitment to and transparency regarding their ingredients. All of the mushrooms in this and other blends are organically grown in the U.S., with the exception of Chaga being ethically wildcrafted in WA state. This blend is chock-full of medicinal mushrooms, including Reishi, Chaga, the one truly adaptogenic mushroom of Cordyceps, Lions Mane, Agaricus, Shiitake, and Maiitake. These are blended with. the coconut cream powder and cacao to make a creamy drink ready to blend with no plant-based milk, ghee, oil, or any additional ingredients required.
Adrenal Tonic by Essential Medicina
This blend has almost all of the adaptogens, with the exception of Eleuthero, Schisandra, Rhaponticum, and Rhodiola. It has dulse, which is a seaweed high in iodine. As our soils continue to be depleted fo essential trace minerals and the popularity of unrefined salts such as Pink Salt, many of us end up being lower in iodine intake. Iodine plays an essential role in metabolism and thyroid regulation, which then support adrenal and overall endocrine function for balanced hormones. This blend also contains camu camu, one of the fruits highest in vitamin C content, making it a great immune-supporting supplement for the Flu season.
Suma (Brazilian Ginseng) by Anima Mundi Herbals
In Modern Brazilian Herbal Practices, Suma Root is used to support the body to stimulate circulation, increase estrogen production, balance blood sugar levels, enhance the immune system, and support memory*.
Mind’s Eye Tonic Latté by Essential Medicina
While caffeine may provide an immediate jolt of energy, it does nothing to nourish your essence, the deepest reservoir of energy and inspiration in your body. In fact, caffeine may be contributing to fatigue, insomnia, hormone imbalance, and blood sugar imbalance. That’s why the midday crash that follows can leave you feeling irritable, scattered, unable to focus, and craving more caffeine or sugar. The adaptogenic ingredients of Cordyceps and Shilajit in this blend are combined with other energy-supporting ingredients such as gotu kola for a natural, caffeine-free jolt.
Mind’s Eye Tonic Latté by Essential Medicina
This blend has many of the true adaptogens, including Cordyceps and Shilajit. It’s blended in with tastier additions like cacao powder and creamy Tocotrienols, which are rice-bran solubles with a. taste reminiscent of vanilla ice cream. We recommend blending it with your plant-based milk of choice such as coconut milk, sweetener of choice such as monk fruit or local raw honey, and a teaspoon of grass-fed ghee or coconut oil.
Cocoa & Peppermint Chaga by NordicNordic
This is an alternative to hot chocolate with a flavour reminiscent of York peppermint patties when blended with coconut milk and sweetened to taste. The chaga is handpicked in Finland, where it is a native mushroom. There are only two more ingredients of cacao powder and peppermint powder, keeping it simple for the body to easily absorb the immune-supporting benefits of chaga. Have it alongside some citrus as vitamin C increases the absorption of chaga’s phytonutrients.
7 Mushroom & Cacao Blend by Anima Mundi Herbals
This formula contains some of the most treasured mushrooms since ancient times, known for their adaptogenic capacity. Meaning, they are master longevity tonics known to support all main organ systems (and beyond). Each mushrooms is known for a signature specialty, like Reishi is often used for healing the lungs, Chaga is known to support healing from tumors and radiation, Lions Mane is known to repair the support brain health, Shiitake is often used as an "anti-aging" tonic particularly for the reproductive system in men and women, Maitake is an excellent mushroom to reduce cholesterol and burn accumulated toxic fat from the body, Agaricus is also used to help treat cancer and type 2 diabetes, and last but not least Cordyceps is used as the ultimate immune and blood protecting source. And, mushrooms aside, Cacao is a cardiovascular tonic known for its dopamine and blood sugar regulation. These are just some of the functions, as each one of these is a powerhouse with a multi-leveled capacity to target a wide array of healing benefits.
Or Make Your Own!
If you are able & live in an area that has a natural grocery store or co-op, we highly recommend searching their bulk spice section. In the Washington, D.C. Metro Area, co-ops such as The Common Market and MOM’s Organic Market have the most affordable options for adaptogenic powders and other herbs. You also reduce your waste, carbon footprint, and support a local business. The recipe below makes two pounds of a blend, which comes out to less than $1 which is drastically lower than around $3 for branded blends and even more for single-extract branded adaptogens.
Ingredients
Ashwagandha by Terra Soul, $14.99
Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) by Starwest Botanicals, $17
Coconut Milk Powder by Healthworks, $8
Directions
Blend together half of the Ashwagandha and Eleuthero with all of the coconut milk powder. You may add in ¼ of a bag of monk fruit if you’d like it to be sweetened. Store in an airtight, dark glass jar. It will keep for 1 year.
The Thirlby: A Field Guide to a Vibrant Mind, Body, & Soul is chock-full of similar herbal remedies as well as other ways to support your body. You can click the banner below to order a copy for yourself or a loved ones for the Holidays
About the Author
Almila Kakinc-Dodd is the Founder, Editor-in-Chief of The Thirlby. She is also the author of the book The Thirlby: A Field Guide to a Vibrant Mind, Body, & Soul. Her background is in Anthropology & Literature, which she has further enriched through her Integrative Health Practitioner training at Duke University. She lives in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area, where she regularly contributes to various publications & studying to pursue Nursing. She is a member of Democratic Socialists of America and urges others to join the movement. She is currently pursuing studies in Nursing.
