Naturally Lower Your Cortisol With This Apoptogenic Anti-Stress Drink

I am not sure if you're like me? ! But I have always always tried to do everything I have to do AND everything I want to do; (I was tired before I had kids!) In my 20s, I burnt out after my first and second businesses and developed fibromyalgia. Recovering from that took a long time, and I thought of myself as careful not to burn out again.

When I finally did decide to have children, I unwittingly found myself in a toxic, stressful relationship and around stressful family/friends, and would never have been able to grasp the level of stress that came with that.

In today’s fast-paced world, managing stress is more important than ever. High stress levels can lead to an increase in cortisol, a hormone that, when elevated for prolonged periods, can wreak havoc on your body and mind.

When my boys were 3 & 4 years old, I found myself bedridden, gaining ridiculous amounts of weight, messed up periods, unable to regulate or function, and severe panic attacks and anxiety I could not calm down from. There were plenty of warning signs in the 2 years leading up to this, I ignored them. The doctor tried giving me all sorts of medication. It took me another 2 years and lots of research to restore my health and energy then finally recover. From weight gain to anxiety, dry skin, memory loss, etc, the effects of high cortisol are far-reaching. I can't believe how hard it was to overcome and how little support there is or was. But thankfully, nature provides us with powerful tools to help manage stress and lower cortisol levels.

I could go on and on about the shitty choices that led me to being super proactive about my health and I probably will in other posts but for now I will share a tea recipe I created and that I use to help lower and maintain my cortisol levels.

My Adaptogenic Anti-Stress Drink—an easy, delicious way to incorporate natural stress relievers into your daily routine. This drink combines several potent ingredients known for their stress-reducing and adaptogenic properties. Let’s dive into the benefits of each ingredient and how to prepare this soothing elixir.

Key Ingredients and Their Benefits

1. Ashwagandha

   - Benefits: Ashwagandha is a renowned adaptogen that helps the body cope with stress and lower cortisol levels.

   - How to use: Add 1 teaspoon of ashwagandha powder to your drink.

   - Frequency: Once or twice a day.

I use Matakana Superfoods organic ashwagandha powder, you can find here: https://www.matakanasuperfoods.com/products/ashwagandha-powder

2. Holy Basil (Tulsi)

   - Benefits: Holy basil is another powerful adaptogen that helps manage stress and promote mental balance.

   - How to use: Brew holy basil tea and use it as the base of your drink, or add 1 teaspoon of tulsi powder.

   - Frequency: Once or twice a day.

This is the one I buy here:

https://nz.iherb.com/pr/pure-indian-foods-organic-tulsi-tea-holy-basil-5-5-oz-156-g/127476?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwo6GyBhBwEiwAzQTmc2coGzlcXU2MF-uBY9CTS8e-459QB42-wITF1aGeUrYBbRsZ4dWSWhoCD0gQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

3. Lemon Balm

   - Benefits: Known for its calming effects, lemon balm can help reduce stress and anxiety.

   - How to use: Brew lemon balm tea and use it as a base or add 1-2 teaspoons of dried lemon balm leaves.

   - Frequency: Once or twice a day.

4. Turmeric

   - Benefits: Turmeric contains curcumin, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties and helps alleviate stress.

   - How to use: Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to your drink, with a pinch of black pepper to enhance absorption.

   - Frequency: Once a day.

I use this one:

https://toitoi.co.nz/products/dried-nz-lemon-balm

5. Chamomile

   - Benefits: Chamomile is well-known for its calming properties and can aid in reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

   - How to use: Brew chamomile tea and use it as the base of your drink.

   - Frequency: Once or twice a day.

I buy healtheries chamomile tea from new world.

6. Ginger

   - Benefits: Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe the body and mind.

   - How to use: Add 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger or 1/2 teaspoon of ginger powder.

   - Frequency: Once a day.

I also buy this at the supermarket.

7. Honey

   - Benefits: Natural honey not only sweetens your drink but also has calming effects.

   - How to use: Add 1-2 teaspoons of honey.

   - Frequency: As desired for taste.

I use Manuka Honey 20+ from whenua honey www.whenuahoney.co.nz

Recipe: Adaptogenic Anti-Stress Tea

Ingredients:

- 1 cup of holy basil tea (or chamomile tea)

- 1 teaspoon of ashwagandha powder

- 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with a pinch of black pepper

- 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger

- 1-2 teaspoons of honey

Instructions:

1. Brew the holy basil or chamomile tea and let it cool slightly.

2. Add the ashwagandha, turmeric, and ginger.

3. Stir in the honey.

4. Drink warm or chilled.

Optional Lemon and Cinnamon sticks for flavor, sleep and fat burning properties.

Recommended Intake: Drink this mixture once or twice daily, ideally in the morning and/or in the evening. Consistency is key, so incorporating it into your daily routine can help in managing cortisol levels over time.

Final Thoughts

Incorporating this Adaptogenic Anti-Stress Drink into your daily regimen is a simple yet effective way to manage stress and lower cortisol levels naturally. Remember, while this drink can be a helpful addition to your wellness routine, it’s important to maintain a balanced diet, take other supplements, get regular exercise, and adequate sleep to fully support your body’s ability to handle stress. I know we cant always but put yourself first and keep stressful people out as much as possible.

I am not paid to recommend the products these are literally the products I buy and recommend you are of course free to choose the products you like and want.

Read this post..... for suggestions and supplement combos that pretty much eliminated all symptoms I had within a month. If you do find these recipes and suggestions helpful I would continue with them once they start working otherwise you will revert back to ugly habits.

I am not a doctor and everything I write about is from my own independent research (google and you tube) and experience. Always consult with a registered healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking other medications. Do not take 5-htp, L-tyosine, NAC or Ashwagandha while you are on SSRI medication.

Start your journey towards lower stress and better health today with this soothing and nutritious drink!