Powdered herbs can be used in numerous ways!

capsules, you purchase them already encapsulated or do it yourself with a handy little machine. Added to coffee, I like to add powdered ashwagandha directly to pour over coffee. I add about 2 pts coffee to 1 pt powdered herb, you can do this with powdered mushrooms as well. Sometimes people dip their tongue into a jar of powdered herbs, I have been prescribed this by a Chinese practitioner. Incorporated into hot cocoa or hot milk, which is a common Ayurveda preparation. Added to food such as curries, smoothies, yogurt or added to sweet nut butter balls- below is the recipe.

Herbal Bliss Balls

Powdered herb blend: 2 parts herbal powder (Ashwaganda, Shatavari, Eleuthero, Ginseng, marshmallow, ..) 1part cocoa powder, 1/4 pt licorice (If you like the super sweet taste), cinnamon, ginger powder, and/or turmeric.  These can be made with any powdered herbs.

a good adaptogenic formula: 1/2 cup each ashwaganda, Shatavari, and cocoa powder, 1/8 cup each ginger, cinnamon, licorice, and turmeric

How to make bliss balls

Mix in a bowl:

1/2 cup nut butter (I use a combo of peanut, sesame (tahini) and almond). Can also add coconut oil in addition or as a substitute for some nut butter

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup of the powdered herb mix (above)

Mix ingredients thoroughly (will probably have to use your hands to mix it). Roll into balls and coat with sesame seeds, coconut, or cocoa powder.  Freeze or refrigerate remaining balls.  Will keep for 1-2 months in fridge.  Will make 10-15 balls.  I usually double this recipe.

**Optional ingredients to add to balls:  any dried chopped fruit (cranberries, raisins, currents, apricots…), cocoa nibs, chipped nuts, ground seeds (pumpkin seeds are nice), spirulina or greens powder, hemp or flax seed powder.  My favorite additives are chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds and dried blueberries.

herbal hot cocoa

Add milk (can be any type) to a saucepan, use medium heat to bring to a simmer. Add a heaping spoonful of each cocoa powder and herbal powder; Wisk or stir for a few min to incorporate herbs and froth the milk. You can add honey or sugar toward the end to sweeten to your liking.  You can spice it up with Cayenne or cinnamon.