My Sacred Beauty Rituals: Part 4
Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician, was thought to have said the famous words “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” As a wellness coach and seeker, this philosophy deeply resonates with me-- I believe in the power of food to nourish and heal. For almost 20 years, I have personally benefitted from a whole food, plant-based diet, it has helped me clear up severe acne, improve my digestion and maintain overall wellness. I have also witnessed countless others heal both acute and chronic health issues by using food as medicine.
Hippocrates’ theory has finally made a comeback and I think it’s safe to say more Americans than ever are adopting a plant-based diet. On a recent trip to Buffalo, NY, I was thrilled to discover the first vegan restaurant, Root + Bloom, had just opened and that other Buffalo staples now have plant-based options. But the truth is, even with more vegetarian and vegan options, it can be challenging for many of us to get all the nutrients we need from our food.
As a wellness coach, people often ask me about my take on supplements. While each body has different needs, I’m generally in favor of choosing food-based options in their most natural and whole state. What I mean by whole, is unprocessed and organic. Many store bought supplements are filled with additives that may actually do more harm than good. When I need nutritional support or healing for a specific issue, I always turn to plants first. In Part 1 of this series, I talked about the benefits of herbal tea and now I am excited to share about herbal elixirs and syrups!
Herbal Elixirs and Syrups
These plant-based potions are beloved for their pleasant taste and ease of use. Elixirs and syrups distill the health benefits of whole plants with honey and alcohol to create a delicious addition to your water, tea or juice. Another throwback to ancient medicine, elixirs have been mentioned in some of the earliest legends and scriptures across the world. In some texts, they were believed to have magical powers and cure-all properties. It’s incredible that we can still use them to support immunity, hormones, energy and all kinds of wellness. Mountain Rose Herbs carries 18 formulas, each with a unique blend to help with everything from sleep to sex!
I happened to get a shipment of 3 elixirs from Mountain Rose Herbs in the midst of an NYC heatwave. I was drinking a lot of water and let’s just say the flavor and wellness factor of these 3 was welcomed! You can enjoy elixirs in both hot and cold drinks, but I especially loved them cold during these hot days. I found that adding them to sparkling water made for a refreshing treat that was also packed with good stuff. I think this would make a great drink for anyone who is weaning off sugary drinks or alcohol. Here’s the scoop on the Mountain Rose Herbs Elixirs and Syrups I’m loving this summer:
Ginger - The are so many benefits of ginger, but just to name a couple big ones: it’s anti-inflammatory and golden for healthy digestion. Apparently, it also helps with menstrual cramps so I’m going to try it out for my next cycle. Have you tried ginger for menstrual cramps? Do tell!
Adapt Chocolate Elixir - This one combines superfoods like cacao with adaptogens such as reishi and chaga mushrooms to help promote balance and strength during stressful times. It’s delicious, especially if you love chocolate like me! I’m excited to tap into the benefits of adaptogens more.
Aphrodite’s Syrup - Who doesn’t want to experience the love, desire and beauty of goddess Aphrodite? You know the name sold me, but so did this combination of herbs touted to enhance your mood and intimate connections. Let’s just say I’m very curious to see how this blend of damiana, kava kava and other herbs ignites my fire.
I believe that when you ingest nature’s bountiful plant medicine, you connect with the Earth and its healing powers. This is how using herbal elixirs and syrups can take something as simple as drinking water from a routine to a Sacred Beauty Ritual. *Please keep in mind that these products do contain honey and alcohol, so start with a small amount to see how you react (1 teaspoon is recommended).
Have you tried herbal elixirs, syrups or tinctures? Which do you prefer and why? I would LOVE to hear from you!
This post is sponsored by Mountain Rose Herbs. Please know that I only partner with brands that I have tried, love and trust. I’m inspired to share their products because I believe you will benefit from knowing about them.